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Qatar Foundation (QF) has launched BilAraby, an initiative designed to empower and amplify the voices of Arabic speakers across the world and their inspiring and innovative ideas. BilAraby aims to attract and nurture both local and global Arabic-speaking talents, providing them with opportunities to create meaningful and innovative content, a statement said. The launch reflects the QF’s ongoing commitment to nurturing ideas, experiences, and stories that inspire others and drives positive social transformation within Arab societies and on a global scale. Launched under the slogan Ideas have a voice and an echo, BilAraby will host regional events throughout the year, concluding with an annual summit that will offer a speaking platform for thought leaders, creators, and innovators to share their ideas and drive positive change. Applications for speakers at BilAraby’s 2025 Doha summit are now open, and those interested can apply by submitting a five-minute video summarising their profile, the idea they want to share, and its significance by December 30, 2024, at https://form.jotform.com/qfdigital/bilaraby “Amid the rapid spread of content in other languages compared to Arabic content,” said QF executive director (Strategic Initiatives and Programmes) Hisham Nourin. “We recognised the urgent need to develop a platform that delivers authentic, rich, and high-quality content in the Arabic language, and that reflects the QF’s commitment to providing platforms that foster Arab creativity and drive positive social and cultural change.” “We envisioned the development of a multifaceted regional initiative with a global outlook to help bridge this gap, and continue our mission to unite intellectuals, achievers, and innovators who speak Arabic,” he said. “Through BilAraby, we aim to unite intellectuals, distinguished individuals, and innovators who speak Arabic, creating a connected environment that enhances unity among Arabic-speaking communities.” BilAraby has multiple objectives, such as enhancing intellectual engagement by encouraging participants to delve into meaningful discussions on diverse topics, and encouraging people to reconnect with their roots and shared identities, while strengthening community ties. It also fosters a supportive environment for exchanging expertise and working on joint projects and initiatives. With the goal of broadening its impact and expanding its reach, BilAraby will also host regional events, and will offer a virtual space for idea sharing and knowledge exchange through a digital platform providing a comprehensive multimedia experience tailored to users’ interests and aspirations. As part of its focus on increasing audience participation across all phases of the initiative, BilAraby launched a logo design competition in September this year, receiving over 1,500 submissions from across the Arab world. The winning design will be unveiled at the main BilAraby summit in Doha in April next year. Related Story Podar Pearl School named No 1 Indian School in Qatar in global rankings QC's Rofaqa supports over 212,000 worldwide
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Garnet Hathaway went out for morning skate on Tuesday and looked skyward to the rafters of Nationwide Arena. The Philadelphia Flyers forward found the white banner with the blue trim and the name Johnny Gaudreau in the heavens of the building. It is a permanent tribute to the South Jersey native who should have been squaring up against his former Calgary Flames teammate on the ice below when the Flyers played the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. But on Aug. 29, on the eve of what was scheduled to be his younger sister’s wedding, while on an evening bike ride in Oldmans Township in Salem County, Johnny, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29, were struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver. Johnny left behind two young children; his wife Meredith, and Matthew’s wife Madeline, are each pregnant. “Yeah, there’s a lot of emotions. And I think even more so for his family, for guys that I know that knew him really well, really personally, were really close with him, and my heart just goes out to them,” Hathaway said. “You watch the tributes in Calgary and here, and the banner night, and John and Matthew’s family being there, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to wrap my head around it, especially what they’re going through and have been through. So you can just try and continue to support them, and those that were really close with him.” Hathaway and Gaudreau first played together for the Flames in September 2014 at the Young Stars Classic in Penticton, British Columbia. Each had made their pro debuts the previous spring — Gaudreau played one NHL game and Hathaway played a handful with Abbotsford of the American Hockey League — after they turned pro. Hathaway had wrapped up a four-year career at Brown University and Gaudreau suited up for three season at Boston College. Gaudreau, a native of Salem County who starred for the Little Flyers as a youth, wore No. 13 at Boston College and the banner above