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CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals have found all manner of ways to lose close games this season. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals have found all manner of ways to lose close games this season. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals have found all manner of ways to lose close games this season. Sunday’s 44-38 loss to AFC North rival Pittsburgh can be blamed on a defense that missed tackles and allowed 520 yards of offense, and three turnovers by Joe Burrow. It’s become a familiar story in this disappointing season. Cincinnati (4-8) keeps scoring lots of points but can’t close out games. Seven of the Bengals’ eight losses this year have been by one score. Burrow has stopped talking about the possibility of going on a run and making the playoffs. He’d just like to win another game or two. “Playoffs are the furthest thing from my mind,” the fifth-year quarterback said. “You never know what can happen, so I’ll keep putting one foot in front of the other and try to be the best player I can be for the rest of the season, week in and week out.” The Bengals allowed Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson to throw for a season-high 414 yards and three touchdowns. After Wilson threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown, the Steelers (9-3) scored on seven of their last nine possessions. They didn’t punt until early in the fourth quarter. Burrow lost two fumbles and threw an interception. “We haven’t done enough to earn the win,” coach Zac Taylor said. “It’s a simple as that. It’s nobody else’s fault but our own. We haven’t earned it.” What’s working Turnovers aside, Burrow had another strong game, finishing with 28 for 38 for 309 yards with three touchdowns. Burrow is having a great season statistically, and he hasn’t hidden his disappointment and frustration about Cincinnati’s narrow losses. ... WR Ja’Marr Chase had a touchdown catch to bring his league-leading total to 13. What needs help The defense missed tackles and couldn’t hold off the Steelers, even with Burrow keeping the game close. It didn’t help that LB Logan Wilson (knee) and DT Sheldon Rankins (illness) had to sit out. The Bengals have allowed 34 or more points six times, including in four of the past five games. Cincinnati became the first NFL team to lose four games in a season in which it scored 33 points or more. Stock up RB Chase Brown has been dependable as the featured back since Zack Moss went down with a neck injury. He rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers. He also had three catches for 30 yards. The second-year back has 677 yards rushing and six TDs. “He’s really coming along, improving his game every single week,” Burrow said. “Pass game, run game, running hard, understanding his protection responsibilities. He’s a guy that practices hard, plays hard, and a guy you can count on.” Stock down The Bengals’ coaching staff. Something has got to give. There was no excuse for the defense to play this badly after a bye week. The unit gave up 500-plus yards for the second time this season. Injuries None were reported in the game. Key number Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 30.3 — The average points per game by the Bengals against teams with a .500 or better record this season. They are 0-7 in those games. Next steps The Bengals will try to regroup before facing the Dallas Cowboys (5-7) next Monday night. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Advertisement AdvertisementNoodles and wine are the secret ingredients for a strange new twist in China's doping sagaCoote was sacked earlier this month after the emergence of a video in which he made derogatory remarks about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp. Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said that a thorough investigation had concluded he was “in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable”. “Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare,” PGMOL’s statement on December 9 added. Coote had the right to appeal against the decision but PA understands the Nottinghamshire referee has decided not to. The video which triggered PGMOL’s investigation into Coote’s conduct first came to public attention on November 11. In it, Coote is asked for his views on a Liverpool match where he has just been fourth official, and describes them as “s***”. He then describes Klopp as a “c***”, and, asked why he felt that way, Coote says the German had “a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown” and had accused him of lying. “I have got no interest in speaking to someone who’s f****** arrogant, so I do my best not to speak to him,” Coote said. Later in the video, Coote again refers to Klopp, this time as a “German c***”. The Football Association opened its own investigation into that video, understood to be centred on that last comment and whether Coote’s reference to Klopp’s nationality constituted an aggravated breach of its misconduct rules. The investigation by PGMOL which led to Coote’s contract being terminated is also understood to have looked at another video which appeared to show Coote snorting a white powder, purportedly during Euro 2024 where he was one of the assistant VARs for the tournament. European football’s governing body UEFA also appointed an ethics investigator to look into the matter.
