Coming into the 2024 season, the Tennessee Titans made it very clear that the plan on offense was to have Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears split carries in the backfield. Part of the reason Tennessee let Derrick Henry walk in free agency was to have a dynamic running back duo that complimented each other well and were "interchangeable" on offense. Pollard is an established veteran that came to the Titans off of back-to-back seasons with 1,000+ rushing yards with the Dallas Cowboys. Spears is a second-year player drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. But the split carry approach was very quickly abandoned by Tennessee. Pollard has been given the lion's share of carries this season with 213, which far outweighs the 50 rushes from Spears. While Spears missed four games due to injury, there's still a clear imbalance when both backs are healthy. Split Carries With the draft capital invested into Spears by Ran Carthon, it's odd to see the Titans be so willing to take his touches away. Head coach Brian Callahan helped shed some light on why that has been the case during his media availability on Friday. "It's two factors. It's Tony [Pollard] has played fantastic. It's hard to argue that he doesn't deserve to be the featured back in terms of the number of carries. He's been awesome. And the Tyjae's injuries," said Callahan. "I didn't know whether or not Tony was up for that type of load to be honest, and he's shown that he is, but it has been out of necessity." Callahan continued to say that he would still like to have Spears involved in the offense moving forward. It's ideal for the Titans to have the pair of running backs playing together. But Pollard has undoubtedly earned his role as RB1. "He's as tough as they come. He runs like a big man. He runs hard and runs through contact. He has proven to be a whole lot more than even I thought how productive he could be," said Callahan. Pollard is 63 rushing yards away from surpassing 1,000 for the third consecutive year. He is 70 yard away from setting a new career best. Pollard is under contract with the Titans through 2026. I'll find it interesting to see how Tennessee approaches the running back position moving forward and if Spears can get back into the mix more consistently when he's fully healthy in 2025. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.MAURITIUS has been accused of demanding “crazy” money in diplomatic negotiations with the UK over the future of the Chagos Islands. Talks over relinquishing sovereignty and a 99-year lease for the Diego Garcia military base in the Indian Ocean are holding up a deal. But it’s understood new leader Navin Ramgoolam wants up to £800million a year and reparations. A source told The Sunday Times: “They want crazy money . “They were talking £800million a year for as long as we wanted to keep the base there, plus billions of pounds in reparations.” The revelation comes as the new leader Navin Ramgoolam told the US last week that he wouldn’t accept a deal signed by his predecessor in October. READ MORE ON CHAGOS ISLANDS One British source added: “It is all about the money”. The deal has huge implications for global security with the rise of China and India in the region in the coming generations. The Mauritius leader said that the UK is keen to complete the deal before Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20. Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel told MPs before Christmas that the government was “letting our standing go into freefall” in an increasingly dangerous world. Most read in The Sun She said: “How much is the British taxpayer going to be liable for each year, and in total over 99 years?” The Foreign Office has distanced itself from reports Mauritius wants the eye-watering sums. A spokesman said: “These figures are completely inaccurate.”Retailers Resolve to Even Up Online and in-Store Experiences in 2025
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Coach Carter’s first game back at Richmond High underscores how times have changedWASHINGTON , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR ) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.27 per share of its common stock, payable on January 31, 2025 to holders of record on December 27, 2024 . ABOUT DANAHER Danaher is a leading global life sciences and diagnostics innovator, committed to accelerating the power of science and technology to improve human health. Our businesses partner closely with customers to solve many of the most important health challenges impacting patients around the world. Danaher's advanced science and technology - and proven ability to innovate - help enable faster, more accurate diagnoses and help reduce the time and cost needed to sustainably discover, develop and deliver life-changing therapies. Focused on scientific excellence, innovation and continuous improvement, our approximately 63,000 associates worldwide help ensure that Danaher is improving quality of life for billions of people today, while setting the foundation for a healthier, more sustainable tomorrow. Explore more at www.danaher.com . SOURCE Danaher Corporation
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry threw internal divisions in his political movement into public display. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hard-line immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer, a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who aligned themselves with Trump did so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer’s comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks, whom Trump tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar.” Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government, weighed in, defending the tech industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump’s world and what his political movement stands for. Trump had not yet weighed in on the rift. His presidential transition team did not respond to questions about positions on visas for highly skilled workers or the debate between his supporters online. Instead, his team instead sent a link to a post on X by longtime adviser and immigration hard-liner Stephen Miller that was a transcript of a speech Trump gave in 2020 at Mount Rushmore in which he praised figures and moments from American history. Musk, the world’s richest man who has grown close to the president-elect, was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump’s movement but his stance on the tech industry’s hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. Critics say they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent,” he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Trump’s own positions over the years reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he also sought curbs on legal immigration, including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order, which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump’s businesses, however, hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club, and his social media company behind his Truth Social app used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country” and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. However, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country,” he told the “All-In” podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump’s budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes. Get local news delivered to your inbox!ENGLAND rugby World Cup hero Steve Thompson has bravely revealed that he often cannot remember the names of his children. Thompson , 46, packed away all the medals, trophies and memorabilia after his shock early-onset dementia diagnosis left him feeling suicidal. At the age of 42, the former front row was diagnosed with both dementia and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in 2020. Thompson is set to bravely tell all in a TNT documentary that showcases the damage the sport has done to his mind. The loving dad-of-four young kids sat down with ex-team-mate Phil Vickery to share a heartbreaking update in his house in Cheshire . The pair first pointed to pictures of Thompson's young children as he tried to recall their names: Seren, Slone, Saskia and Saxon. READ MORE RUGBY NEWS Vickery began: "What do you remember of 2003?" A defeated Thompson responded: "It's weird. There's nothing there. I can't even remember being in Australia . "The whole lot is gone. And there's nothing there. My life, everything around then, is just not there." Vickery quizzed: "What about anything from when we got back, from the open top bus or the palace?" Most read in Rugby Union Thompson said: "No, nothing. It's just not there. My life has turned upside down. Getting lost, memory issues and anger issues. "I went through a massive guilt stage for the kids and Steph. Then I've been close to suicide. You feel like you're the most selfless person if you went. "When I see myself or see the other lads I feel like a phoney in a way. Like it weren't me that was there. Like I didn't do it." But this flanker-turned-hooker will go down in history a rugby legend, starring in all but one of England 's games en route to World Cup glory . And Thompson had only made his Red Rose debut a year prior against Scotland . His upbringing on one of Northampton’s most impoverished estates and a spell as a doorman meant he was fearless. Perhaps the saddest moment of his sit down with Vickery came when Thompson admitted that he regrets the career he once loved. He heartbreaking said: "The thing with rugby is, if I had my time again, I wouldn't do it. "I'd much rather just go and work on a building site, have a normal life. The way I look at is, that was our job, we got asked to do that. "And you do it to the best of your ability. You don't question anything around it. And that's why we probably did as well as we did." He can’t remember his first concussion, nor the last, just that across one of the great rugby careers he saw ‘the white dots’ most weeks. THE word 'dementia' is the name for a set of symptoms that includes memory loss, difficulty thinking, problem solving and struggling with language. A person with dementia will often experience changes in their mood and behaviour. Dementia is often triggered by diseases that damage the brain, including Alzheimer's disease as well as strokes. The disease is thought to be triggered by a build-up of proteins that form abnormal structures, known as 'plaques', in the brain. It's a progressive disease, which means that gradually over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens more symptoms emerge and get worse. Dementia is considered to be 'early onset' when someone is diagnosed before the age of 65. A study last year found that football and rugby players are six times more likely to have a degenerative brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is linked to repetitive brain trauma. The Hemel Hempstead-born star, who grew up in Northampton, started the 2003 final Down Under at hooker. He played for Northampton Saints for nine years, making 195 appearances. After Jonny Wilkinson's drop goal won England their one and only World Cup, Thompson and co. were awarded Order of the British Empire medals by Queen Elizabeth II upon their return. But Thompson cannot recall any of it. While other players retired after 2003, he went on to play in the 2011 World Cup too despite having broken his neck in 2007. Steve’s professional career spanned 13 years until another neck break brought it to a close in 2011. "We treat them like bits of meat that just have to train and do what we tell them to do, and when they're no good we get rid of them - and that's what happens. In 2020, Thompson was one of a group of players who launched a legal case to sue rugby's governing bodies for negligence. The former Saints stalwart, as well as Michael Lipman and former Wales No8 Alix Popham, were all named as test cases in action being brought against the RFU, World Rugby and Welsh Rugby Union . The case is still ongoing four years later, with four more British & Irish Lions joining the list of players. Lee Byrne, Gareth Cooper, Harry Ellis and Phil Greening, who toured with the Lions between 2001 and 2009, are among a group of 43 who can now be identified. According to the Mail , British law firm Rylands Legal are in contact with over 100 other former players as part of the historic lawsuit. The claimants allege rugby union 's governing bodies failed to put in place reasonable measures to protect their health and safety. A trial date for the lawsuit will not be set until 2025 at the earliest. Thompson told The Guardian in 2020: "I don't want the game to stop, but it's just everyone at the top looking down, saying the main asset of this lovely game is the players. "We've got to make sure we treat them like that. "We treat them like bits of meat that just have to train and do what we tell them to do, and when they're no good we get rid of them - and that's what happens. "They're all human beings, and we've got to make sure they have a proper life after the sport as well." Last year, Thompson became the first sportsperson to pledge their brain for research into the consequences of brain trauma, such as CTE, a disorder that is caused by repeated brain injuries. “When it comes to the CTE aspect and the repetitive head injuries, it’s coming from the training as well,” Thompson said on GMB in April. “World Rugby says it’s our number one priority looking after the players, they’re just about to put in another world tournament for clubs." The film documents all of this - from Thompson and his family trying to come to terms with his diagnosis, to him lending his voice to the fight to make rugby safer Thompson, who won 73 England caps, also says he suffers panic attack and forgets his wife Steph’s name sometimes. READ MORE SUN STORIES He previously told the BBC in April that the memory of his children's birth is now starting to fade. The former hooker, who helped the British Lions secure a 20-17 victory over Australia in 2013, is now the manager of one of his three daughter's U12 football sides.
Nigeria’s Adeyemi-Bero appointed Chair of OPEC Board of Governors
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Social media users are misrepresenting a report released Thursday by the Justice Department inspector general's office, falsely claiming that it's proof the FBI orchestrated the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. The watchdog report examined a number of areas, including whether major intelligence failures preceded the riot and whether the FBI in some way provoked the violence. Claims spreading online focus on the report's finding that 26 FBI informants were in Washington for election-related protests on Jan. 6, including three who had been tasked with traveling to the city to report on others who were potentially planning to attend the events. Although 17 of those informants either entered the Capitol or a restricted area around the building during the riot, none of the 26 total informants were authorized to do so by the bureau, according to the report. Nor were they authorized to otherwise break the law or encourage others to do so. Here's a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: A December 2024 report released by the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General is proof that the Jan. 6 Capitol riot was a setup by the FBI. THE FACTS: That's false. The report found that no undercover FBI employees were at the riot on Jan. 6 and that none of the bureau's informants were authorized to participate. Informants, also known as confidential human sources, work with the FBI to provide information, but are not on the bureau’s payroll. Undercover agents are employed by the FBI. According to the report, 26 informants were in Washington on Jan. 6 in connection with the day's events. FBI field offices only informed the Washington Field Office or FBI headquarters of five informants that were to be in the field on Jan. 6. Of the total 26 informants, four entered the Capitol during the riot and an additional 13 entered a restricted area around the Capitol. But none were authorized to do so by the FBI, nor were they given permission to break other laws or encourage others to do the same. The remaining nine informants did not engage in any illegal activities. None of the 17 informants who entered the Capitol or surrounding restricted area have been prosecuted, the report says. A footnote states that after reviewing a draft of the report, the U.S. attorney's office in Washington said that it “generally has not charged those individuals whose only crime on January 6, 2021 was to enter restricted grounds surrounding the Capitol, which has resulted in the Office declining to charge hundreds of individuals; and we have treated the CHSs consistent with this approach.” The assistant special agent in charge of the Washington Field Office's counterterrorism division told the inspector general's office that he “denied a request from an FBI office to have an undercover employee engage in investigative activity on January 6.” He, along with then-Washington Field Office Assistant Director in Charge Steven D'Antuono, said that FBI policy prohibits undercover employees at First Amendment-protected events without investigative authority. Many social media users drew false conclusions from the report's findings. “JANUARY 6th WAS A SETUP!" reads one X post that had received more than 11,400 likes and shares as of Friday. “New inspector general report shows that 26 FBI/DOJ confidential sources were in the crowd on January 6th, and some of them went into the Capitol and restricted areas. Is it a coincidence that Wray put in his resignation notice yesterday? TREASON!” The mention of Wray's resignation refers to FBI Director Christopher Wray's announcement Wednesday that he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden's term in January. Other users highlighted the fact that there were 26 FBI informants in Washington on Jan. 6, but omitted key information about the findings of the report. These claims echo a fringe conspiracy theory advanced by some Republicans in Congress that the FBI played a role in instigating the events of Jan. 6, 2021, when rioters determined to overturn Republican Donald Trump's 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden stormed the Capitol in a violent clash with police. The report knocks that theory down. Wray called such theories “ludicrous” at a congressional hearing last year. Asked for comment on the false claims spreading online, Stephanie Logan, a spokesperson for the inspector general’s office, pointed The Associated Press to a press release about the report. In addition to its findings about the the FBI's involvement on Jan. 6, the report said that the FBI, in an action its now-deputy director described as a “basic step that was missed,” failed to canvass informants across all 56 of its field offices for any relevant intelligence ahead of time. That was a step, the report concluded, “that could