the ice he should be skating on today features the number too. Walking around the arena he called home for two seasons, his college jersey, and the one worn by his brother Matthew — the two were teammates at BC — are part of a memorial on the arena’s main concourse. Gaudreau wore No. 13 in Calgary too, when in his second full season the Flames called up Hathaway for his NHL debut in February of 2016. Sean Monahan, who signed with Columbus in the offseason to play with his friend Gaudreau, was in his third season in Alberta at the time. “I played with Sean for a few years as well and I know how close those two were together, and their families too,” Hathaway said. “I think that being more removed from it and seeing the relationships that they had, I think it just highlights how important those relationships can be in your life and in hockey, but even more so outside of the rink.” But it is on the rink where he became a star. Gaudreau, a seven-time All-Star who racked up 743 points in 763 NHL games, first plied his trade at Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell and later played for Gloucester Catholic High School. He was taught how to skate and play the game he’d later dominate — in spite of his diminutive. 5-foot-9, 163-pound frame — by his father Guy. The ice is where, in late September, Guy Gaudreau found some solace. Guy, sporting a Flyers tracksuit, a maroon Frozen Four shirt — the color of Boston College, — and the same blue and red Warrior gloves with the name “Gaudreau” stitched on the cuff that Johnny wore with the Blue Jackets, helped coach the Flyers on the invitation of coach John Tortorella. Guy, who has an open invite from Tortorella, has appeared at multiple practices in Voorhees this season. “It was amazing to have him out on the ice with us and it’s a testament to Torts, our coaching staff, our organization to reach out,” said Hathway who knew Guy from the Flames’ Fathers Trips. “Being in this area, now coming back and playing around Philly you begin to more realize how big of an involvement the Gaudreau family has in that area. It’s all of New Jersey, that whole Philly area, it’s really special. Hockey’s a special sport but those relationships, those bonds, that community outreach, I think, is really just amazing.” It was in the community that Joel Farabee first got to know Gaudreau. He went to dinner with the Flames star and Kevin Hayes, when Hayes was with the Flyers, and met him playing at the hockey tournament, Checking for Charity, in South Jersey. The corporation has hosted hockey tournaments across multiple skill levels including pro since 2009 and has raised over $400,000 for charity since its inception. Farabee then skated with Gaudreau for USA Hockey this past May at the World Championships in Czechia. “I didn’t see the banner, but I saw the picture when we walked into the rink,” Farabee said. “I think Columbus and Calgary have done a great job of just keeping his name around and the things they’ve done for his family and things like that are awesome.” Later Tuesday, fans will walk into Nationwide Arena under a large mural showcasing captain Boone Jenner, Damon Severson, Zach Werenski, and Gaudreau, who is memorialized with his name and the years 1993-2024 under it. In August and September, the entrance was filled with countless sticks, jerseys, bags of Skittles, and bottles of purple Gatorade as fans mourned Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. Gaudreau’s name is still on his stall between Monahan and Sean Kuraly in the Blue Jackets locker room. As you look around the brightly lit room, each stall has a picture above it with the player. Gaudreau’s is after he scored a goal, surrounded by four teammates and Jenner patting him on the head. There is still a spot for his sticks among his teammates. “Just being able to be his teammate for a month during the summer was something I’ll remember forever,” Farabee said. “His family’s great people, and we miss him every day, for sure. But I think the legacy he’s left is a really good one. And I hope that the NHL, and all the teams involved will continue to keep his name and his legacy around.” ©2024 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Visit at inquirer.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
GERMANTOWN, Tenn. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc., or MAA (NYSE: MAA), today announced a full quarterly dividend of $1.0625 per outstanding share of its 8.50% Series I Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. The dividend is payable on December 31, 2024 , to shareholders of record on December 13, 2024 . About MAA MAA is a self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT) and member of the S&P 500. MAA owns or has ownership interest in apartment communities primarily throughout the Southeast, Southwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. focused on delivering strong, full-cycle investment performance. For further details, please refer to the "For Investors" page at www.maac.com or contact Investor Relations at investor.relations@maac.com . Forward-Looking Statements Certain matters in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended with respect to our expectations for future periods. Such statements include statements made about the payment of preferred dividends. The ability to meet the payment of preferred dividends in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements could differ materially from the projection due to a number of factors, including a downturn in general economic conditions or the capital markets, changes in interest rates and other items that are difficult to control such as increases in real estate taxes in many of our markets, as well as the other general risks inherent in the apartment and real estate businesses. Reference is hereby made to the filings of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, reports on Form 8-K, and its annual report on Form 10-K, particularly including the risk factors contained in the latter filing. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maa-announces-regular-quarterly-preferred-dividend-302319993.html SOURCE MAA
Cyber Monday TV deals with gear starting from just $200Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States was a Georgia peanut farmer who sought to restore trust in government when he assumed the presidency in 1977 and then built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Carter died Sunday, coming up on two years after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. At age 52, Carter was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. Carter left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following his 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. Here's the latest: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday praised Carter for his significant contributions to international peace through the Camp David Accords, the SALT II Treaty and the Panama Canal treaties. “President Carter’s commitment to international peace and human rights also found full expression after he left the presidency,” Guterres said in a statement. "He played a key role in conflict mediation, election monitoring, the promotion of democracy, and disease prevention and eradication. These and other efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 and helped advance the work of the United Nations. “President Carter will be remembered for his solidarity with the vulnerable, his abiding grace, and his unrelenting faith in the common good and our common humanity,” Guterres said. King Charles III joined leaders from around the world in issuing their condolences and sharing their reflections on the former president. “It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of former President Carter," the king said in a public statement. “He was a committed public servant, and devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights. His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977." President Joe Biden broke from his family vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands to remember Carter, recalling his predecessor as a role model and friend. America and the world lost a “remarkable leader” with Carter’s death, Biden said, adding that he had spoken to several of the former president's children and was working with them to formalize memorial arrangements in Washington. Speaking for roughly 10 minutes, Biden remembered Carter as a humanitarian and statesman, someone he couldn't imagine walking past a person in need without trying to help them. He represented “the most fundamental human values we can never let slip away,” Biden said. The president repeatedly praised Carter's “simple decency” and his values, saying some will see him as a man of honesty and humility from a bygone era. “I don’t believe it’s a bygone era. I see a man not only of our time, but for all times,” Biden said. “To know his core, you need to know he never stopped being a Sunday school teacher at that Baptist church in Plains, Georgia.” Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said on X that Carter's significant role in achieving the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel "will remain etched in the annals of history.” He went on to say Carter's “humanitarian work exemplifies a lofty standard of love, peace, and brotherhood.” Carter will be remembered as “one of the world’s most prominent leaders in service to humanity,” el-Sissi said. President Joe Biden will speak about Carter Sunday evening. The president will make his address from a hotel in St. Croix, from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he is on a holiday vacation with his family. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter had one of the great love stories and political partnerships in U.S. presidential history. The former president sometimes called his wife, who died Nov. 19. 