The new, 12-team College Football Playoff brings with it a promise to be bigger, more exciting, more lucrative. Perfect or 100% fair? Well, nobody ever believed that. The first expanded playoff bracket unveiled Sunday left a presumably deserving Alabama team on the sideline in favor of an SMU squad that finished with a better record after playing a schedule that was not as difficult. It ranked undefeated Oregon first but set up a possible rematch against Ohio State, the team that came closest to beating the Ducks this year. It treated underdog Boise State like a favorite and banged-up Georgia like a world beater at No. 2. It gave Ohio State home-field advantage against Tennessee for reasons it would take a supercomputer to figure out. It gave the sport the multiweek tournament it has longed for, but also ensured there will be plenty to grouse about between now and when the trophy is handed out on Jan. 20 after what will easily be the longest college football season in history. All of it, thankfully, will be sorted out on the field starting with first-round games on campuses Dec. 20 and 21, then over three succeeding rounds that will wind their way through traditional bowl sites. Maybe Oregon coach Dan Lanning, whose undefeated Ducks are the favorite to win it all, put it best when he offered: "Winning a national championship is not supposed to be easy.” Neither, it turns out, is figuring out who should play for it. The Big Ten will lead the way with four teams in the tournament, followed by the SEC with three and the ACC with two. The lasting memory from the inaugural bracket will involve the decision that handed the ACC that second bid. Alabama of the SEC didn't play Saturday. SMU of the ACC did. The Mustangs fell behind by three touchdowns to Clemson before coming back to tie. But they ultimately lost 34-31 on a 56-yard field goal as time expired. “We were on pins and needles,” SMU coach Rhett Lashley said. “Until we saw the name ‘SMU’ up there, we were hanging on the edge. We're really, really happy and thankful to the committee for rewarding our guys for their total body of work." The Mustangs only had two losses, compared to three for the Crimson Tide. Even though SMU's schedule wasn't nearly as tough, the committee was impressed by the way the Mustangs came back against Clemson. “We just felt, in this particular case, SMU had the nod above Alabama,” said Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, the chairman of the selection committee. “But it’s no disrespect to Alabama’s strength of schedule. We looked at the entire body of work for both teams.” Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne was gracious, up to a point. “Disappointed with the outcome and felt we were one of the 12 best teams in the country,” he said on social media. He acknowledged — despite all of Alabama’s losses coming against conference opponents this season — that the Tide’s push to schedule more games against teams from other major conferences in order to improve its strength of schedule did not pay off this time. “That is not good for college football," Byrne said. Georgia, the SEC champion, was seeded second; Boise State, the Mountain West champion, earned the third seed; and Big 12 titlist Arizona State got the fourth seed and the fourth and final first-round bye. All will play in quarterfinals at bowl games on Dec. 31-Jan. 1. Clemson stole a bid and the 12th seed with its crazy win over SMU, the result that ultimately cost Alabama a spot in the field. The Tigers moved to No. 16 in the rankings, but got in as the fifth-best conference winner. The conference commissioners' idea to give conference champions preferable treatment in this first iteration of the 12-team playoff could be up for reconsideration after this season. The committee actually ranked Boise State, the Mountain West Champion, at No. 9 and Big 12 champion Arizona State at No. 12, but both get to skip the first round. Another CFP guideline: There’s no reseeding of teams after each round, which means no break for Oregon. The top-seeded Ducks will face the winner of Tennessee-Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 earlier this year in one of the season’s best games. No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas, Dec. 21. Clemson is riding high after the SMU upset, while Texas is 0-2 against Georgia and 11-0 vs. everyone else this season. The winner faces ... Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. Huh? No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State, Dec. 21. The biggest knock against the Mustangs was that they didn't play any big boys with that 60th-ranked strength of schedule. Well, now they get to. The winner faces ... Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. Yes, SMU vs. Boise was the quarterfinal we all expected. No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame, Dec. 20. Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti thought his team deserved a home game. Well, not quite but close. The winner faces ... Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. The Bulldogs got the No. 2 seed despite a throwing-arm injury to QB Carson Beck. But what else was the committee supposed to do? No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State , Dec. 21. The Buckeyes (losses to Oregon, Michigan) got home field over the Volunteers (losses to Arkansas, Georgia) in a matchup of programs with two of the biggest stadiums in football. The winner faces ... Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Feels like that matchup should come in the semifinals or later. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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QND Celebration Reflects Ethos Of Belonging, Pride In Qatar's HistoryKUWAIT: Kuwait is the first country in the Middle East to offer a vaccine protecting children from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), bronchiolitis, and pneumonia, said Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi on Saturday. He described this move as a major advancement that enhances Kuwait’s position in pediatric medicine. In a statement to the press following the opening of the Second Kuwait Pediatric Conference on Saturday, Dr Al-Awadhi emphasized the vaccines’ importance and its significant impact on reducing respiratory infections in children. In his opening speech, he highlighted that child health is fundamental to societal progress, stressing the vital role of scientific research in finding effective solutions to health challenges facing the community. Dr Al-Awadhi also explained that the Ministry of Health has focused heavily on pediatric care in recent years by establishing specialized departments in hospitals, equipping them with the latest medical technology, and ensuring they are staffed with highly trained Kuwaiti medical professionals. He reiterated the ministry’s commitment to staying at the forefront of global medical advancements, noting that the continued organization of scientific conferences is evidence of the ministry’s strong support for ongoing medical education and collaboration with leading medical centers worldwide. Conference chair Dr Iman Al-Enaizi called the event a unique gathering of expertise in various areas of pediatrics, both regionally and internationally. She pointed out that five leading global medical centers are participating, enriching the conference with the latest research and developments in child health. Dr Al-Enaizi also mentioned that this year’s conference will focus on new topics, including adolescent health, following the ministry’s decision to raise the age for “child health screenings” in Kuwait to 14-16 years. She added that the conference also provides parents with the chance to meet with doctors from the international hospitals that have treated their children. Dr Sundus Al-Shareeda, Chair of the Scientific Committee, said the three-day conference serves as a prominent scientific platform, bringing together over 90 speakers from across the world. Dr Al-Shareeda further explained that the conference includes more than seven interactive workshops covering specialized topics such as pediatric cardiology, neonatal care, medical leadership, and emergency medicine. She emphasized that the conference aims to enhance knowledge exchange, skill development, and the building of strong partnerships among professionals in this vital field. — KUNA
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Tess Daly lives a luxurious life in the Buckinghamshire countryside with her husband of nearly 21 years, fellow TV star Vernon Kay, and their two daughters, Phoebe, 20, and Amber, 15. The couple, who tied the knot in 2003, have both had plenty of high-profile TV roles, contributing to their impressive net worth. Tess has hosted everything from Strictly Come Dancing to Children in Need, while Vernon presents a morning show on BBC Radio 2, has been the face of the much-loved game show Family Fortunes and even made it to third place on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2020. But away from the spotlight, Tess and Vernon own a sprawling six-bedroom country home in the Beaconsfield area of Buckinghamshire, which has been named one of the best places to live in Britain. The couple share their beautiful home with their youngest daughter, Amber, after their eldest, Phoebe, flew the nest last year to attend drama school. A source close to Tess shared with Closer that the presenter was experiencing a whirlwind of emotions about Phoebe's departure. "She's incredibly proud and excited for her to experience a new adventure, but still feels upset when she thinks about her leaving the nest and is worried over how the family dynamic at home is set to change," they revealed. Despite this, the family's estate is far from quiet, with Tess' adorable Shetland ponies Honey and Willow freely roaming the grounds, along with the family's two lovable dogs who often make