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The Irish General Election 2024 will be held on Friday, November 29 after Irish President Michael D. Higgins dissolved the 33rd Dáil Éireann (Irish Parliament) at the request of Taoiseach Simon Harris on November 8. The last Irish General Election was held in February 2020. In the Irish General Election 2024, the number of members in the Dáil (Teachtaí Dála, "TDs") will increase to 174 from 160, and the number of Dáil constituencies will increase to 43 from 39. In Ireland, the party that wins the most Dáil seats gains control - or, sometimes, multiple parties will agree to govern as a coalition. The leader of the party in control is typically voted into office as Taoiseach (Prime Minister) by the Dáil when it enters session following the election. The outgoing Dáil saw three parties form a coalition to win control - Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and The Green Party. Leo Varadkar (Fine Gael) and Micheál Martin (Fianna Fáil) both served as Taoiseach during this term of the Dáil Éireann, while Simon Harris (Fine Gael) is the current Taoiseach. Ireland's Electoral Commission says that there are currently 30 political parties registered to contest elections in Ireland. RTÉ News reports that there are 20 parties running candidates in this year's election, as well as 171 Independents who are part of no party. In the 2020 Irish General Election, nine different parties won seats in the Dáil - Fianna Fáil (38 seats), Sinn Féin (37), Fine Gael (35), Greens (12), Labour (6), Social Democrats (6), People Before Profit - Solidarity (6), Aontú (1), and Independents for Change (4). 19 Independents also won seats. According to RTÉ News , there are 686 candidate nominations in the running to contest the Irish General Election 2024. RTÉ notes that no single party is fielding enough candidates to win a majority on its own in the next Dáil. On Wednesday evening, less than two days before polls open, a Red C / Business Post opinion poll of more than 1,000 people had Fianna Fáil in the lead by a slim margin: Ireland uses proportional representation (PR) for voting in elections, with each voter having a single transferable vote (STV). In this system, voters can choose to vote for as many, or as few candidates as they like, in order of their preference. The voter’s first preference vote – the candidate they give their number 1 vote to – is most important and is always counted. A voter’s second (and further preferences) may be counted if their preferred candidate is eliminated at the end of a round of counting, or is elected with a surplus. These are known as transfers. Counting the votes sometimes day several days to complete. Sign up to IrishCentral's newsletter to stay up-to-date with everything Irish! General Election 2024 slogan: "Moving Ireland forward, together." General Election 2024 issues: Helping families and businesses cope with high prices; A major programme of investment and reform in health services; Further expanding homebuilding and support for first-time buyers and renters; Support for safe, clean and successful communities; Protecting Ireland’s economy and its voice in Europe and the wider world; Investment in schools and all levels of education. Party leader: TD Micheál Martin, since 2011. Martin is currently Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs; he served as Taoiseach from June 2020 through December 2022. Seats won in 2020: 38, the most of any one party. Candidates running in 2024: 82. (83 if you include Seán Ó Fearghaíl, the current who is automatically re-elected as a member of the next Dáil.) Social Media: Website , Facebook , X . You can read Fianna Fáil's General Election Manifesto 2024 here . Micheál Martin. General Election 2024 slogan: "Securing your future." General Election 2024 issues: Giving our children the best start in life; Delivering homes and building better communities; Having a fair but firmer migration and criminal justice system; Protecting the economy and investing in your future. Party leader: TD Simon Harris. Harris has been serving as Taoiseach since April 2024 following the shock resignation of party colleague Leo Varadkar which was announced in March. Seats won in 2020: 35, the third most of any one party. Candidates running in 2024: 80. Social Media: Website , Facebook , X . You can read Fine Gael's General Election 2024 manifesto here . Simon Harris. (RollingNews.ie) General Election 2024 slogan: "Greens deliver." General Election 2024 issues: Climate action that makes life better; More homes in the right places; Support for children and families. Party leader: TD Roderic O'Gorman, since July 2024. O'Gorman, currently Ireland's Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth, became leader of the Greens upon Eamon Ryan's resignation in June after 13 years at the helm. Seats won in 2020: 12. Candidates running in 2024: 43. Social Media: Website , Facebook , X . You can read The Green Party's General Election 2024 manifesto here . Roderic O'Gorman. (RollingNews.ie) General Election 2024 slogan: "The choice for change." General Election 2024 issues: Housing; Health; €10 a day childcare; Scrap the USC for average workers; Abolish the means test for carers; Planning for Irish Unity; Tackling government waste; Investing in communities. Party leader: TD Mary Lou McDonald, since 2018. McDonald is currently the leader of the Opposition in the Dáil. Seats won in 2020: 37, the second most of any one party. Candidates running in 2024: 71. Social Media: Website , Facebook , X . You can read Sinn Féin's General Election 2024 manifesto here . Mary Lou McDonald. (RollingNews.ie) General Election 2024 slogan: "Building better together." General Election 2024 issues: Housing; Cost of living; Climate; Work; Health; Childcare. Party leader: TD Ivana Bacik, since March 2022. Seats won in 2020: 6. Candidates running in 2024: 32. Social Media: Website , Facebook , X . You can read Labour's General Election 2024 manifesto here . Ivana Bacik. (RollingNews.ie) General Election 2024 slogan: #ForTheFuture, #ItStartsHere General Election 2024 issues: Building 50,000 affordable purchase homes; Fully implementing Sláintecare; Reaching climate targets; Appointing a full cabinet Minister for Disability; Building high quality public childcare. Party leader: TD Holly Cairns, since March 2023. Seats won in 2020: 6. Candidates running 2024: 26. Social Media: Website , Facebook , X . You can read Social Democrats' General Election 2024 manifesto here . Holly Cairns. (RollingNews.ie) General Election 2024 slogan: "End 100 years of Fine Fail / Fine Gael. Another Ireland is possible." General Election 2024 issues: Provide affordable housing; Stop rising inequality and protect the many from the Cost of Living Crisis; Provide public services free at the point of delivery; Provide care for those who need it; Cut carbon emissions and protect our biodiversity; Defend our neutrality and protect refugees; and Stand with Palestine. Party leader: TD Richard Boyd-Barrett, since October 2024. The party had previously run under collective ownership. Seats won in 2020: 6. Candidates running 2024: 42. Social Media: Website , Facebook , X . You can read People Before Profit-Solidarity's General Election 2024 manifesto here . Richard Boyd-Barrett. (RollingNews.ie) General Election 2024 slogan: " #AontúAccountability." General Election 2024 issues: Economic justice; Fix political culture; Unified economy; Right to Life; Brexit & Irish Unity; Jobs & employment; Environment; Farming & Rural Ireland; Health; Irish Language; Regional Development; Workers' Rights; Housing Crisis; Crime & Antisocial Behaviour; Safeguarding Values; Immigration. Party leader: TD Peadar Tóibín, since January 2019. Seats won in 2020: 1. Candidates running 2024: 28. 10 Peadar Tóibín. (RollingNews.ie) General Election 2024 slogan: " Common Sense Solutions for a Better Ireland." General Election 2024 issues: Affordable homes for “Generation rent, Declare a housing emergency; More healthcare staff, reduced waiting lists, easier access to care; Freeze “Green taxes” reward workers, support older people; 1 Billion Euros in additional supports for agriculture; Secure our borders, new courts to deal with illegal immigration; Tough on crime, safer cities and safer rural communities. Party leader: TD Michael Collins, since November 2023. Seats won in 2020: 0. (Party founded in 2023). Candidates running 2024: 28. Social Media: Website , Facebook , X . You can read Independent Ireland's General Election 2024 manifesto here . Michael Collins. (RollingNews.ie) Other parties also running candidates in the Irish General Election 2024 are the Irish People (21 candidates), Irish Freedom Party (16), National Party (9), Liberty Republic (6), Centre Party of Ireland (3), Independents 4 Change (3), Party for Animal Welfare (3), Rabharta (3), Ireland First (2), 100% Redress (1), and Right to Change (1).
