Oregon's 'Fly Era' threads headline Champ Week's best college football uniformsBeloved J-pop icon Kana Nishino has stirred excitement among her fans by sharing an array of intriguing photos on her Instagram, offering a glimpse of her life and events in 2024. The pictures range from playful selfies wearing a silk hat and faux mustache to a graceful shot of her in a white dress, and another capturing her amidst a sea of red balloons. These captivating images are linked to her much-anticipated solo concert, “Kana Nishino Love Again Live 2024,” held on November 13th and 14th, marking her grand return to the stage after nearly six years. Fans attending the concert were thrilled to see these visuals featured in the event’s VTRs and merchandise. The Instagram post has garnered an enthusiastic response from fans, with comments expressing awe and admiration. Many fans were thrilled to witness Nishino’s charm and were overjoyed to reconnect with their favorite singer at her live performance. Adding to the excitement, Nishino is set to make a long-awaited appearance at the “75th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen,” after a six-year hiatus. As if that weren’t enough, she is embarking on a nationwide arena tour across five cities in Japan in April, entitled “Fall In Love With You Again Tour 2025,” promising ten spectacular shows. Kana Nishino’s return is highly anticipated, with fans eagerly looking forward to more unforgettable performances and moments. Kana Nishino’s Triumphant Return: What to Expect From Her Upcoming Tours and Appearances Beloved J-pop icon Kana Nishino’s recent flurry of activity has not only delighted her fans but also sparked renewed interest in her career. As she gears up for her “Kana Nishino Love Again Live 2024” concert and other major appearances, here’s a deeper look at what fans and music enthusiasts can expect from her triumphant return to the spotlight. Innovations in Live Performance Kana Nishino’s live concerts have always been a visual and auditory treat. With the “Kana Nishino Love Again Live 2024” concert, fans can anticipate groundbreaking stage designs and interactive elements that reflect Nishino’s unique charm and artistry. Her team is reportedly integrating advanced audiovisual technology to create an immersive experience that will captivate the audience. Nationwide Arena Tour: “Fall In Love With You Again Tour 2025” Nishino’s nationwide arena tour across five major cities in Japan is expected to be a highlight of 2025. This tour, entitled “Fall In Love With You Again Tour 2025,” marks her first major tour since her hiatus and will feature ten spectacular shows. Fans can expect a mix of classic hits and new music, with each performance promising to deliver unique set designs and exclusive surprises tailored for each city. Sustainability in the Spotlight As awareness of environmental issues grows, many artists are adopting more sustainable practices in their tours. Kana Nishino’s team is committed to this trend by implementing eco-friendly measures throughout her tour, from reducing waste to using energy-efficient lighting and promoting sustainable merchandising options. Predictions and Trends in J-pop Kana Nishino’s comeback coincides with a broader trend of J-pop artists returning to the scene after extended breaks, bringing a mix of nostalgia and innovation. Her concerts and appearances are set against a backdrop of growing interest in Japanese pop culture globally, suggesting that her return could further boost J-pop’s international appeal. Insights into Kana Nishino’s Future Projects While the focus is on her upcoming concerts and tours, fans are also curious about possible new music releases. Industry insiders hint that Nishino might be working on fresh material that continues to explore themes of love and self-discovery, hallmarks of her previous work. Key Takeaways Kana Nishino’s return is a cause for celebration, not only for her dedicated fanbase but for the J-pop industry as a whole. Her upcoming concerts will showcase the evolution of her artistry while embracing sustainability and innovation. Fans can look forward to a unique blend of nostalgia and new experiences that only Nishino can deliver. For more information about J-pop and other updates on your favorite artists, visit NHK.