have helped the FBI and its law enforcement partners with their preparations in advance of January 6.” However, it did credit the bureau for preparing for the possibility of violence and for trying to identify known “domestic terrorism subjects” who planned to come to Washington that day. The FBI said in a letter responding to the report that it accepts the inspection general’s recommendation “regarding potential process improvements for future events.” — Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck .Tom Brady's Los Angeles mansion pictured: Sprawling residence appears complete following construction Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By ASHLEIGH GRAY FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 22:32 GMT, 27 December 2024 | Updated: 22:40 GMT, 27 December 2024 e-mail View comments Tom Brady appears to have finished building his Los Angeles mansion , which is situated in the Brentwood neighborhood of the city. The 47-year-old retired quarterback — whose ex-wife Gisele Bundchen, 44, is expecting a child with boyfriend Joaquim Valente — began constructing the 14,000 square foot home in 2020. In July, the U.S. Sun reported that Brady had turf installed on the property, including in the backyard and on the second level's outdoor space. Tom began erecting the luxe abode after demolishing the original mansion that was set on the cushy estate. It boasts an in-ground pool, and floor-to-ceiling windows throughout its two stories. Tom Brady has finished building his Los Angeles mansion, which is situated in the Brentwood neighborhood of the city The 47-year-old retired quarterback began constructing the 14,000 square foot home in 2020 In July it was reported that Brady had turf installed on the property, including in the backyard and on the second level's outdoor space Other notable residents of the neighborhood include Jennifer Garner, model Alessandra Ambrosio, Chris Pratt, and Bruce Willis. In addition to his Los Angeles digs, Tom also has a bachelor pad on the east coast in Miami's Indian Creek Island. Read More Single Tom Brady shows off his muscly legs as he cradles dog he shares with pregnant ex Gisele Bundchen He and ex-wife Gisele share son Benjamin, 15, and daughter Vivian, 12. The former professional athlete is also father to 17-year-old son Jack, whom he shares with ex-girlfriend Bridget Moynahan. Bundchen is expecting her third child and first with new beau, 37-year-old jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente. Tom and Gisele's son celebrated his 15th birthday on December 8, and the former Victoria's Secret Angel paid tribute to him on social media. 'Happy birthday to the sweetest and funniest boy on Earth!' the proud mom said via Instagram Stories. She praised him for having 'the biggest heart' and added, 'It's amazing to see you grow into an incredible young man.' Tom began erecting the luxe abode after demolishing the original mansion that was set on the cushy estate Tom pictured with then-wife Gisele Bundchen in May 2019. The couple split in 2020 Tom shares son Benjamin, 15, and daughter Vivian, 12, with Gisele. He is also dad to 17-year-old son Jack, whom he shares with ex Bridget Moynahan Brady dropped in on Instagram this week to share a lighthearted post with his son, joking, 'Love this boy, not sure about this game,' as they played golf. Another post shared via Instagram Stories showed a stunning sunset, with the retired athlete writing he's 'grateful for each day' And Tom uploaded a carousel post that started with a photo of the seven-time Super Bowl champ with Benjamin and Jack. 'Happy Birthday Benny! I’m so proud of the young man you are,' the former Patriots sensation wrote online. He listed, 'You’re a student, artist, athlete, musician, and teammate... but most of all you’re the best brother and son anyone could ask for.' The gushing dad went on to say, 'You pour so much into everything you do, and it shows in the way you inspire others around you. 'Thanks for always making us laugh.... Even when you’re not supposed to!' He wrapped up the post, 'I can’t wait to see all the great things you’ll continue to achieve. Dad loves you sooooooooo much! ❤️❤️❤️' Gisele Bundchen Los Angeles Tom Brady Share or comment on this article: Tom Brady's Los Angeles mansion pictured: Sprawling residence appears complete following construction e-mail Add comment
Analysis: After Juan Soto's megadeal, could MLB see a $1 billion contract? Probably not soon
One hundred years ago, in a courtyard at the Neues Museum in Berlin, the world came face to face for the first time with one of its most enduring beauty icons: Queen Nefertiti. Discovered in Egypt in 1912 by German archeologists, her 3,300-year-old stucco-coated limestone bust went on display in 1924. Its unveiling stunned audiences from Cairo to London and sparked a century-long fascination with her aesthetic. The artifact’s sharply defined features — her chiseled jawline, high cheekbones, ‘swan-like’ neck, and kohl-rimmed eyes — have, for decades, served as a reference point across fashion and the arts. In the bust, Nefertiti is seen wearing a wide collar and a flat-topped crown with a golden band and uraeus (a headdress featuring a sacred serpent), decorated in greens, yellows, browns and blues. Research indicates that she was a royal and noblewoman who reportedly bore six daughters, one of whom is said to have married Tutankhamun, but little else is known about Nefertiti’s life and origins. Egypt in the 14th century BC was not ethnically or racially homogeneous, and many scholars surmise that, based on her depictions and the region’s population, Nefertiti would be considered a woman of colour in today’s terms. “Nefertiti’s bust is so perfect; she’s so self-possessed,” Dr. Cheryl Finley, a professor of art history at Spelman College in Atlanta, told CNN . “That’s what really grabs the attention and imagination. It’s her confidence, and her gaze, of course. It’s something that attracts us all.” Following the bust’s discovery in the 1920s, Nefertiti quickly became an “it” girl. The meaning of her name, ‘the beautiful one has arrived,’ proved particularly apt, as her face was plastered across advertisements for kohl, and her likeness appeared in beauty columns. Designers of the time, such as the French couturier Paul Poiret, incorporated Egyptian motifs into their work. In 1945, American milliner Lilly Daché designed hats with a distinct Nefertiti flair. By 1961, Vogue had published an article exploring the world’s ongoing “fascination” with the queen. Elizabeth Taylor’s portrayal of Cleopatra in 1963 further cemented this obsession, making the “Egyptian look” a staple in fashion circles. Nefertiti’s style continued to influence fashion decades after the bust’s discovery. In Dior’s Spring 2004 show, John Galliano showcased looks that included tall Nefertiti hats. In 2015, Christian Louboutin launched a lipstick collection that drew inspiration from the royal wife, featuring gold-and-black vials adorned with crowns. (Nefertiti likely used the natural clay earth pigment red ochre for her lips). Jewelry designers like Azza Fahmy have evoked her in their pieces, while Azzedine Alaïa’s Fall 2017 line paid tribute with black turbans, one of which was famously worn by supermodel Naomi Campbell. In the modern day, Nefertiti’s significance as a cultural icon remains strong. On TikTok and Instagram, influencers recreate the queen’s looks in tutorials. Her likeness inspires items as varied as mass-produced T-shirts and mugs to $14,000 dresses and high-end perfumes. In the beauty industry, Black and brown-owned brands like Juvia’s Place and UOMA Beauty have marketed makeup that pays homage to Nefertiti. Even plastic surgeons name-drop her with the “Nefertiti Lift”— a non-invasive cosmetic technique that uses Botox to enhance the jawline. “Nefertiti’s bust... transcends time,” explained Finley. “It also enables people to draw their own power from it.” But the story of how the bust of Nefertiti found its way to Berlin in the first place is mired in controversy. After being transported to Europe in 1913, one year after its discovery in Egypt, the piece was hidden from public view for over a decade. In 1924, to much fanfare, it was put on display at the Neues Museum, where it still remains, spurring an ongoing debate about its rightful resting place (a recent petition led by Egyptologist Zahi Hawass has reignited calls for its repatriation, saying that its removal from the country was “unjustified” and against “the spirit of Egyptian laws”.) When the bust was first unveiled, White western women sought to emulate Nefertiti’s look. A 1933 New York Times article encouraged women to recreate her angular features — albeit without darkening the skin, echoing structural imbalances in the beauty industry, which fetishized non-European aesthetics yet discouraged and discriminated against darker skin tones. Women began to fashion their looks after Nefertiti’s style, lining their eyes like her cat-eye, wearing tops that imitated the era’s collars, and donning tall hats or styling their hair high to resemble her crown. Replicas of the bust even appeared in American hair salons, promising the allure of her ‘exotic’ beauty. “And why wouldn’t you want to look like her?” said Dr. Elka Stevens, an associate professor of visual culture and studio art at Howard University in Washington, D.C. “Take the crown off, drop her in any society, and she can fit in. ” A model in Nefertiti-inspired headdress on the runway of the Christian Dior Spring 2004 couture collection in Paris. (Dominique Maître/WWD/Penske Media/Getty Images via CNN Newsource) Telling us more about ourselves than her Nefertiti may have been more palatable to European audiences as some of the bust’s features align well with western aesthetic preferences, explained Professor Charmaine A. Nelson