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Why Rumble Stock Is Rising Monday: 'Laser-Focused' On Gaming, Crypto Expansion
Polish prime minister's party picks Warsaw mayor as its candidate for presidentAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Any Texas or Texas A&M player has heard the lore of the rivalry between the two schools, a grudge match that dates to 1894. But for more than a decade — two generations of college football players — that's all it has been: Ghostly memories of great games and great plays made by heroes of the distant past. That changes this week when one of college football's great rivalries is reborn. Third-ranked Texas (10-1, 6-1) and No. 20 Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2) meet Saturday night for the first time since 2011, with a berth in the Southeastern Conference championship game on the line . “Guys that have been in my position and bleed burnt orange, they have not gotten to play this game,” said Texas fourth-year junior safety Michael Taaffe, who grew up in Austin. “Remember them when you step on Kyle Field.” For Aggies fans, who have carried the misery of Texas' 27-25 win in 2011, getting the Longhorns back in front of a frenzied crowd in College Station is a chance for some serious payback. “I was born and raised an Aggie, so I’ve been dreaming about playing in this game my whole life,” Texas A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III said. Zuhn played high school football in Colorado, but his parents and grandparents attended A&M. At SEC media days back in August, Zuhn said his family would turn Texas gear upside down in stores. He keeps a picture of a longhorn in his room, hanging upside down, of course. “It should be the most amazing atmosphere that I’ve ever experienced,” Zuhn said. "I can’t wait for that, and I feel bad for Texas having to play in that." Texas players said they are ready. “That place is going to be rocking,” Texas senior cornerback Jahdae Barron said. “It's good to go on the road and play in hostile environments.” The Longhorns have overcome big and loud road crowds before. They won at Alabama in 2023. They won at Michigan and Arkansas, another old rival, this year. The Longhorns have won 10 in a row on an opponent’s home field. “When the hate is on us, we love it. We enjoy it,” Taaffe said. But some former Texas players say the current group has faced nothing like what awaits them in College Station. Playing at Texas A&M is more than just noise and a lot of “Horns down” hand signals. The “Aggie War Hymn” fight song calls for Aggies to “Saw varsity’s horns off." Beating Texas is their passion, said former Longhorns All-American offensive lineman Dan Neil, who won at Texas A&M in in 1995. He calls that win one of the best of his career. “I was done showering and getting ready to leave, and their fans were still standing outside the locker room screaming and throwing things,” he said. “The (Texas) players have no idea what they are walking into. They have no clue. No one on that team has walked into that stadium in burnt orange.” The rivalry broke up when Texas A&M left the Big 12 for the SEC in 2012. The Aggies have twice finished tied for second but have otherwise found little success there. Texas is in its first year in the SEC and has smashed its way to the top. Texas is the only SEC team with one loss this late in the season, which would make beating Texas that much sweeter for A&M. “The hype is definitely saying it's a rivalry. History says it's a rivalry, but for us, it's the football game we have this week,” Texas senior center Jake Majors said. “It's important for us to not let the environment, the game, get the best of us. ... I get to go out there and play not only for me and my team, but for the guys who came before me, so that's a true honor to have.” Even though the game hasn't been played since 2011, there has always been an element of the rivalry simmering under the surface, Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said. Elko is in his first year as the Aggies' coach, but he was the Texas A&M defensive coordinator under Jimbo Fisher from 2018-2021. “Even though it hasn’t been played, it just doesn’t feel like it’s ever really left the fabric. I really don’t think it’s as removed from the psyche as maybe it feels,” Elko said. “I think our kids are very much aware of what this is all about.” Rieken reported from College Station, Texas. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
West Ham surprise Newcastle with 2-0 away win
