There should not be any surprise to the fact that Bayern Munich is currently doing everything in their power to agree on a new contract extension with Jamal Musiala. He is a generational talent that has already established himself as one of the great, global rising stars in the game let alone as one of the best players in Europe all around. He is absolutely worth his weight in gold for both Bayern and the German national team and it should come with great elation that Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg is now reporting that the plan for Musiala and the club is to sign an extension that would keep him at the club through 2029. With the proposed agreement on the table, Musiala could earn up to €25 million gross per year, which would make him the club’s highest earner alongside Harry Kane. For a talent like Musiala, though, former Bayern and Germany midfielder Lothar Matthäus feels the club should spare absolutely no expense to get Musiala to agree to stay long term even though Bayern is notorious for not wanting to stray too far away from their wage structure. “Just as there was no limit for Messi, for me there’s no limit for Musiala either. You need him not only for sporting reasons, but also as the face of FC Bayern, where some active players will soon be leaving. You need Musiala as an advertising face for international marketing. That’s a value that you cannot pay for with money,” Matthäus stressed on Sky Sport (via @ iMiaSanMia ). Musiala staying long term would certainly help break the mold and sentiment that Bundesliga talents winds up getting shipped off to the Premier League or one of Barcelona or Real Madrid after they really establish themselves. In the same way that Kane’s move from Tottenham to Bayern affected the polarity between the Premier League and the Bundesliga and English and German football as a whole. Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images For Matthäus, Musiala is already in the category of some of club’s greats like himself, Robert Lewandowski, Manuel Neuer, Franz Beckenbauer, and others that have historically been in and amongst the club’s top earners. Financial figures across the decades would, of course, look different, but in relative terms, players in the highest earning brackets are predominantly comprised of club legends, which Musiala has already established himself as one ever since joining from the Chelsea youth ranks. “In my opinion, Musiala has a free choice. He can practically write down the numbers himself, just like Franz Beckenbauer once said about me. If Manuel Neuer and Lewandowski earn or have earned 25 million a year, I think Musiala belongs in that category too. Five years 25 million/year plus a signing fee, that would be 150 million. That would be a good price and, in my opinion, a reasonable sum,” Matthäus rationalized. All signs right now are pointing towards Musiala and Bayern reaching an agreement in the near future that would see him stay until 2029, but in the event that something were to fall through, Matthäus feels that 150 million euros should be the benchmark and price tag to try to lineup an ample replacement. “If Bayern were to look for a replacement for Musiala, he would first have to want to join - and Bayern would have to pay 150 million in transfer fees for a new player of this category,” he urged. Looking for some talk on the prospect of Bayern Munich teaming up Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala? What about the rumors that Hansi Flick is planning a raid on Bayern Munich? Also, how good is this German national team squad? Awesome, then check out our Bavarian Podcast Works Show on Patreon , Spotify , or below: Support Bavarian Podcast Works on Patreon! If you like our podcasts and want more, or just want to listen our episodes ad-free, then support us on Patreon! Every single dollar will be used to help boost the coverage of the team we all love. Mia San Mia. DONATE NOW! Related Hermann Gerland reveals how Jupp Heynckes almost cost Bayern Munich the services of Thomas Müller Daily Schmankerl: Is Bayern Munich sweating the allure of Hansi Flick for big stars?; Neymar catching strays all over; Manchester City to give Erling Haaland a big raise?; Additional praise on Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz; + MORE!No David Montgomery, no problem. The Lions continued their prolific ways offensively on Sunday, scoring 34 points and amassing 475 yards of total offense in a winning effort against the Chicago Bears. Related Articles Detroit Lions | ‘We know who we are’: Lions top Bears for franchise-record 13th win Detroit Lions | Takeaways from 34-17 win, as Lions’ offensive stars shine in win over Bears Detroit Lions | Photo gallery from the Lions’ 34-17 road win over the Bears Detroit Lions | Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu active for Lions against Bears Detroit Lions | Lions’ Brandon Joseph was in police custody Saturday, released It marked Detroit’s 13th game in 2024 with 345-or-more total yards, plus the team’s eighth game this season with at least 31 points. The Lions also have now scored 493 total points, the most points ever scored by the franchise in a single season. Along with all that, the Week 16 matchup featured a variety of commonalities for Ben Johnson’s offense. For starters, Jared Goff was “the straw that stirred the drink,” completing 72 percent of his passes and leading the Lions on four touchdown drives (three of which ended with touchdown throws). The veteran quarterback has now thrown a career-best 33 touchdowns. Johnson’s unit also produced its customary series of explosive plays. And on Sunday, it was courtesy of running back Jahmyr Gibbs and wide receiver Jameson Williams. Gibbs more than shouldered the workload out of the backfield in the place of Montgomery. He eluded defenders all game long, en route to accumulating 109 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Plus, he added another 45 yards as a pass-catcher. In totality, the second-year back amassed 154 all-purpose yards, marking his ninth game this season with north of 100 yards from scrimmage. It’s a feat that was last accomplished by a Lions back in 1997, when Pro Football Hall of Famer Barry Sanders did so on the way to earning MVP honors. Meanwhile, Williams was the very definition of electric on Sunday. Most notably, he displayed his game-changing speed on his 82-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter, easily running past Chicago cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and safety Jonathan Owens on his way to the end zone. “It looked good in practice. That was better than practice,” Lions head man Dan Campbell said of Goff’s deep strike to Williams. “It was a hell of a throw, excellent protection, and man, just a great job on his landmark, hitting it with speed, trusting it, great catch. It was big time.” With the touchdown, the third-year wideout now has totaled four TD receptions of 50-plus yards this season. He is one of only three players in Lions franchise history to achieve the feat in a single season. The others: Detroit legend Calvin Johnson in 2011 and Cloyce Box in 1950. Williams finished the NFC North divisional tilt with five catches and a game-high 143 yards and a score. Unsurprisingly, Amon-Ra St. Brown also played an integral role in the Lions’ triumph over the Bears. Termed the team’s “binky” on offense by Campbell, St. Brown was once again his ultra reliable self. The fourth-year receiver caught six of his eight targets from Goff, including a screen pass late in the second quarter on which he impressively slipped past several Bears defenders into the end zone. He finished the Week 16 contest with six catches for 70 yards and the one score. With the output, St. Brown now holds the distinction of being the only player in Lions franchise history to amass 100 receptions and 10 receiving touchdowns in back-to-back seasons. Plus, on Sunday, he became just the second player in NFL history to record multiple seasons with 100-plus catches, 1,000-plus yards and 10-or-more touchdowns in one’s first four seasons. The other player to accomplish the feat: former longtime Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald. The Lions, equipped with difference-making pass-catchers like St. Brown and Williams and an explosive back like Gibbs, are able to attack opposing defenses in a multitude of ways. Goff can beat the opposition both short and deep with those weapons – along with tight end Sam LaPorta – at his disposal. And Gibbs, with his immense talent, has the ability to break off a big run at any point in a game. As if that weren’t already enough for Detroit’s opponents to handle, Johnson’s offense also has mastered the ability to throw off defenses through the element of surprise. Whether a fake punt or a goal-line pass drawn up for an eligible offensive lineman (e.g. Dan Skipper), you never quite know what Johnson has up his sleeve. And on Sunday, the play-caller went into his bag of tricks once again, and pulled out his most creative play design of the season thus far. It came on the opening possession of the second half. After starting off on their own 21-yard line, Goff & Co. had driven all the way to the Bears’ 21-yard line in a mere four plays. It set up arguably the fake of the season not only for the Lions but also for the entire NFL. On the play, Goff, with Detroit lined up in the singleback formation, appeared to stumble upon taking the snap while Gibbs fell to the Soldier Field grass. All the while, you could hear members of Detroit’s offense yelling, “Ball, ball, ball, ball” and “fumble, fumble.” It all proved to be intentional, however, and a fine display of acting from Johnson’s unit. Goff never lost possession of the football, and remained on his