US House passes defense bill banning gender care for minorsATLANTA — On Jan. 18 and 19 the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will be held at State Farm Arena in advance of the College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 20. The star-studded lineup was announced Thursday at a news conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Performances will include Lil Wayne and GloRilla on Saturday; and Camila Cabello, Myles Smith and Knox on Sunday. On game day, the Allstate Championship Tailgate, taking place just outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Home Depot Backyard, will feature country acts on the Capital One Music Stage, including global superstar Kane Brown and iHeartCountry “On The Verge” artist Ashley Cooke. The concerts are just two of the festivities visiting fans can enjoy in the days leading up to the big game. The fan experience for both ticket holders and the general public has been a focus for event planners. All weekend long, an estimated 100,000 people from across the country are expected to attend fan events preceding kickoff. “It will be an opportunity for fans of all ages to come together to sample what college football is all about, and you don’t have to have a ticket to the game to be a part of it,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP in a press release. “We’ve worked closely with the Atlanta Football Host Committee to develop fan-friendly events that thousands will enjoy come January.” On Saturday, Jan. 18, Playoff Fan Central will open at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The free, family-friendly experience will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history. That day, fans can also attend Media Day, presented by Great Clips, which will feature one-hour sessions with student-athletes and coaches from each of the College Football Playoff national championship participating teams. ESPN and social media giants X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will be taping live broadcasts from the event. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Trophy Trot, both a 5K and 10K race, will wind its way through the streets of downtown Atlanta. Each Trophy Trot participant will receive a T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Participants can register at atlantatrackclub.org . On Sunday evening, the Georgia Aquarium will host the Taste of the Championship dining event, which offers attendees the opportunity to indulge in food and drink prepared by local Atlanta chefs. This premium experience serves as an elevated exploration of local cuisine on the eve of the national championship. Tickets to the Taste of the Championship event are available on etix.com . