Atlanta (6-7) at Las Vegas (2-11) Monday, 8:30 p.m. EST, ESPN BetMGM NFL Odds: Falcons by 4 Series record: Falcons lead 8-7 Against the spread: Falcons 5-8, Raiders 5-8 Last meeting: Falcons beat Raiders 43-6 in Atlanta on Nov. 29, 2020. Last week: Falcons lost to Vikings 42-21; Raiders lost to Buccaneers 28-13 Falcons offense: overall (8), rush (12), pass (2), scoring (19) Falcons defense: overall (23), rush (17), pass (25), scoring (25) Raiders offense: overall (25), rush (32), pass (16), scoring (31) Raiders defense: overall (15), rush (14), pass (15), scoring (30) Turnover differential: Falcons minus-9; Raiders minus-17 Falcons player to watch OLB Arnold Ebiketie has been a key to Atlanta's suddenly improved pass rush. Ebiketie has three sacks in the past two games, giving him four for the season. Overall, the Falcons have had nine sacks in the past two games. They almost doubled their NFL-low total of 10 through their first 11 games. Raiders player to watch Whoever plays quarterback. Aidan O'Connell injured his left knee Sunday at Tampa Bay, so his availability is unknown. O'Connell is not a mobile quarterback, so if he plays, he likely wouldn't be as limited as a more athletic player at that position. If Desmond Ridder gets the call, he'll face the team where he started 13 games last season. Key matchup Falcons QB Kirk Cousins vs. Raiders defense. Cousins has been intercepted the past four games, and he has been picked off six times combined the past two weeks. Las Vegas' best hope in forcing Cousins into even more mistakes is pressuring, and the Raiders have nine sacks over the past two weeks. They also had two interceptions against the Bucs. Key injuries Falcons: Rookie RB Jase McClellan was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. The sixth-round pick earlier had missed time with a foot problem and had only 13 carries for 32 yards. RB Carlos Washington Jr. was signed to the active roster from the practice squad as depth behind Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. ... ILB Troy Andersen (knee) and WR Casey Washington (concussion) did not practice on Thursday. Raiders: RB Alexander Mattison (ankle) is expected to be activated after missing the past three games. CB Nate Hobbs (ankle) hasn't played since Nov. 3 at Cincinnati. Series notes The Falcons have won the past five meetings. ... Their 37-point victory in the most recent matchup in 2020 was the most lopsided game in the series' history. ... That game also was the second highest-scoring game by the winning team, behind the then-Oakland Raiders' 50-19 victory in 1979. Stats and stuff Falcons WR Drake London needs only two catches to pass Calvin Ridley (217) for the most receptions in the first three seasons with Atlanta. ... London has 75 receptions for 866 yards and six touchdowns this season. ... Cousins has an unhealthy ratio of 17 touchdown passes to 15 interceptions. ... The Raiders' Brock Bowers has caught 87 passes to set an NFL rookie record tight ends record. Sam LaPorta had 86 last season for the Detroit Lions. Bowers also is 67 yards from becoming the third rookie tight end with 1,000 yards, joining Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts in 2021 and the Chicago Bears' Mike Ditka in 1961. ... DE Maxx Crosby is half a sack from becoming the third Raiders player since 1982 with 60 for his career. The other two are Greg Townsend (107 1/2) and Howie Long (84). ... LB Robert Spillane is one of seven players this season with at least 100 tackles, an interception and a sack. ... Las Vegas has committed 4.86 penalties per game since coach Antonio Pierce took over at midseason last season, best in the league. ... The Raiders have had at least one sack in 31 consecutive games, the third-longest active streak behind the Baltimore Ravens with 51 and Philadelphia Eagles with 41. Las Vegas has nine combined in the past two games, tied for best in the league with the Falcons. Fantasy tip Raiders RB Sincere McCormick has secured the starting job, and he has averaged at least 5.2 yards per carry in each of his past three games. His rushing total keeps increasing, with McCormick gaining 78 yards against the Bucs. Especially given the uncertainty at quarterback, expect the Raiders to rely on McCormick. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflPresident-elect Donald Trump on Saturday nominated Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law Jared Kushner, as the US ambassador to France, in the latest of several controversial picks. Kushner "is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests," Trump said on his Truth Social website, adding that Jared "worked closely with me in the White House." The choice is in keeping with Trump's pattern, so far, of selecting people, often wealthy, who are close to his family or of proven loyalty. Kushner is a multimillionaire real estate executive and former attorney; his son was a senior adviser during Trump's first term. Trump did not mention, however, that the elder Kushner once served jail time -- a two-year sentence, most of it served in a federal prison. Kushner, who is now 70, pleaded guilty in 2004 to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering and making illegal campaign contributions. The case, which was prosecuted by then US attorney Chris Christie, included sordid details, to which Kushner admitted: that he had hired a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law, a man cooperating in a campaign finance inquiry, and then videotaped the encounter and sent it to the man's wife, Kushner's sister, to dissuade her from testifying against him. Christie, who worked on Trump's first presidential transition team and then opposed him in this year's Republican primary contests, later said Kushner had committed a "loathsome" and "disgusting crime." In 2020, Trump issued a pardon to Kushner, whose conviction had resulted in him being disbarred in three states. Nominees for key ambassadorships are often business associates of a president-elect, or major political donors. But it is rare, if not unprecedented, to name a convicted felon. The first two men to fill the prestigious Paris post were famed inventor and statesman Benjamin Franklin and a future president, Thomas Jefferson. If confirmed, Kushner would succeed Denise Bauer, a former ambassador to Belgium who was a major Democratic fundraiser and donor. md/bbk/md