feet as he found a wide-open LaPorta for a 21-yard TD pass. It was a stroke of genius from Johnson, and executed to perfection by the Lions’ veteran signal-caller and the offense. “I think that part where Gibbs, where he dives, really sells the play,” Goff said in the postgame. “I’m only doing half of it. It worked like a charm, and it was nice to score there.” No ifs, ands, or buts about it, the Lions delivered a masterful offensive performance Sunday. And it couldn’t have come at a better time for Detroit’s fanbase, which needed a huge pick-me-up after the team’s loss to the Bills a week ago. Sure, this offensive output came against the lowly Bears, and doesn’t guarantee success for Campbell’s injury-ravaged squad the rest of the season (and in the playoffs). However, in the spirit of the Christmas season, it’s time to drop the negativity (at least temporarily), and to celebrate the one thing that has remained constant for the team in 2024: its offensive productivity. Lions fans absolutely should cherish the “gift” that is Detroit’s high-powered offense this Christmas. This article was produced by the staff at Detroit Lions On SI. For more, visit si.com/nfl/lions
CNN Panelist Slams Defense of Trump Nominee’s QAnon Praise - The Daily Beast
Pudu unveils a life-size walking humanoid robot for warehouse tasksFurthermore, the Canadian government has announced plans to provide financial support and assistance to Canadian businesses and industries that are affected by the tariffs. This includes offering loans, grants, and other forms of financial aid to help businesses weather the economic impact of the tariffs and maintain their competitiveness in the global market.
Gaetz withdraws as Trump's pick for attorney general, averting confirmation battle in the SenateBy BEN FINLEY The Christmas tradition has become nearly global in scope: Children from around the world track Santa Claus as he sweeps across the earth, delivering presents and defying time. Each year, at least 100,000 kids call into the North American Aerospace Defense Command to inquire about Santa’s location. Millions more follow online in nine languages , from English to Japanese. On any other night, NORAD is scanning the heavens for potential threats , such as last year’s Chinese spy balloon . But on Christmas Eve, volunteers in Colorado Springs are fielding questions like, “When is Santa coming to my house?” and, “Am I on the naughty or nice list?” “There are screams and giggles and laughter,” said Bob Sommers, 63, a civilian contractor and NORAD volunteer. Sommers often says on the call that everyone must be asleep before Santa arrives, prompting parents to say, “Do you hear what he said? We got to go to bed early.” NORAD’s annual tracking of Santa has endured since the Cold War , predating ugly sweater parties and Mariah Carey classics . The tradition continues regardless of government shutdowns, such as the one in 2018 , and this year . Here’s how it began and why the phones keep ringing. It started with a child’s accidental phone call in 1955. The Colorado Springs newspaper printed a Sears advertisement that encouraged children to call Santa, listing a phone number. A boy called. But he reached the Continental Air Defense Command, now NORAD, a joint U.S. and Canadian effort to spot potential enemy attacks. Tensions were growing with the Soviet Union, along with anxieties about nuclear war. Air Force Col. Harry W. Shoup picked up an emergency-only “red phone” and was greeted by a tiny voice that began to recite a Christmas wish list. “He went on a little bit, and he takes a breath, then says, ‘Hey, you’re not Santa,’” Shoup told The Associated Press in 1999. Realizing an explanation would be lost on the youngster, Shoup summoned a deep, jolly voice and replied, “Ho, ho, ho! Yes, I am Santa Claus. Have you been a good boy?” Shoup said he learned from the boy’s mother that Sears mistakenly printed the top-secret number. He hung up, but the phone soon rang again with a young girl reciting her Christmas list. Fifty calls a day followed, he said. In the pre-digital age, the agency used a 60-by-80 foot (18-by-24 meter) plexiglass map of North America to track unidentified objects. A staff member jokingly drew Santa and his sleigh over the North Pole. The tradition was born. “Note to the kiddies,” began an AP story from Colorado Springs on Dec. 23, 1955. “Santa Claus Friday was assured safe passage into the United States by the Continental Air Defense Command.” In a likely reference to the Soviets, the article noted that Santa was guarded against possible attack from “those who do not believe in Christmas.” Some grinchy journalists have nitpicked Shoup’s story, questioning whether a misprint or a misdial prompted the boy’s call. In 2014, tech news site Gizmodo cited an International News Service story from Dec. 1, 1955, about a child’s call to Shoup. Published in the Pasadena