(The Center Square) – The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents has recommended a number of new and revised policies for its institutions, such as a commitment to institutional neutrality, the prohibiting of DEI tactics, and a mandatory education in America’s founding documents. The University System of Georgia (USG) is made up of Georgia’s 26 public colleges and universities as well as Georgia Archives and the Georgia Public Library Service. “USG institutions shall remain neutral on social and political issues unless such an issue is directly related to the institution’s core mission,” the board’s proposed revisions read . “Ideological tests, affirmations, and oaths, including diversity statements,” will be banned from admissions processes and decisions, employment processes and decisions, and institution orientation and training for both students and employees. “No applicant for admission shall be asked to or required to affirmatively ascribe to or opine about political beliefs, affiliations, ideals, or principles, as a condition for admission,” the new policy states. Additionally, USG will hire based on a person’s qualifications and ability. “The basis and determining factor” for employment will be “that the individual possesses the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the role, and is believed to have the ability to successfully perform the essential functions, responsibilities, and duties associated with the position for which the individual is being considered.” Beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year, the school’s civic instruction will require students to study founding American documents among other things. USG students will learn from the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, the Articles of Confederation, the Federalist Papers, the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, as well as the Georgia Constitution and Bill of Rights. When reached for comment, the Board of Regents told The Center Square that “these proposed updates strengthen USG’s academic communities.” The recommended policies allow a campus environment “where people have the freedom to share their thoughts and learn from one another through objective scholarship and inquiry,” and “reflect an unyielding obligation to protect freedom, provide quality higher education and promote student success,” the board said. The board told The Center Square that it proposed strengthening “the requirements for civics instruction” with the inclusion of “foundational primary sources” because of higher education’s duty to students. Colleges and universities “must prepare [students] to be contributing members of society and to understand the ideals of freedom and democracy that make America so exceptional,” the board said. As for ditching DEI, the board explained that “equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of USG.” “The proposed revisions among other things would make clear that student admissions and employee hiring should be based on a person’s qualifications, not his or her beliefs,” the board said. The Board of Regents also said it wants to “ensure [its] institutions remain neutral on social and political issues while modeling what it looks like to promote viewpoint diversity, create campus cultures where students and faculty engage in civil discourse, and the open exchange of ideas is the norm.” USG’s Board of Regents recently urged the NCAA to ban transgender-identifying men from participating in women’s sports, in line with the NAIA rules, The Center Square previously reported .
Sean Combs ‘Physically Abused,’ ‘Threatened to Kill’ His Staff, Prosecutors Claim
Vikings waive former starting cornerback Akayleb Evans in another blow to 2022 draft classA treadmill (or any big piece of fitness equipment) can feel like a big expense for your home gym—but thanks to this year’s Black Friday treadmill deals, you can snag one for several hundred dollars less. We’ve found top-rated and SELF Home Fitness Award–winning models from brands and retailers like NordicTrack, Peloton, and Horizon Fitness deeply discounted leading up to November 29 , a.k.a. Black Friday itself. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your cardio routine or moving your runs indoors for the winter, one of these on-sale treads should suit your needs. The best Black Friday treadmill deals we’ve found so far No time to scroll? Here are the very best treadmill sales we’ve come across. Not to pick favorites, but the biggest deal by far is ProForm’s Carbon Pro 9000, which is a whopping $2,000 off at the moment. We expect more machines to go on sale between now and Black Friday (and possibly even more on Cyber Monday), so bookmark and watch this page for extra savings. NordicTrack Commercial 1750 —originally $2,499; now $2,199 ProForm Carbon Pro 9000 —originally $3,799; now $1,799 Peloton Tread —originally $2,995; now $2,695 Horizon Fitness 7.0 AT —originally $2,100; now $899 In this article Shop the best NordicTrack deals Shop the best ProForm deals Shop the best Peloton deals Shop the best Horizon Fitness deals Shop the best Echelon deals Shop the best BowFlex deals Shop the best Sole Fitness deals Shop the best Sunny Health & Fitness deals FAQs about Black Friday treadmill deals NordicTrack deals