Former NSA cyberspy's not-so-secret hobby: Hacking Christmas lightsNone
Authored by Bill Thomas via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), A new study points out that sugary drinks may be more harmful to your health than candy regarding a very important organ in your body—the heart. Meanwhile, if your cholesterol goes up and down for seemingly no reason, you may be at a higher risk of developing a very serious brain condition. And there’s also a new trend happening in the health industry—it has to do with self-diagnosing a common disorder, and we’ll tell you all about it. Also, that second cup of coffee you’re drinking every morning could be affecting your gut health in unexpected ways, and we’ll take a look at how Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to take aim at the American diet and begin a new era of food reform. We'll break down each of these stories for you one by one, but we begin with some alarming information regarding sugary beverages that could make even die-hard fans of those 32-ounce sodas think twice about drinking them. Here’s what we know. New research from Sweden indicates that sodas and other sweetened drinks are much worse for your heart than other popular treats, including pastries and baked goods because they significantly increase the risk of heart failure, stroke, and other issues. You should also know that another recent study points out that individuals who drink a lot of sweetened beverages are more likely to be diagnosed with what’s called atrial fibrillation, which is a type of irregular heartbeat. These findings are in sync with a new Harvard research study, which shows that drinking sweetened beverages every day increases a person’s chances of developing cardiovascular disease by 18 percent—even for those who exercise regularly. It’s also important to point out that some people often indulge in too many sugary drinks. They’re not as filling as sweet foods, so consuming too much is easy, leading to a sugar overload. At the end of the day, an occasional sweet drink might not be detrimental to your health, but as with most things in life, moderation is key to good health. Moving along, we know that blood markers can tell us a lot about our heart health, but one specific measure could give us clues about our risk of developing cognitive decline. A new study presented at the American Heart Association’s annual meeting links significant year-to-year changes in cholesterol levels to an increased risk of dementia by a staggering 60 percent. The six-year study looked at nearly 10,000 people who were in their 70s, and the results were truly remarkable. Researchers believe that wild swings in levels of LDL, which is known as “bad” cholesterol, might destabilize plaque buildup in a person’s arteries, which could lead to reduced blood flow to the brain. It turns out this disruption could potentially trigger a cascade of substantial effects that accelerate cognitive decline, which may, in turn, affect an individual’s memory and how fast they think. On the other hand, fluctuations in HDL, known as the “good” cholesterol, and triglycerides, which are a type of fat found in your blood, did not correlate to similar cognitive problems. However, it’s worth noting that some doctors disagree with these new findings. They argue that cholesterol levels fluctuate all the time, and they say that the measurements taken during the study are not enough to reach strong conclusions about accurate cholesterol levels. But there’s a positive side to all of this—the recommendations for people to maintain stable cholesterol levels are fairly straightforward. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorses a lifestyle approach that includes eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol, and, last but not least, no smoking. We continue now with a topic that’s been getting a lot of attention lately regarding a common developmental disorder that even adults are now recognizing in themselves, and here’s more on that story. A new survey by Ohio State University shows that one in four grownups believe they have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. This growing self-awareness has led to many people developing an increased focus on the disorder, including both understanding how society views people with ADHD along with effective strategies for managing the condition. Here’s where it gets even more interesting: According to the CDC, over 15 million adults in the United States are affected by the disorder , and surprisingly, half of them were actually diagnosed after childhood. Additionally, social media has been a valuable tool for raising awareness about ADHD because it allows people to share their experiences online with a variety of others who have the same condition, and it allows people to identify potential symptoms in themselves. Over the years, our understanding of ADHD has changed dramatically. Once considered a childhood disorder primarily affecting boys, experts now recognize that symptoms vary widely across race, gender, and age. Beyond traditional medical approaches, which include prescriptions like Adderall, researchers are now exploring whether or not a number of lifestyle factors, including diet, contribute to the developing symptoms of and being diagnosed with ADHD. You should know that some experts say that managing ADHD isn’t about forcing a brain to work differently. Instead, they believe that controlling the disorder is more about creating environments and strategies that complement how the brain of a person who’s been diagnosed with ADHD normally operates. One clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of ADHD recommends focusing on six key factors to effectively manage the disorder, including sleep, exercise, nutrition, medication, meditation, and meaningful social interactions. She says that the key to effectively handling life with an ADHD diagnosis is making the treatment personal—what works for one person might not work for another. We’ll add a jolt to your Health Brief now, and if you love coffee and drink it every day, your daily brew might be doing more than keeping you alert. Here’s what we’ve learned. A recent international study from both