Independent, the article said the child reversed two digits in the Sears number. “When a childish voice asked COC commander Col. Harry Shoup, if there was a Santa Claus at the North Pole, he answered much more roughly than he should — considering the season: ‘There may be a guy called Santa Claus at the North Pole, but he’s not the one I worry about coming from that direction,’” Shoup said in the brief piece. In 2015, The Atlantic magazine doubted the flood of calls to the secret line, while noting that Shoup had a flair for public relations. Phone calls aside, Shoup was indeed media savvy. In 1986, he told the Scripps Howard News Service that he recognized an opportunity when a staff member drew Santa on the glass map in 1955. A lieutenant colonel promised to have it erased. But Shoup said, “You leave it right there,” and summoned public affairs. Shoup wanted to boost morale for the troops and public alike. “Why, it made the military look good — like we’re not all a bunch of snobs who don’t care about Santa Claus,” he said. Shoup died in 2009. His children told the StoryCorps podcast in 2014 that it was a misprinted Sears ad that prompted the phone calls. “And later in life he got letters from all over the world,” said Terri Van Keuren, a daughter. “People saying ‘Thank you, Colonel, for having, you know, this sense of humor.’” NORAD’s tradition is one of the few modern additions to the centuries-old Santa story that have endured, according to Gerry Bowler, a Canadian historian who spoke to the AP in 2010. Ad campaigns or movies try to “kidnap” Santa for commercial purposes, said Bowler, who wrote “Santa Claus: A Biography.” NORAD, by contrast, takes an essential element of Santa’s story and views it through a technological lens. In a recent interview with the AP, Air Force Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham explained that NORAD radars in Alaska and Canada —- known as the northern warning system — are the first to detect Santa. He leaves the North Pole and typically heads for the international dateline in the Pacific Ocean. From there he moves west, following the night. “That’s when the satellite systems we use to track and identify targets of interest every single day start to kick in,” Cunningham said. “A probably little-known fact is that Rudolph’s nose that glows red emanates a lot of heat. And so those satellites track (Santa) through that heat source.” NORAD has an app and website, www.noradsanta.org , that will track Santa on Christmas Eve from 4 a.m. to midnight, mountain standard time. People can call 1-877-HI-NORAD to ask live operators about Santa’s location from 6 a.m. to midnight, mountain time.
Lamar Jackson is "irreplaceable" to the Baltimore Ravens and is hoping this is the year they "put a ring on it" and win the Super Bowl . The path there is not easy and while they have already secured a playoff spot, they can potentially better their seeding with a win on Christmas Day against the Houston Texans . Jackson is looking forward to Wednesday's game, but not just because it's a chance to extend their win streak to three games. Superstar singer Beyonce is performing in the middle of the action and Jackson plans to catch the halftime performance. During halftime, players head to the locker room and miss whatever goes on between the game, but Jackson is saying, "I ain't sorry" to his teammates and planning to stay out on the field. When asked if he would be disappointed that Beyoncé is performing at halftime and he will have to miss it, Jackson said, "Nah, cause I'm gonna go out there and watch. I'm gonna go out there and watch, man." Let it me known that Lamar Jackson WILL be watching Beyonce at halftime on Christmas Day. "Sorry Harbaugh." 😂 pic.twitter.com/JDvYJJ8K3m Jackson, who is clearly is fan of Queen B, said he's never seen the singer before and he doesn't plan on missing the opportunity to catch the 99-time Grammy nominate. "First time seeing Beyonce perform and it's at our game?! That's dope," the two-time MVP said, followed by an apology to his head coach John Harbaugh. "I'm gonna go out and watch, sorry Harbaugh, sorry. Sorry fellas." When asked if it would depend on how big the lead was, if they have one, he shook his head, saying, "I'm not even thinking about the lead, I'm just thinking about just seeing Beyonce for the first time." Jackson doesn't want anyone to take his comments the wrong way, but didn't backtrack on wanting to leave the locker room to see Beyonce. "Not sounding like that, no disrespect, because I know how people can take things," Jackson said. If Jackson does view the show, he won't be the first player to stay out to watch a halftime performance. During Super Bowl LVI, Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson watched Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar hit the stage. The Ravens are currently 10-5, while the Texans are 9-6.
