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FARGO — It was an all-timer in the Fargodome on Saturday afternoon when North Dakota State edged South Dakota State in the FCS playoffs semifinals. A physical, quality, entertaining football game won 28-21 by the Bison over their archrivals thanks to a near-miraculous one-handed touchdown catch by Bryce Lance and a game-clinching sack of Jackrabbits quarterback Mark Gronowski shared by Jaxon Duttenhefer and Loshiaka Roques . It was the 13th semifinal NDSU has played in the last 14 years, a remarkable run that frankly has left a portion of the Bison's fan base a bit bored. How many times can you see the same movie and be entertained? We the media, present company obviously included, are guilty of the same entitled thinking. The thing is, every time you think the Bison can't top the entertainment value of what the program has accomplished previously ... they top it. Or at least come close. Saturday was special for many reasons, not the least of which was that NDSU's seniors ended the season for their heated rivals. The defeat also ended the careers of a large group of talented, winning seniors from SDSU. It ended a two-year run at the top of FCS by the Jackrabbits. And it sent the Bison to Frisco, Texas, for another national title game — instead of the Jackrabbits. After the Jackrabbits utterly dominated the series from the spring 2021 season through 2023, winning four straight regular-season matchups to win the Dakota Marker trophy plus a national championship game following the 2022 season, the pendulum swung back to NDSU this season as the Bison won back the Marker and took the semifinal game. "We're back, baby!" Bison head coach Tim Polasek told a national television audience after the game. We're not sure the Bison went anywhere, considering the only time they haven't made the semifinals since 2011 was the comical and unnecessary spring 2021 season. But to Polasek's point, it sure feels like NDSU reclaimed a little swagger. Factor in all of that, plus the fact the game-winning TD on Cam Miller's 10-yard pass to Lance was a once-in-a-lifetime one-handed snare on which the receiver had to somehow get a foot down in the end zone, and you get one of the great all-time semifinal games in NDSU's FCS history. With the ramp-up to the championship game against Montana State still a week away, let's jump in the time machine and rank all the Bison semifinal games from 2011 until Saturday from worst to first. And there really can't be a "worst" since it's a national semifinal game. While some Bison fans would automatically rank NDSU's two defeats in the semis as worst — in 2016 to James Madison at the dome and 2023 at Montana — the outcome isn't necessarily the point. Both of those games were supremely entertaining and just happened to not go NDSU's way. No, we'll rank the games based on things like entertainment value, drama, meaning, historical significance and background story more than outcome. But, of course, outcome has to matter some. It's strictly a feel thing. Your list might be completely different than this one, and that's OK. Depends on what you value. Ranking NDSU's semifinal games in ascending order: 13. New Hampshire 2013 — Zzzzzzzzz. Snoozefest. Unseeded New Hampshire upset two seeded teams to earn the right to play one of the best teams in FCS history. The 2013 Bison beat Kansas State to start the season and rolled through the schedule with one close game. Media types on the field prior to the game saw a New Hampshire team whose offensive and defensive linemen looked smaller than NDSU's quarterbacks ( Brock Jensen and Carson Wentz ). Jensen threw a pick-six early for a 7-0 Wildcats lead, but the Bison scored the next 52 points. Final score: NDSU 52, New Hampshire 14. 12. Richmond 2015 — What was expected to be a semifinal rematch of 2014's championship game between the Bison and Illinois State got blown up when the second-seeded Redbirds lost in the quarterfinals to Richmond. So instead of traveling for the semis to play a higher-seeded foe, NDSU hosted the seventh seed. The result was predictable. Eric Perkins ran back a punt 88 yards for a touchdown just before halftime for a 26-0 lead, while the defense shut down the Spiders to the tune of 209 total yards. Final score: NDSU 33, Richmond 7. 11. Montana State 2019 — The Bobcats under Jeff Choate were just getting started trying to build a national championship contender and came to Fargo as the fifth seed. Unfortunately for them, the Bison had an all-time team en route to a 16-0 season that included a bevy of future NFLers like Trey Lance , Christian Watson , Dillon Radunz , Cordell Volson , Derrek Tuszka and Jabril Cox . The teams traded early touchdowns before Watson scored on a 75-yard pass from Lance and a 70-yard jet sweep on back-to-back touches in the second quarter. Game over. Final score: NDSU 42, Montana State 14. 10. Sam Houston 2014 — Coach K.C. Keeler's first shot at NDSU was 7-3 for the Bison at halftime before the John Crockett and King Frazier began to roll in the running game and wore down the Bearkats. Frazier scored on a 33-yard run to make it 14-3 in the third quarter and after a three-and-out by Sam Houston, Crockett busted the next play for a 55-yard TD run to break open the game. At the end of the third quarter, then-offensive coordinator Tim Polasek called the same power running play up the middle six straight times for Crockett to break the Bearkats' spirit. Final score: NDSU 35, Sam Houston 3. 