appearances on her social media. The couple have also added their own personal touches to the property, including a swimming pool perfect for summer dips, and a vegetable patch where they grow strawberries and raspberries. Inside, Tess and Vernon have created their dream space, with reports suggesting the couple are worth an impressive £5 million. A quick scroll through Tess' social media reveals a home filled with modern luxuries, including a home gym, a sleek monochromatic kitchen, and stunning floor-to-ceiling windows. Tess shared a selfie of her inside her gym which used to be her shed. Now, she has fitted out the space with state-of-the-art equipment, perfect for during the coronavirus lockdowns when she couldn't access the gym. Sharing a snap at the time, she wrote: "Really wanted to motivate myself this morning so got up early ahead of the kids home schooling/lunches etc to do a zoom workout in the gym (shed)". Go on girl! The wooden decking in the garden is a great spot for barbecues or a glass of wine on a summer's eve. By the woven sofa are two outdoor lamps, so the family can sit outside with flickering candle light. The star has previously admitted that this is her "favourite spot" in the entire property with the stylised wicker swing bench which is decorated by grey pillows. We can see that the garden includes a luscious lawn and well-trimmed hedges. The family have their own swimming pool which is great for kids and adults alike during summer. Meanwhile, Vernon recently vented his frustration about a troublesome household item that's been causing stress in his family. Speaking on his BBC Radio 2 show, the 50-year-old presenter vented about the constant issues he faces with his printer and called for a change on technology advice. "From experience in our house, it's the only piece of modern technology, and I'm including the kettle and the toaster and the fryer, it's the one piece that causes you the most grief. They're a nightmare printers, they really are," he said. On the "basic" one he bought, he continued: "We've got one, I went for the basic [one] where you're online and you can allegedly print from your Wi-Fi... doesn't work." He also expressed disbelief at ongoing problems like paper jams, adding: "If you email it, [it] doesn't work. Paper jam, still exists. How in 2024 is a paper jam still a thing?". Vernon called for more straightforward tech advice, adding: "We need to bring back some kind of technology programme and just be honest. 'Don't use this, it's garbage, get this one'. You know what I mean? Just be upfront because technology is so difficult." He recalled the overwhelming options when purchasing: "When I went and bought it there were so many printers on offer, they did so many things. It's like, 'Listen, all I need to do is to help my kids print off their homework, that's all it is, I don't want this, that and the other'." In a recent, light-hearted revelation, the presenter humorously lamented about his family's refusal to let him have 'a chickenarium', something he's longed for. He recounted the experience, sharing: "It's funny isn't it, when your kids ask, 'Can we have a hamster, can we a goldfish, can we have a gerbil?'. You're like, 'Yeah, no problem as long as you look after it, you'll be fine'. "(Meanwhile, if) I want a chicken, not a chance, it's not fair! They've got ponies and all sorts. But, I want a chicken, and I can't have a chicken. There's something romantic about going down to the garden and pulling the eggs out and saying, 'Look what we've got'." Despite the family's resistance, Vernon hasn't given up on his desire to have one, adding: "Right, when I go home tonight, I'm going to tell the gang that we're having a chickenarium. And they'll go, 'What's one of them?', and I'll be like, 'Just you wait and see'."Talentuch Hosted an HR Webinar with Jon Wolheim on How to Build an Effective Recruitment Team
Brainrot, brat, extreme weather, midwest nice and weird round out the shortlist SAN MATEO, Calif. , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dictionary.com , the world's leading digital dictionary, today announced its 2024 Word of the Year: demure . Traditionally used to describe reserved or modest individuals, demure has taken on an expanded meaning this year to signify refined and sophisticated appearances or behaviors. "As remote work fades and in-person experiences become the norm again, the subtle art of personal presentation has taken on renewed importance," said Steve Johnson , Curriculum Design Manager of the Dictionary Media Group at IXL Learning . " Demure captures this cultural shift with a modern twist: a word that once carried traditional, often limiting connotations has been reimagined to celebrate understated elegance and suavity. Its evolving meaning gives people a way to express quiet confidence—embracing modesty and charm as intentional, empowering choices . " In making the annual selection, Dictionary.com 's lexicographers analyzed