2023, “Rosie,” which is a good way to remember how her name actually is pronounced. It is “ROSE-uh-lyn,” not, repeat NOT, “RAHZ-uh-lyn.” They were married more than 77 years but their relationship went back even further. Jimmy’s mother, “Miss Lillian,” delivered Eleanor Rosalynn Smith at the Smith home in Plains on Aug. 18, 1927. The nurse brought her eldest child back a few days later to visit, meaning the longest-married presidential couple met as preschooler and newborn. She became his trusted campaign aide and White House adviser, surprising Washington by sitting in on Cabinet meetings. Then they traveled the world together as co-founders of The Carter Center. Most of the nation saw the former president for the last time at Rosalynn Carter’s funeral. Jason Carter is now the chairman of The Carter Center’s board of governors. He said his grandparents “never changed who they were” even after reaching the White House and becoming global humanitarians. He says their four years in Washington were just one period of putting their values into action and that the center his grandparents founded in Atlanta is a lasting “extension of their belief in human rights as a fundamental global force.” Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter traveled the world advocating for democracy and fighting disease, but Jason Carter said they weren’t motivated by pity, or arrogance that a former American president had all the answers — they ventured to remote places because they could “recognize these people.” They too were from “a 600-person village” and understood that even the poorest people “have the power ... the ability ... the knowledge and the expertise to change their own community.” As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s compassion and moral clarity, his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless and advocacy for the disadvantaged as an example for others. Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is remembering Carter as a man steeped “in devotion to public service and peace.” The California Democrat said in a statement Sunday that Carter was committed to “honoring the spark of divinity within every person,” something she said manifested in “teaching Sunday school in his beloved Marantha Baptist Church, brokering the landmark Camp David Accords to pave the way to peace or building homes with Habitat for Humanity.” Pelosi also said Carter led “perhaps the most impactful post-presidency in history.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted in a post on X the special contribution Carter made by brokering the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt and through his work with the Carter Center. “Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad,” Starmer said. To commemorate Carter’s death, officials with the Empire State Building said in a post on social media that the iconic New York City landmark would be lit in red, white and blue on Sunday night, “to honor the life and legacy” of the late former president. In a statement issued Sunday, former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama said Carter’s beloved Maranatha Baptist Church “will be a little quieter on Sunday,s” but added that the late former president “will never be far away -- buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels.” Noting the “hundreds of tourists from around the world crammed into the pews” to see the former president teach Sunday school, as he did “for most of his adult life,” the Obamas listed Carter’s accomplishments as president. But they made special note of the Sunday school lessons, saying they were catalysts for people making a pilgrimage to the church. “Many people in that church on Sunday morning were there, at least in part, because of something more fundamental: President Carter’s decency.” The longest-lived American president died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” The Carter Center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. In his 1975 book “Why Not The Best,” Carter said of himself: “I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry.” A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. After he left office and returned home to his tiny hometown of Plains in southwest Georgia, Carter regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world. Former Vice President Al Gore praised Jimmy Carter for living “a life full of purpose, commitment and kindness” and for being a “lifelong role model for the entire environmental movement.” Carter, who left the White House in 1981 after a landslide defeat to Ronald Reagan. concentrated on conflict resolution, defending democracy and fighting disease in the developing world. Gore, who lost the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush, remains a leading advocate for action to fight climate change. Both won Nobel Peace Prizes. Gore said that “it is a testament to his unyielding determination to help build a more just and peaceful world” that Carter is often “remembered equally for the work he did as President as he is for his leadership over the 42 years after he left office.” During Gore’s time in the White House, President Bill Clinton had an uneasy relationship with Carter. But Gore said he is “grateful” for “many years of friendship and collaboration” with Carter. Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, remember Carter as a man who lived to serve others. “Hillary and I mourn the passing of President Jimmy Carter and give thanks for his long, good life. Guided by his faith, President Carter lived to serve others — until the very end." The statement recalled Carter's many achievements and priorities, including efforts “to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David." After he left office, the Clinton statement said, Carter continued efforts in "supporting honest elections, advancing peace, combating disease, and promoting democracy; to his and Rosalynn’s devotion and hard work at Habitat for Humanity — he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world,” the statement said.MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With Penn State's strong push for a spot in the College Football Playoff still a couple of wins from completion, the biggest roadblock to a bid for the Nittany Lions in this favorable final third of their schedule has appeared with a trip to Minnesota . That's why this week, naturally, is too early for them to talk about making the inaugural 12-team tournament — as enticing as their prospects might be. “I think the quality of teams that we go in and play each week speaks for itself,” quarterback Drew Allar said. "But as far as rankings, it doesn’t really matter until it matters.” Penn State (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) is fourth in both the AP poll and the CFP rankings this week, needing help for a long-shot hope of reaching the Big Ten title game because of a loss to now-No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 2. In this new era of playoff expansion, the Nittany Lions are on firm footing for an at-large bid. Lose to the unranked Gophers (6-4, 4-3), however, and that ground could become shaky given the current collection of standout two-loss teams in the SEC. In case the Nittany Lions needed proof of the danger of letting focus diverge, coach James Franklin and his staff can call up the tape from Nov. 9, 2019. That's when an undefeated Penn State team came to Minnesota and lost 31-26 . The Nittany Lions lost again at Ohio State two weeks later and finished 11-2, one of several not-quite performances for this storied program that last went unbeaten in 1994 and hasn't been recognized as national champions since 1986. The Gophers were undefeated themselves after that game before losses to rivals Iowa and Wisconsin ended their Rose Bowl quest. This team isn't on that level of talent and success from five years ago, but the chemistry has been off the charts. Coach P.J. Fleck drew attention to some of the individual standout performances that fueled the signature victory in 2019 in meetings with players this week. “We need our best playmakers to play their best. Penn State’s going to need their playmakers to be their best. That’s what happens in November,” Fleck said. Tyler Warren has already shattered nearly every record for Penn State tight ends. The do-it-all senior become such a force his teammates insist he’s worthy of the Heisman Trophy, tracking toward the top of the NFL draft board for his position next spring. “He’s the best tight end in America, but he’s also the most complete tight end in America," Allar said. Warren is coming off a 190-yard performance at Purdue that included 63 yards on three rushes and 127 yards on eight receptions. “He has the ability to take a play that should be 2 or 3 yards and turn it into 30 or 40,” Gophers defensive end Danny Striggow said. Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter has 171⁄2 tackles for loss, the second-most in the FBS, and eight sacks to match the third-most in the Big Ten. He has a challenging matchup this week with Minnesota left tackle Aireontae Ersery across from him in a battle of projected first-round NFL draft picks. Gophers coaches told Striggow and his fellow defensive linemen a couple of seasons ago to relish the opportunity to face Ersery in practice. “That’s one of the best looks in the country that you’re going to get,” Striggow said. Carter has successfully made the transition from linebacker this season. “He is impacting the game in a number of ways, which creates opportunities for other guys on our defensive line and within our defense and causes a lot of headaches,” Franklin said. “He is becoming more and more of a leader every single day.” Allar and the Nittany Lions have paid particular attention to protecting the ball this week, given the Gophers have 16 interceptions, one short of the national lead. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar feels he’ll need to be especially accurate this weekend considering Minnesota has 16 interceptions on the season. “We’re just going to have to be disciplined and stick to our game plan,” Allar said. The Gophers have a strong group of departing players who will take the field at Huntington Bank Stadium for the final time, including Ersery, quarterback Max Brosmer, wide receiver Daniel Jackson, right guard Quinn Carroll, cornerback Justin Walley, kicker Dragan Kesich and Striggow. “It’s been good to reflect, but it’s not over yet," Striggow said. "Those short windows of reflection, I cut ’em out and then say, ‘We’ve got some more memories to make.’” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football .