They say, ‘happiness is only real, when shared’. Be it the poets, or the philosophers, the preaching boils down to one bottom line – the joy is tenfold when you get to share that with people! But, did anyone think that there would come a day when people would opt for more of a ‘ community living ’ instead of making homes out of their individual houses? Perhaps, not. However, with the rise in the cost of living and loneliness becoming a global concern, " intentional communities " are getting increasingly popular. Whether, sharing our living space with people, more likely to be strangers, might sound daunting initially – there are several upsides of the ‘ communal living ’. What is communal living? Humans have been living together in community groups since our very first upright steps, and probably even before that. But the industrial revolution, social changes, and new technology of the last few hundred years have made communal living a thing of the distant past for many people around the world. Today, architects are returning to communal living models which promote personal connections, sustainability, and – say proponents – the good life. Communal living is a way of life where people live together in a group, sharing resources and responsibilities. It refers to a group of people intentionally choosing to live together, sharing resources, responsibilities, and often pursuing common goals or interests, essentially creating a community where individuals contribute to a shared space and lifestyle; this can include sharing meals, chores, decision-making, and other aspects of daily life within a shared living environment. In some cases, communal living is simply an effective way to temporarily reduce your household rent and utility bills. This kind of communal living is practiced by students living together in shared houses, programmers in the “hacker homes” of Silicon Valley like the house that Mark Zuckerberg and his Facebook co-founders rented during Facebook’s start-up phase, and young professionals in global cities where housing and rent prices have skyrocketed above the rate of inflation (Barcelona, London, Dublin, New York, and many more). Types of communal living: The word "communal" is related to the word "common", which means something shared. Humans have lived in communities since the beginning, but social changes, the industrial revolution, and new technology have made communal living less common in recent centuries. Cohousing: A communal living model that involves shared responsibilities and resources, and aims to increase interaction with neighbors. Communes: Traditional communes where people live together with a strong emphasis on shared values and collective living. Co-living spaces: Modern, often urban living arrangements where individuals have private rooms but share common areas and amenities like kitchens and lounges. Ecovillages: Communities focused on sustainable living practices and environmental stewardship, often incorporating communal living elements. Student dorms: While not always considered "intentional communities," student dorms can be seen as a form of communal living due to shared spaces and a sense of community. Key points about communal living: Shared spaces: People living in a communal setting typically share common areas like kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, and sometimes even bedrooms depending on the arrangement. Intentional community: Unlike just roommates, communal living often involves a conscious decision to live together with a shared philosophy or purpose, creating a sense of community. Shared responsibilities: Individuals in a communal living situation usually contribute to maintaining the shared space by taking on chores, participating in decision-making, and supporting one another. Is communal living good for your health? Research suggests that communal living can be beneficial for your health, particularly mental health, as it often provides a strong social support network, reduces feelings of loneliness, and encourages healthier lifestyle habits through shared activities and meals; this can lead to decreased stress and improved overall wellbeing. Key benefits of communal living for health: Reduced social isolation: Living with others can combat loneliness, a major contributor to mental health issues, especially among older adults. Increased social interaction: Regular interaction with neighbors can foster a sense of community and belonging, leading to positive social connections. Emotional support: Having people readily available to talk to can provide emotional support during challenging times. Healthy lifestyle encouragement: Shared meals and group activities can promote healthier eating habits and physical activity. Stress reduction: A strong social network can act as a buffer against stress. However, there are some important factors that need consideration when one is opting for communal living: Individual needs: While communal living can be beneficial for many, it's important to consider personal needs and preferences for privacy and space. Community dynamics: A positive and supportive community environment is crucial for maximizing the health benefits. Potential challenges: Issues like conflicts with roommates, lack of personal boundaries, and noise can arise in communal living situations. The future of communal living: The future of communal living, often referred to as "co-living," is likely to see a significant rise in popularity, particularly in urban areas, as it offers a viable solution to rising housing costs, promotes community building, and caters to individuals seeking a more social living experience, with a focus on shared spaces, flexible lease terms, and technology-driven management systems to optimize resident interaction and convenience. Unlocking Mystical Libraries: Sadhguru On Mount Kailash & Dhyanalinga
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea chief Lee Jae-myung, center, joins party lawmakers and supporters to stage a rally in central Seoul calling for the government to accept a special counsel bill against first lady Kim Keon Hee, Nov. 30. Yonhap The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and its supporters held a massive rally in central Seoul on Saturday, lashing out at the Yoon Suk Yeol government for what they called the mishandling of state affairs and demanding a special counsel probe into first lady Kim Keon Hee. DPK leader Lee Jae-myung and around 100,000 party members and supporters — a count claimed by the party — gathered near Gwanghwamun Square and staged a rally, according to police and party officials. The protest was the fifth of its kind. The participants called on Yoon to accept a bill for a special counsel probe into Kim for her alleged involvement in a stock manipulation scheme, the alleged interference in election nominations through a broker and the acceptance of a luxury bag, among other things. Yoon on Tuesday vetoed the bill, the third time he has rejected the DPK-led bill. "Judging Yoon Suk Yeol and punishing Kim Keon Hee ... are all a battle for democracy," Rep. Kim Min-seok told supporters. (Yonhap)CVR Energy Announces Pricing of Proposed Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility, 2025 Capital ...None