Harvard University and the University of Trento in Italy points out that drinking coffee regularly might affect the balance of bacteria in your digestive system, and scientists are just now beginning to understand what it all means. The study analyzed data taken from over 77,000 people living in 25 countries, and the authors found that coffee drinkers consistently exhibited up to eight times more of a certain type of gut microbe than non-coffee drinkers. Their research zeroed in on a particular bacterium, and it found that the growth rate of that specific microorganism increased significantly when it was exposed to coffee, both regular and decaf. The authors of the study point out that it is still uncertain how this bacterium affects overall health. Additionally, the study shows that the presence of this particular microorganism varies dramatically throughout different parts of the world. While the bacterium was found to thrive in people living in certain coffee-loving countries like Luxembourg, Denmark, and Sweden, the microbe was barely traceable in places such as China, Argentina, and India. In the end, researchers think they can apply this new information in a very positive way. They say that one day, using this information, they might even be able to improve our diets with precision simply by understanding how specific foods interact with the bacteria inside our digestive system. A number of nutrition experts say that in the past, U.S. food guidelines were based on faulty studies, and if confirmed, RFK Jr. says he’ll develop a new set of food and dietary guidelines. Additionally, if confirmed, RFK Jr. is planning potential reforms that go beyond simply changing what foods we should eat . He also plans to take aim at what he calls widespread issues with regard to how nutrition policies are formed here in the United States. RFK Jr. has been vocal about addressing what he describes as the “corporate capture” of federal health agencies, and he promises to remove pervasive conflicts of interest from government panels that deal with food advice and public policy. You should know that many people involved with creating recommended guidelines reportedly have financial ties to food companies, and critics say this connection raises serious questions about objectivity, public trust, and the integrity of the guideline process. A number of people say the biggest challenge for RFK Jr., if he’s confirmed, might be confronting the massive influence of ultra-processed foods, which currently make up about 60 percent of the average person’s daily caloric intake. RFK Jr.’s exact plans are not yet known, but it appears that his approach points to a comprehensive strategy to improve food quality, dietary guidelines, and the health of the U.S. population. And now, it looks like our time is just about up for today, so we'll call it a wrap for this edition of the Epoch Times Health Brief. And don’t forget the Health Brief Motto: We’re portable, affordable, and always on-demand. And finally, as we do each and every week on this program, we wrap everything up with a very notable quote, and this one is often attributed to Hippocrates, who said: “ Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. ” Hippocrates was a Greek physician known as the “father of medicine.” For all of us here at the Epoch Times Health Brief, I’m Bill Thomas. The Epoch Times Health Brief program was written today by Hristina Byrnes. Thank you for making us your one-stop source for a concise, accurate, and unbiased weekly synopsis of the many health stories you should know about. Enjoy the rest of your day, and we'll see you right back here next time for another edition of the Epoch Times Health Brief. For now, let’s all continue to watch out for one another and have an absolutely superb day. Bye for now, and happy holidays! Meanwhile...Syrian President Bashar al-Assad oversaw a merciless crackdown on a pro-democracy revolt that morphed into one of the bloodiest wars of the century. After facing down nationwide protests demanding his ouster and an armed rebellion that he all but crushed, he had until this month taken back control of much of Syria in the civil war that began in 2011. Quiet in his demeanour, Assad is a political survivor who for years excelled in his alliance-building with Russia and Iran, and who knew just how to present himself as Syria's only viable leader in the face of the Islamist threat. But since November 27, an Islamist-led rebel offensive has wrested from Assad's control city after city, including Aleppo and Hama for the first time since 2011, leaving his grip on power severely under threat. Assad has cast himself as the protector of Syria's minorities, a bulwark against extremism and the sole possible purveyor of stability for the war-ravaged country. In multiple votes held over the years, conducted solely on government-held territory, he has taken the vast majority of the ballots, amid accusations from Western countries that the wartime elections were neither free nor fair. In appearance, whether in person or in the many portraits of him in the capital Damascus, Assad has typically eschewed military garb, opting instead for a sharp-cut business suit and sober tie. In official meetings, during interviews and even on the frontlines, the 59-year-old ophthalmologist by training conducts himself calmly and can almost appear timid. Behind the facade, however, is an astonishing ability to hold onto power amid multiple waves of violence and transformative change in Syria and the wider region. One journalist, who met with Assad on several occasions before and after war broke out in 2011, told AFP the president is a "unique and complex figure". "Each time I met him he was calm... even during the most difficult moments of the war," said the journalist, who declined to be named. Assad has "the same qualities" as his father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly three decades until his death in 2000, the journalist said. "In politics, it's important to know how to shuffle cards, not just how to arrange them," he added. "Assad has mastered the shuffling game." Hafez al-Assad, head of the Syrian Baath Party, imposed in the country a secretive, paranoid regime where