9. Sam Houston 2017 — Keeler and the Bearkats came back to Fargo three years later and the result was far worse. After Sam Houston took a 3-0 lead on the game's first possession, Bruce Anderson ran all over the place, often untouched — the only reason this game was deemed more entertaining than the previous Sam Houston appearance at the dome — and he scored four consecutive touchdowns in the first half. Included were runs of 62, 37 and 33 yards plus a 23-yard pass from Easton Stick . NDSU led 41-3 at halftime. Seth Wilson ran for 194 yards, Anderson had 183 and the Bison had 472 as a team. Final score: NDSU 55, Sam Houston 13. 8. Georgia Southern 2011 — Hard to believe the first FCS semifinal game in the Fargodome, the one to send the Bison to Frisco for the first time, would rank this low on the list. It was Brock Jensen's "Flu Game." But after leading only 14-7 at halftime, Jensen's 55-yard TD run broke things open and NDSU overwhelmed blueblood Georgia Southern by rushing for 314 yards. The Eagles came north confident, but were swamped by an intense and raucous dome atmosphere for which they appeared unprepared while the Bison defense handled their option running attack. Final score: NDSU 35, Georgia Southern 7. 7. South Dakota State 2018 — This game wasn't close at the end, but was a two-score game until late in the third quarter when Bruce Anderson broke a 41-yard touchdown run — stiff-arming a Jackrabbits safety to the turf in the process. It was popular head coach Chris Klieman's final game in the Fargodome as he had accepted a job at Kansas State earlier in December. The Fargodome crowd let its love for Klieman and all-time great quarterback Easton Stick be known late in the game and afterward as Klieman stayed on the field and applauded the fans. The Bison dominated late, rushing for 443 yards including 147 yards and three TDs by Stick. That the Bison thumped their archrivals for a trip to Frisco only added to the storyline. A special semifinal, despite the lopsided score. Final score: NDSU 44, SDSU 21. 6. Incarnate Word 2022 — The Bison again were spared a semifinals road trip as the third seed when seventh-seeded Incarnate Word beat No. 2 Sacramento State in the quarterfinals. But if the idea was that NDSU's path to Frisco was greased by the upset, that was quickly quashed. It was an insane back-and-forth game. Behind outstanding quarterback Lindsey Scott , the Cardinals took a 16-0 lead and looked to be going in for another touchdown before a fumble near the Bison goal line changed the tide. The Bison offense rallied, the defense tightened and NDSU somehow led 17-16 at halftime. The Bison went up 24-16 early in the third quarter and looked to be gaining control, but Scott led two TD drives and the Cardinals went ahead 29-24. The Word took a 32-27 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but a 31-yard run by Kobe Johnson and a 2-point conversion gave NDSU a 35-32 lead with 8:11 left. The game wasn't secured until Dawson Weber picked off Scott with a little over a minute remaining. NDSU won despite being outgained 539-333. A snowstorm limited attendance and only 12,569 saw the game, which might be No. 1 on any other program's list of all-time great playoff games. Final score: NDSU 35, Incarnate Word 32. 5. at Montana 2023 — One of two losses that make the top five, but it was undeniably a classic. The unseeded Bison shocked Montana State in the second round and walloped South Dakota in the quarterfinals to earn a trip to Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula to face the second-seeded team. In a tough environment before more than 25,000 fans, Cam Miller hit Eli Green on a 9-yard touchdown pass with less than minute remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime 16-16. Wildcat quarterback Cole Payton went 25 yards for a score on the first play of OT to give NDSU the advantage, but Montana countered quickly to send the game to a second OT. Eli Gillman's 13-yard run gave the Grizzlies the lead and a tipped pass on a trick play resulted in a two-point conversion to give Montana a 31-23 lead. TK Marshall scored on a 2-yard run that gave the Bison a chance, but NDSU's own trick pass play was incomplete, setting off an epic Grizzlies celebration. Final score: Montana 31, NDSU 29. 4. James Madison 2016 — NDSU's first semifinal loss in the FCS. The Bison had won a record five straight national championships and beat Iowa of the Big Ten to start the season. But James Madison came to Fargo as the most talented team in the country and NDSU had lost some key players to injury. It turned out to be a slobberknocker. Dukes running back Khalid Abdullah ran through NDSU early and the visiting team took a shocking 17-0 lead. But the Bison clawed back to tie it 17-all with 5:53 left in the third quarter. The intensity and energy inside the Fargodome was as high as it had ever been and when Robbie Grimsley intercepted a Bryan Schor pass at midfield with 4:42 left in the third, and the building seemed in danger of falling down from the cheer made by the sold-out crowd. NDSU couldn't capitalize, though, and James Madison scored on its next two possessions, including a 25-yard TD pass from Schor to John Miller with 6:59 left, to take an insurmountable 27-17 lead. NDSU's title run was over and James Madison went on to win the national championship. Final score: James Madison 27, NDSU 17. 