By Hyunsu Yim SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korean leader Kim Jong Un held a key policy-setting meeting of the country's ruling party last week ahead of the new year, state media KCNA reported on Sunday. The meeting of party and government officials decided that North Korea would launch the "toughest" strategy to counteract the United States for its security and national interests, the report said, without elaborating. The alliance between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan has expanded to a "nuclear military bloc" and South Korea has become an "anti-communist outpost" for the U.S., the KCNA report added. "This reality clearly shows to which direction we should advance and what we should do and how." The Dec. 23-27 meeting also reviewed the handling of floods earlier this year, including the plan that brought those affected to Pyongyang, the capital, according to the report. The reclusive state also vowed to promote relations with "friendly" countries during the meeting. Kim also called for progress in defence science and technology to bolster the country's war deterrence. Such meetings often last a few days and have been used in recent years to make key policy announcements. In a reshuffle, Pyongyang named Pak Thae Song, a party secretary, as a new premier to replace Kim Tok Hun. Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui was named a member of the powerful Politburo of the party's Central Committee. The 11th plenary session of the eighth central committee of the Workers' Party of Korea wraps up a year in which Russian President Vladimir Putin held a summit with Kim and signed a deal that included a mutual defence pledge. Washington and Seoul have criticized the two countries' military cooperation, including what they say is a dispatch of North Korean troops to fight for Russia in its war against Ukraine. (Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Editing by Leslie Adler and Richard Chang)Dublin Bus have said they are "actively investigating" footage which appears to show a young child being struck by a man wearing a hi-vis vest. Footage has been shared widely across social media that shows an incident which occurred at a bus stop in Ballymun along the 140 route on Friday night. In the short clip, a child can be seen interacting with another person who is standing on the steps of the bus. Moments later, a man wearing a hi-vis vest can be seen stepping forward before slapping the child with his hand. The young child then appears to fall to the ground and can be heard crying. READ MORE: Emotional scenes as mother of one Marguerita O’Rourke brought to final resting place in Limerick READ MORE: Stepfather of missing Amy Fitzpatrick says no one ever accused him to his face of killing her A spokesperson for Dublin Bus told the Irish Mirror: “ Dublin Bus is aware of footage showing an alleged incident occurring adjacent to a bus on the 140 route. “We are actively investigating this footage. Dublin Bus is taking this alleged incident very seriously. The safety of passengers is of the utmost importance.” Although Gardaí do not comment on videos circulating online, a spokesperson confirmed that authorities are investigating an alleged assault that occurred in Ballymun on Friday. A Garda spokesperson told the Irish Mirror : “An Garda Síochána does not comment on third-party material and videos circulating online, the contents of which cannot be verified. “Gardaí are investigating a report of alleged assault that occurred in Ballymun, Dublin 11 on Friday night, 27 December. Enquiries are ongoing into the matter.” Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .Tech Investment Secrets Revealed! Discover the Insider Edge
COP29 agrees deal to kick-start global carbon credit tradingBiden still regrets dropping out of 2024 presidential race, believes he could have beaten Trump: reportIt seemed like companies couldn’t hire information technology analysts fast enough in 2014 when Michael Deneen began his IT career. Job counts nationally soared in the 2010s and early 2020s, but then the market flattened and a profession that looked like it might grow uninterrupted started shedding jobs. Laid off twice this year from Minnesota IT jobs, Deneen said he’s found it hard to snag the next gig. “Before I could have three, four offers lined up and would have to choose between them,” the Columbia Heights man said. “It’s like I’m struggling to even get a foot in the door in places that I’m more than qualified for.” Even with the state’s relatively low 3.5 percen t unemployment rate, some mid-career Minnesotans and those just coming out of college are seeing a job market now that worries them. Recent layoffs at Cargill in the Twin Cities and last week’s announcement that Arctic Cat, the Minnesota snowmobile maker, will shutter its manufacturing operations next year in Thief River Falls and St. Cloud, have added to the anxiety. Analysts say Minnesota’s job market remains robust, but for some there’s a skills matchup problem as some sectors grow while others flatten or decline. “I’m not gonna lie, it’s been hard,” Deneen said of finding the next IT job. “I’ve had a lot of self-doubt now, like questioning is this really an industry I am good at? Is this something I should even be in anymore? I’m also 40. It’s like, I can’t really switch careers at this point.” Health care, government, leisure and hospitality and transportation are among the Minnesota sectors that continue to show strong job growth, according to state data. Other industries are growing slower, including construction and manufacturing. “We’ve heard from some folks that maybe it has taken a little longer than what they remember in the past if they were previously unemployed. Some individuals don’t say that at all,” said Sara Garbe, workforce development supervisor at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. “November and reaching December, we certainly see a slowdown of hiring and folks may mention things like that they’ve heard from recruiters that maybe a decision won’t be made until after the holidays or after the first or the last quarter of the year,” added Garbe, whose staff works with new job seekers and those in mid-career. For recent college grads who haven’t landed work, the holiday season can bring its own pressures. Raina Hofstede, 22, studied English at Harvard University. Since graduating in May and coming back to Minnesota, she said job prospects have been nearly nonexistent. “I feel kind of directionless in the time period that I’m waiting,” said Hofstede, who grew up in Coon Rapids. “I feel like I really want to plan. I’m at a point where, like, I’d love to get things moving.” She’s applied to post-undergrad internships and career-advancing work. She’s looking into publishing, creative writing spaces and museums and hopes a stint working in comedy clubs while at Harvard might intrigue an employer. The search and the uncertainty around it is a grind, she acknowledged. “I think, as time goes on, and this feels sad, but I think as time goes on, my belief in myself slowly drops a little bit more with more rejections, and so I feel like I’ll be applying to less and less competitive things as I move forward,” Hofstede said. ' Minnesota showed strong steady job growth coming out of the Great Recession in 2009, reaching nearly 3 million jobs by February 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic torpedoed that growth — the state lost more than 400,000 jobs, nearly 14 percent of its employment, in the span of a few months. Job counts didn’t return permanently to pre-pandemic levels until September last year. The current state and national unemployment rates are relatively low, although they have ticked up over the past year. Minnesota’s unemployment rate is lower than the U.S. unemployment rate at 4.2 percent. Based on the most recent data, Minnesota has six unemployed people for every 10 job openings where nationally there are nine unemployed people for every 10 openings. Knowing that doesn’t make it easier for those looking for work, waiting for answers from prospective employers. “It just kind of feels like they have no respect for a candidate or their time, or them as a person,” Deneen said of the current market. “It’s an entire game, and it shouldn’t be this way.” Garbe said technology is transforming job searches in ways that may make landing work more challenging for some in mid-career or just starting out. Companies are using automated systems or in some cases artificial intelligence systems to screen applicants before a human gets to them. She encourages job seekers to reach out to one of DEED’s more than 50 CareerForce offices across the state where analysts can review resumes or cover letters with job seekers and offer help with writing and strategy. They can also connect people to needed training or certifications. Garbe also suggests reflecting on what you’ve accomplished to boost your self-confidence if you get overwhelmed. Social media has become a resource for job seekers as they look. Groups on Reddit like r/StudentJobSearch have become a space for venting and advice with conversations about job searching and applications. LinkedIn is also seeing similar support groups, including two Deneen is in that focus on networking and project management. Hofstede said she’s found solace leaning on those around her who are going through these same experiences. She and a group of new graduates meet at their public library to sift through job postings and work on cover letters and resumes together. “Something of a little community of people who are unemployed and looking for jobs, and I like having the friends support,” she said. “It is harder to go through something uncertain like this alone.”