Briefing paper on Greece boat tragedy calls for policy Islamabad:The Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) has launched a comprehensive briefing paper titled ‘Greece Boat Tragedy: Policy and Legal Recommendations’ in response to the catastrophic Greece boat tragedy that resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives. The briefing paper emphasises the need for Pakistan to urgently strengthen its legal and policy frameworks to combat human smuggling and prevent similar tragedies in the future. The document provides a detailed roadmap addressing the multifaceted challenges of irregular migration. It calls for amendments to anti-human smuggling legislation to ensure that smuggled migrants are recognised as victims and granted comprehensive protections, including immunity from prosecution. The paper also stresses the importance of integrating victim rehabilitation, data analysis, and training programs into enforcement strategies while acknowledging the critical role of civil society in awareness and victim support. A key recommendation is to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies and the judiciary through specialised training for police, prosecutors, and judges. Establishing regional task forces and procedural manuals to streamline coordination among law enforcement, immigration authorities, and victim service providers is also highlighted. To strengthen border security, the briefing paper proposes multi-layered surveillance systems incorporating advanced technologies such as biometrics and AI-driven analytics to monitor migration flows effectively. Another focus area highlighted by the paper is inter-agency collaboration is another crucial area of focus. The paper recommends forming a central coordination body under the Ministry of Interior to oversee the implementation of the National Action Plan on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants. Integrating databases among the FIA, NADRA, and border authorities to enhance intelligence sharing is proposed, alongside creating inter-agency task forces to improve investigative and prosecutorial capacities. Public awareness campaigns are identified as essential to addressing the root causes of irregular migration. The paper calls for nationwide multimedia initiatives featuring survivor testimonies and educational modules on safe migration pathways, targeting youth in migration-prone areas through schools, social media, and community outreach programs. Additionally, partnerships with civil society organisations are recommended to conduct grassroots awareness drives. The briefing paper also emphasises the importance of reintegration and economic support programs. It advocates for aligning youth employment policies with entrepreneurship and skills development initiatives to reduce economic push factors driving irregular migration.
This industry-leading cultivator brought in Econse Water Technologies to ensure that they met local wastewater regulations, and to prepare them for future growth. LOCKPORT, N.Y. , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Located in the heart of Nova Scotia, Canada , AtlantiCann Medical Inc. (AMI) features a 75,000-square-foot facility purpose-built to meet the most rigorous quality and control standards. Three years ago, the municipality voiced concerns about the phosphorous load in the facility's wastewater, threatening to shut down the operation if the situation wasn't corrected. AMI reached out to Econse to help them with nutrient management and allow their indoor growing facility to continue operating within strict municipality regulations. Econse feels strongly about protecting our precious water resources and was ready to answer the call. Excess phosphorous entering our waterways creates harmful algae blooms that threaten our delicate ecology, clean water availability, and wildlife. Econse delivered a compact, easy-to-use system that was installed quickly with minimal interruptions or changes to operations. All on AMI's budget. The system effectively treats AMI's wastewater, bringing the load to acceptable limits for the municipality. The system has been operating for three years, and during that time Econse has Treated 3 Million Gallons of Water for Discharge Removed 2,000 to 2,500 Kilograms of Phosphorous "High-density growth and operating at full capacity mean there's a higher concentration of phosphates in our wastewater," says Anthony Giardino , Director of Operations AMI. "The levels of phosphorous, fertilizer, and other contaminants aren't a challenge for the Econse system. It has allowed us to focus on production and innovation instead of worrying about our wastewater." Additionally, the system is scalable, enabling AMI to continue with their growth plans without fear of their wastewater once again exceeding municipal limits. With Econse, they can increase production without increasing their impact on the environment. "Our technology doesn't just work for Closed Environment Agriculture and greenhouses like AMI," says Derek Davy , CEO Econse Water Technologies. "We have systems that enable rural greenhouses to treat wastewater to levels acceptable