Some of NordicTrack’s best-selling treads are on sale as part of the brand’s early Black Friday sale, including the 2024 Home Fitness Award –winning Commercial 1750. Both the 1750 and the 1250 have sleek HD touchscreens, iFit membership integration, and cushioned running decks. Their key differences are their motors (the 1750’s has more horsepower) and touchscreen features (the 1750’s is slightly bigger and can pivot to display off-equipment workouts). NordicTrack Amazon Nordictrack Sam's Club NordicTrack Nordictrack ProForm deals As we mentioned earlier, ProForm’s Carbon Pro 9000, a souped-up smart treadmill with a large touchscreen, is heavily discounted for Black Friday. The Carbon Pro 2000 is also on sale—$1,700 off, to be exact—and has many of the same smart capabilities, like iFit workouts and Bluetooth connectivity. ProForm ProForm ProForm Dick's Sporting Goods ProForm Peloton deals The Peloton Tread won a Home Fitness Award in 2023 for its immersive classes, which cover running, hiking, walking, and more (a Peloton membership gives you access to all of its classes and costs an extra $44 per month). “The instructors and platform make this piece of equipment what it is,” one of our judges said. The Tread+ has a cushioned slat belt instead of a traditional running deck, so it offers a slightly different ride—but still has all the same great classes to try. Peloton Peloton Amazon Peloton Peloton Horizon Fitness deals There’s a sale on top of a sale at Horizon right now: Use the code BF100 at checkout to take an extra $100 off the 7.0 AT, which seamlessly connects with your smartwatch for easy fitness tracking during your runs. And you can take an extra $50 off the easy-to-use T101 Go, one of the brand’s most popular models. Horizon Fitness Horizon Horizon Fitness Dick's Sporting Goods Horizon Fitness Echelon deals Echelon, a Home Fitness Award–winning brand, is taking up to $1,000 off its machines and providing free shipping on all equipment. The top-rated Stride-6 doesn’t require any assembly, has convenient setting adjustment controls on the handlebars, and folds down and stores away easily. Echelon Echelon Fitness BowFlex deals For a limited time, BowFlex’s 22 Treadmill is $500 off with free shipping, which is an especially great deal if you’re all about your treadmill’s display: It has a 22-inch screen that lets you follow along with JRNY workouts or stream your favorite Netflix show while you work out. BowFlex Bowflex Sole Fitness deals Sole is rolling out its deepest markdowns for Black Friday, so there’s no better time to pick up the F65, a durable model that’s suitable for all experience levels. It has seven built-in workout programs and can sync with the Sole+ app for even more class options. Sole Fitness Sunny Health & Fitness deals Looking for a walking treadmill? Perhaps one that can fit under your desk? Sunny Health & Fitness is a wonderful brand to browse. We gave its T4400 model a Home Fitness Award for its supportive walking pad and manageable footprint, and the Walkstation Treadmill is slim enough to slide it under your desk when you’re done using it. Sunny Health & Fitness Amazon Academy Sports + Outdoors Sunny Health & Fitness Amazon Sunny Health & Fitness FAQs about Black Friday treadmill deals Black Friday officially kicks off this Friday, November 29 . The sales that go live that day will also be available to shop over the weekend and through Cyber Monday ( December 2 ). However, a lot of major retailers are already running their Black Friday sales, so you don't have to wait until after Thanksgiving to shop. Yes! A treadmill is a big-ticket item that makes a great holiday gift for any cardio-loving household, and Black Friday is the perfect time to pick one up for a much lower price than usual. You can find discounts on some of the biggest fitness brands during Cyber Week, including NordicTrack , ProForm , Peloton , BowFlex , Horizon , and more. There are also treadmill sales underway at big box fitness stores like Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods (which offers in-store pickup on some machines). Related: Over 60 of Our Very Favorite Early Black Friday Deals Hurry—These Major Black Friday Shoe Sales Won’t Last Long We Found the Best Black Friday Beauty Deals at Sephora, Ulta, Dermstore, and More Black Friday Is an Amazing Time to Stock Up on Lululemon We Found Some Truly Stellar Deals at Nordstrom’s Black Friday Sale Walmart Has Tons of Sneaky-Good Wellness Deals Right Now Shop These Early Dyson Black Friday Discounts ASAP Black Friday Sex Toy Sales to Tickle Your Fancy (and Other Things) 29 Black Friday Bedding Markdowns to Help You Sleep Soundly The Best Early Black Friday Deals From Apple to Level Up Your Routine The Best Stanley Cup Black Friday Deals to Help You (Finally) Drink More Water Get more of SELF’s great deal alerts and product recommendations delivered right to your inbox (for free!).