They say man and dog have a unique bond, unbreakable in fact – could this bond be reiterated in the form of a tablet that can increase the lifespan of both species effectively? Scientists think so. A San Francisco based bio-technology organisation has unleashed plans to study the relationship between human life and dog life, with active testing in the works to see if a longevity enacting drug made for dogs can have similar impacts on us. Loyal potential Loy-002, a compound and accessible pill for dogs, is reported to launch in the market as soon as early 2025, with grand promises of slowing and even reversing metabolic changes associated with aging in dogs. The substance aims to reduce frailty by suppressing specific age driven increases in insulin, thus reducing the risk of disease, promoting better all-round health. Most Read on Euro Weekly News ‘Living nostradamus’ gives cryptic predictions for 2025 Scientists discover 'giant' worms hidden below the seafloor Astro-photographer captures cosmic grinch! With many similarities between man and dog in regard to environmental habits, compared with common controls in most clinical trials, mice, for instance, the results of studies into the promise of this drug truly could spell a great potential for human health in the future. Loyal founder, Celine Halioua, is supremely optimistic. Major investment into testing “Finding out how to prevent canine age-related decline is a really strong proxy for doing the same with humans because dogs get similar age-related diseases. Lab mice cannot be justly compared as dogs can”. And with over $125 million raised from keen investors already, with much of the appeal of the drug coming from the fast-track method of testing due to shorter dog lifespans, as opposed to human trials, it’s clear to see the traction Loyal is generating. FDA to approve alternative drug by Dog Aging Project The concept of dog longevity testing is not solely limited to Loyal’s efforts however, as Rapamycin is currently undergoing clinical approval, with FDA supposedly set to give the all-clear depending on the outcome of intensive studies conducted by the Dog Aging Project. Researchers of the campaign, organised at the laboratories in the University of Washington, are brimming with excitement to see how positive effects on dogs could correlate in humans, considering Rapamycin is already a regularly used human immunosuppressant. The co-founder of the project, UW biogerontologist Daniel Promislow told the Guardian: “Our study is light years ahead of anything that’s been done on humans, or can be done on humans”. Studies conducted will amass the equivalent of a forty year long trial on humans, in just five years, concluding ultimately if the key to enhancing our health can be found in canine supplementation. Jamie Justice, professor of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine offered a valuable, conservative insight: “The Dog Aging Project is still five years away from releasing any results, and thus at this time researchers cannot test canine longevity drugs on humans, no matter how positive results are on dogs”. Follow all the latest health news across Europe here on Euro Weekly News.Tesla and Rivian have been embroiled in a lawsuit in which the former accused the latter of having stolen battery technology by poaching Tesla employees. It sounds like the two automakers are finally about to settle the lawsuit, which has been going on for 4 years. In 2020, by hiring former Tesla employees and encouraging them to bring documents. Rivian has denied the allegations. When Tesla filed the lawsuit, it wasn’t clear what trade secrets Tesla was claiming Rivian had stolen. However, we noted that the employees listed in the lawsuits were two recruiters, an EHS manager, and a manager of Tesla’s charging networks. The automaker claimed that these employees brought “documents consisting of highly sensitive trade secret, confidential, and proprietary engineering information” when they went to work for Rivian. A year later, Tesla expanded the lawsuit At first, the companies tried to settle out of court, but it didn’t work out, so . Over a year later, we now learn that Tesla had notified the court that it expects to file to get the lawsuit dismissed after reaching a conditional agreement with Rivian. The company didn’t disclose the details of the settlement (via ): Tesla didn’t disclose specifics about the agreement in a court filing, but told a California state judge that it expects to seek dismissal of the case by Dec. 24 upon satisfactory completion of the terms. Neither Tesla nor Rivian have commented on the reported settlement. While Tesla has claimed that it somewhat open-sourced its patents, we have previously noted that it’s not exactly the case. Tesla claims to let other companies use its patented technology as long as they themselves don’t sue them over patent rights. And in this specific case, Tesla alleges that Rivian has specifically hired employees to steal technologies. Again, Rivian has denied the allegation. The terms are unknown, but in similar cases, it often involves things like some level of access to make sure that no proprietary technology is being used or has been used. The lawsuit is not exactly clear, but based on the timeline and the allegations of “next-gen batteries”, Tesla could have been talking about its 4680 battery cells, although those are cells. It could also be the structural battery pack. Rivian is expected to use . and subscribe to the . Tesla is a transportation and energy company. It... Fred is the Editor in Chief and Main Writer at Electrek. You can send tips on Twitter (DMs open) or via email: fred@9to5mac.com Through Zalkon.com, you can check out Fred’s portfolio and get monthly green stock investment ideas. Get interesting investment ideas by Fred Lambert ChargePoint Home WiFi Enabled Electric Vehicle (EV) ChargerBy Anura Gunasekera About 20 years ago, I used the same title, in a writing dealing with Mahinda Rajapaksa’s triumphant ascent to power, published in an issue of the Sunday Island. In that I expressed my deep apprehensions of a Rajapaksa dispensation. As the years unfolded, the grim realities of years of misrule, with the younger Rajapaksa outdoing the elder brother in criminality, corruption and incompetence, exceeded the worst fears of my imagination. In between, not to be forgotten, there was also the crushingly disappointing “yahapalanya” farce, perpetrated by the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe collaboration. But I am an eternal optimist. At an year short of eighty, there cannot be either space or time for pessimism, despite decades of despair, disappointment and disillusionment, over the country’s political trajectory since 1956 when, as a ten year old, I was made acutely aware by adult discussions around me, and the screaming headlines of newspapers then, of the magnitude and the implications of SWRD Bandaranaike’s election victory. The 1956 election victory of the “Pancha Maha Balavegaya” , was the so-called ushering in of the “Era of the common man”, engineered by a cynical aristocrat -as uncommon as they come – who leveraged the clear gulf between the anglophilic, feudalistic UNP regime of a decade, and the aspirations and frustrations of the majority, largely rural, Sinhala-Buddhist polity. That this social and political revolution also heralded the marginalization of the minority groups within the polity, institutionalized through subsequent legislation, is now a matter of history. There is no space in this writing for a discussion of the tragic consequences. In the recent demolition of all opposing parties by the NPP-JVP, led by the charismatic Anura Kumara Dissasnayake (AKD) , I see the “Era of the common man”, ushered in by an uncommon man of genuinely common origin. Despite the repetitive use of the word “common”, the latter is a statement made with great respect, and hope, that the overpowering political and social transformation commencing on September 21 and culminating on November 14, realistically signals the “Dawn of a New Era”; that it will usher in national ethnic and religious consensus, corruption-free governance, the re-establishment of the rule of law, a more equitable re-distribution of wealth, a state education system specially geared to meet the needs of development, a state medical service in which drugs are designed not to kill but to cure, and the empowerment of the long-neglected agricultural sector. These are but a few from the long list of critical national needs, for a “richer nation and a beautiful life”, which the NPP-JVP election manifesto has promised. AKD’s victory in the presidential election and the NPP-JVP victory in the subsequent general election, have been analyzed in all possible ways. The statistics of the victory are mind-boggling but not incomprehensible. 