even the slightest suspicion of dissent could land one in jail or worse. Bashar al-Assad was never meant to become president, but his life changed radically when his older brother Bassel, who was being groomed to inherit power, was killed in a road accident in 1994. Bashar quit his studies in ophthalmology and left London, where he had met his wife, Asma, a British-Syrian and Sunni Muslim who worked for financial services firm JP Morgan. Back home, he took a course in military studies and was tutored in politics by his father. More from this section When the latter died, Bashar became president by referendum, running unopposed, then winning a second term in 2007. Sworn in at the age of 34, Assad was widely seen by Syrians pining for freedoms as a reformer, who could do away with years of repression and introduce economic liberalisation. In the early days, Assad would be seen driving his own car or having dinner at restaurants with his wife. He relaxed some of the heavy restrictions that existed under his father. But his initial image as a reformer quickly evaporated as authorities arrested and jailed academics, intellectuals and other members of what was then known as the Damascus Spring movement. When the Arab Spring reached Syria in March 2011, peaceful demonstrations broke out calling for change. Assad, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, responded by ordering a brutal crackdown on the protesters and civil war swiftly ensued. Throughout the war, which has killed more than 500,000 people and displaced half the population, Assad's position has not changed. He has been the subject of countless cartoons by dissident artists depicting him as a killer, not least in the aftermath of the 2013 chemical attacks on rebel bastions around Damascus. A Syrian researcher in Damascus, who asked to speak anonymously over security concerns, said: "Assad's personality played an undeniable role in his survival." His "persistence and rigour" were especially important in helping him "consolidate decision-making powers, and secure the army's full support", he added. Throughout the war, Assad has enjoyed military backing from staunch allies Iran and Russia, who helped him score a string of military victories. Since the start of the Islamist-led rebel offensive on November 27, Assad has echoed his long-held stance that the conflict in Syria is machinated from abroad. "The terrorist escalation reflects the far-reaching goals of dividing the region and fragmenting the countries in it and redraw the map in line with the objectives of the United States and the West," Assad said on Monday. He is the father of three children. His wife, Asma, was dubbed a "rose in the desert" by Vogue magazine before the revolt. bur/ser/jhb
The India Energy Week , which will have its third edition in February, began in 2023 as a novel initiative to leverage India's increasing prominence in the global energy landscape through collaborative dialogue. Startups especially made their presence felt in the first two editions with their inventive solutions. In green hydrogen (GH), some PSUs showcased new electrolyser technologies, even as startups have reached out to GoI to demonstrate their membrane-less electrolyser tech. Other firms have focused on building carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies, including direct air capture and enhanced oil recovery methods. Much progress has been made in advanced battery storage solutions, including solid-state batteries, lithium-ion improvements and flow batteries, which promise better efficiency, longevity and reduced costs. All major oil and gas MNCs have their GCCs in India, where Indian engineers are conducting cutting-edge design, engineering, data processing and decision analytics for major drilling operations, refinery operations and seismic data processing globally. A gradual journey of reforms and schemes to promote the entrepreneurial spirit has resulted in a tech boom, India's reputation as 'IT nation' giving way to that of a 'deeptech hub'. GoI has launched various initiatives like India Semiconductor Mission and PLI scheme in electronics and battery storage, National Quantum Mission to seed and scale quantum computing research, NIDHI PRAYAS (National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations - Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring Innovators and Startups) programme, and IndiaAI Mission. Establishment of 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) since 2016 has fostered entrepreneurship at the grassroots. Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), launched in 2023, has a budget outlay of ₹50k cr to initiate research across universities. National Deep Tech Startup Policy lays out a roadmap aimed at spurring innovation in critical domains such as semiconductors, AI and space tech. 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Nasscom's 'Indian DeepTech Startup Landscape Report 2023' states that there were over 3,600 deeptech startups worth $14 bn in 2023. Nearly $350 mn of investments flowed into growth and late-stage deeptech startups last year. Since 2019, assets under management (AUM) for India-focused private capital funds have doubled, reaching $124.3 bn in December 2023. VCs are investing deeply in startups in AI, chip design, space, advanced battery technologies, battery recycling, biosciences, green hydrogen, chip design, robotics and genomics. AI is so widespread in India's software services now that it borders on ubiquity. A recent EY-Nasscom report notes that 99% of Indian B2B SaaS companies have embraced deeptech innovations, mostly in AI. Considerable resources to initiate deeptech programmes in India are being leveraged, focusing particularly on AI and IoT technologies to future-proof businesses. In the last five years, Indian entrepreneurs filed more than 1,400 patents in deeptech. Across startups, the number of patents granted grew 8x, from 4,226 in 2013-14 to 34,134 in 2022-23, while patent applications more than doubled in the same period, crossing 1 lakh filings last year. India now has the third-largest startup ecosystem, with more than 1 lakh startups and nearly 120 unicorns, compared to 442 startups and 4 unicorns in 