of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The queen, she noted, defied “so much of the history of the western perception of Black women and women of colour, (which) is as ‘other,’ as ‘grotesque,’ as ‘unaesthetic body,’” said Nelson, who teaches Black diasporic art and art history. “It’s really striking and probably works in the favour of the White gaze that her hair is covered,” she added, suggesting that textured hair, particularly Afro-textured styles, have historically challenged Eurocentric beauty standards. In some ways, Nefertiti tells us more about ourselves than she does about her. Although she is one of ancient history’s most recognizable figures, much of her life remains a mystery — a gap that allows her persona to be molded into whatever icon society needs at any given time. As the wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten, Nefertiti played a major role in Egyptian politics. Together, the pair led a religious revolution by abandoning polytheism and promoting worship of the sun god Aten. Nefertiti was often portrayed with her husband in elaborate attire, suggesting her fashion was tied to her political grativas. But 12 years into Akhenaten’s reign, she vanished from historical records, leading to endless theories about her fate — was she forced into exile, did she fall ill, or was she murdered? Some speculate that she may have even assumed a new identity as a co-regent. Nefertiti’s legacy has been whitewashed in various ways; a 2018 3D reconstruction, for example, sparked backlash for its lighter skin tone. Such efforts reflect attempts to whiten Egypt and to “make claim to it as closer to Europe than to (Black) Africa,” Nelson notes. A symbol of power Meanwhile, in Black culture, Nefertiti has been embraced as a symbol of power, with contemporary figures like Beyoncé and Rihanna drawing from her image. Rihanna, who has a tattoo of Nefertiti’s bust on her ribcage, paid homage to her in a 2017 Vogue Arabia cover. Beyoncé channeled Nefertiti in her 2016 “Sorry” music video, styling her hair to mimic the crown and posing like the artwork. The singer’s Coachella performance in 2018 featured a Balmain-designed cape adorned with Nefertiti’s resemblance. At the height of her career, Erykah Badu wrapped her locs in the shape of the queen’s headdress; Aretha Franklin also wore “Nefertiti head wraps”. More recently, English singer FKA Twigs flaunted a half-shaved head and faux locs, mirroring Nefertiti’s crown and, at the 2024 Met Gala, Imaan Hammam’s makeup artist gave the Dutch supermodel exaggerated eyeliner, also honouring the ancient queen. The royal consort’s memory goes far beyond trends — it helps shape how people see themselves, said Stevens. “It changes the way we engage with one another when we know there’s this shared history.” Perhaps most important is that for many, Nefertiti’s image is deeply personal. “I see my family when I look at her, and I can see your family,” says Stevens. For this reason, “we’re going to be regaled with tales of her beauty until the end of time. She’s not going anywhere — she’s going to live through each of us, and that’s the most exciting thing.”
Pierce's 20 lead Presbyterian past Youngstown State 67-42Marianne Williamson Touts 'Unique Qualifications' in DNC Chair Bid: Politics Is 'About What People Feel'
Fifty million reasons for people in one state to check their lotto ticketsEnergous Co. ( NASDAQ:WATT – Get Free Report ) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 955,200 shares, an increase of 24.3% from the November 30th total of 768,700 shares. Currently, 9.7% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 227,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.2 days. Energous Price Performance NASDAQ WATT opened at $0.41 on Friday. Energous has a 52 week low of $0.28 and a 52 week high of $2.75. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $0.47 and a two-hundred day moving average of $0.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.10 million, a PE ratio of -0.13 and a beta of 2.60. Energous ( NASDAQ:WATT – Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 12th. The industrial products company reported ($0.50) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.74) by $0.24. The firm had revenue of $0.23 million during the quarter. Energous had a negative net margin of 4,368.98% and a negative return on equity of 317.56%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Energous About Energous ( Get Free Report ) Energous Corporation provides wireless charging system solutions in the United States. The company develops WattUp wireless power networks technology that consists of semiconductor chipsets; software controls; hardware designs; and antennas that enables radio frequency-based charging for Internet of Things devices. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Energous Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Energous and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