Saturday, November 23, 2024 Hitachi Rail has secured a contract to implement its European Train Control System (ETCS) digital signaling technology on two significant rail infrastructure upgrades in Thailand, aimed at boosting speed, dependability, and safety. The company’s ETCS Level 1 system is set to be installed along 281 kilometers of track on the Northeast Line between Nong Waeng Rai and Nong Phok, and on the North Line from Den Chai to Ngao, in addition to being equipped on three train sets. These enhancements are integral to Thailand’s ambitious double-track railway expansion plan designed to bolster intercity rail service by safely increasing train speeds. This national strategy, led by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), involves the construction of additional tracks, modernization of stations, and overhaul of existing signaling and telecommunication systems, culminating in the adoption of ETCS as the standard train control system across the network. ETCS improves rail operations by facilitating direct communication between trackside infrastructure and trains, managing their movement and enforcing speed constraints. This system not only enhances train safety and reliability but also allows for higher speeds and increased rail capacity. The initiation of these projects marks the second phase of Thailand’s comprehensive rail development program, positioning Hitachi Rail as a prominent ETCS provider in the region. This status is supported by Hitachi Rail’s strong track record of delivering cutting-edge digital signaling solutions, including the pioneering introduction of ETCS in various Asian markets. Hannes Boyer, VP Mainline Signalling, Hitachi Rail, said: “We are proud to continue enhancing safety on Thailand’s rail network. From solution design and equipment supply to installation support, testing, and commissioning, our experts deliver a proven solution for both passengers and freight, which is installed on over 26,000 kilometres of mainline railway signalling systems around the world.” The contract for these projects was executed with South Korean firm LS Electric Co. Ltd., which holds responsibility for all signaling and telecommunication tasks on the specified routes.Dow ends at fresh record as oil prices pull back on ceasefire hopes
Dow ends at fresh record as oil prices pull back on ceasefire hopes
NEW YORK — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers formally asked a judge Monday to throw out his hush money criminal conviction , arguing continuing the case would present unconstitutional “disruptions to the institution of the Presidency.“ In a filing made public Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers told Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan that dismissal is warranted because of the “overwhelming national mandate granted to him by the American people on November 5, 2024.” They also cited President Joe Biden’s recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted of tax and gun charges . People are also reading... “President Biden asserted that his son was ‘selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,’ and ‘treated differently,’" Trump’s legal team wrote. The Manhattan district attorney, they claimed, engaged in the type of political theater "that President Biden condemned.” Prosecutors will have until Dec. 9 to respond. They have said they will fight any efforts to dismiss the case but indicated a willingness to delay the sentencing until after Trump’s second term ends in 2029. Former President Donald Trump walks to make comments to members of the news media May 30 after a jury convicted him of felony crimes for falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York. Seth Wenig, Associated Press/Pool In their filing Monday, Trump's attorneys dismissed the idea of holding off sentencing until Trump is out of office as a “ridiculous suggestion.” Following Trump’s election victory last month, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed his sentencing, previously scheduled for late November, to allow the defense and prosecution to weigh in on the future of the case. He also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier. He says they did not and denies wrongdoing. Taking a swipe at Bragg and New York City, as Trump often did throughout the trial, the filing argues that dismissal would also benefit the public by giving him and “the numerous prosecutors assigned to this case a renewed opportunity to put an end to deteriorating conditions in the City and to protect its residents from violent crime.” Clearing Trump, the lawyers added, also would allow him to “to devote all of his energy to protecting the Nation.” Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts The defense filing was signed by Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, who represented Trump during the trial and since were selected by the president-elect to fill senior roles at the Justice Department. A dismissal would erase Trump’s historic conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office. Trump takes office Jan. 20. Merchan hasn’t set a timetable for a decision. Trump team signs agreement to allow Justice to conduct background checks on nominees, staff Merchan could also decide to uphold the verdict and proceed to sentencing, delay the case until Trump leaves office, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court or choose some other option. Prosecutors cast the payout as part of a Trump-driven effort to keep voters from hearing salacious stories about him. Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels. Trump later reimbursed him, and Trump’s company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses — concealing what they really were, prosecutors alleged. Trump pledged to appeal the verdict if the case is not dismissed. He and his lawyers said the payments to Cohen were properly categorized as legal expenses for legal work. A month after the verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that ex-presidents can’t be prosecuted for official acts — things they did in the course of running the country — and that prosecutors can’t cite those actions to bolster a case centered on purely personal, unofficial conduct. Trump’s lawyers cited the ruling to argue that the hush money jury got some improper evidence, such as Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form, testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made during his first term. Prosecutors disagreed and said the evidence in question was only “a sliver” of their case. If the verdict stands and the case proceeds to sentencing, Trump’s punishments would range from a fine to probation to up to four years in prison — but it’s unlikely he’d spend any time behind bars for a first-time conviction involving charges in the lowest tier of felonies. Because it is a state case, Trump would not be able to pardon himself once he returns to office. Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes. PHOTOS: Donald Trump's Election Day 2024 Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Julia Demaree Nikhinson Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as Melania Trump looks on at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Alex Brandon Republican Presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives with former first lady Melania Trump and son Barron Trump at the Palm Beach County Convention Center during an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Lynne Sladky Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump visits his campaign headquarters, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, joined by, from right, Melania Trump and Barron Trump, arrives to speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Alex Brandon Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Alex Brandon Republican Presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives with =former first lady Melania Trump and son Barron Trump at the Palm Beach County Convention Center during an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Lynne Sladky Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Alex Brandon Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Alex Brandon Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Alex Brandon Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump walk after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump walk after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, with Melania Trump and Barron Trump, arrives to speak at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Evan Vucci Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletterThe Tennessee Titans are showing signs of growing tougher. This time, they shook off eight sacks and three turnovers to stave off a third straight losing season for at least another week. The Titans not only scored the game-winning touchdown on a one-play drive in the fourth quarter, they also came up with back-to-back sacks. The second led to a safety, clinching a 32-27 win over the AFC South-leading Houston Texans. First-year coach Brian Callahan called how the Titans (3-8) responded crucial validation in the NFL where the only grading system is wins and losses. "We finally get a chance against a really good team on the road in the division to show what we’re made of," Callahan said. "This is the team we think we’re capable of being. It’s the team that I’ve believed in all year long." Running back Tony Pollard says the Titans have learned some important lessons that only come from fighting through adversity. They've had lots of that, which can wear out teams this late in the season. "Eventually, they’ll start turning over,” Pollard said. What’s working The offense. The Titans scored a season high in points and topped their game average with 20 points by halftime. Better yet was quarterback Will Levis both starting and finishing his first win of the season. Levis also completed his first 11 passes and connected with seven different receivers. Levis finished with 278 yards passing and threw two touchdown passes. Pollard also ran for 119 yards as the Titans played keep-away, holding the ball for more than 34 minutes. They finished with four plays of 27 yards or longer with Levis responsible for the three longest. What needs help Special teams. Coordinator Colt Anderson has been under pressure, which didn't ease after the Texans gave up an 80-yard return on the opening kickoff. The Titans then gave up a TD on the first play from scrimmage — only the fourth time that has happened in the NFL since 2000 and first since the Chargers in Week 7 in 2018. It didn't get better as rookie Jha'quan Jackson fumbled a punt recovered by Houston near midfield in the third quarter. The Titans allowed only a field goal. But special teams allowed the Texans to average 36.8 yards per kickoff return. Punter Ryan Stonehouse had a net average of 45.2 yards as he made up for a 38-yarder that counts as a shank for him with a 62-yarder early in the fourth to help flip the field. Stock up Tight end Chig Okonkwo. The fourth-round draft pick in 2022 scored a 70-yard catch-and-run touchdown that was the longest catch of his career. That one TD catch had more yards than Okonkwo had managed in any of his previous 44 games. It was enough as the game-winning TD. Stock down Levis completed his first 11 passes. He's completed 67.9% of his passes in his past three starts with five TD passes with only two interceptions with a 107.2 passer rating. Callahan likes those signs of improvement. “We definitely got to get the sack numbers down. ... We can't give up eight sacks a game and feel like it's going to be good enough,” Callahan said. The second-year quarterback has to be more aware of pressure to avoid sacks. The Titans offensive line hasn't helped much, but Levis took a beating, being sacked eight times by Houston. He's now been sacked 20 times in three straight starts since returning from a sprained AC joint in his right, throwing shoulder. He also had his third pick-6 this season. Injuries The Titans played Houston without starting safety Amari Hooker because of illness. Callahan said they will open the window for CB Chidobe Awuzie to practice in a possible return from injured reserve. Key number 35 — The number of times Levis has been sacked in eight games this season or more than all but three NFL quarterbacks. One of those? Houston’s C.J. Stroud, who was sacked for a safety to clinch Tennessee’s road win. Next steps A road win over the AFC South leader and defending champion could provide the confidence boost the Titans needed. They wrap up a two-game road swing by visiting Washington (7-5), which has lost three straight. The Titans play four of the final five inside the AFC South where their faint hope of reaching the postseason lies even as fans root for a high draft pick. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflThe Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) on Saturday reaffirmed its rejection of the Tax Reform Bill, describing it as a policy “conceived in bad faith” and warning that it threatens national cohesion. The group criticised the manner of its implementation, alleging that key stakeholders, including members of the National Economic Council, were sidelined during the process. The Convener of NEF, Professor Ango Abdullahi, in a communiqué after the Forum Board of Trustees’ second bi-annual meeting in Abuja, warned against dubious policies that could further marginalize the North’s resource potential. The Forum lauded the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers for opposing the bill, dubbing their stance “patriotic,” while urging Northern politicians in the National Assembly to speak out against it. He said: “The meeting seriously maintained that, in its present form, the Tax Reform Bill is conceived in bad faith, poorly packaged, and is a palpable threat to our unity and national cohesion. “The meeting proceeded by drawing attention to the brazen, cavalier way and suspicious manner in which the Tax Reform Bill was imposed on the nation, without allowing the inputs of critical stakeholders, even as it kept members of the National Economic Council in the dark, thus confirming the sinister intentions of those promoting this outrageous bill. “The Board-in-session condemned in very strong terms the conspicuous loss of voice on this burning issue by the overwhelming number of elected politicians in the National Assembly from the region and fiercely warned that, indeed, the days are fast gone when such conspiratorial connivance against the vital and strategic interest of the region, either by those within or outside the region, would be condoned or even tolerated. “In consideration of the deteriorating situation in the education sector in the country in general and the North in particular, the Board-in-session was alarmed by the high percentage—now about 60%—of students in Northern Nigeria who involuntarily were not able to return to their institutions of higher learning, universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and legal studies, due to high costs of tuition fees and unaffordable daily transportation