2016. Reforms such as GST, IBC, asset monetisation, labour law reforms and Startup India have brought regulatory clarity. By end-2023, GoI had done away with more than 25,000 compliances, and repealed more than 1,400 laws. Creditable improvements in global rankings in Logistics Performance Index (38th in 2023 vs 54th in 2014), and WIPO's Global Innovation Index rankings (39th in 2023 from 81st in 2014) underscore the progress made. Advantages like our human capital, massive data economy, top-notch digital public infrastructure and the ongoing 5G and imminent 6G rollouts will accelerate data-driven innovation. These will further deepen our intellectual capital and translate to economic complexity, enhancing India's influence internationally. We need to continue adding to our digital and computing infra to support deeptech R&D, while strengthening policies and also simplifying processes related to data regulation, IP protection and procurement. Indian talent in deeptech domains now needs nurturing to hasten the reversal of 'brain drain'.Chhapra: Deputy chief mechanical engineer of the Rail Wheel Plant in Bela, A K Tripathi , was felicitated with the prestigious " 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar " by railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at a function in New Delhi on Saturday. Highlighting Tripathi's contributions, Uttam Kumar Singh, chief public relations officer (CPRO) of the Rail Wheel Plant, said, "Tripathi has introduced several innovative methods to enhance income and efficiency in production while reducing consumption." "Under his leadership, the plant's income has increased by more than 72%. He has implemented digital work processes, improved energy efficiency and enhanced production capacity through advanced technological skills," the CPRO added. Chhapra: Deputy chief mechanical engineer of the Rail Wheel Plant in Bela, Saran district, A K Tripathi, was felicitated with the prestigious "69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar" by railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at a function in New Delhi on Saturday. Highlighting Tripathi's contributions, Uttam Kumar Singh, chief public relations officer (CPRO) of the Rail Wheel Plant, said, "Tripathi has introduced several innovative methods to enhance income and efficiency in production while reducing consumption." "Under his leadership, the plant's income has increased by more than 72%. He has implemented digital work processes, improved energy efficiency and enhanced production capacity through advanced technological skills," the CPRO added. 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‘We didn’t have a good day’: Greens set to suffer significant election losses
ORLANDO, Fla. — UCF coach Gus Malzahn is resigning after four seasons with the school. ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the move, which will see Malzahn to leave to take the offensive coordinator job at Florida State. Malzahn previously worked with FSU coach Mike Norvell during their time at Tulsa under then-coach Todd Graham from 2007-08. The Knights ended a disappointing 4-8 season in which they lost eight of their last nine games, the longest losing streak since 2015. Malzahn, 59, was in the fourth year of a contract through 2028. His buyout, it is reported, would have been $13.75 million. He finished 27-25 at UCF but lost 16 of his last 22 games and was a dismal 4-14 in two seasons in the Big 12. After back-to-back nine-win seasons in 2021-22, the Knights went 6-7 in 2023 and 4-8 in 2024. This season started with high expectations as Malzahn made sweeping changes to the program. He retooled the strength and conditioning department and hired Ted Roof and Tim Harris Jr. as defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively. He also added nearly 50 new players to the roster, leaning heavily on the transfer market. UCF started by winning its first three games against New Hampshire, Sam Houston and a thrilling comeback at TCU, but offensive struggles saw the Knights tumble through a TBD-game losing streak to finish the season. Terry Mohajir hired Malzahn on Feb. 15, 2021, six days after he was hired to replace Danny White. The move came eight weeks after Malzahn had been fired at Auburn after eight seasons of coaching the Tigers. The two briefly worked together at Arkansas State in 2012 before Malzahn left for the Auburn job. “When he [Mohajir] offered the job, I was like, ‘I’m in.’ There wasn’t thinking about or talking about ...,” Malzahn said during his introductory press conference. “This will be one of the best programs in college football in a short time. This is a job that I plan on being here and building it.” UCF opened the 2021 season with non-conference wins over Boise State and Bethune-Cookman before traveling to Louisville on Sept. 17, where quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a fractured collarbone in the final minute of a 42-35 loss. Backup Mikey Keene would finish out the season as Gabriel announced his intention to transfer. The Knights would finish the season on the plus side by accepting a bid to join the Big 12 Conference in September and then by defeating Florida 29-17 in the Gasparilla Bowl. Malzahn struck transfer portal gold in the offseason when he signed former Ole Miss quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. Plumlee, a two-sport star with the Rebels, helped guide UCF to the American Athletic Conference Championship in its final season. However, Plumlee’s injury forced the Knights to go with Keene and freshman Thomas Castellanos. The team finished with losses to Tulane in the conference championship and Duke in the Military Bowl. Plumlee would return in 2023 as UCF transitioned to the Big 12 but would go down with a knee injury in the final minute of the Knights’ 18-16 win at Boise State on Sept. 9. He would miss the next four games as backup Timmy McClain took over the team. Even on his return, Plumlee couldn’t help UCF, on a five-game losing streak to open conference play. The Knights got their first Big 12 win at Cincinnati on Nov. 4 and upset No. 15 Oklahoma State the following week, but the team still needed a win over Houston in the regular-season finale