North Carolina interviews Bill Belichick for head coaching job, AP sources say
BBC presenter Glenn Campbell, who is battling a brain tumour, has given a positive update after completing a festive 5k run. The political editor took to Instagram to share the news alongside a series of images from the event with his followers. "Santa fun run 5k completed," he wrote. "A lovely start to Christmas Eve, even if I was, er, last over the finish line. Loved being on the beach, with the waves lapping the shore and the Forth islands and North Berwick for a backdrop. "Great support team @clazzagardner @lizzie_cowan Thank you. And great to see @atholl.duncan at the end. Merry Christmas. "If you see anyone over the festive period looking for a good cause to support, tell them how Brain Power is fundraising to help @brain_tumour_research open a new centre in Scotland. Link in bio," he concluded. He was flooded with support from fans who were delighted to see him doing so well. "Well done, I hope everyone had a good run. We used to spend Christmas a nd New Year in Scotland, miss those days, Christmas greetings," one enthused. another added: "Have a very happy Christmas & thank you for you & your family done to raise awareness & funding of a new research facility in Scotland. Best wishes for 2025." "Well done Glenn! Another 5km completed. Doesn’t matter how long it took!" a third commented supportively. A fourth chimed in: "Well done have a wonderful Christmas" "Happy Christmas Glenn and Claire and well done to all who took part! And happy Christmas to Atholl and Emily!" a fifth wrote. The broadcaster, 48, was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour just weeks after he was admitted to hospital following a horrific bike crash in 2023. The accident left Glenn with 10 broken ribs and a bloodied face. He had an MRI scan which alerted doctors to the cancer before undergoing gruelling surgery to remove the majority of the tumour from his brain. I In May this year, nearly one year after his diagnosis, Glenn revealed he has temporarily stopped having treatment. He said he made the decision to give his body a break as he is "struggling" to bounce back between rounds of treatment. Writing on Facebook, he assured fans his treatment is still working. "I have stopped chemotherapy - at least for now. I completed half my course of six rounds," he began. "I have not stopped because it’s not working. I have not stopped because it’s already done the job. I won’t know how effective or otherwise my treatment has been until much later in the year." The BBC presenter continued: "In the meantime, the medical thinking is to give my body a break and let it recover properly. My immune system was struggling a bit to bounce back between rounds. This is apparently quite common. Taking a break will keep further chemo as an option to return to in future, if required."CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals have found all manner of ways to lose close games this season. Sunday's 44-38 loss to AFC North rival Pittsburgh can be blamed on a defense that missed tackles and allowed 520 yards of offense, and three turnovers by Joe Burrow. It's become a familiar story in this disappointing season. Cincinnati (4-8) keeps scoring lots of points but can't close out games. Seven of the Bengals’ eight losses this year have been by one score. Burrow has stopped talking about the possibility of going on a run and making the playoffs. He'd just like to win another game or two. “Playoffs are the furthest thing from my mind,” the fifth-year quarterback said. “You never know what can happen, so I’ll keep putting one foot in front of the other and try to be the best player I can be for the rest of the season, week in and week out.” The Bengals allowed Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson to throw for a season-high 414 yards and three touchdowns. After Wilson threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown, the Steelers (9-3) scored on seven of their last nine possessions. They didn't punt until early in the fourth quarter. Burrow lost two fumbles and threw an interception. “We haven’t done enough to earn the win,” coach Zac Taylor said. “It’s a simple as that. It’s nobody else’s fault but our own. We haven’t earned it.” What’s working Turnovers aside, Burrow had another strong game, finishing with 28 for 38 for 309 yards with three touchdowns. Burrow is having a great season statistically, and he hasn't hidden his disappointment and frustration about Cincinnati's narrow losses. ... WR Ja'Marr Chase had a touchdown catch to bring his league-leading total to 13. What needs help The defense missed tackles and couldn't hold off the Steelers, even with Burrow keeping the game close. It didn’t help that LB Logan Wilson (knee) and DT Sheldon Rankins (illness) had to sit out. The Bengals have allowed 34 or more points six times, including in four of the past five games. Cincinnati became the first NFL team to lose four games in a season in which it scored 33 points or more. Stock up RB Chase Brown has been dependable as the featured back since Zack Moss went down with a neck injury. He rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers. He also had three catches for 30 yards. The second-year back has 677 yards rushing and six TDs. “He’s really coming along, improving his game every single week,” Burrow said. “Pass game, run game, running hard, understanding his protection responsibilities. He’s a guy that practices hard, plays hard, and a guy you can count on.” Stock down The Bengals' coaching staff. Something has got to give. There was no excuse for the defense to play this badly after a bye week. The unit gave up 500-plus yards for the second time this season. Injuries None were reported in the game. Key number 30.3 — The average points per game by the Bengals against teams with a .500 or better record this season. They are 0-7 in those games. Next steps The Bengals will try to regroup before facing the Dallas Cowboys (5-7) next Monday night. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Mitch Stacy, The Associated Press
How Do We Rank the Top 5 Cowboys Team MVPs (and Surprise Winner)?Majithia says Randhawa patronised Chaura, claim junkedCeramics decorate this porcelain "palace" outside Jingdezhen, a city known as the porcelain capital of China. Ming Dynasty vases and ceramics are used in the rotunda. Doreen Siow JINGDEZHEN, Jiangxi – Driving into Jingdezhen, it looks like any other inland Chinese provincial city that has rampantly urbanised: concrete infrastructure and superhighways sprawled against a rustic landscape of paddy fields and mountains. But I start noticing lamp posts and road dividers clad in blue-and-white porcelain, which look a little out of place in the grey city, but point to Jingdezhen’s past as the world’s porcelain capital. The dusty city in south-eastern Jiangxi province has been producing porcelain wares for more than 2,000 years. It is surrounded by the Gaoling Mountain range, which is rich in the kaolin clay deposits needed for the finest porcelain. According to China’s imperial records, when Emperor Shizong of Liao (947-951) heard that the kaolin here produced ceramics that was “white like jade, bright as a mirror, thin as paper” and “sounds like a bell”, he arranged the Gaoling mines to supply porcelain exclusively to royalty. Royal kilns were built and over time, the porcelain was also exported. Chinese porcelain made its way to Persia around the ninth century. At the same time, Jingdezhen artisans became acquainted with Persian cobalt, which turned a vivid blue when fired under high temperatures. China’s blue-and-white ceramics became a hugely popular colour combination for decorating tableware. From the Tang Dynasty (618-907) onwards, the porcelain became a major export for China that was copied globally. At its peak, Jingdezhen employed more than a million men, women and children in 3,000 kilns in the 18th century. The manufacturing process was split into areas of specialisation. Some workers focused on mixing clay, for instance, while others fired the kilns. Artisans drew patterns, painted and carved. This division of labour continues today, though many processes have changed with the times. In Jingdezhen, even the lamp posts are clad in porcelain. PHOTO: DOREEN SIOW Today, most workshops have abandoned the kaolin from nearby mountains for purer deposits in other provinces. Electric kilns have replaced wood-fired ones. Political upheaval and mass production in factories elsewhere are among the reasons for the diminished dominance of Jingdezhen porcelain. But the craftsmanship never left the city, and the tradition is slowly being revived. While state-owned porcelain factories have shuttered, many have been converted into art hubs housing private studios and workshops. Rising affluence in China has brought new customers, while the government’s move in 2010 to promote tourism has resulted in domestic and overseas visitors flocking in. More than eight million tourists visited Jingdezhen during China’s week-long National Day holiday in 2023, according to the Jiangxi Department of Culture and Tourism. The city has also attracted over 30,000 Jing Drifters – young Chinese migrants escaping the stress of life in major metropolises like Beijing and Guangzhou. They are drawn to Jingdezhen’s lower rents, slower pace and opportunities to pursue art, set up cafes or discover themselves. Here, design lovers, influencers and travellers can marvel at porcelain rotundas, spend time at repurposed brick kilns-turned-art hubs and cafes, and shop for ceramics. Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue is a popular spot to shop for ceramics. PHOTO: DOREEN SIOW Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue is an art mall converted from an old porcelain factory. Parts of the brick kilns and chimneys have been retained, while the original factories have been repurposed into art studios, shops selling ceramics, eateries and open spaces for entertainment. In the evenings, the bustling plaza is filled with stalls helmed by young potters and entrepreneurs selling ceramics. Salesman Wang Xiaowei says: “Most of the factories and workshops in Jingdezhen today are small. The scale is not large because it is still mainly manual production here. There are many small family-run workshops.” He works at Qi He Tang, a porcelain shop outside Jingdezhen Sculpture Porcelain Factory, a ceramics bazaar built on the former site of a state-owned factory. His family runs a factory with some 20 employees, mostly relatives. He says porcelain tableware can be mass-produced by machines in Jingdezhen, but items such as vases and tea sets are still mostly finished by hand. “The tea sets are mass-produced, but the patterns are painted by hand,” he adds. “So, it is more expensive, and the output is low.” Another highlight is the beautiful Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum, located in the restored historical neighbourhood of Taoyangli. Next to it are the ruins of an imperial Ming Dynasty kiln. Designed by Studio Zhu Pei, the award-winning museum was built using recycled kiln bricks and new ones. Recycled bricks are plentiful in the city, as the kilns are demolished regularly to ensure top thermal performance. The archaeological museum is composed of buildings shaped like old Chinese kilns, and houses ceramic relics and shards found in the city. It is popular with tourists and international students keen to learn about pottery and Chinese ceramic culture, says Ms Zhu Ziqi, an English-speaking guide who graduated from the Jingdezhen Ceramics University. “This year also marks the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations. So, there are also many French people visiting,” she adds. Ming Dynasty vases and ceramics are used in the rotunda of Yu Ermei’s porcelain palace. PHOTO: DOREEN SIOW Just outside Jingdezhen is a porcelain “palace” built by grandmother and retired ceramicist Yu Ermei. The “palace” features three-storey rotundas covered from floor to ceiling in porcelain shards. More than 60,000 colourful ceramic wares, including a pair of precious Ming vases, decorate the windows, doors, ceilings and walls. The attraction is a hot spot for domestic tourists and youngsters, many dressed in traditional clothing or hanfu for photographs. Jingdezhen, which once made ceramics for royalty and dominated the world stage, has successfully transformed itself to be cool and relevant again in 21st-century China. Visitors dressed in blue and white hanfu to match the decor. PHOTO: DOREEN SIOW Different types of Jingdezhen porcelain Jingdezhen ceramicists today make a huge variety of wares – from delicate Chinese tea sets to modern Western-style tableware to contemporary art pieces commissioned by museums, casinos and other entities. A visit to the studio of ceramic artist Zhu Legeng, a grand master in China’s ceramic art world, shows how he is able to mould and fire clay into fantastical objects of art with vivid colours. Born in Jingdezhen, Zhu studied at the Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute and researched the craftsmanship, history and culture of ceramics. In an interview with China Daily, the artist noted that in ancient China, pottery and agriculture went hand in hand. “Many Chinese ceramics were products of agricultural civilisation,” he said. Oxen and other farm animals are common motifs in Chinese ceramics. PHOTO: DOREEN SIOW Zhu often uses domesticated animals as motifs in his works, and his studio displays many ox and horse sculptures in all shapes and sizes. Some of the ox sculptures are made from a special clay fired to a beautiful rustic orange hue with light gold streaks. The creations have a distinct Chinese aesthetic. Ceramics salesman Wang Xiaowei says the city mainly makes four types of porcelain: qinghua porcelain (blue-and-white porcelain), linglong porcelain with pierced ornamentation, famille rose porcelain and enamel colour-glazed porcelain. Qinghua is regarded as the most famous and popular of the four styles. Many Chinese households have blue-and-white dinner sets and vases. The main raw material, cobalt oxide, turns blue when fired at a high temperature. The patterns in linglong porcelain emerge when viewed against the light. PHOTO: DOREEN SIOW Linglong porcelain features carved patterns filled with a translucent glaze. This technique is used in Chinese tableware, where rice grain-sized shapes are hollowed out and a glaze applied several times to cover them. When held against the light, a pattern emerges. High-temperature colour glazes and colour enamel porcelain are also favoured by Jingdezhen ceramicists, who make teacups and vases with this technique, often using shapes and styles from the Song and Ming Dynasties. A red porcelain teacup in a floral shape popular in the Song Dynasty. PHOTO: DOREEN SIOW Mr Wang’s shop sells handmade, flower-shaped enamel red porcelain teacups, a style from the Song Dynasty. “The five-mouth teacup was from the Song period, when the people loved flowers,” he says. “These cups are made entirely by hand. Our relatives make it in small workshops, so the output is small and only one to two people are involved.” Famille rose porcelain, a technique brought to China in the 17th century from Europe, is when white porcelain ware is fired with a translucent glaze. Colours are applied by hand before the items are fired again. Such porcelain was especially popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Large quantities of these wares were exported from Jingdezhen to Europe, the United States and Singapore. A Peranakan porcelain cup made in the famille rose style. PHOTO: DOREEN SIOW The famille rose porcelain in Singapore was made specially for the wealthy Straits-born Chinese community. Straits Chinese or Nonya porcelain is characterised by exuberant colours, and often features phoenix and tree peony motifs. The Singapore Peranakan Museum has a small but beautiful collection of Nonya porcelain made in Jingdezhen. There is also a selection for sale in the museum’s souvenir shop, as well as in the household department of Tangs. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now