3. James Madison 2021 — It's tough to choose between this game and Saturday's victory over SDSU at the No. 2 and 3 spots, but given the level of rivalry between the Bison and Jacks this remarkable game had to be slotted third. The Dukes and Bison had developed a good playoff rivalry since that 2016 meeting, with NDSU winning two instant classics over JMU in Frisco to take national titles in 2017 and 2019. And this game took on special meaning because James Madison had announced its intentions to go FBS, so it would be the Dukes' last ride in FCS. NDSU took a 13-0 halftime lead, which included a touchdown pass from Cam Miller to fullback Hunter Luepke , but James Madison scored two TDs in the third quarter for a 14-13 aided by a blocked punt. Miller and Luepke struck again early in the fourth quarter to take back the lead and the Bison defense hung on from there. The iconic play: With James Madison threatening to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, cornerback Destin Talbert leaped high into the air and intercepted a Cole Johnson pass with one hand in the end zone. The Bison defensive line later sacked and harassed Johnson as time ran out to secure the victory and trigger a wild celebration in the dome. Final score: NDSU 20, James Madison 14. 2. South Dakota State 2024 — When asked about it after the game, NDSU coach Tim Polasek slotted this one No. 2 on the list. As he should have. The Jackrabbits had taken the mantle of the best team in FCS in 2022 and 2023, winning back-to-back national titles and dominating their matchups with the Bison. After putting much emotional and physical capital into beating SDSU in the regular season to stop the tide in the Dakota Marker game, NDSU had a chance to end their rival's FCS dominance in the semifinals at the dome. Leading 14-7 in the second quarter, it looked like the Jackrabbits were ready to take control. But Cody Huisman forced a fumble on SDSU running back Amar Johnson and the Bison recovered, and cashed in with a touchdown to tie the game 14-14. Bryce Lance had three touchdown catches, including two in the second half, as the Bison reclaimed their place over SDSU — at least for this season. Final score: NDSU 28, SDSU 21. 1. Georgia Southern 2012 — The original and the best playoff all-timer for NDSU, this game coined the term "Georgia Southern loud" for the volume of the sold-out dome crowd. The Eagles came to Fargo for the second straight year in the semifinals and had an uber-talented team led by quarterback Jerrick McKinnon . Trailing 20-16 with less than 4 minutes remaining, NDSU faced fourth down and 3 from the Georgia Southern 5. If the Eagles held, they'd win the game. After three excruciating timeouts, Brock Jensen ran a quarterback draw and powered into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown. The play is known in Bison lore as "Fourth and Frisco." NDSU led 23-20 with 3:05 left, but the game wasn't over. A 40-yard pass on fourth-and-11 put the Eagles in range to try a game-tying field goal with seconds left. But NDSU blocked a 50-yard attempt by Drew Ruggles and the Bison survived for their second straight trip to Frisco, where they defeated Sam Houston for the second straight time for a second straight national championship. Final score: NDSU 23, Georgia Southern 20.Five facts about electric vehicles in 2024
LOS ANGELES (AP) — After struggling to run the ball consistently all season, the Los Angeles Rams finally made some progress on the ground in New Orleans. Kyren Williams and rookie Blake Corum carried the Rams (6-6) to a 21-14 win that kept them squarely in the playoff race for another week. Los Angeles racked up a season-high 156 yards rushing against the Saints, with Williams going for 104 yards and a touchdown while Corum added 42 yards on a season high-tying eight carries. The game was the inverse of most afternoons this season for the Rams, who came into the week averaging fewer than 100 yards rushing per game. The running game was sturdy and productive, while Matthew Stafford and his receivers struggled to get into a rhythm at the Superdome. Coach Sean McVay always prefers to use his run game to set up the pass, and it finally worked for once this season. “I thought Kyren ran really well," McVay said. “I thought Corum ran really well. I thought our offensive line set the line of scrimmage in the run game. We really started slow in the pass game, but I thought Matthew was excellent in the second half. We were able to get some different things off of those run actions going, and that ended up being the difference in the game.” Not coincidentally, the Rams' running game worked well on the Sunday when the offensive line finally had a starting five uncompromised by injuries or suspension for the first time all season. Right tackle Rob Havenstein returned from an ankle injury, making the group whole around rookie center Beaux Limmer, who has beaten out high-priced free agent Jonah Jackson for a starting job. The Rams still had yet another slow start in a season full of them. They ran only three plays in the entire first quarter, and they were held scoreless in the first half when their other two drives resulted in a turnover on downs and a punt. But Los Angeles rebounded with an 11-play scoring drive to open the second half featuring seven runs by Williams. He eventually moved up to fifth in the NFL with 926 yards rushing despite averaging just 4.2 yards per carry — nearly a yard less than he had last season, and the lowest average among the league's top 10 rushers this season. The Rams have thrived without a strong rushing attack before: They averaged just 99.0 yards per game on the ground, ranking 25th in the NFL, during their Super Bowl championship season in 2021-22. But McVay prefers his first option to be a strong running attack, which he had during his first three seasons in charge with Todd Gurley in the backfield and Andrew Whitworth at left tackle. “Anytime the guys up front are moving them, and (Williams) is making great reads and