NoneBurt died over the weekend, the Crocosaurus Cove reptile aquarium in Darwin, Australia , said. He was at least 90 years old. “Known for his independent nature, Burt was a confirmed bachelor — an attitude he made clear during his earlier years at a crocodile farm,” Crocosaurus Cove wrote in social media posts. “He wasn’t just a crocodile, he was a force of nature and a reminder of the power and majesty of these incredible creatures. While his personality could be challenging, it was also what made him so memorable and beloved by those who worked with him and the thousands who visited him over the years,” the aquarium wrote. A saltwater crocodile , Burt was estimated to be more than 5 meters (16 feet) long. He was captured in the 1980s in the Reynolds River and became one of the most well-known crocodiles in the world, according to Crocosaurus Cove. The 1986 movie stars Paul Hogan as the rugged crocodile hunter Mick Dundee. In the movie, American Sue Charlton (Linda Kozlowski) goes to fill her canteen in a watering hole when she is attacked by a crocodile, before being saved by Dundee. Burt is briefly shown lunging out of the water. But the creature shown in more detail as Dundee saves the day is apparently something else. The Internet Movie Database says the movie goofed by depicting an American alligator, which has a blunter snout. The Australian aquarium where Burt had lived since 2008 features a “Cage of Death” which it says is the nation's only crocodile dive. It said it planned to honor Burt's legacy with a commemorative sign “celebrating his extraordinary life and the stories and interactions he shared throughout his time at the park.”Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use
AP News Summary at 4:04 p.m. EST
NEW YORK , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Grid Dynamics Holdings Inc. (NASD: GDYN) will replace Revelyst Inc. (NYSE: GEAR) in the S&P SmallCap 600 effective prior to the opening of trading on Thursday, January 2 . Strategic Value Partners is acquiring Revelyst in a deal expected to close soon pending final conditions. Following is a summary of the change that will take place prior to the open of trading on the effective date: Effective Date Index Name Action Company Name Ticker GICS Sector Jan 2, 2025 S&P SmallCap 600 Addition Grid Dynamics Holdings GDYN Information Technology Jan 2, 2025 S&P SmallCap 600 Deletion Revelyst GEAR Consumer Discretionary For more information about S&P Dow Jones Indices, please visit www.spdji.com ABOUT S&P DOW JONES INDICES S&P Dow Jones Indices is the largest global resource for essential index-based concepts, data and research, and home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average®. More assets are invested in products based on our indices than products based on indices from any other provider in the world. Since Charles Dow invented the first index in 1884, S&P DJI has been innovating and developing indices across the spectrum of asset classes helping to define the way investors measure and trade the markets. S&P Dow Jones Indices is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies, and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.spdji.com . FOR MORE INFORMATION: S&P Dow Jones Indices index_services@spglobal.com Media Inquiries spdji.comms@spglobal.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grid-dynamics-holdings-set-to-join-sp-smallcap-600-302339444.html SOURCE S&P Dow Jones IndicesA CHANGE OF SEASONS by Tom Tatum As Pennsylvania’s firearms season on whitetail deer ended on Saturday, Dec. 14, I spent the last few hours on the same stand where I had been during the first few hours on opening day. My season ended the same way it had started – without firing a shot. As far as I could tell, when the curtain went down on the season that Saturday (the coldest day of the year up until then by far) and no shots sounded within earshot, there weren’t many hunters afield that day. By the time the season [...]
U.S. District Court Awards 10x Genomics Permanent Injunction in Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Bruker Corporation's GeoMx ProductsWith more than 7 million Americans having been adopted and one out of every 25 families having an adopted child, why not consider becoming an adoptive parent? November is National Adoption Month, which started initially as Adoption Week in Massachusetts in 1976 and became National Adoption Month in 1995. It raises awareness about the urgent need for adoptive families and celebrates the families formed through adoption. In addition to finding homes for these adoptive children and teens, this month honors all those who shape their community: birth parents, social workers, adoptive parents, and everyone who makes an effort to positively impact their lives by helping them build supportive, enduring relationships. In addition to babies and toddlers, there is a significant need for adoptive families for older youth who face significant challenges in finding a permanent family. Research indicates that youth who age out of foster care without a secure and supportive family are at greater risk for adverse outcomes, including homelessness and PTSD rivaling that of returning combat veterans. Securing lifelong connections for these older children, both legally and emotionally, is a critical component in determining their future achievement, health, and well-being. I believe that in every community there is at least one family or individual ready to open heart and home to a child in need. As a parent to an adopted daughter, I know I am the one who has felt the most happiness from the adoption experience. Children’s experiences are often more nuanced, with many adopted children struggling to feel joy while also feeling the loss of first family and first identity. My daughter is my pride and joy. She is an amazing individual now in her young adult years, and she rests in the knowledge that she will always have my unwavering love and support. Please consider adoption. I cannot promise you that the journey will be easy, but I can promise you that it will be worth it. And remember “Adopting one child won’t change the world, but for that child the world will change.” Tom Moore Waterbury The writer is a foster care/adoption family recruiter for the Annie C. Courtney Foundation.