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FOREST HILL, Md. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cadmium, the leading provider of event and learning management solutions, announced today that Sean Brady will take over as Chief Executive Officer effective December 2 . Sean succeeds current CEO John Pierson, who will transition into retirement while remaining an active Board member. " Sean Brady brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective that will propel Cadmium to new heights," said John Pierson . "I'm committed to working closely with Sean as an advisor to ensure a seamless transition. I'm confident his leadership will enable Cadmium to continue to thrive, and I wish him all the best in this exciting role." Sean Brady joins Cadmium with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation. Most recently, he served as President and COO at Maropost, where he oversaw strategic operations and enhanced company performance. His career includes leadership roles such as CEO of Terminus, where he championed customer engagement strategies, and President of Emarsys Americas, where he played a pivotal role in its acquisition by SAP. Earlier in his career, Sean helped transform ExactTarget into a multibillion-dollar enterprise, culminating in its acquisition by Salesforce. "I am honored to join Cadmium as CEO and lead its next chapter of innovation and growth," said Sean Brady . "Cadmium's dedication to empowering associations with transformative technology aligns with my vision for fostering impactful solutions that create lasting value for customers." Rushi Kulkarni , Managing Director at Symphony Technology Group (STG) and Cadmium Board member, added: "We are deeply grateful for John Pierson's leadership, which established Cadmium as a trailblazer in event and continuing education technology. As we wish John a joyful retirement, we are confident Sean's expertise and vision will drive Cadmium's continued success." About Cadmium Cadmium delivers integrated solutions that empower associations to manage events and continuing education seamlessly. Focused on creating transformative learning experiences, Cadmium fosters community and drives meaningful change. Learn more at gocadmium.com. Contact: Jessie Reyes Director of Marketing, Cadmium jessie.reyes@gocadmium.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cadmium-appoints-sean-brady-as-ceo-to-drive-next-phase-of-growth-302320010.html SOURCE Cadmium
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NexPoint Real Estate Finance, Inc. Announces Series A Preferred Stock DividendToughbook 33mk4 features MIL-STD 810H military standard certification Advanced 5G connectivity ensures seamless data transfer in the field Extended 15 hours battery life promises long-life usage Panasonic has announced the TOUGHBOOK 33mk4, a new rugged tablet promising 2-in-1 functionality and enhancements in performance, connectivity, and screen technology. The device was designed to for the needs of mobile workers across various industries, meeting both the MIL-STD 810H military standard developed by the US Department of Defense as well as the IEC 60529 industry standard for electronic devices. The TOUGHBOOK 33mk4 integrates Intel 's 13th-generation processors, advanced 5G connectivity, and a unique 12-inch Quad High Definition (QHD) display that boosts usability in field environments. Toughbook 33mk4 The TOUGHBOOK 33mk4 comes with an Intel Core i5 processor from the 13th generation, featuring Intel vPro Technology, also known as "Raptor Lake." This device also has an optional upgrade which uses the Intel Core i7 processor which offers greater computing power and is for users with more demanding tasks. The 12-inch QHD screen of the TOUGHBOOK 33mk4 is not the largest around, but does come with a resolution of 2160 x 1440 pixels and an aspect ratio of 3:2, offering more vertical space compared to the traditional 16:9 seen in many larger 14-inch models. This improvement in display design meets a shift in user preference, where larger and more detailed screens are necessary for increased productivity in the field. Panasonic believes that for professionals in industries such as utilities, automotive, and defense, this display means easier navigation and interpretation of complex visual information. The TOUGHBOOK 33mk4 supports 5G connectivity out of the box, offering mobile workers faster data transfer speeds, ultra-low latency, and improved reliability in various environments. It also supports standalone (SA) 5G networks enabling users to securely transfer large amounts of data while in the field. Moreover, the device’s optional GPS and improved Bluetooth technology further increase its connectivity flexibility. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! This notebook is also rated IP65 for dust and water resistance making it suitable for use in harsh conditions, and also boasts 15 hours of battery life, making it suitable for long work shifts where charging may not be immediately available. With certification for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, the TOUGHBOOK 33mk4 is ideal for businesses that require secure, Linux-based solutions, expanding its appeal to more sectors where security and compatibility are paramount. These are the best Android tablets Take a look at our guide to the best rugged laptops Microsoft says Russia is hacking Ukrainian military tech by stealing points of entry from third-parties
Former Manchester United winger Mason Greenwood is reportedly being eyed by La Liga trio Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona ahead of the January transfer window. The 23-year-old spent last season on loan with Getafe before joining Marseille in the summer after United decided 'it would be most appropriate for him' to continue his career away from Old Trafford . He was suspended by United in January 2022 amid allegations of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour. All charges were later dropped. The club believe his exit at the time delivered on their commitment that he would continue his career elsewhere. READ MORE: Greenwood supported by Fernandes and Hojlund after social media message READ MORE: Greenwood hesitates over United reunion As well as the transfer fee received for Greenwood , MEN Sport understands United included a 'sizeable' sell-on fee. As such, they would profit further if the French club were to sell him. According to TBR Football , United have as much as a 50 per cent sell-on clause inserted into the deal which could land them millions. Of course, as a homegrown player, United would be entitled to the entirety of the money accumulated from the sale. All of this is good news for Ruben Amorim should one of the La Liga giants try to negotiate a move for Greenwood. The Portuguese head coach is currently looking out for ways to gain funds as he looks to put his stamp on the United squad. The January transfer window is notoriously difficult for clubs to complete deals and any extra cash that could boost the coffers for United would be welcomed. So far this season, Greenwood has bagged nine goals in 13 appearances for the Ligue 1 side as they sit second in the French league. This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Premier League Watch the Premier League on Prime Video Amazon's Prime Video is broadcasting 10 midweek Premier League matches on December 3-5, plus 10 fixtures on December 26-27. Each match can be streamed free with an Amazon Prime subscription or by signing up for an Amazon Prime 30-day free trial . £0 Amazon Get Amazon Prime hereWASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee on Monday accused Matt Gaetz of “regularly” paying for sex, including once with a 17-year-old girl, and purchasing and using illicit drugs as a member of Congress, as lawmakers released the conclusions of a nearly four-year investigation that helped sink his nomination for attorney general. The 37-page report by the bipartisan panel includes explicit details of sex-filled parties and vacations that Gaetz, now 42, took part in from 2017 to 2020 while the Republican represented Florida’s western Panhandle. Congressional investigators concluded that Gaetz violated state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office, though not federal sex trafficking laws. They also found that Gaetz “knowingly and willfully sought to impede and obstruct” the committee’s work. “The Committee determined there is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress,” the report said. Before the report came out, Gaetz denied wrongdoing and criticized the committee’s process. “Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn’t ask for — and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?” he posted on social media. Gaetz, who was first elected in 2017, spent the majority of his time in Washington enmeshed in scandals that ultimately derailed his selection by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Justice Department. Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress last month. The committee painted a damning portrait of Gaetz’s conduct, using dozens of pages of exhibits, including text messages, financial records, travel receipts, checks and online payments, to document a party and drug- fueled lifestyle. The committee said it compiled the evidence after issuing 29 subpoenas for documents and testimony and contacting more than two dozen witnesses. Regarding the 17-year-old girl, the report said there was no evidence Gaetz knew she was a minor when he had sex with her. The woman told the committee she did not tell Gaetz she was under 18 at the time and that he learned she was a minor more than a month after the party. But Gaetz stayed in touch with her after that and met up with her for “commercial sex” again less than six months after she turned 18, according to the committee. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