moves on the second level, then that is a fun feeling for the offense," Stafford said. “It’s great when you can hand the ball off and get big creases. We converted when we needed to in short-yardage stuff. I thought our guys did a really great job up front, and Kyren ran it great.” What's working The Rams have struggled in the red zone all season, but they scored touchdowns on all three trips in New Orleans. They did it by committing to the run game up the middle, setting up TD passes on the outside to Demarcus Robinson and Puka Nacua. What needs help Alvin Kamara racked up 112 yards rushing in the latest strong game by an opposing running back. Los Angeles is 28th in the league against the run, allowing 144.2 yards rushing per game — including 194 per game over the past three weeks. Stock up Rookie edge rusher Jared Verse had another outstanding game, racking up five tackles, three quarterback hits and numerous big plays that don't show up on stat sheets. He capped the performance by hitting Derek Carr from behind and forcing an incompletion from the Los Angeles 9 on New Orleans' final play. Stock down Cornerback Darious Williams gave up a touchdown pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling and the ensuing 2-point conversion pass to Dante Pettis early in the fourth quarter, capping a second straight rough week for the free-agent signee. Williams is the Rams' best cornerback, but they haven't had an above-average shutdown pass defender since trading Jalen Ramsey. Los Angeles added cornerback depth Monday, claiming 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes off waivers from Washington. Injuries Robinson injured his hand during the game, and Stafford incurred a lateral ankle sprain. McVay said he doesn't expect either injury to affect the veterans' preparations this week. Key number 17 — Cooper Kupp's yards receiving. That's his lowest total in a game in which he didn't get injured since Oct. 18, 2020. Kupp had only six targets, few downfield routes and curiously scant chances to make big plays. Next steps The Rams are home underdogs this week against powerhouse Buffalo, followed by a Thursday night game at San Francisco. Getting even one win out of these two matchups will be difficult, but probably necessary to keep pace with Seattle and Arizona in the NFC West. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL Greg Beacham, The Associated PressThe impact of the Syrian conflict on refugees is equally alarming. Millions of Syrians have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in neighboring countries and beyond. The sheer scale of the refugee crisis has put a strain on host countries' resources and infrastructure, exacerbating social tensions and creating fertile ground for radicalization. As refugees face uncertain futures and bleak prospects, they become vulnerable to exploitation by extremist groups who prey on their desperation.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ third bid to be released on bail won’t be decided until next week
In conclusion, the weightlifting world witnessed a momentous occasion as the North Korean women's team secured victory in a thrilling competition against their South Korean rivals. The world record-breaking performance, fierce determination, and unparalleled skill displayed by both teams showcased the very best of the sport and left a lasting impact on all who witnessed it. As the rivalry between North and South Korea in weightlifting continues to unfold, one thing is certain – the world will be watching, eager to witness the next chapter in this epic saga of athletic excellence.( MENAFN - Jordan Times) LONDON - During the Irish famine in the 1840s, as more than one million Irish citizens died, vast quantities of food were exported from Ireland to Britain. For the Whig government in London, the defence of commercial interests, the dictates of laissez-faire economics and Political indifference to Irish suffering trumped any obligation to prevent mass starvation by intervening in markets. The international response to the COVID-19 pandemic bears a discomfiting resemblance to the British response to the Irish famine. Although science and industry have given us the means to immunise the world, nine months after the first arm was jabbed with a COVID-19 vaccine, rich countries are using their market power to direct doses away from poor countries, placing millions of lives at risk. Consider some recent actions by the European Union. Under a contract with Johnson & Johnson (J&J), the bloc has imported millions of vaccine doses from a company in South Africa, a country where a mere 11 per cent of the population is vaccinated and the Delta variant is fuelling a surge in cases. Yet efforts to divert vaccine exports from Europe to South Africa and its neighbours were met with a display of vaccine gunboat diplomacy, with the EU threatening to take action under a clause in the J&J contract prohibiting export restrictions. The message to the world was clear. While EU commissioners and political leaders may arrive at UN meetings waxing lyrical about the importance of international cooperation and global vaccine equity, the iron fist of vaccine nationalism is driving real-world policy. When it comes to weighing African lives against marginal gains in the health of already-protected EU citizens, Africans come in a distant second. Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown recently highlighted the South Africa example as a“shocking symbol” of global vaccine injustice. He was right, but the injustice is global. In a world that has delivered more than five billion doses, over 70 per cent of people in rich countries have now received at least one jab, compared to only 1.8 per cent in the poorest countries. This is an equity gap that kills. We know that vaccinations provide effective protection against COVID-19 deaths and hospitalisation. As US President Joe Biden has reminded Americans, this is a“pandemic of the unvaccinated”. The same is true globally. Nevertheless, the United States and other rich countries are now preparing to deliver vaccine booster shots to already-protected populations facing marginal health risks, effectively diverting supplies from countries where access to vaccines is, quite literally, a matter of life and death. The current distribution of vaccines is not just ethically indefensible. It is also epidemiologically short-sighted and economically ruinous. Leaving large swaths of the world unvaccinated increases the risk that vaccine-resistant viral mutations will emerge, effectively prolonging the pandemic and endangering people everywhere. Meanwhile, expanding vaccinations would boost economic recovery, adding $9 trillion to global output by 2025, according to an estimate by the International Monetary Fund, and help prevent major reversals in poverty, health and education. Basic arithmetic shows that we can vaccinate the world. Estimates by the data analytics firm Airfinity suggest that around 12 billion vaccine doseswill be produced in 2021, with output doubling in 2022. That's more than enough to achieve the international target of 40 per cent coverage by the end of this year and 60-70 per cent by mid-2022. Unfortunately, it is not enough to achieve the targets while satisfying rich countries' desire to hoard surplus stocks. With their current contracts, rich countries could achieve full vaccination coverage rates for over 80 per cent of their populations, including boosters for vulnerable people, and have a surplus of 3.5 billion doses, according to the Airfinity data, enough to cover the deficit in poor countries and still leave rich countries with a healthy contingency reserve. Instead, rich countries are actively undermining international cooperation efforts. Aid donors have invested $10 billion in the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) facility, the international program designed to provide vaccines to the world's poorest countries. That financing has secured contracts for around two billion doses. Additionally, the World Bank has provided $4 billion for COVAX and an African Union vaccine-purchase initiative. But COVAX and poor countries are constantly pushed to the back of the line for supplies from vaccine manufacturers for whom rich countries come first, not least because of their governments' threats to take legal action and impose penalties. The pandemic has demonstrated that the world needs a more efficient and equitable distribution of vaccine-production capabilities. Developing these capabilities will require knowledge-sharing, technology transfer, intellectual-property waivers, and long-term investment. But without immediate and decisive action to replace the trickle-down approach to vaccine provision with market redistribution, John Maynard Keynes's dictum that“in the long run we are all dead” will have a tragic resonance. There are three priorities. First, vaccine delivery must be aligned with the target of 40 per cent coverage in all countries by the end of this year. Rich countries must agree to adjust their own schedules so that vaccine manufacturers can make deliveries for COVAX and developing countries. Building surplus stocks in rich countries while allowing people to die for want of vaccines in poor countries is indefensible. Aid donors should also provide the additional $3.8 billion in grant financing needed to trigger COVAX options on an additional 760 million doses by the end of 2021. Second, to meet the international targets, we need to move beyond intermittent vaccine donations to large-scale, coordinated dose-sharing. The EU, the United Kingdom, and the US should immediately share an additional 250 million doses, less than one-quarter of their collective surplus, through COVAX by the end of September, with a clear schedule for providing an additional one billion doses by early 2022. Third, beyond vaccine equity, there is an urgent need to strengthen health systems, not just through the provision of medical oxygen, which is in critically short supply, therapeutics, and diagnostic equipment, but also by investing in the health workers and infrastructure needed to get vaccines into arms. The current gap between funds pledged and funds allocated for this purpose is around $16.6 billion. Our ability to save lives, restore hope, and rebuild economies shattered by the pandemic is constrained not by a shortage of vaccines or financing, but also by a deficit of justice and international cooperation. The governments of rich countries often recite the mantra that“no one is safe until everyone is safe”. Their leaders must now act like they believe it. Kevin Watkins, a former CEO of Save the Children UK, is a visiting professor at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at the London School of Economics. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2021. 