1.1 million voters who went to the presidential election in September, boycotted the general election in November. Sajith Premadasa’s (SP) SJB lost 3.4 million votes and Ranil Wickremesinghe’s (RW) NDF lost 1.7 million votes ( 78% and 75% respectively) within the space of six weeks, whilst AKD’s 42% increased to 61 % for his party. Despite critics and defeated opponents trivializing AKD as a minority president, on that showing alone the NPP-JVP was still assured of a simple majority at the general election. However, it may not have obtained the two-thirds majority at the general election, almost unimaginable within a proportional representation system, if not for mass voter abstention. But the obsession with the statistics of that victory is to ignore the qualitative aspects, reflected by the aspirations of the people. The SJB and the NDF fielded tainted candidates with long histories of alleged corruption, most of them from the Rajapaksa dispensation. Neither Sajith nor Ranil understood that ordinary people wanted a clean political culture, accountability by the legislature, the elimination of impunity for the privileged and the ruling elite, the answerability for abuse of privileges and a host of allied issues. Sajith persisted in delivering verbose analyses of AKD’s alleged bungling of the IMF programme, and the non-delivery of the assurances given to the nation in his manifesto. RW, despite an ignominious relegation to third place in the presidential race, resorted to belittlingnAKD as a “minority president”, accompanied by sick, insensitive jokes, unacceptable even from a schoolboy. Neither had a compelling vision or programme which could attract the polity, as an alternative to a more decent, fulfilling life within a clean administration, which was the essence of AKD’s philosophy. As a direct outcome of the election loss, the door has been firmly shut in RW’s face, despite his pathetic subsequent attempts at regaining political relevance. As for the SJB, if it is to regain any kind of political traction, it would need to seriously reconsider leadership options. Waiting for the present government to falter, or fail, is not an option. Sajith, a serial loser within a short span of time, is more ineffective than his elder clone, and perhaps one-time mentor, Ranil. The latter, over a couple of decades, presided over the gradual disintegration and disappearance of the UNP, once dominant in local politics. Under Sajith the SJB is certain to suffer the same fate, but much, much, quicker. The party, if it is to survive, needs to unceremoniously jettison a man who has proved, quickly and convincingly, to be an incompetent leader. Hopefully, by the time this is published, the mechanism for his eviction would have been set in motion. The outstanding, and most refreshing feature in the NPP-JVP election result is its performance in the North. For the first time since Independence in 1948, the northern polity rejected traditional, ethnic politicians, and responded to a leader of a different ethnicity from the South. One reason for the NPP-JVP success in the North is that AKD, from the very outset, fought a campaign based on equality for all races and religions, with national needs at the forefront, but totally free from ethnically divisive sentiments, customarily the primary weapons in the campaign armory of politicians of all ethnicities. The other is that despite decades of insular political representation, minority leaders have achieved very little on behalf of the polity they represented. People in all parts of the country share the same socio-economic problems, but those in the North, the victims of a brutal war, fought across the very lands they lived on, have deeper grievances awaiting resolution. AKD had already demonstrated good faith by the people of the North, by opening the Palaly-Atchchuvely road, after 34 years. In his campaign speech in Jaffna on November 10, he gave the assurance that Tamil political prisoners held in jails in the South, would be released. This drew a quick and detailed response from former minister of justice, Wijedasa Rajapakse, who stated that the use of the term, “political prisoners”, would compromise Sri Lanka’s position in Geneva, in regard to related issues. President AKD also promised to release formerly privately owned land, now held by the military. Reportedly, around 70,000 acres have already been released, although there is no clarity on the exact extent still held by the forces. There is also the accusation that acquired land has been leveled, and pre-existing boundaries and markers, such as trees, rocks and buildings, obliterated, thus making identification and restoration to original owners, impractical. Land, especially to a citizenry, for centuries heavily reliant on cultivation as a means of sustenance, is fundamental to existence. Therefore, this is a primary concern for immediate government attention. Another need is for Tamils in the North to be given the total freedom to commemorate their dead, whether they be civilians, or LTTE activists and combatants. To the kith and kin of those who died in battle against the largely Sinhala-Buddhist forces, the dead are not terrorists who waged war against an elected government, but, simply, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, and husbands and wives, still remembered with love by the living. Their right to grieve is indisputable. If the Sinhalese of the South are permitted to commemorate JVP activists, eliminated largely through extra-judicial means by state-sponsored forces, the Tamils of the North have an equal right to publicly mourn the LTTE dead. An important issue the government must be aware of, is that establishing accord between the Tamil North, and the Sinhala South, will be resisted by extremist politicians on both sides, to whom racial and religious divisions have always been the means of inciting public sentiment, and securing and maintaining political power. In recent decades, the Rajapakse clan, especially Mahinda and Gotabhaya, elevated racially divisive rhetoric to an art form, tirelessly inventing enemies, from which only the family could deliver the Sinhala-Buddhist nation. A succession of racist politicians have drummed in to the minds of the Sinhalese, that a concession to the Tamil North, is a threat to the Sinhala-Buddhist South. In fact, already, there have been thinly veiled references by known extremists, suggesting that the NPP-JVP election victory win in the North, could be the result of a secret pact with one or more of the minority parties. For politicians and parties with no vision to offer the citizen, it is inconceivable that voters would respond to decent, sincere propositions with no strings attached. The people have given the NPP-JVP an overwhelming