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The Latest: Former President Jimmy Carter is dead at age 100PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Former Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller sat for a long interview with the NCAA as it looked into concerns about unusual gambling activity, his lawyer said Friday amid reports a federal probe is now under way. “Hysier Miller fully cooperated with the NCAA’s investigation. He sat for a five-hour interview and answered every question the NCAA asked. He also produced every document the NCAA requested,” lawyer Jason Bologna said in a statement. “Hysier did these things because he wanted to play basketball this season, and he is devastated that he cannot.” Miller, a three-year starter from South Philadelphia, transferred to Virginia Tech this spring. However, the Hokies released him last month due to what the program called “circumstances prior to his enrollment at Virginia Tech.” Bologna declined to confirm that a federal investigation had been opened, as did spokespeople for both the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia. ESPN, citing unnamed sources, reported Thursday that authorities were investigating whether Miller bet on games he played in at Temple, and whether he adjusted his performance accordingly. “Hysier Miller has overcome more adversity in his 22 years than most people face in their lifetime. He will meet and overcome whatever obstacles lay ahead," Bologna said. Miller scored eight points — about half his season average of 15.9 — in a 100-72 loss to UAB on March 7 that was later flagged for unusual betting activity. Temple said it has been aware of those allegations since they became public in March, and has been cooperative. “We have been fully responsive and cooperative with the NCAA since the moment we learned of the investigation,” Temple President John Fry said in a letter Thursday to the school community. However, Fry said Temple had not received any requests for information from state or federal law enforcement agencies. He vowed to cooperate fully if they did. “Coaches, student-athletes and staff members receive mandatory training on NCAA rules and regulations, including prohibitions on involvement in sports wagering," Fry said in the letter. The same week the Temple-UAB game raised concerns, Loyola (Maryland) said it had removed a person from its basketball program after it became aware of a gambling violation. Temple played UAB again on March 17, losing 85-69 in the finals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament. League spokesman Tom Fenstermaker also declined comment on Friday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Chicago Bears President Kevin Warren sat alongside general manager Ryan Poles on Monday at Halas Hall and said they would work “in tandem” to find the team’s next head coach. Warren said Poles will remain the GM and will be the “point person” in identifying the replacement for Matt Eberflus, who on Friday became the first head coach fired midseason in Bears history. Citing the Bears’ salary cap space, young roster, upcoming draft capital and, of course, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams , Warren called the Bears opening “the most coveted job in the National Football League this year.” He promised an exhaustive, detailed and organized coaching search and expressed his faith in Poles, who hired Eberflus in 2022 and retained him into this season. Eberflus finished his Bears career with a 14-32 record. The Bears named offensive coordinator Thomas Brown the interim head coach for the final five games. “Ryan is young. He’s talented. He’s bright. He’s hard-working,” Warren said. “He has done everything in his power on a daily basis to bring a winner to Chicago. And I’m confident in Ryan. My faith remains strong in Ryan.” This will be the first Bears head coach search for Warren, the former Big Ten Commissioner and Minnesota Vikings executive who was named team president in January 2023. When Warren was asked initially who would have the final say on a coaching decision, he gave a 112-word answer about how he and Poles would work together, spending multiple hours a day identifying the right person for the Bears. Pressed on what would happen if they had dissenting opinions, he eventually said Poles would have the final voice. “We’ll work that out,” Warren said. “Ryan is the general manager. He’s the head of football operations, so he will have the final say if it ever got to that point, but I’m confident that we will work through it. ... So long as we keep the center of our decisions what’s in the best interest of the Chicago Bears, our players, as we go forward, it will become clear as far as who is the person to lead this franchise from a football standpoint, from a coaching standpoint.” In a 21-minute news conference that was nearly half opening statements, Warren and Poles touched on a few aspects of the upcoming search while Chairman George McCaskey watched from the side. Brothers, from left, Brian McCaskey, George McCaskey and Patrick McCaskey listen to Ryan Poles and Kevin Warren answer questions from the media on Dec. 2, 2024, at Halas Hall. (Stacey Wescott/ Chicago Tribune) Poles said they still are determining whether they will use an