to secure a bowl bid for the eighth straight season. From the moment Malzahn stepped on campus, he prioritized recruiting, particularly in Central Florida. “We’re going to recruit like our hair’s on fire,” Malzahn said at the time. “We’re going to go after the best players in America and we’re not backing down to anybody.” From 2007 to 2020, UCF signed 10 four-star high school and junior college prospects. Eight four-star prospects were in the three recruiting classes signed under Malzahn. The 2024 recruiting class earned a composite ranking of 39 from 247Sports, the highest-ranked class in school history. The 2025 recruiting class is ranked No. 41 and has commitments from three four-star prospects. Malzahn has always leaned on the transfer market, signing 60 players over the past three seasons. Some have paid huge dividends, such as Javon Baker, Lee Hunter, Kobe Hudson, Tylan Grable, Bula Schmidt, Amari Kight, Marcellus Marshall, Trent Whittemore, Gage King, Ethan Barr, Deshawn Pace and Plumlee. Others haven’t been as successful, such as quarterback KJ Jefferson, who started the first five games of this season before being benched for poor performance. Jefferson’s struggles forced the Knights to play musical chairs at quarterback, with true freshman EJ Colson, redshirt sophomore Jacurri Brown and redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk all seeing action at one point or another this season. This season’s struggles led to several players utilizing the NCAA’s redshirt rule after four games, including starting slot receiver Xavier Townsend and kicker Colton Boomer, who have also entered the transfer portal. Defensive end Kaven Call posted a letter to Malzahn on Twitter in which he accused the UCF coaching staff of recently kicking him off the team when he requested to be redshirted. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
The Green Party is set to suffer significant losses in the Irish General Election, with its leader expecting just a handful of parliamentarians to be returned. Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman said the party could not buck the trend in Ireland of junior coalition partners in Fine Gael and Fianna Fail governments losing support in subsequent elections. He said they expected to retain two to three seats out of the 12 they had won in the 2020 election on the back of a worldwide “Green wave”. “Undoubtedly it’s a disappointing result for our party today,” Mr O’Gorman told reporters in Ongar, Dublin. “It’s hard for a smaller party in government, that’s long been the tradition, the history in Ireland. We hoped going into the election to buck that but we haven’t been able to buck that today.” Mr O’Gorman, a candidate in Dublin West, is among the outgoing Green Party TDs in a battle to retain their seats. Culture Minister Catherine Martin, who is fighting to remain a Green Party TD for Dublin Rathdown, said it was a “very tight” race in her four-seat constituency. “We go in (to government) not afraid of that because the issue of the climate and biodiversity crisis is (greater) than our survival,” she said on RTE Radio. “I stand over and am proud of our track record of delivery.” Green candidate in Waterford Marc O Cathasaigh said he would not be “in the shake-up” to retain his seat in that constituency, while junior minister Ossian Smyth looks at risk of losing his seat in Dun Laoghaire. Junior minister Joe O’Brien is expected to lose his seat in Dublin Fingal, Neasa Hourigan is at risk in Dublin Central, while Wicklow’s Steven Matthews garnered just 4% of first preferences. Former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, who announced his retirement from frontline politics in June, said his party had not had a good day. Arriving at the count centre at the RDS in Dublin, the outgoing environment minister told reporters: “If you don’t get elected you accept that, but you come back stronger and you learn lessons, and we’ve done that in the past and we will do that again.” He added: “No matter what the results today there will be a strong Green Party in Ireland, we have deep roots in the community and it’s a very distinct political philosophy and I think there is still space for that in Irish politics, for sure.” Mr Ryan said he did not believe his decision to retire, and the timing of his announcement, had affected the party’s showing. “Unfortunately – and this is just one of those days – we didn’t get the number of votes,” he said. He added: “We’ll look back and see what are the lessons, and what can we learn and what can we do differently. “It’s just one of those days when we didn’t have a good day.Garrett's comments about his future add wrinkle to Browns' worst season since 0-16 in 2017 CLEVELAND (AP) — Two days before recording another milestone, resume-building sack on Sunday at Cincinnati, Myles Garrett delivered a jarring hit — on the Browns. In this case, any roughness could be deemed necessary. Tom Withers, The Associated Press Dec 23, 2024 3:23 PM Dec 23, 2024 3:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) tosses a jersey to a fan after signing it before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel) CLEVELAND (AP) — Two days before recording another milestone, resume-building sack on Sunday at Cincinnati, Myles Garrett delivered a jarring hit — on the Browns. In this case, any roughness could be deemed necessary. Garrett piled on to what has been a painful and puzzling season in Cleveland by saying he doesn't have any interest in going through another rebuild and wants to know exactly what the organization's offseason plans are to fix things. If that wasn't enough, Garrett indicated for the first time that he would consider leaving the Browns if his vision doesn't mesh with the team's ambitions. “It’s a possibility,” he said of playing elsewhere. "But I want to be a Cleveland Brown. I want to play my career here.” It's unclear how Garrett's comments were received by owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, who have plenty to consider as the Browns (3-12) head into the final two weeks of a season that began with playoff expectations and could be followed by upheaval. The Browns haven't been this bad since going 0-16 in 