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The collaboration between Xiang Zuo and Xiao Hua has once again proven to be a successful pairing, as they have consistently pushed the boundaries of traditional hair design with their innovative and daring creations. The Monkey Zuo hairstyle is no exception, as it combines elements of playfulness, elegance, and modernity to create a truly eye-catching and memorable look.Saquon Barkley tops 2,000 yards rushing and moves within 100 of Dickerson's record PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley became the ninth running back in NFL history to top 2,000 yards rushing in a season, reaching the milestone with a 23-yard run in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys. That rush gave Barkley 2,005 yards with one game left and left him exactly 100 yards from Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105, set in 1984 for the Los Angeles Rams. Barkley could potentially top the record in next week’s finale against the New York Giants. However, that game will be mostly meaningless for the Eagles, who could opt to rest Barkley to protect him from injury ahead of the playoffs. Bills clinch the AFC's No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the undisciplined Jets ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score and the Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the New York Jets. The Bills put the game away by capitalizing on two Jets turnovers and scoring three touchdowns over a 5:01 span in the closing minutes of the third quarter. Buffalo’s defense forced three takeaways overall and sacked Aaron Rodgers four times, including a 2-yard loss for a safety in the second quarter. The five-time defending AFC East champion Bills improved to 13-3 to match a franchise single-season record. Saquon Barkley tops 2,000 yards rushing as Eagles beat Cowboys 41-7 to clinch NFC East PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley rushed for 167 yards to top 2,000 on the season, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett ran and threw for scores before departing with injured ribs, and the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East title by routing the Dallas Cowboys 41-7. Barkley has 2,005 yards and needs 101 in next week’s mostly meaningless regular-season finale to top Eric Dickerson and his 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984. The Eagles led 24-7 in the third quarter when Pickett was drilled by defensive end Micah Parsons, ending his first start in place of the concussed Jalen Hurts. Penn State coach James Franklin says Nick Saban should be college football's commissioner SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Penn State coach James Franklin believes college football needs a commissioner and he even has a candidate in mind: former Alabama coach Nick Saban. Franklin made the suggestion Sunday at Penn State’s College Football Playoff quarterfinals media day ahead of the Fiesta Bowl. The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions are preparing for their game against No. 3 seed Boise State on Tuesday. The veteran coach was responding to a question about Penn State’s backup quarterback situation after Beau Pribula transferred to Missouri before the playoff. Pribula’s decision highlighted some of the frustrating aspects of a new college football world in the Name, Image and Likeness era and the transfer portal, forcing players to make tough decisions at inopportune times. Mayfield throws 5 TD passes and Bucs keep playoff, NFC South hopes alive with 48-14 rout of Panthers TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Baker Mayfield threw for 359 yards and five touchdowns to help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers keep their division and playoff hopes alive with a 48-14 rout of the Carolina Panthers. The team’s fifth win in the past six weeks nudged the first-place Bucs a half-game ahead of Atlanta for the best record in the NFC South at 9-7. The Falcons played on the road later Sunday night at Washington. Atlanta holds the tiebreaker in the division race and can end Tampa Bay’s three-year reign as NFC South champions by beating the Commanders and winning again next week at home against the last-place Panthers. Lakers send D'Angelo Russell to Nets in trade for Dorian Finney-Smith, Shake Milton LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers have traded guard D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets for forward Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton. The Lakers also sent forward Maxwell Lewis and three second-round draft picks to Brooklyn. Russell averaged a career-low 12.4 points per game for the Lakers this season in a diminished role under new coach JJ Redick. Finney-Smith is a steady 3-and-D wing who fills an obvious need for the Lakers. Russell is being traded by the Lakers to the Nets for the second time in his career. He also made the move in 2017. LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. Rising Sun Devils: Arizona State looks to pull off another big surprise at the Peach Bowl ATLANTA (AP) — As they prepare for Arizona State’s biggest game in nearly three decades, the guys who made it happen aren’t the least bit surprised to be rated a nearly two-touchdown underdog in the College Football Playoff. That’s a familiar position for the Sun Devils. They've been an underdog most of the season. Of the eight teams still vying for a national championship, there’s no bigger surprise than 11-2 Arizona State. The Sun Devils went 3-9 a year ago and were picked to finish dead last in their first season in the Big 12 Conference. Now, they're getting ready to face Texas in the Peach Bowl quarterfinal game on New Year’s Day. Penn State's polarizing QB Drew Allar puts critics on mute and keeps winning games SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Even when Penn State quarterback Drew Allar gets some praise, it’s usually a backhanded compliment. They say he’s a good game manager and stays within