external or internal search committee. Poles said he didn’t know how much input Williams would have on the hiring but said having a plan for a young quarterback would be a major requirement for the next coach. Warren listed other qualities he will try to identify in candidates. “We need an individual who has extremely high standards, who is tough, who is demanding,” Warren said. “Who is bright, who has attention to detail, who seeks and will win championships, who creates an environment of accountability, who’s creative, who’s intelligent, who’s a decisive decision maker, and who will represent the city of Chicago, all of our fans, this franchise, in a manner that is well deserved.” Poles didn’t have a long process in the previous search that landed on Eberflus. In the wake of the Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy firings, a Bears search committee interviewed general manager and coach candidates simultaneously and then hired Poles on Jan. 25, 2022. Over the next two days, Poles interviewed previously vetted coaching finalists, including Eberflus, Dan Quinn and Jim Caldwell, and the Bears named Eberflus the coach on Jan. 27. This time, Poles said he plans to cast as wide a net and take as much time as he needs to find the right candidate. He said setting a foundation of identifying what they want in a coach will be key, and he thinks that knowing his roster well now will help him. “It was a really tough situation to walk into (last time),” Poles said. “So knowing exactly the core of our team and what traits are going to help get that team to be a championship-caliber roster (will help).” Poles is responsible for bringing Eberflus back for a third season and engaging in a process that resulted in Eberflus hiring offensive coordinator Shane Waldron in January 2024 to replace fired OC Luke Getsy. Waldron lasted just nine games this season before the Bears fired him. Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus, left, and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron watch the offense struggle in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 3, 2024, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) Poles said with Waldron there was “some communication that probably didn’t happen as clean as it needed to be” within the offense as the Bears tried to get Williams’ development on the right track. As for Eberflus, an “environment of accountability” and a “decisive decision-maker” were two of the phrases in Warren’s list of coveted coach qualities that stood out because they were areas of concern this season. The latter, of course, came up in the final seconds of Thursday’s 23-20 loss to the Lions , when Eberflus didn’t call a timeout to aid Williams in executing the game’s final plays before time ran out. Poles identified such late-game issues as one thing that led to the firing of Eberflus. “When you look at the end-of-the-game situations, just some of the detailing to finish in those moments,” Poles said. “We all know a lot of these games come down to those critical spots that we weren’t able to get over the hump.” Poles said he sensed the frustration from players in the locker room after the game in Detroit, and that was taken into account when making the decision. “It’s important always to have a pulse of the locker room and an understanding of what’s going on, because the one thing that I can say is our players, our team, played extremely hard through adverse situations,” Poles said. “You don’t want a situation where that starts to crack, and you don’t see the same effort and the same energy. We’re always being aware of the environment and taking that into consideration.” The Bears came under fire Friday after allowing Eberflus to go on his usual day-after-game Zoom news conference with reporters — where he said he was confident he would be coaching the Bears this week — and then firing him a few hours later. Related Articles Chicago Bears | Column: Thomas Brown’s top priority as Chicago Bears interim coach? ‘To unify this team’ amid chaos and division. Chicago Bears | Matt Eberflus’ Chicago Bears timeline: 32 losses, multiple coach firings and too many late-game missteps Chicago Bears | Column: Leave it to the Chicago Bears to botch a coach firing even your Aunt Martha could see coming Chicago Bears | Column: After Matt Eberflus’ firing, the onus is on Kevin Warren and Ryan Poles to put the Chicago Bears on the right path Warren said the Bears hadn’t yet made a decision on Eberflus’ fate when the 9 a.m. news conference was scheduled to begin. He, Poles and McCaskey decided to gather the morning after Thanksgiving with clearer heads than they had that night and were still meeting when Eberflus addressed reporters. “In retrospect, could we have done it better? Absolutely, and I’ll be the first one to raise my hand, yes,” Warren said. “But during his press conference and even a couple hours later, we had not reached a decision.” Warren said they had a thoughtful discussion that resulted in the firing. He called the next six weeks “critical” as the Bears align their search, though they are not allowed to begin requesting interviews with candidates employed by other