for direct release. As food supply needs increase, so does our need for greenhouse growing. We're excited to help this industry flourish in a way that doesn't harm our critical water resources." ABOUT ECONSE WATER TECHNOLOGIES Econse Water Technologies leads the charge in redefining water treatment solutions to combat pollution and confront climate change head-on. Their proven technologies have empowered businesses and communities across Canada and the US, enabling environmental compliance while fostering economic growth with compact, on-site solutions. Recently, Econse introduced OZOCAV, a new biosecurity tool in the fight against emerging pandemics. For any follow-up questions or more details, please contact: Derek Davy at [email protected] SOURCE Econse Water Technologies
Poeltl, Olynyk, Mitchell return to Toronto Raptors’ lineup versus Mavericks
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's current governor and his successor tacked on another lawsuit Monday disputing a key provision within a GOP law that erodes the powers of several incoming Democratic state leaders — the latest in a longstanding power struggle between North Carolina's executive and legislative branches over who controls the state's elections. The lawsuit challenges one of the law's core power shifts that move the ability to appoint members of the North Carolina State Board of Elections from the governor's authority to the state auditor's office — which will be run by Republican Dave Boliek next year. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Gov.-elect Josh Stein, who currently serves as the state attorney general, filed the suit in Wake County Superior Court on Monday, saying in the complaint that the provision is unconstitutional and violates the separation of powers. The change to state election board appointments will take place next spring if it isn't blocked in court. The state elections board would likely remain under GOP control for the next few years and would trickle down to county boards as well. “We have had the same structure for our state board of elections for nearly a century and it has served North Carolina well, with fair and secure elections across our state through every cycle,” Cooper said in a news release Monday. “These blatantly partisan efforts to give control over elections boards to a newly elected Republican will create distrust in our elections process and serve no legitimate purpose.” The suit from Cooper and Stein is the second challenge the pair has levied against the GOP-controlled state legislature concerning the law. Cooper and Stein are also contesting another provision that prevents the governor from choosing his State Highway Patrol commander. Those alterations to the governor's powers were part of a larger swath of changes to several statewide offices that Democrats won in November and will preside over next year — such as attorney general, state schools superintendent and lieutenant governor. If the law withstands the court challenges, it would further underscore the GOP-led legislature's tightened grip over the other two branches of government since Republicans took control of the General Assembly more than a decade ago. Last year, GOP supermajorities in both the House and Senate firmed up power even more. Pending legal disputes in a few outstanding races , Republicans could lose their supermajority if Democratic challenger Bryan Cohn's attempt to oust incumbent Republican Rep. Frank Sossamon proves successful. That would give Stein a slightly more effective veto stamp on future Republican legislation if Democratic lawmakers stay unified. Republican legislators passed the law in both chambers earlier this month — not without scathing disapproval from crowds of protesters in the building. The bill drew the ire of House and Senate Democrats, as well as some community organizers, who denounced it as a “power grab.” They also criticized Republican lawmakers for tying the power shifts to disaster relief funding for western North Carolina in Hurricane Helene's aftermath. Most of the $252 million in recovery funds included in the law can't be spent until the next time the General Assembly acts. But GOP legislators defended the bill, with incoming House Speaker Destin Hall saying during the House vote that the changes are within the legislature's constitutional right. Republicans also point to previous Democratic actions , such as weakening the state’s first GOP governor in 1972, as reasons necessitating the legislation. Spokespeople for Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore — who are both defendants listed in the lawsuit — did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday evening. A state elections board spokesperson also did not immediately respond. Changes to the state elections board aren't a first for GOP lawmakers. Previous attempts have been blocked by courts , including a suit last year that would move board appointment authority from the governor to the General Assembly . Berger and Moore's attorneys moved to dismiss that case last week, and the new lawsuit from Cooper and Stein seeks to replace it. Makiya Seminera, The Associated Press