to and from schools. “The meeting went on to discuss the explosive crisis of out-of-school children now estimated to be 20 million in the whole country, of which over 80% comes from the North. Against this troubling reality, the Board-in-session expressed serious doubt about the viability and efficacy of the much-touted Federal Students Loan Scheme as a panacea to this malignant malady. “The Board-in-session unanimously frowned at the surreptitious move being masterminded by the Ministry of Mines and Solid Minerals to sponsor dubious mining policies in collusion with certain political actors, with the sole aim of stifling the investment opportunities of the huge mineral resource potentials linked to the vast Northern region. “The meeting spiritedly decried the prevalence of the condescending attitude being exhibited by some powerful political actors in the region, who more often than not behave arrogantly and disdainfully like rulers rather than leaders fully committed to the plight of their people. “The Board-in-session urgently called on the people of the North to stay resolute and remain vigilant in defense of their inalienable rights, particularly their voting rights, and to desist from allowing themselves to be deceived yet again through subterfuge, use of ill-gotten wealth, and religious manipulation by some unscrupulous elements whose past records did not portray them to be persons of integrity, character, and probity.” The NEF urged Northerners to remain vigilant in defending their rights, particularly during elections and warned against falling victim to manipulation by unscrupulous leaders with questionable records. The group stressed the importance of safeguarding the unity and resisting attempts to divide the region.
Farrakhan leads Hampton past Duquesne 64-59ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — Google, already facing a possible breakup of the company over its ubiquitous search engine , is fighting to beat back another attack by the U.S. Department of Justice alleging monopolistic conduct, this time over technology that puts online advertising in front of consumers. The Justice Department and Google made closing arguments Monday in a trial alleging Google's advertising technology constitutes an illegal monopoly. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Alexandria, Virginia, will decide the case and is expected to issue a written ruling by the end of the year. If Brinkema finds Google has engaged in illegal, monopolistic conduct, she will then hold further hearings to explore what remedies should be imposed. The Justice Department, along with a coalition of states, has already said it believes Google should be forced to sell off parts of its ad tech business, which generates tens of billions of dollars annually for the Mountain View, California-based company. After roughly a month of trial testimony earlier this year, the arguments in the case remain the same. During three hours of arguments Monday, Brinkema, who sometimes tips her hand during legal arguments, did little to indicate how she might rule. She did, though, question the applicability of a key antitrust case Google cites in its defense. The Justice Department contends Google built and maintained a monopoly in “open-web display advertising,” essentially the rectangular ads that appear on the top and right-hand side of the page when one browses websites. Google dominates all facets of the market. A technology called DoubleClick is used pervasively by news sites and other online publishers, while Google Ads maintains a cache of advertisers large and small looking to place their ads on the right webpage in front of the right consumer. In between is another Google product, AdExchange, that conducts nearly instantaneous auctions matching advertisers to publishers. In court papers, Justice Department lawyers say Google “is more concerned with acquiring and preserving its trifecta of monopolies than serving its own publisher and advertiser customers or winning on the merits.” As a result, content providers and news organizations have never been able to generate the online revenue they should due to Google’s excessive fees for brokering transactions between advertisers and publishers, the government says. Google argues the government's case improperly focuses on a narrow niche of online advertising. If one looks more broadly at online advertising to include social media, streaming TV services, and app-based advertising, Google says it controls as little as 10% of the market, a share that is dwindling as it faces increased and evolving competition. Google alleges in court papers that the government’s lawsuit “boil(s) down to the persistent complaints of a handful of Google’s rivals and several mammoth publishers.” Google also says it has invested billions in technology that facilitates the efficient match of advertisers to interested consumers and it should not be forced to share its technology and success with competitors. “Requiring a company to do further engineering work to make its technology