There are more than 200,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia who lack a birth certificate. Without this vital document means accessing essential services such as employment, healthcare and education is nearly impossible. But a new technology platform that was guided in its creation by an Indigenous member is intent on providing access to services through digital identity. WUNA was developed in collaboration with to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. “For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, identity is deeply connected to culture, heritage, and community,” says Jason-Urranndulla Davis, founder and CEO of WUNA. “On Human Rights Day, we’re calling for systems that respect and honor this connection.” In Australia, some 15 to 18 percent of births to Indigenous mothers go unregistered in some regions, while mobility and homelessness affect around 20 percent of Indigenous Australians, which further hinder access to legal identity. On World Human Rights Day, ConnectID and WUNA released their whitepaper “Identity in Crisis: Addressing the Gaps for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Peoples.” The whitepaper calls for a reimagining of identity systems to honor cultural heritage, foster inclusion and uphold human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserts that everyone has the right to recognition before the law. The Aboriginal-led digital identity platform WUNA is unique in that it integrates cultural practices like Traditional Owner Membership and Native Title ID, which aim to reduce administrative burdens and provide identity pathways rooted in community. The whitepaper introduces WUNA, a digital wallet that stores a person’s identity documentation, but cleverly relates it to the traditional Aboriginal cultural practice of the “message stick” — a communication tool carried by messengers to deliver news or help recount oral histories between Aboriginal peoples. “WUNA represents a modern adaptation of this trusted system,” the paper explains. ConnectID meanwhile acts as an identity exchange as the organization onboards government social services, financial services, housing and rental services to its exchange, it is working with WUNA to ensure its digital wallet and community-based verifications can be reused to access these critical services. WUNA currently has 17 partner organizations and a pilot extending to 1,000 users. More about WUNA can be learned via its official website . | | | | | |Welcome to Week 15 of the NFL season, a week that is synonymous with the start of Fantasy football postseasons. Fortunately for you, we've got a rundown of every team's injury report so you know who to start ahead of this week's games. Even if you're not a Fantasy football player (or unfortunately did not make your league's postseason), there are still a litany of injuries to keep an eye on this week. In Pittsburgh, the Steelers will be without No. 1 wide receiver George Pickens in Sunday's in-state showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bengals got some good news regarding quarterback Joe Burrow , who is set to play against the Titans in their must-win game. Here's a rundown of each team's final injury report for Week 15. We'll be updating this throughout the evening as more injury reports come in. Bengals at Titans Bengals: OT Orlando Brown Jr. (fibula), LB Joe Bachie (groin), DT Sheldon Rankins (illness) OUT; WR Charlie Jones (groin) QUESTIONABLE Titans: RB Tony Pollard (ankle), LB Otis Reese (ankle), OL Jaelyn Duncan (hamstring), CB Roger McCreary (shoulder) QUESTIONABLE Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (right wrist/left knee) is off the injury report and will face the Titans. Jones was limited Friday after not practicing the previous two days. Rookie Kris Jenkins Jr. will continue to start in place of Rankins, whose first year in Cincinnati has been hampered by injuries. Titans' Pollard is a true questionable to play on Sunday after being a limited practice participant on Friday, following sitting out on Wednesday and Thursday. Duncan will likely suit up after fully practicing all week. Commanders at Saints Commanders: WR Noah Brown (kidney) OUT; WR Jamison Crowder (calf), K Zane Gonzalez (left foot), DT Daron Payne (back) QUESTIONABLE Saints: WR Bub Means (ankle), LB D'Marco Jackson (ankle) OUT; QB Derek Carr (left hand/concussion) DOUBTFUL; DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (Achilles) QUESTONABLE Wide receiver Noah Brown is the only player ruled out on Friday for Washington, but Pro Bowl defensive tackle Daron Payne was added to the injury report on Friday after not practicing with a back issue popping up. The Saints will be giving 2023 fourth-round pick Jake Haener his first career start on Sunday with quarterback Derek Carr fracturing his left hand in Week 14 at the New York Giants. Ravens at Giants Ravens: OLB Adisa Isaac (hamstring), S