himself, or that he doesn’t try to do too much. They mention he might not be flashy, but he gives the team a chance to win. And here’s the thing about Penn State since Allar stepped under center: The Nittany Lions have won games. A lot of them. Sometimes that’s hard to remember considering the lukewarm reception he often gets from fans. The polarizing Allar has another chance to quiet his critics on Tuesday, when Penn State plays Boise State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Fiesta Bowl. Feels like 1979: Nottingham Forest moves into 2nd place behind rampant Liverpool in Premier League The Premier League table is starting to have a 1979 kind of feel to it with Liverpool at the top of the standings and Nottingham Forest in second place as the closest challenger. Liverpool padded its lead with a 5-0 rout of West Ham on Sunday while upstart Nottingham Forest climbed into second place by beating Everton 2-0 to continue its surprising push for a Champions League place. Manchester City marked Pep Guardiola's 500th game in charge by beating Leicester 2-0 but is still 14 points behind Liverpool having played a game more. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Technology entrepreneur Elon Musk has caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Germany is to vote in an early election on February 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalise the country’s stagnant economy. Mr Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag – a sister publication of Politico owned by the Axel Springer Group – published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month that he has supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD. “The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the last spark of hope for this country,” he wrote in his translated commentary. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier announces the decision to dissolve the Bundestag and schedule a new election for February 23 (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP) The Tesla Motors chief executive also wrote that his investment in Germany gives him the right to comment on the country’s condition. The AfD is polling strongly, but its candidate for the top job, Alice Weidel, has no realistic chance of becoming chancellor because other parties refuse to work with the far-right party. Billionaire Mr Musk, an ally of US President-elect Donald Trump, challenged in his opinion piece the party’s public image. “The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party’s leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!” Technology billionaire Elon Musk is an ally of US President-elect Donald Trump (Brandon Bell/Pool/AP) Eva Marie Kogel wrote: “I always enjoyed leading the opinion section of WELT and WAMS. Today an article by Elon Musk appeared in Welt am Sonntag. I handed in my resignation yesterday after it went to print.” A critical article by the future editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Jan Philipp Burgard, accompanied Mr Musk’s opinion piece. “Musk’s diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach, that only the AfD can save Germany, is fatally wrong,” he wrote. Responding to a request for comment from the German Press Agency, dpa, the current editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Ulf Poschardt, and Mr Burgard – who is due to take over on January 1 – said in a joint statement that the discussion over Mr Musk’s piece was “very insightful. Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression.” “This will continue to determine the compass of the ‘world’ in the future. We will develop ‘Die Welt’ even more decisively as a forum for such debates,” they wrote to dpa.Furthermore, the implementation of emergency measures by the South Korean government could lead to a deterioration of public opinion towards China among the Korean populace. Any perceived Chinese support for heavy-handed tactics employed by the South Korean authorities could fuel anti-China sentiment and strain people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. This, in turn, could have negative repercussions for business partnerships and cultural exchanges, which have been key pillars of Sino-Korean relations in recent years.
The versatility and practicality of the Xiaomi Smart Socket 3 make it a must-have accessory for any modern home. Whether you want to automate your lighting, monitor your energy consumption, or simply make your life easier, this smart socket has you covered. And with its affordable price of just ¥38.8 during the South Mountain Coupons Nationwide Shopping event, there's no reason not to add this handy device to your collection.The decision to showcase these personal moments in Assad's life cannot be dismissed as a mere publicity stunt. By revealing the softer, familial side of a leader known for his iron-fisted rule, the opposition seeks to challenge the carefully crafted narrative of a unified and invulnerable regime. In a conflict where propaganda plays a pivotal role in shaping public opinion, these images serve as a potent reminder that even the most authoritarian figures are capable of tenderness and affection within the confines of their own homes.
The worker, whose identity remains undisclosed at this time, had reportedly been grappling with unpaid wages for several months. Frustrated and feeling helpless, the individual climbed to the top of a building under construction and made the tragic decision to jump to their death. The harrowing scene unfolded before the eyes of onlookers, leaving many in shock and disbelief.