2017. Garrett, who reached 100 career sacks by taking down Cincinnati's Joe Burrow late in the first half of Sunday's 24-6 loss , may have either added to the Haslams' long list of concerns — the Deshaun Watson contract situation is a priority — or brought them clarity. There's no denying that Garrett's remarks carry substantial weight, which is partly why he spoke up. He's the Browns' best player, a franchise cornerstone, a future Hall of Famer and arguably the most disruptive defensive force in the game today. He's also leading with actions. Garrett showed extraordinary effort in chasing down and tackling Burrow before tumbling out of bounds and crashing into Cleveland's bench and some portable heaters. He might be frustrated, but he's not giving up. “A testament of who he is as a player and who he is as a person,” linebacker Jordan Hicks said. What the reigning Defensive Player of the Year says matters. It will be interesting to see if the Haslams listen. At this point, there are indications the Browns intend to stick with coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry, whose major misses in recent drafts have become more magnified with each loss. There will be changes; it's just a matter of how drastic and if they'll be enough to satisfy Garrett's wishes. He turns 29 on Dec. 29 and has two years left on a $125 million contract extension. The All-Pro is in his prime and doesn't want to waste another season in a pointless pursuit of a Super Bowl title. His goal is to win a championship with Cleveland — or someone. Garrett's serious. He's asking the Browns to show him they are, too. What's working Cleveland's defense is doing its part. For the second week in a row, the Browns contained one of the NFL's most talented offenses, holding the Bengals and their top-ranked passing game below most of their season averages. Burrow did throw three TD passes — for the seventh game in a row — but Cincinnati scored fewer than 27 points for the first time in seven games. What needs help The Browns continue to beat themselves with costly turnovers, some more costly than others. They drove to the Cincinnati 1-yard line in the opening minutes only to have D'Onta Foreman fumble as he neared the goal line. The Bengals capitalized by driving 99 yards to take a 7-0 lead that could have been Cleveland's. Stock up Running back Jerome Ford is making the most of a heavier workload and finishing strong. He ripped off a 66-yard run on the game's first play and finished with 131 all-purpose yards, including 92 on 11 carries and scored Cleveland's only TD. Ford's emergence as a potential No. 1 back — Nick Chubb's injuries have clouded his future — gives the team one less thing to worry about as it retools the roster. Stock down Kicker Dustin Hopkins hasn't shaken a startling slump. After being benched for a week to work through his struggles, Hopkins missed his only kick, pushing an extra point to the right. Hopkins felt confident going in, but he's back to trying to identify issues that could be equally mechanical and mental. He's just 16 of 25 on field goals, 16 of 19 on PATs and the Browns' decision to sign him to a three-year, $15.9 million extension this summer looks worse every week. Injuries QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson injured his calf early in Sunday's game, leaving his status in doubt for a second straight start this week. If Thompson-Robinson can't go, the Browns could go back to Jameis Winston, but he's dealing with a sore right shoulder. ... Tight end David Njoku is dealing with yet another injury after hurting his knee. The team is awaiting results on an MRI, perhaps a sign of the severity. Njoku has missed time with injuries all season. He finished with eight catches for 66 yards. Key number 20 — Interceptions for the Browns this season. Thompson-Robinson's two picks on Sunday gave the team 10 in the last four games. What's next Probably a half-empty stadium for a final home game on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, who are still in the hunt for a wild-card spot. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Tom Withers, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Aiming for top seed, Lions play 49ers on road before closing regular season at home against Vikings Dec 23, 2024 4:03 PM Nothing's guaranteed, but Bucs need to win out to give themselves best shot to make the playoffs Dec 23, 2024 3:55 PM NFL Inactive Report Dec 23, 2024 3:54 PM
Luigi Mangione, UnitedHealthcare, and the American Health Care ScamA cautious tone dominated markets before a key US jobs report that may give traders insight on the Federal Reserve’s policy path. US equity futures edged lower. Modest gains in the dollar put the greenback on course to rise for the ninth week out of the last 10. Treasury yields ticked higher. Oil extended its slide to a third day. Economists estimate that US nonfarm payrolls rose by 220,000 in November as hiring rebounded from weather-related and strike disruptions. It’s the final payrolls report before the Fed’s next interest-rate decision, with swaps trading putting the odds of a quarter-point reduction later this month at around 65%. “If we get a surprisingly hot number, you can expect pricing to come back more to 50-50,” said Michael Brown, a senior strategist at Pepperstone. “Given the time of the year, market volumes are lighter than usual, so you are more likely to see an outsize reaction — and that’s another reason for people to sit on their hands.” France’s week of political tumult was set to end positively in markets. The nation’s bonds outperformed euro-area peers after National Rally leader Marine Le Pen told Bloomberg News a budget could be delivered within weeks. The euro was steady. The CAC 40 index climbed more than 1%, rising for a seventh day in the longest winning streak in almost 10 months. Friday’s US labor market reading will have a big say over whether the S&P 500 can build on its 27% rally this year. Excitement around artificial intelligence and optimism that President-elect Donald Trump’s policies will boost US markets have propelled the benchmark toward its best year since 2019. Bank of America Corp. strategist Michael Hartnett said that powerful rally in US