Sanoussi Kane (hamstring), NT Michael Pierce (calf), CB T.J. Tampa (ankle) QUESTIONABLE Giants: DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches (neck/shoulder), LB Bobby Okereke (back), CB Dru Phillips (shoulder), G Jon Runyan (ankle) OUT; CB Cor'Dale Flott (quad), QB Drew Lock (heel/left elbow) DOUBTFUL; CB Deonte Banks (rib), OT Chris Hubbard (knee), LB Dyontae Johnson (ankle), OL Austin Schlottmann (fibula) QUESTONABLE Pierce and Tampa were full practice participants all week for the Ravens, who are coming off of their bye week. Isaac and Kane were both limited on Friday after not practicing on Thursday. For the Giants, second-year quarterback Tommy DeVito will start in place of Lock. DeVito, who went 3-3 last year as the starting quarterback, went 21 of 31 for 189 yards in New York's 31-21 loss to the Buccaneers back in Week 12. Cowboys at Panthers Panthers: LB Trevin Wallace (shoulder) OUT; OLB Jadeveon Clowney (NIR/knee), RB Raheem Blackshear (chest), LB Josey Jewell (hamstring), CB Jaycee Horn (groin) QUESTIONABLE Cowboys: C Cooper Beebe (concussion), LB DeMarvion Overshown (knee), S Juanyeh Thomas (knee) OUT; CB Trevon Diggs (knee), CB C.J. Goodwin (hamstring), LB Buddy Johnson (illness), LB Eric Kendricks (personal/shoulder), CB Jourdan Lewis (hamstring), LB Nick Vigil (foot) QUESTIONABLE Clowney and Jewell were both full practice participants on Friday. Horn was limited all week, while Blackshear was limited on Thursday and Friday after not practicing on Wednesday. Dallas ruled out Beebe since he suffered a concussion on Monday against the Cincinnati Bengals, which means Brock Hoffman will start at center and T.J. Bass will start at right guard. Diggs didn't practice in Friday's walk-through after participating in a limited fashion on Wednesday and Thursday during the week. Kendricks, the quarterback of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's defense, didn't practice all week, but coach Mike McCarthy did confirm on a conference call on Friday that Kendricks did rejoin the team from his personal matter. Jets at Jaguars Jets: RB Kene Nwangwu (hand), CB Brandin Echols (shoulder) OUT; OL Xavier Newman (groin), CB D.J. Reed (groin) DOUBTFUL; RB Breece Hall (knee), OL Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle), OL Morgan Moses (shoulder) QUESTIONABLE Jaguars: TE Evan Engram (shoulder) OUT Hall was a full participant Friday after not practicing the previous two days. Both Vera-Tucker and Moses were limited Friday . The Jaguars will play the rest of the season without Engram, who is undergoing season-ending surgery. Dolphins at Texans Texans: Juice Scruggs (foot) OUT; G Nick Broeker (hand), G Kenyon Green (shoulder), LB Christian Harris (calf), LB Jamal Hill (knee) QUESTIONABLE Dolphins: TBA Each of Houston's questionable players were full practice participants Friday. Colts at Broncos Colts: WR Ashton Dulin (ankle), T Braden Smith (NIR) OUT; WR Josh Downs (shoulder), C Ryan Kelly (knee), LB Jaylon Carlies (fibula/shoulder), TE Mo Alie-Cox (hip) QUESTIONABLE Broncos: CB Riley Moss (knee) OUT Downs was a full practice participant on both Thursday and Friday. Charles was a full practice participant all week. Alie-Cox didn't appear on the injury report until Friday (he did not practice). Moss is the only Broncos player who will miss Sunday's game due to injury. Safety Brandon Jones (abdomen) and cornerback Tremon Smith (NIR) will play after also appearing on this week's injury report. Bills at Lions Bills: CB Rasul Douglas (knee) OUT; S Taylor Rapp (neck/shoulder), S Damar Hamlin (back/ribs), TE Dalton Kincaid (knee), OT Tylan Grable (groin), DE Dawuane Smoot (wrist), TE Quintin Morris (shoulder/groin), DE Casey Toohill (ribs) QUESTIONABLE Lions: LB Trevor Nowaske (concussion) OUT Bills rookie receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) does not have an injury designation and will suit up Sunday for Buffalo. Kincaid is questionable despite practicing in some capacity all week. Detroit has a nearly clean bill of health this week, relative to how healthy a team could be in Week 15 of a season. Steelers at Eagles Steelers: WR George Pickens (hamstring), S DeShon Elliott (hamstring), DL Larry Ogunjobi (groin) OUT; DT Montravius Adams (knee), OL Calvin Anderson (groin) QUESTIONABLE Eagles: WR Britain Covey (neck) OUT Pickens' absence is notable, but Pittsburgh will also be without two members of its starting defense Sunday with Elliott and Ogunjobi dealing with injuries. Dean Lowry , who has also made an impact this season on special teams, will likely replace Ogunjobi in the starting lineup. Veteran Damontae Kazee is slated to replace Elliott. The Eagles are as healthy as a team could be this week with Covey being the only player on their injury report with a game status. Chiefs at Browns TBA Patriots at Cardinals TBA Buccaneers at Chargers TBA Packers at Seahawks TBA Bears at Vikings (Monday) TBA Falcons at Raiders (Monday) TBA