and customers accessible by all of its competitors on their preferred terms has never been compelled by U.S. antitrust law,” the company wrote. Brinkema, during Monday's arguments, also sought clarity on Google’s market share, a number the two sides dispute, depending on how broadly the market is defined. Historically, courts have been unwilling to declare an illegal monopoly in markets in which a company holds less than a 70% market share. Google says that when online display advertising is viewed as a whole, it holds only a 10% market share, and dwindling. The Justice Department contends, though, that when focusing on open-web display advertising, Google controls 91% of the market for publisher ad servers and 87% of the market for advertiser ad networks. Google says that the “open web display advertising” market is gerrymandered by the Justice Department to make Google look bad, and that nobody in the industry looks at that category of ads without considering the ability of advertisers to switch to other forms of advertising, like in mobile apps. The Justice Department also contends that the public is harmed by the excessive rates Google charges to facilitate ad purchases, saying the company takes 36 cents on the dollar when it facilitates the transaction end to end. Google says its “take rate” has dropped to 31% and continues to decrease, and it says that rate is lower than that of its competitors. “When you have an integrated system, one of the benefits is lower prices," Google lawyer Karen Dunn said Monday. The Virginia case is separate from an ongoing lawsuit brought against Google in the District of Columbia over its namesake search engine. In that case, the judge determined it constitutes an illegal monopoly but has not decided what remedy to impose. The Justice Department said last week it will seek to force Google to sell its Chrome web browser , among a host of other penalties. Google has said the department's request is overkill and unhinged from legitimate regulation. In Monday's arguments, Justice Department lawyer Aaron Teitelbaum cited the search engine case when he highlighted an email from a Google executive, David Rosenblatt, who said in a 2009 email that Google’s goal was to “do to display what Google did to search," which Teitelbaum said showed the company's intent to achieve market dominance. “Google did not achieve its trifecta of monopolies by accident,” Teitelbaum said.
The world approved a bitterly negotiated climate deal Sunday committing wealthy historic polluters to $300 billion annually for poor and vulnerable nations that had demanded far more to confront the crisis of global warming. After two exhaustive weeks of chaotic bargaining and sleepless nights, nearly 200 nations banged through the contentious finance pact in the early hours beneath a sports stadium roof in Azerbaijan. Nations had struggled to reconcile long-standing divisions over climate finance. Sleep-deprived diplomats, huddled in anxious groups, were still revising the final phrasing on the plenary floor before the deal passed. At points, the talks appeared on the brink of collapse, with developing nations storming out of meetings and threatening to walk away should rich nations not cough up more cash. In the end -- despite repeating that no deal is better than a bad deal -- they did not stand in the way of an agreement, despite it falling well short of what they want. The final deal commits developed nations to pay at least $300 billion a year by 2035 to help developed countries green their economies and prepare for worse disasters. That is up from $100 billion now provided by wealthy nations under a commitment set to expire -- and from the $250 billion proposed in a draft Friday. That offer was slammed as offensively low by developing countries, which have demanded at least $500 billion to build resilience against climate change and cut emissions. A number of countries have accused Azerbaijan, an authoritarian oil and gas exporter, of lacking the experience and will to meet the moment, as the planet again sets temperature records and faces rising deadly disasters. Wealthy countries and small island nations have also been concerned by efforts led by Saudi Arabia to water down calls from last year's summit to phase out fossil fuels. The United States and EU have wanted newly wealthy emerging economies like China -- the world's largest emitter -- to chip in. The final draft encouraged developing countries to make contributions on a voluntary basis, reflecting no change for China which already pays climate finance on its own terms. Wealthy nations said it was politically unrealistic to expect more in direct government funding. Donald Trump, a sceptic of both climate change and foreign assistance, returns to the White House in January and a number of other Western countries have seen right-wing backlashes against the green agenda. The deal posits a larger overall target of $1.3 trillion per year to cope with rising temperatures and disasters, but most would come from private sources. bur-np-sct/lth/jj