teams until the end of the regular season. And he didn’t downplay the importance of the weeks and months ahead. “You hate saying that decisions are going to set the trajectory of the franchise over the next 10 to 15 to 20 years, (but) this is one that will,” Warren said. That Poles is leading the search after hiring the last failed coach injects skepticism into the Bears’ upcoming proceedings. But Warren said he believed that “this was the day that we start pointing in the right direction to build the franchise that all of us know that we want to build.” And he will continue to count on Poles to help him do that. “There are a couple different types of people. There are people who can find fault, and there are people who can find fault and come up with solutions,” Warren said. “One of the things I appreciate working with Ryan is that he’s one of the people that will raise his hand and say, ‘Hey, this is something that we could’ve done better, but here’s some solutions.’ And we’re committed to doing that.”
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The Stadia controller conversion tool will work until late 2025MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With Penn State's strong push for a spot in the College Football Playoff still a couple of wins from completion, the biggest roadblock to a bid for the Nittany Lions in this favorable final third of their schedule has appeared with a trip to Minnesota . That's why this week, naturally, is too early for them to talk about making the inaugural 12-team tournament — as enticing as their prospects might be. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
"Surely, there cannot be any coincidences here. There is certain consistency," Peskov said, when asked about the doctrine update. The spokesman added that Russia constantly has to respond to unprecedented escalation incited by the West. "Although President Putin assigned to prepare the amendments in order to adapt our [nuclear] doctrine to the conditions of the current confrontation, which is incited by the Western states, Putin has to respond to the unprecedented escalation which is primarily spurred by the outgoing administration in Washington," Peskov said. And the United States is continuing to take even more reckless steps to escalate the Ukrainian conflict, the spokesman added. When commenting on the Oreshnik missile strike, Peskov said that Putin had sent a clear signal to the West in September. Peskov added that a "frenzy" among decision-makers in Washington had led to the current situation. 19 November, 13:18 GMT "They chose to ignore Putin's warnings and this situation arose as a result. This required such decisive steps and firm statements from our president," the spokesman said. Peskov also said that the Biden administration had effectively halted dialogue with Russia, adding that "political foresight" is in short supply in Washington. "During the election campaign, [US President-elect Donald] Trump spoke about his intention to somehow ensure peace and bring everyone into a peaceful course. And now they are trying to escalate the situation so much that these peaceful conditions are doomed to failure," the spokesman said. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised speech on Thursday that Ukraine had fired US-supplied ATACMS missiles and the UK's Storm Shadows at facilities in the Kursk and Bryansk regions this week. In response, Russia launched a strike against a defense industry facility, the Yuzhmash plant, in Dnepropetrovsk on November 21, using its newest medium-range missile, dubbed Oreshnik. Moscow also earlier in the week. US President Joe Biden’s outgoing administration's decisions on Ukraine are an attempt to take revenge on for his victory in the presidential election, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said. "In many ways, yes," Peskov said in an interview out on Sunday when asked if Biden is trying to take a revenge for the Democrats' defeat in the election. Biden’s administration is trying to leave "some kind of heritage" to Trump and bring him to bay in the Ukraine conflict settlement, Peskov added. The statements about the possibility of Kiev obtaining a dirty bomb are dangerous and represent much more than "play with fire," Dmirty Peskov said. "They [Ukraine] understand how dangerous it is and that it is not even a play with fire any more, it’s more than that," Peskov said in an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin out on Sunday when asked about claims that Kiev may get a dirty bomb. Earlier this month, UK newspaper reported, citing a report prepared by Ukrainian researchers for the Defense Ministry, that Ukraine could develop a nuclear bomb within a few months if the United States reduces military aid to Kiev. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said later that Ukraine does not possess nuclear weapons, does not intend to create them, and closely cooperates with the International Atomic Energy Agency. However, Kiev’s existing capabilities allow it to create a dirty bomb, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the head of the radiological defense troops of the Russian armed forces, has said.