mandate, much more than the strong government that AKD requested during his campaign. The election result does not reflect a nation-wide ideological shift on the part of the voter, although the government, by delivering on its promises, can certainly stimulate one. If a government, with its roots in left-oriented, Marxist doctrine, becomes the engine of deliverance, to a nation in deep want in every aspect of its existence, then the whole nation will automatically turn Left. The nation now waits, impatiently, for the NPP-JVP to deliver. Failure may result in an eruption and the release of darker forces, in the face of which the “Aragalaya” would pale in to insignificance.WAYNE Rooney has shared a sweet message about how 'proud' he is of Coleen - as he urged fans to vote her for a trial. The footie legend took to social media to publicly back his wife as her first week in the jungle draws to a close. Advertisement 2 Wayne Rooney has shared a supportive message for Coleen in the jungle Credit: Getty 2 He also pleaded with fans to vote her to do a Bushtucker Trial Credit: Rex Wayne, 39, shared a selection of snaps of Coleen on I'm A Celebrity as he pleaded with fans to vote for her to do a Bushtucker Trial. He told his 16 million Instagram followers: "Proud of @coleen_rooney on @imacelebrity she’s doing great. "Me and the boys would love to see her doing a trial and we know she’d want to put herself to the test. "If you can download the #ImACeleb app and let’s get voting." Advertisement more on i'm a celebrity jungle fury I'm a Celeb fans blast Dean McCullough for 'cheeky' request to Danny Jones GETTING RUMBLED Furious I'm a Celeb fans slam show for 'changing rules' for secret task It appears Wayne's plea has paid off, with Ant and Dec announcing to camp that Coleen and Dean McCullough had been voted to do the next trial. The pair will face Absolute Carnage, which will see one of them locked in the back of a pick up van. Coleen previously revealed how she has left footie-style tactics boards filled with instructions to ensure her sons are looked after while she is in Australia for I’m a Celebrity. The mum of four has filled two whiteboards with details of parties, pick-ups and drop-offs for the next four weeks. Advertisement Most read in I’m A Celebrity 2024 Exclusive JUNGLE THRILL I'm A Celeb bosses plot tear-jerking surprise for Coleen Rooney in jungle hitting back Rebekah Vardy hits back at I’m a Celeb co-star Iain Lee's claims about her CAMP CHAOS I’m A Celeb’s biggest rule breaks as Dean McCullough brings teabags into camp viewers certain I’m A Celeb fans convinced they’ve worked out star who will quit first Husband Wayne, 39, manages Championship side Plymouth Argyle, 300 miles away from the family home in Cheshire — so Coleen has had to draft in an army of friends and relatives to help with Kai, 15, Klay, 11, Kit, eight, and Cass, six. I'm A Celeb fans go wild as Coleen Rooney 'brings Wagatha Christie out of retirement' to investigate huge camp secret I'm A Celeb 2024 - late entries MAURA Higgins is a late entry to I'm A Celeb 2024. Yet who is joining her? 2019 Love Island star Maura, 33, will be a late entry to the jungle line-up. She will head into the I'm A Celeb camp , along with the Reverend Richard Coles , 62. The duo will join the likes of Coleen Rooney , Barry McGuigan and Danny Jones in Ant and Dec’s jungle camp a week into this year’s star-spangled series. Yet initially the duo will have their own private base - and a secret mission - before heading into the main compound Down Under. Maura has already described the jungle as "hell." Meanwhile Richard, who has starred on Strictly, has confessed his biggest "fear."
It seems like Chili's has always been around. It's the United States' leading sit-down chain restaurant specializing in Tex-Mex-inspired cuisine, but it's also a bar and grill, and a spot to grab classic American pub food. As such, Chili's is very proud of and aggressively markets several disparate menu items: margaritas, fajitas, chicken strips, big hamburgers, and ribs. It also sells all manner of sandwiches, salads, and hefty appetizer platters to suit almost everyone. Present in hundreds upon hundreds of shopping malls and suburban commercial centers, it's hard to believe that Chili's originated as a tiny, Texas-only phenomenon for years before both the business and menu rapidly expanded. By the early 2000s, Chili's was everywhere, but then began a decline that looked to be full of doom. Nowadays, Chili's is back and outdoing the competition. Here's the story of how Chili's was born, grew into a favorite spicy and boozy dining destination, fell into the brink of extinction, and crawled its way back out, surviving by the skin of . Chili inspired Chili's The eatery that grew into a chain took its name from the dish it started out with at a single location in Texas, a state where chili looms large in the cultural identity and culinary history. The Original Chili is purportedly made with the exact same combination of beef, onions, and secret spices as the initial recipe, and remains a staple of the menu at Chili's more than 45 years after the restaurant was founded. The acts of making and eating the spicy, meaty stew also had a hand in naming the restaurant. Back in 1967, Larry Lavine went to the first ever Terlingua Chili Cook-Off in Terlingua, Texas. Lavine thought about the Southwestern-style food served, as well as the fun and camaraderie on display at the event, while he considered opening an informal sit-down restaurant in 1975. Hence, the Chili Cook-Off gave way to Chili's. To attract Texans with certain expectations of a restaurant, Lavine placed chili right at the top of the menu. "It was something people would talk about," he told . "People don't talk about spaghetti and meatballs." Chili's was a brand new kind of restaurant There are a few broad and clearly differentiated categories into which most restaurants can fit into, like fast food or fine dining, and casual dining fits somewhere in between. These establishments serve mainstream, populist food in social, family-friendly, and even loud environments at prices that are cheaper than fine dining but slightly more expensive than fast food (even if the food is similar in quality and variety to the latter). Before casual dining chains like Applebee's, Red Robin, and Buffalo Wild Wings opened up hundreds of outposts around the United States, the first Chili's in Dallas largely helped create the format. "Chili's was among the first of its kind, pioneering the world of casual dining, with a full-service restaurant boasting a fun, funky, and laid back atmosphere," Jim Foster wrote in the Pioneers of Dallas County Facebook group (per ). At first, Chili's sold a menu dominated by big, messy burgers presented to customers in baskets, not on plates. Also, for what at the time was a novelty, Chili's offered mixed drinks as well as beer. In 1971, four years before Chili's opened, Texas legalized the sale of cocktails in restaurants. The first Chili's menu was brief As of 2024, Chili's menu is sprawling with options for everyone, to the point that it's broken down into 20 different sections. Created as a burger and loosely Southwestern-themed restaurant, it still sells many variants of beef on buns and Tex-Mex items, along with salads, sandwiches, pizza, ribs, fish, soup, fried appetizers, desserts, and a number of alcoholic beverages. At the first Chili's in Dallas in 1975, it was much a simpler time. The menu took up a single side of a sheet of standard-size paper, copied from a hand-written original. The bill of fare was separated into four brief categories. "Homemade Chili" included the house blend, one with beans (violating ), and one served over chips. "Burgers" counted six choices, including the basic "Oldtimer," a bun-less version, and