December 2, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked trusted source proofread by National Institute for Materials Science Polymers, such as plastics, are essential in many aspects of life and industry, from packaging and cars to medical devices and optic fibers. Their value comes from diverse properties that are largely determined by their monomers—the single chemical units—that make up a polymer. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to control the chemical behavior of monomers during manufacturing to achieve a desired outcome. Now, a team of researchers led by Professor Mikiya Fujii of the Nara Institute of Science and Technology in Japan have used machine learning to mathematically model the polymerization process and reduce the need for time-consuming and expensive experimentation. Their results have been published in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials: Methods . Machine learning algorithms need data, so the researchers designed a polymerization process that would quickly and efficiently generate experimental data to feed into the mathematical model . The target molecule was a styrene-methyl methacrylate co-polymer, which was made by mixing styrene and methyl methacrylate monomers, both already dissolved in a solvent with an added initiator substance, then heating them in a water bath. The team also used a method called flow synthesis, in which the two monomer solutions are mixed and heated in a constant flow. This allows for better mixing, more efficient heating, and more precise control of heating time and flow rate , which makes it ideal for use with machine learning. The modeling evaluated the effect of five key variables in the polymerization process: the concentration of the initiator, the ratio of solvent to monomer, the proportion of styrene, the temperature of the reaction, and the time spent in the water bath. The goal was to have an end product with as close to 50% styrene as possible. Once enough experimental data was available, the machine learning process took only five cycles of calculation to achieve the ideal proportion of styrene to methyl methacrylate. The results showed that the key was a lower temperature and longer time in the water bath, as well as lowering the relative concentration of the monomer in the solvent. The researchers were surprised to discover that the solvent concentration was just as important as the proportion of monomers going into the mix. "Our results demonstrate that machine learning not only can explicitly reveal what humans may have implicitly taken for granted but can also provide new insights that weren't recognized before," Professor Mikiya Fujii says. "The use of machine learning in chemistry could open the door for smarter, greener manufacturing processes with reduced waste and energy consumption." More information: Shogo Takasuka et al, Bayesian optimization of radical polymerization reactions in a flow synthesis system, Science and Technology of Advanced Materials: Methods (2024). DOI: 10.1080/27660400.2024.2425178 Provided by National Institute for Materials ScienceWill the College Football Playoff just around the corner, this marks the first year that the bracket is expanding from just four teams to twelve. But it also means there are some changes being made regarding payouts to college conferences with schools competing in the playoff. The Football Bowl Division, commonly referred to as the FBS, is the highest level of college football in the United States and consists of over 100 teams in 10 conferences. But of those 100 teams, just 12 will advance into the College Football Playoff. RELATED STORY | NCAA, leagues sign off on $2.8 billion plan, setting stage for dramatic change across college sports Each conference will receive different payouts based on the number of teams in the conference that make the College Football Playoff. But those teams will be eligible to earn even more money for their conference the further they advance. For the 2024-2025 College Football Playoff: A conference will receive $300,000 for each of its teams in the College Football Playoff that meets the NCAA Academic Progress Rate, which is essentially a team-based metric to hold colleges accountable for their student-athletes' academics. A conference will receive $4 million for each team that makes the 12-team CFP and an additional $4 million for each team to advance to the quarterfinals (eight schools). A conference will receive $6 million for each team that advances to the semifinal (four schools) and an additional $6 million for each team that advances to the national championship game (two schools). Each team that participates in the College Football Playoff will receive $3 million to cover expenses each round. RELATED STORY | States sue NCAA, saying organization unfairly restricts players' sponsorship opportunities