stocks as well as cryptocurrencies has left the asset classes looking frothy. The S&P 500’s price-to-book ratio has surged to 5.3 times in 2024, approaching a peak of 5.5 hit in March 2000 during the height of the technology bubble, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. BofA’s Hartnett said there’s a high risk of “overshoot” in early 2025 if the S&P 500 nears 6,666 points — about 10% above current levels. On Bitcoin, Hartnett said that with a market capitalization of over $2 trillion, the digital asset was comparable in size to the 11th largest economy in the world. On Friday, bitcoin pulled back from a record high set above $103,000, with its slump reaching as much as 7% at one point. In Asian trading, shares in China rose in a sign that investors were positioning for fresh economic support measures from a key policy meeting starting on Wednesday. South Korea was another focal point, with the won paring losses from earlier declines after the nation’s Army Special Forces Commander said there will be no second martial law. The country’s benchmark stock index fell as much as 1.8% before paring the drop. In commodities, oil added to its declines on concerns that OPEC ’s decision to push back the revival of halted production won’t prevent a surplus forming next year. Corporate Highlights: Key events this week: Some of the main moves in markets: Stocks Currencies Cryptocurrencies Bonds Commodities This story was produced with the assistance of Bloomberg Automation. With assistance from Sagarika Jaisinghani and Divya Patil. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
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Giants' 10th straight loss showed once again that they need a young QB EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — If the Giants' franchise-record 10th straight loss proved anything, it's that New York could use a young franchise quarterback. Rookie Michael Penix Jr. Tom Canavan, The Associated Press Dec 23, 2024 3:17 PM Dec 23, 2024 3:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) juggles the ball leading to a New York Giants interception by cornerback Cor'Dale Flott (28) in the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — If the Giants' franchise-record 10th straight loss proved anything, it's that New York could use a young franchise quarterback. Rookie Michael Penix Jr. showed what a young QB can do on Sunday against the Giants, who need to learn from it. The No. 8 overall pick in the draft, Penix played a nearly flawless game in his first career start to help the Falcons thrash the woeful Giants 34-7 in their best performance in weeks. The Giants gambled in 2019 that Daniel Jones would be their franchise QB and it really never panned out. The one exception was the 2022 season, when the No. 6 overall pick had a career year and led New York to a 9-7-1 record and a playoff berth in the first season after Joe Schoen was hired as general manager and Brian Daboll was named coach. The Giants even won a playoff game. With the release of Jones last month, the Giants (2-13) are now a team without a quarterback who can perform at the level required of an NFL starter. Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock have split the last four starts but neither has provided much of a spark for the league's worst offense. Lock handed the Falcons the game with two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns. To turn things around next season, the Giants must find a quarterback. “I’d say it’s very important,” Daboll said Monday. New York is going to have a high pick in the draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in late April. It could even be the No. 1 overall selection. Choosing the right quarterback is going to be hard. There isn't a can't-miss choice in 2025 draft and forcing one early would be a mistake. Unless the Giants are convinced that Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe or someone else is the next franchise player, they have have so many needs that it would be better to wheel and deal and fill as many holes as possible. Even if the Giants take a quarterback in the second round, there's bound to be someone available who has a chance to be better than what they have now. What’s working The calendar. The season ends in less than two weeks. What needs help The franchise is in disarray, and a shakeup appears likely. Daboll's future as the coach is not bright, considering the current skid and two straight losing seasons. Schoen has to share the blame and so do co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, who hired the GM and coach. Stock up LB Darius Muasau. The sixth-round draft pick out of UCLA has started the last three games since Bobby Okereke (back) was hurt and eventually put on injured reserve last week. Muasau had 11 tackles Sunday along with a quarterback hit and a tackle for a loss. He made the defensive calls after LB Micah McFadden left with a neck injury. Stock down Lock. In his starts, Lock has had three interceptions returned for touchdowns. He also lost a fumble on a strip-sack at Atlanta. Lock sustained a shoulder injury during the game and had an MRI on Monday. Injuries Besides Lock and McFadden, S Jason Pinnock (eye) also left the game. C John Michael Schmitz and RB Tyrone Tracy were evaluated for ankle injuries on Monday. Key number 1 — Thanks to the Raiders' victory over the Jaguars, the Giants will have the No. 1 overall pick in the draft with two more losses. Next steps For the ninth and final time, the Giants will try to find a way to win at MetLife Stadium. New York is 0-8 heading into Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. Its only other winless season at home was in 1974 when New York played at the Yale Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut, while Giants Stadium was being built. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Tom Canavan, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Aiming for top seed, Lions play 49ers on road before closing regular season at home against Vikings Dec 23, 2024 4:03 PM Nothing's guaranteed, but Bucs need to win out to give themselves best shot to make the playoffs Dec 23, 2024 3:55 PM NFL Inactive Report Dec 23, 2024 3:54 PM