the thickly-stacked "Terlingua Pride." The "Tacos" section consisted of soft tacos or a side of tostadas with hot sauce. The drinks menu listed three items: a frozen margarita, a homemade-style , and a mug of beer — Schlitz brand. And that was it. Margarita money is vital to the Chili's bottom line The restaurant's full, official name is Chili's Bar and Grill, implying that its extensive array of alcoholic drinks, classic cocktails, and bespoke adult beverages are as important to the chain as its food items. To match its Mexican-inspired lineup of fajitas, quesadillas, and Southwestern Eggrolls, Chili's serves up many different margaritas and margarita-like chilled drinks, such as an ever-changing "Margarita of the Month." Chili's even has its own bespoke, in-house take on the classic cold cocktail, the Presidente Margarita. Held in such esteem that Chili's trademarked the drink's name, it's constructed out of carefully selected high-end brand-name tequila, brandy, and orange liqueur, and available in a variety of fruit flavors. Every year in March, Chili's deeply discounts the Presidente Margarita to around $5, and the promotion doesn't seem to be detrimental to the chain's finances. No business in the U.S. of any kind sells more margaritas than Chili's does. If it were an independent nation, it would come third in a global ranking of countries that purchase, use, and sell the most Chili's invented the fajita effect In keeping with its foundational concept of Tex-Mex and Southwestern cuisine, fajitas get prominent placement on the menu at Chili's. It sells enough orders each year to justify a 60 million-pound fajita meat purchase, covering all three preparations on offer: steak, chicken, and shrimp. One of the ways that Chili's has made its own fajitas so popular is with some psychological trickery and indirect peer pressure. When an order of fajitas is ready to come out of the kitchen, a server carries the hot metal tray of meat as it loudly and fragrantly sizzles. This gets a lot of attention via several stimuli, and it leads other people to order fajitas, too. This happens in plenty of other restaurants, not just Chili's, and it's called "The Fajita Effect," a term coined by Joel Beckerman and Tyler Gray in their science of sound book "The Sonic Boom." Here's where the Chili's innovation comes in. A cooked plate of fajita meat doesn't really keep on making noise and emitting steam as it travels from flattop to tabletop. Chili's concocted some kitchen theatrics: The kitchen staff squirts a solution made mostly of oil onto the plated fajitas to encourage the sizzle, steam, and smells. Chili's grew after it was sold By 1983, Chili's had expanded only moderately, as a small chain of 23 restaurants in the Dallas and Houston metropolitan areas selling little more than hamburgers and chili. It was struggling, too, bringing in $1 million in annual revenue against $1 million in holdings and $8.5 million worth of debt. Chili's was saved, and ascended to its position as one of the leading casual dining restaurant chains in the United States, after a buyout and rescue from Norman Brinker. An early Jack in the Box franchisee in the 1950s so successful that he became president of the company, Brinker launched the mid-price steakhouse chain Steak and Ale in the 1960s, and then Bennigan's Grill and Tavern in the 1970s. In 1976, he sold those companies to Pillsbury, which then hired Brinker to run its new restaurant division. In the early 1980s, he tried to absorb Chili's for his employer, but after being rebuffed, he left his position and bought Chili's outright. Seeing expansion as the future of the restaurant, he brought in a massive cash infusion by offering stock in Chili's in 1984 and acting as chairman and CEO. Brinker also ordered a new menu, urging the restaurants to offer lots more items, particularly Tex-Mex favorites like fajitas. By the time Brinker retired in 2001, there were hundreds of Chili's outposts from coast to coast. The tabletop tablets were very good for business Apart from the kind of foods offered and the lack of a dress code, another thing that separates fine dining establishments from casual eateries is the presence of touchscreen kiosks on the tables across a chain's hundreds or thousands of locations. These digital portals offer many services that streamline or enhance the restaurant experience. Rather than wait for a server to approach the table, customers can put in food orders (particularly for appetizers and desserts) or play one of the included games. These are all over the casual dining sphere in the 21st century, and Chili's was the first chain to take the leap. By 2014, Chili's had placed about 45,000 Ziosk-made touchscreen tablets at around 800 locations. Research shows that patrons particularly like to use the devices to settle their checks and to impulse-buy extra items. Stores with tablets installed enjoyed a 20% increase in sales of appetizers and desserts. Chili's wants you to want the baby back ribs Both Chili's and the restaurant industry agree that its signature menu items are hamburgers, fajitas, boneless chicken strips (or "Chicken Crispers"), and margaritas. Absent from this list is the entree for which Chili's is most associated with, due to a long-running ad campaign built around an all-timer of an earworm. In 1986, Chili's, recently acquired by a restaurant consortium and making a go at being a national chain, debuted its first TV commercials to feature a jingle titled "Welcome to Chili's." It's better known by its repetitive, hooky, lyrical refrain: "I want my baby back baby back baby back" and resolution "Chili's baby back ribs / barbecue sauce." Commissioned by Austin, Texas, advertising agency GSD&M, the tune was conceived by the company's Executive Creative Director, songwriter Guy Bommarito, who got Tom Faulkner to sing the main melody and Willie McCoy to come in on the "barbecue sauce" low notes. Chili's re-recorded the song in 1996, by which point the lyrics had entered the vernacular and joined the canon of near-universally known ad jingles. In 2002, Chili's soft rebooted the campaign again, hiring boy band of the moment NSYNC to sing the song in a series of commercials. More recently, in 2022. Chili's infiltrated pop culture Even those who lived in Chili's-free places in the 1990s were aware of Chili's. The often-aired "I want my baby back baby back baby back" TV commercial song grew so entrenched that it served as a pop culture reference-meets-joke in the blockbuster comedy "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me." The large statured villain Fast Bas**** attempts to lure and eat the very small villain Mini-Me, singing the Chili's jingle as a way to comically make his intentions known. Chili's was also vital to many of the most memorable episodes of "The Office," NBC's Americanized remake of the U.K. TV hit of the same name. Paper company branch manager Michael Scott likes to woo his clients by taking them out for abundant, boozy lunches at the local Chili's, also the setting for his Dunder Mifflin annual awards ceremonies, "The Dundies." Steve Carell, the actor who played Michael Scott, is reportedly a real-life Chili's aficionado and got into a bit of a mock-rivalry with the restaurant chain in 2010. He filmed a sketch for the ESPY Awards parodying LeBron James' "The Decision," announcing he would "take his appetite to the Outback Steakhouse" and leave behind Chili's (as James had similarly announced his move to the NBA's Miami Heat). Chili's president Wyman T. Roberts responded with an open letter (via ), joking, "This shocking act of disloyalty from our homegrown 'funny man' sends the exact opposite flavor of what we would want our children to taste." Chili's was on the decline in the 2000s and 2010s Chili's grew rapidly in the early 