NEW YORK , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with market evolution powered by AI - The global glass tableware market size is estimated to grow by USD 2.68 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of about 3.97% during the forecast period. Advancements in glass production techniques is driving market growth, with a trend towards rising popularity of themed and seasonal tableware. However, increasing availability of counterfeit glassware products poses a challenge.Key market players include Anchor Hocking LLC, Anhui Deli Household Glass Co. Ltd., Bormioli Luigi S.p.A., Bormioli Rocco USA , Borosil Ltd., Corelle Brands LLC, DIBBERN GmbH , Inter IKEA Holding B.V., Kavalierglass AS, Krosno Glass SA, La Rochere North America INC., LaOpala RG Ltd., Leerdam Crisal Glass, Lenox Corp., Libbey Inc., MONINI S.p.A., Ocean glass Public Co. Ltd., Starbucks Corp., Steelite International Ltd., Termisil Glass Sp z o o, and Arc UK. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF The glass tableware market is thriving, with growing demand for glass dinnerware and beverage-ware in the food and dining industry. Restaurants and households value the elegance and temperature-retaining properties of glassware for serving food and beverages. Production units use raw materials like soda ash to create durable, thermal resistant glassware for microwave cooking and dishwasher safety. Consumer spending on home decor products, including designer glassware, is increasing, driven by the young generation's preference for old-fashioned designs and sustainable glassware. The world population's rise fuels demand, with small households opting for casual dining and table setting with glassware. Social media marketing and digitalization influence consumer values, driving product innovations in glassware manufacturing. Dining etiquette and table decor trends favor glassware durability and customization. Sustainability is a key consideration, with glassware offering a more eco-friendly alternative to plastic-based dishes. Glassware design continues to evolve, catering to diverse consumer preferences, from traditional to contemporary styles. The market's future looks bright, with ongoing advancements in glassware technology and consumer demand for high-quality table settings. Themed and seasonal glass tableware has gained significant traction in the global market. This trend involves the production and consumption of tableware specifically designed for various themes and seasons. Consumers seek unique and memorable dining experiences, and themed tableware offers a creative and festive solution. For instance, during Halloween, glass tableware adorned with spooky or pumpkin designs adds to the celebratory atmosphere. This trend allows individuals to express their personal style and preferences in a fun and engaging way, enhancing the overall dining experience. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! • The glass tableware market encompasses glass dinnerware, glass beverage-ware, and glass flatware used in dining settings. Challenges include maintaining the temperature of food and beverages, ensuring durability, and staying competitive with plastic-based dishes. Raw materials, such as soda ash, are crucial for production. Designer glassware caters to changing consumer preferences, driven by living standards and consumer spending. Younger generations favor old-fashioned designs, while social media marketing and smartphones drive digitalization. Casual dining and small household sizes impact sales. Product innovations, like thermal resistance and microwave compatibility, meet consumer values. Glassware manufacturing must balance dining etiquette, design, table decor, and customization trends. Sustainable glassware is a growing trend, addressing concerns for the environment. • Counterfeit glass tableware is a growing concern in the market due to ineffective supply chain security and insufficient legal measures. These imitations do not meet the same quality standards as authentic products, leading to potential performance and safety issues for consumers. Intellectual property rights can be misused through counterfeiting, negatively impacting market vendors. Consumers' confidence in the market can be eroded by poor-quality counterfeits, hindering market growth. Prominent vendors face unfair competition from these imitations. Addressing this issue requires strengthened supply chain security and stricter legislation against counterfeiting. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! This glass tableware market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Offline 1.2 Online 2.1 Beverageware 2.2 Dinnerware 2.3 Others 3.1 APAC 3.2 Europe 3.3 North America 3.4 Middle East and Africa 3.5 South America 1.1 Offline- The global glass tableware market primarily relies on offline distribution channels for sales, with retail formats such as specialty stores, hypermarkets, departmental stores, convenience stores, supermarkets, and warehouse clubs accounting for the majority of transactions. This trend is attributed to the reliability and tangible product demonstration offered by physical retail stores. Convenience is a significant factor, as customers can easily contact vendors for product information and physically evaluate the merchandise. Offline distribution channels also provide a wide product variety and brand selection. Department stores, hypermarkets, and supermarkets are preferred by consumers due to their extensive product ranges and knowledgeable customer service personnel. Notable retailers like Walmart and Tesco dominate this segment. Although specialist stores may experience a slight decline due to economic recession-induced frugality, the trend of value consciousness will drive sales growth in this sector. Supermarkets and hypermarkets, with their expanding presence in developed regions, will contribute to the growth of the offline segment during the forecast period. Warehouse clubs and cash-and-carry stores, which operate on a self-service basis, will also experience growth due to their popularity in countries like the US. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics The Glass Tableware Market encompasses a wide range of products including dinnerware, beverage-ware, and flatware made from glass. This market is closely linked to the Food and Dining industry, with demand primarily driven by consumer spending on table settings for both personal and commercial use. Emerging economies are increasingly becoming significant consumers of glass tableware due to rising living standards and growing casual dining culture. Production of glass tableware involves raw materials such as soda ash, limestone, and silica. Designer glassware continues to be a niche segment, appealing to consumers seeking unique and stylish additions to their home decor. The young generation's preference for casual dining experiences and social media marketing are influencing trends in this market. Smartphones and digitalization have also impacted sales, with online shopping platforms offering convenience and a wider selection of products. Glass tableware refers to dishes, flatware, and beverage-ware made from glass. This dining essential is used for serving food and beverages during meals and is an essential part of table setting. Glass dinnerware and glass beverage-ware are popular choices for their elegant and sophisticated look. The production of glass tableware involves raw materials like soda ash, limestone, and silica, which are heated at high temperatures to create molten glass. The sales of glass tableware are driven by the dining industry, including restaurants and casual dining establishments. The living standard and consumer spending on home decor products also influence the market. Old-fashioned designs and sustainable glassware are trending among consumers, especially the young generation. The world population's growth and increasing per capita income contribute to the market's growth. Glass tableware's thermal resistance property makes it suitable for microwave cooking and heating. The market is also influenced by consumer values, eating places, and product innovations. Social media marketing and digitalization have become essential tools for promoting glassware. Small households and casual dining establishments are significant consumers of glassware, including dinnerware, flatware, and beverage-ware. Glassware manufacturing involves designing, creating, and customizing glassware to meet consumer preferences and trends. Dining etiquette and table decor also influence the design of glassware. Glassware durability is a crucial factor in its popularity, as it can withstand daily use and last for years. The market for glassware is expected to continue growing, with a focus on sustainable and eco-friendly production methods. 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Distribution Channel Offline Online Product Beverageware Dinnerware Others Geography APAC Europe North America Middle East And Africa South America 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE TechnavioThe S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite have ended higher as gains by many of the so-called Magnificent Seven tech stocks pushed benchmarks up on a holiday-thinned trading day. or signup to continue reading With megacap stocks having outsized influence on markets, their performance during a week in which many investors take time off will be even more pronounced. Meta Platforms, Nvidia and Tesla all closed higher on Monday, with Google parent Alphabet also in positive territory. The gains helped propel the Nasdaq Composite to its third straight increase, and a second advance in three sessions for the S&P 500. According to preliminary data, the S&P 500 gained 42.96 points, or 0.70 per cent, to end at 5,972.23 points, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 192.29 points, or 0.98 per cent, to 19,764.89. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 61.59 points, or 0.14 per cent, to 42,901.85. After a solid run since the November presidential election, Wall Street's rally hit a bump this month, especially after the US Federal Reserve forecast just two 25-basis-point rate reductions for 2025 - down from its September view of four cuts - and raised its annual inflation outlook. This included a selloff last Wednesday triggered by the US Federal Reserve signalling a slower rate-cut pace. Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer at Northlight Asset Management, noted that while some course correction has occurred in recent days, as interest-rate expectations have been modified by investors, many of the same trends remain in place, including tech and tech-enabled stocks finding favour. "We're really seeing a microcosm today of what we've seen all year long, and the trends are back in place despite what we've seen in the last couple of weeks where things bounced around a little bit," Zaccarelli said. As well as major benchmark gains, a majority of the S&P sectors finished higher on Monday, led by communication services . Markets are also entering a historically strong period for US stocks. Since 1969, the last five trading days of the year, combined with the first two of the following year, have yielded an average S&P 500 gain of 1.3 per cent - a period known as the "Santa Claus Rally", according to the Stock Trader's Almanac. Northlight's Zaccarelli said he believed conditions were right for such a rally, as this year's gains would likely mean investors would hold on to positions as opposed to selling and booking losses which they can use for tax purposes. Qualcomm's shares rose after a jury found its central processors are properly licensed under an agreement with UK-based Arm Holdings. Shares of Arm, which has vowed to seek a fresh trial, fell. Walmart dropped after the US consumer finance watchdog accused the retail giant and workforce payments company Branch Messenger of forcing more than a million delivery drivers into using accounts that cost them more than $US10 million ($A16 million) in junk fees. Eli Lilly gained after the US Food and Drug Administration approved the drugmaker's weight-loss treatment, Zepbound, for obstructive sleep apnea. Shares of sleep apnea device makers ResMed and Inspire Medical fell. Nordstrom's shares declined after the department store chain's founding family and Mexican retailer El Puerto de Liverpool agreed to take the company private. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — In losing Sunday’s battle with the Buffalo Bills, perhaps the best team in football, Jerod Mayo won the war. Best I can tell, he’s staying put. For 2025, and maybe beyond. To his angry fan base and incredulous pockets of the New England Patriots’ media corps, remember Mayo’s future doesn’t hinge on winning this season. It’s not about what you want, or what I think. It’s about the Krafts, who hand-picked Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick four and a half years before he actually did, believing in him, and finding reasons to maintain that belief. In the eyes of someone who wants to believe, Sunday supplied enough reason. The Patriots led at halftime, then lost by three as 14-point underdogs. They became the first team since mid-October to hold the Bills under 30 points. Drake Maye outplayed the next MVP of the league for most of the game and took another step toward his destiny as a franchise quarterback, If that sounds like a low bar, that’s because it is. Such is life in Year 1 of a rebuild, a multi-year process ownership has committed to seeing through to the end with their organizational pillars now in place: Mayo, Maye and de facto GM Eliot Wolf. As frustrating as this 3-12 campaign has been, there are always nuggets of optimism amid the rubble of a losing season; particularly if you want to find them. The Krafts do, and so does Maye, who loves his head coach, by the way; calling questions about Mayo’s job security “BS.” “We’ve got his back,” Maye said post-game. Maye’s voice matters. Certainly more than any number of fans or media members. Ever since media-fueled speculation that Mayo could get canned at the end of his first season began rising, the caveat has always been the same: if, a Gillette Stadium-sized “if,” the Patriots bomb atomically down the stretch, ownership could pull the plug on Mayo. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport became the latest to join that chorus Sunday with this pregame report: “The Krafts want to keep Jerod Mayo,” he said. “They believe he is the leader for the organization for the future, and they knew it would be a multi-year process to get this thing right. Now if things go off the rails, if they really start to struggle and he loses the locker room the last couple games of the season, we’ve seen this thing turn. “But as of now, the Patriots believe Jerod Mayo is their leader for the future.” Well, Mayo hasn’t lost the locker room. That’s a fact. To a man, both in public and from those I’ve spoken to in private, Patriots players believe in their head coach. Mayo might be a players’ coach, yes, in the best and worst senses. But the Patriots were a few plays away Sunday from pulling off their largest upset since Super Bowl XXXVI. “I think we’re building something good,” Maye said. The Patriots also played their best half of football this season against their toughest opponent yet. Another fact. Now, to the frustrated, I am with you. To the shocked, I understand. But to the trigger-happy, lay down your arms. Mayo, by all accounts, is returning in 2025. Alex Van Pelt, however, is another story. In the same vein that the Krafts could have viewed Sunday’s performance as a reason to save Mayo — despite his pathetic punt at midfield, down 10 with just eight and a half minutes left — they could have convinced themselves their offensive coordinator is the real problem. After all, team president Jonathan Kraft was visibly exasperated over Van Pelt’s play-calling during the Pats’ loss at Arizona a week earlier. Four days later, Van Pelt told reporters he had yet to hear from his boss. Well, that time may be coming. Trailing by three in the fourth quarter Sunday, Van Pelt called a pass that resulted in an unnecessary lateral and game-winning touchdown for Buffalo. His offense later operated like it was taking a Sunday drive with the game on the line, using up 3:16 of the final 4:19 en route to its final touchdown. Van Pelt, finally, weaponized Maye’s legs in critical situations, something that arguably should have been done weeks ago. Not to mention, Van Pelt’s top running back can’t stop fumbling, and the offensive line remains a hot mess. Call him Alex Van Fall Guy. Because Van Pelt’s offense, for the first time in a while, under-performed relative to Mayo’s defense. On merit, he deserves to stay; a case that’s harder to make for defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington. But it’s not about merit this season. It’s not about what you want. It’s not about what I think. It’s about the Krafts; what they see, what they want, what they believe. Even in defeat. ©2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at bostonherald.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
AKAP not pork barrel; social workers do the vetting of beneficiaries – DSWD chiefCanadian men win RAN Sevens tournament, qualify for World Rugby Challenger SeriesIs Your Phone Spying On You? How to Check and What to Do