( MENAFN - Jordan Times) The tech industry, a vibrant jungle of innovation, is constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible. But amidst the rapid growth and groundbreaking ideas lurks a persistent threat which is insider threat. These threats, emanating from disgruntled employees, financially stressed individuals, or even those tempted by lucrative offers from competitors, can cause significant damage, jeopardising intellectual property, customer data and ultimately, public trust, because of that governance emerges as the essential root system, nourishing a secure and responsible tech landscape. Imagine a thriving tech startup. Ideas blossom, code flows freely and collaboration thrives. However, this very openness can be a breeding ground for insider threats. Hence, Tech company governance refers to the framework of rules, processes, and practices that guide how these companies are directed and controlled. Strong tech governance is essential for several reasons such as Mitigating Risk; Unchecked power can lead to disastrous consequences. Governance frameworks help prevent scandals, data breaches and anti-competitive practices. Also governance guide is important to Build Trust: Strong governance fosters public trust in tech companies. Users are more likely to embrace new technologies when they believe their data is safe and platforms are used responsibly. Another reasons why tech governance is vital is Promoting Innovation: Governance can actually encourage innovation by establishing clear parameters for ethical development and deployment of new technologies. Tech governance is not a static concept. As technology evolves, so too must the frameworks that guide its development and use. By prioritising good governance, stakeholders can ensure that tech companies continue to be engines of innovation and progress, while mitigating the risks and fostering a more responsible and inclusive digital future. Strong governance acts as a multilayered defense against such threats, offering more than just perimeter walls. A well-defined governance framework establishes clear lines of authority and accountability. This transparency minimises confusion and reduces the likelihood of unauthorised access to sensitive information. Think of it as a well-maintained access control system within the organisation, where everyone knows their designated path and restricted areas are clearly marked. When roles are clearly outlined, employees understand their specific tasks and limitations. This minimises confusion and prevents overlap, reducing the chances of accidental data breaches or unauthorised access attempts due to a misunderstanding of responsibilities. Also, clear roles enhance Accountability and Transparency: Well-defined roles create a clear chain of command, assigning accountability for specific tasks and decisions. This transparency fosters trust within the organisation and allows for swift identification of potential issues. If a security breach occurs, clear roles help pinpoint the source and prevent similar incidents in the future. Hence, implementing the principle of least privilege ensures that employees only have access to the data and systems they need to perform their assigned duties. This minimises the potential damage an insider threat can inflict, as they would not have access to sensitive information beyond their designated role. When everyone understands their specific tasks, collaboration and workflow optimisation become easier. Employees can focus on their strengths and expertise, leading to increased efficiency and productivity. Accordingly, with clear roles, employees know who to contact for specific tasks. This eliminates confusion and streamlines processes, preventing bottlenecks that can hinder progress. Creating a secure and efficient tech environment begins with crafting clear and concise role definitions. The key steps of inside threat for tech companies are; Job Descriptions: Develop detailed job descriptions outlining the essential functions, responsibilities and required skills for each position. Secondly, Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Implement RBAC systems that grant access to data and systems based on specific roles within the organisation. Thirdly, Communication and Training: Regularly communicate role expectations to employees and provide training on company policies and security protocols. To conclude, clearly defined roles and responsibilities are not just a security measure; they are the cornerstone of a thriving tech ecosystem. By establishing clear boundaries and expectations, companies can cultivate a secure environment where innovation flourishes alongside efficiency and employee satisfaction. Just as a well-planned garden fosters the growth of diverse plants, clearly defined roles allow each employee to contribute their unique skills, fostering a vibrant and secure tech landscape. Hamza Alakaleek is a corporate lawyer and tax attorney MENAFN02122024000028011005ID1108949045 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.In the football world, there are certain players who seem to have a unique bond with each other that goes beyond the pitch. One such duo is Diawara and B-fee, whose special connection has not gone unnoticed by fans and teammates alike. Additionally, Amarlin's background as a former player brings a deep understanding and empathy towards his fellow players, creating a strong sense of camaraderie within the team.Manmohan Singh News: Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag Lead Condolences For Former Prime Minister's Demise
Scotland’s last remaining greyhound racetrack should be demolished, say campaigners