2000s. In 1999, about 600 locations were open for business in the U.S. and just nine years later, Chili's was a 1,312-unit mega-chain raking in most of operator Brinker International's $4.2 billion a year in revenues. Unfortunately, The Great Recession, lasting from 2007 to 2009, negatively and seriously impacted Chili's, and the casual dining industry on the whole, as many Americans lost a lot of discretionary income during that economic turndown. And slowly but consistently, Chili's-branded restaurants started to close down. Between its peak of 2008 and 2022, when Brinker International hired a new CEO to help save the company, more than 80 restaurants had gone out of business. It had made some costly moves over that time, like taking on too many menu expansions, which caused the quality of the products and dining experience to suffer. Additionally, the choice to invest heavily in takeout and delivery programs, such as when , was an expensive one. Chili's pulled itself out of the fall As fast casual restaurants have fallen or stagnated in the 2020s, Chili's is thriving. In 2024, Chili's quarterly revenues increased by nearly 15% versus 2023 figures. Umbrella company, restaurant group Brinker International, brought in $4.42 billion in fiscal 2024, the most money it ever made in a year, and more than 85% of that came from Chili's. Kevin Hochman stepped in as CEO in 2022 and oversaw a plan to make Chili's a viable, modern restaurant chain with its marketing plan. The chain also consolidated its resources and is spending less money on food by eliminating about a fifth of its menu. "That simplification has worked," Hochman told . Brinker International also reallocated some of its funds, spending $200 million to improve the quality and atmosphere of hundreds of Chili's locations. Chili's has long operated under a business model of a combination of company-owned restaurants and franchised locations. In order to get as much revenue as possible out of the eateries it didn't own outright, but merely licensed, Chili's started to buy out its franchisees. In 2019, parent company Brinker International purchased 116 mostly Midwestern locations from large-scale operator ERJ Dining in a move estimated to bring in $300 million in yearly income. Two years later, Brinker bought another 23 East Coast Chili's locations from franchisee Chesapeake Foods and 37 restaurants from Quality Dining Inc., moves that will continue to pay off for the company in the future. A combo meal saved Chili's In 2022, Chili's launched 3 For Me, a casual dining take on fast food combo meals that included a burger or chicken sandwich, fries, an appetizer (bottomless chips and salsa, soup, or a salad), and a soft drink with free refills, for $10.99. The 3 For Me brought in so much business to Chili's during its lunch hours that it allowed the company to compete with fast food chains. And when rampant inflation led to higher cost drive-through combo meals, Chili pointedly promoted the 3 For Me anew in the spring of 2024 as an alternative to fast food, reworking the deal slightly to include a revamped Crispy Chicken Sandwich or a brand new Big Smasher cheeseburger as the entree, and endless chips and salsa as the only appetizer. It all still cost $10.99 for more food for roughly the same price as eating a burger, fries, and soda in your car at lunchtime. Six months after reasserting the 3 For Me, Chili's greatly extended the deal to include 11 entrees, such as composed bowls and Chicken Crispers, and hiring competitive eater Joey Chestnut as the program's spokesperson. That expansion came just weeks after Chili's released a quarterly earnings statement. Thanks in large part to ideas like the 3 For Me, Chili's experienced a tremendous financial turnaround. The average restaurant in the chain saw annual sales volumes increase by nearly $500,000 a year over the previous 24 months. RecommendedHow to make — and keep — a New Year’s resolution
According to Bowen Yang , Sydney Sweeney was “game” for anything during her March 2024 viral “ SNL ” hosting gig. Yang said during First We Feast’s “Hot Ones” that he at first was concerned about the “Bowen Straight” sketch needing an intimacy coordinator. The skit has Sweeney finding out Yang is straight, and then having an affair with the openly queer cast member. Yet Sweeney assured Yang that “ Euphoria ” more than prepared her for their onscreen “SNL” intimate scene. “Pitching ‘Bowen Straight’ to Sydney Sweeney was really fun,” Yang said. “I just remember being like, ‘We’re going to need an intimacy coordinator for this and it’s going to be completely up to your comfort,’ and then she was like ‘Bowen, I’m on “Euphoria,” it’s not going to be anything.’ So that was really fun and she was so game for it and she was wonderful.” Sweeney will reprise her role of Cassie for “Euphoria” Season 3. Sweeney previously told Who What Wear that she is looking forward to returning to the series after a hiatus. “I actually like [the delay] because there’s so much room for growth for both me as a person and also Cassie as a character,” Sweeney said, while teasing of the upcoming storyline, “It’s going to be very, very wild.” “Euphoria” Season 3 will now go into production in January 2025 and consist of eight episodes. Meanwhile, Sweeney is also portraying boxer Christy Martin in David Michôd’s biopic, appears in Ron Howard’s “Eden,” and will transform into Kim Novak for Colman Domingo’s directorial debut “Scandalous” about the alleged romance between Novak and Sammy Davis Jr. Sweeney told Vanity Fair that her “SNL” monologue mocking her pinup appeal was part of her political statement about the faux feminism of Hollywood. “I actually had to push for a lot of it ,” she said of the monologue. “Some people were a little nervous about it, but in real life, I’d like to say I’m a funny person. And sometimes I wish that I could address more [things with] my ‘Syd’ self, but I find that with social media there’s such a lapse in how things are communicated. It’s hard to get things across in the way that you intend to — they can be misconstrued. So being able to do it onstage in very Syd fashion, I loved it. I felt like I was taking the power back.”Chris Clarke appointed practice leader of Homeland Security & Law Enforcement; Bryan Miller to lead newly combined Defense, Diplomacy, & Intel (DDI) practice MCLEAN, Va. , Dec. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Guidehouse, a global consultancy providing advisory, digital, and managed services to the commercial and public sectors, has named Shannon White the new leader of its Defense & Security segment effective Jan. 1, 2025 . White succeeds John Saad , who has been named President of Guidehouse. Additionally, Chris Clarke will take on White's former role as Guidehouse's Defense & Security's Homeland Security & Law Enforcement practice leader. White brings a wealth of expertise in the national security sectors, along with a proven ability to deliver complex, high-impact solutions. With a track record of driving innovation and meaningful results, she has been instrumental in shaping Guidehouse's growth and impact across its diverse portfolio. Under her leadership, the Defense & Security segment will continue to focus on delivering mission-critical solutions to address the nation's most pressing defense and security challenges. "Shannon is a passionate leader whose experience will be invaluable as we continue to support purpose-driven initiatives to preserve security across the U.S.," said John Saad , President of Guidehouse. "Her strategic vision and expertise will accelerate Guidehouse's growth through transformative engagements with our clients in the defense, national security, and public sectors." Chris Clarke , Homeland Security & Law Enforcement practice leader Clarke, a partner at the