a wealth of data—including newsworthy headlines, search engine results and social media trends—to identify words that captured pivotal moments in 2024. The word demure dominated the cultural zeitgeist, with its usage in digital media surging a remarkable 1,200% between January and August. This meteoric rise is largely attributed to Jools Lebron, a content creator who popularized the phrase "very demure, very mindful" in a series of TikTok videos illustrating how to embody the term in professional, travel and social settings. The social media buzz surrounding demure sparked a similar spike in search interest. In the 11 months before Lebron's videos, there was no notable trend in Google searches for the term, but interest surged 14-fold by August 2024 . At its peak, searches for demure on Dictionary.com were 200 times greater than their previous rate. While the initial trend has cooled, the word remains five times more popular on Dictionary.com than it was before its breakout moment. Alongside demure, Dictionary.com 's lexicographers identified five additional words that shaped the cultural conversation in 2024, rounding out this year's shortlist. Read more about Dictionary.com 's 2024 Word of the Year at http://dictionary.com/e/word-of-the-year/ . About Dictionary.com Words define every aspect of our lives, from our ideas to our identities. Dictionary.com aspires to empower people to express themselves, make connections and find opportunities through the power and joy of language. With 96 million visitors each month, Dictionary.com is the premier destination to learn, discover and have fun with the limitless world of words and meanings. The brand helps you make sense of the ever-evolving English language so you can put your ideas into words—and your words into action. Press Contact Joslyn Chesson IXL Learning press@ixl.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dictionarycom-names-demure-as-the-2024-word-of-the-year-302315735.html SOURCE IXL LearningAirbus Ventures Invests In Eureka Robotics Robotics & Automation NewsThe next 10-year vision of the Silicon Beach Program (SBP) is to increase technology jobs in Karnataka’s coastal region from 20,000 to two lakh, said Rohith Bhat, SBP founding-member and founder of wrkwrk, 99Games & and Robosoft, here on Saturday. Speaking at the second dialogue series of the SBP at Cuboid, wrkwrk Mindspace in Mangaluru, he said that the vision includes increasing the total start-ups in the region from 200 to 4,000 with at least five homegrown unicorns. Mr. Bhat said that increasing the regional GDP (gross domestic product) from $20 billion to $100 billion is another component of the vision. IT leaders speaking at a panel discussion during the second dialogue series of Silicon Beach Program in Mangaluru on Saturday. | Photo Credit: H.S. MANJUNATH “Our vision is to propel the local ecosystem in Mangaluru and beyond,” he said, adding making 95% of IT buildings as carbon-neutral green spaces is also part of the vision. “The SBP will work on creating a framework on building our future, while preserving our culture without destroying our nature,” Mr. Bhat said. “It seeks to transform the region from an education to a technology hub by enhancing local IT resources, talent, and infrastructure to provide world-class services and products with superior technology and talent. This will result in significant cost benefits for companies worldwide there by kickstarting a new age of growth for the region,” he said. Mr. Bhat said that over 225 companies and start-ups employing 20,000-plus IT professionals in the region now generated a revenue of $500 million per annum. Stating that the attrition rate in Mangaluru is very low, he said it is due to balanced work and life environment. Website launched A website of the SBP, www.siliconbeachprogram.com, was launched on the occasion. In addition, guidebooks on Mangaluru and Udupi-Manipal were also released. The website which gives a comprehensive information on SBP describes Mangaluru region as the “talent capital of India.” “With world-class amenities, higher happiness index, zero pollution and healthy living Mangaluru city offers 70 to 80% lower attrition rate,” it said. The website said that Mangaluru offers a cost-effective environment for global conglomerates and start-ups to establish operations. The city provides skilled talent, modern infrastructure, and lower operational costs compared to major metros, enabling businesses to maintain high-quality output while significantly reducing expenses. Mangaluru offers everything that the best cities in the world do – international airport, high-quality education, state-of-the-art healthcare, premium residential facilities, premium malls and restaurants, and tourism hotspots, it said. A panel discussion was held as part of second dialogue series. Published - December 14, 2024 08:31 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit
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