firm, brings over 20 years of experience engaging with clients on complex challenges, with a focus on risk management and financial transformation. He has worked extensively across the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Justice, and the Intelligence Community leading hundreds of consultants to deliver a range of services in support of solving strategic challenges for Guidehouse clients. Bryan Miller , Defense, Diplomacy, & Intel (DDI) practice leader To position the firm for additional growth and to align with the evolving needs of its clients, Guidehouse has combined Defense & Security's Defense & Intelligence and Diplomacy & Development practices into a newly combined Defense, Diplomacy, & Intel (DDI) practice under the leadership of Bryan Miller . Miller, a partner at the firm, has over 20 years of industry experience focused on delivering strategy, supply chain and transformation programs to the U.S. Government. "This new structure strengthens our capabilities and provides a more cohesive approach to serving these interconnected client missions," added Saad. "Chris and Bryan are remarkable leaders with unmatched expertise in navigating the complexities of public safety and national security. We congratulate them on these new roles and are confident they will drive tremendous value for our clients and teams." Named a Military Friendly® Employer for six consecutive years, Guidehouse's Defense & Security segment serves U.S. diplomatic, intelligence, law enforcement, and defense agencies. Backed by proven success in helping clients compete, deter, and win, the firm delivers mission-critical optimization, technology modernization, and financial management solutions. About Guidehouse Guidehouse is a global consultancy providing advisory, digital, and managed services to the commercial and public sectors. Guidehouse is purpose-built to serve the national security, financial services, healthcare, energy, and infrastructure industries. Disrupting legacy consulting delivery models with its agility, capabilities, and scale, the firm delivers technology-enabled and focused solutions that position clients for innovation, resilience, and growth. With high-quality standards and a relentless pursuit of client success, Guidehouse's more than 18,000 employees collaborate with leaders to outwit complexity and achieve transformational changes that meaningfully shape the future. guidehouse.com Media Contact: Cecile Fradkin, cfradkin@scprgroup.com , Guidehouse View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/guidehouse-names-shannon-white-leader-of-defense--security-segment-302332867.html SOURCE GuidehouseVenture capital (VC) activity in India has witnessed significant growth from January to November 2024, with investments reaching $16.77 billion across 888 deals, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). Venture capital activity in India from January to November 2024 has surged to US$ 16.77 billion across 888 deals, reflecting a robust 14.1 per cent increase in value and a 21.8 per cent rise in deal count compared to the same period in 2023, according to figures gathered by the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). The technology sector emerged as the frontrunner, attracting $6.50 billion, a remarkable 52.5 per cent increase year-over-year. Consumer discretionary investments followed with $2.30 billion, up 32.2 per cent, while the financial sector saw a slight decline to $2.20 billion, the IBEF report said. Noteworthy deals included KiranaKart Technologies ( Zepto ) at $1.3 billion and Poolside AI SAS at $500 million. Industry leaders express optimism about continued momentum into 2025, with expectations for more initial public offerings (IPOs) and increased activity in later-stage funding rounds as funds that have been cautious begin to deploy capital. Experts like Bhaskar Majumdar and Sajith Pai foresee a positive shift in the Indian startup ecosystem, anticipating "great easing" in 2025. Despite concerns about the economy's reliance on the India1 engine, which comprises around 30 million households contributing significantly to GDP, optimism remains high due to ongoing capital flows supported by savings. The energy transition presents new opportunities in electric mobility and green hydrogen sectors. At the same time, traditional areas like fintech and e-commerce continue to attract investment. Additionally, there is a growing focus on intellectual property (IP) -led businesses, particularly deep tech, with significant investments in robotics, drones, and semiconductor technologies. As the landscape evolves, the influence of the US market under the new administration could shape global capital flows, presenting both challenges and opportunities for Indian startups, the IBEF report added. ( With inputs from IANS) Market Outlook: PMI, auto sales and global economic cues key triggers for next week Women investors in mutual funds grow 2.5 times in 2024: Groww report Maruti 800 architect Osamu Suzuki passes away; leaves behind a legacy
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Did UnitedHealthcare post a job ad for CEO soon after Brian Thompson's murder? Here's the truthWanting to supercharge your portfolio with some ASX shares? If you are, then it could be worth checking out the two listed below that Bell Potter rates very highly. So much so, it has named them as picks on its Australian equities panel this month. Here's what the broker is saying about these shares: ( ) The first ASX growth share that is being tipped as a buy is Gentrack. It is a growing specialist software provider to energy utilities, water companies, and airports. The latter includes providing flight information display systems (FIDS) at airports such as Queenstown, Adelaide, and Sydney Airport. Bell Potter likes the company's recurring revenue and sees growth opportunities in data management and modernised IT infrastructure. It said: Gentrack provides billing products and Customer Relationship Management solutions to energy and water utilities and has robust growth prospects attributed to recurring revenue and one-off projects related to digital transformations. Specifically, the emergence of renewables and battery storage is increasing complexity in data management and contributing to the need for modernised IT infrastructure supporting earnings growth for GTK. The broker has a buy rating and $11.50 price target on Gentrack's shares. Based on its current share price of $9.60, this implies potential upside of 20% for investors between now and this time next year. ( ) Another ASX growth share that gets the thumbs up from the team at Bell Potter is Life360. It is a rapidly growing family connection and safety company that aims to keep people close to the ones they love. Its category-leading mobile app provides users with location sharing, safe driver reports, and crash detection with emergency dispatch. At the last count, the company had a whopping 76.9 million monthly active users (MAU) across more than 170 countries. From this, there were almost 2.2 million paying circles underpinning quarterly revenue of US$92.9 million. And with the company launching an advertising business to monetise its vast user base, Life360's strong growth is forecast to continue long into the future. Commenting on the company, Bell Potter said: Life360 operates a market-leading app that provides communication, driving safety, and location-sharing features. With over 70 million monthly active users and 2 million paying circles, the company has significant growth potential as it continues to rapidly monetise its customer base. Bell Potter currently has a buy rating and $26.75 price target on its shares. Based on its current share price of $21.00, this implies potential upside of 27% for investors over the next 12 months.
Today’s Career horoscope promises opportunities for growth and success in professional endeavors. Whether you're tackling new projects or navigating workplace challenges, the day’s energy supports focus and determination. Some signs may experience breakthroughs in their careers, while others may find value in networking and collaboration. Stay driven and open to possibilities! Aries This week brings dynamic opportunities. Your confidence and determination will impress superiors. Collaborations will lead to innovative outcomes. Stay organized and focused to meet deadlines. Financial gains are likely if you plan carefully. Taurus Professional growth is steady. Hard work and dedication will yield recognition. Take calculated risks and focus on long-term strategies. Networking with like-minded people can open doors to new opportunities and financial stability. Gemini Flexibility will be your strength. Changes in the workplace may seem overwhelming, but adaptability will help you succeed. Use your communication skills to present ideas effectively. Financial gains may come from a side project. Cancer Hard work pays off, as your efforts are recognized by higher-ups. Be prepared for additional responsibilities that could lead to long-term growth. Teamwork is essential, so stay cooperative. Financial planning ensures steady progress. Leo A challenging project may test your leadership skills, but you’re up for it. Recognition for your creative solutions is on the cards. Financial stability improves as investments yield returns. Trust your instincts in decision-making. Virgo Your analytical skills shine at work. A problem-solving approach earns you praise. Stay organized to meet deadlines, and don’t hesitate to delegate tasks. Financial rewards come through meticulous planning and focus. Libra Your diplomatic nature helps you navigate workplace challenges. A collaborative project may lead to unexpected success. Keep your finances in check and avoid impulsive spending. Networking will open new career paths. Scorpio A busy week awaits. Your determination helps you excel, but don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed. A surprise financial opportunity may arise. Trust your instincts when making critical decisions. Sagittarius An exciting opportunity may test your adaptability. Stay open to learning and embrace change for long-term growth. Financial gains are likely if you stay consistent. Collaboration with peers brings mutual benefits. Capricorn Your hard work pays off as opportunities for growth surface. Stay focused on your long-term goals, and don’t be afraid to take calculated risks. Financial planning will yield rewards, and teamwork will enhance productivity. Aquarius Your visionary ideas will impress superiors. This is the time to brainstorm and implement innovative solutions. Financially, investments in technology or learning new skills may bring returns. Collaborate with like-minded individuals for mutual growth. Pisces Your creativity shines at work, leading to recognition. Pay attention to details in projects to avoid mistakes. Financial stability improves, but avoid impulsive expenditures. Networking will help you uncover new career possibilities. Also See: Horoscope Predictions for 2025Aries Horoscope 2025Taurus Horoscope 2025Gemini Horoscope 2025Cancer Horoscope 2025Leo Horoscope 2025Virgo Horoscope 2025Libra Horoscope 2025Scorpio Horoscope 2025Sagittarius Horoscope 2025Capricorn Horoscope 2025Aquarius Horoscope 2025Pisces Horoscope 2025 Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Astrology and around the world.
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Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian was not impressed with the refereeing in the first half of Saturday's SEC championship game against Georgia. "Hopefully, they call them for holding one of these times too," Sarkisian said after the Longhorns committed eight penalties through two quarters. The 80 penalty yards forced Texas to settle for two field goals and no touchdowns in the first half. The Longhorns entered the break with a three-point advantage. Three of the Longhorns' calls were for holding penalties, while Georgia was assessed two total penalties over the two quarters. The calls led directly to multiple missed scoring opportunities for the Longhorns, who out-gained the Bulldogs 260-54 but were only able to muster six points in the first half. Texas kicker Bert Auburn missed a 42-yard field goal in the final minutes of the second quarter after the Longhorns were moved back by a false start penalty. Georgia quarterback Carson Beck was then picked off on two straight passes during the Bulldogs' final possession of the first half. Both plays were called back for penalties, one on pass interference and another for a jump offsides. The Bulldogs proceeded to start the third quarter by marching down the field and orchestrating a touchdown drive. This isn't the first time a Texas-Georgia game has been highlighted by controversial penalties this season. The SEC fined Texas $250,000 after fans threw trash on the field in response to a pass interference penalty that was ultimately rescinded called against the Longhorns during an Oct. 19 loss to Georgia. Both Georgia, sitting at 10-2 this season, and Texas, which enters the game with an 11-1 record, are likely to qualify for the College Football Playoff regardless of Saturday's result. A win would still provide a boost to either team's national championship hopes by granting them a first-round bye and an automatic trip to the quarterfinals of the inaugural 12-team CFP.
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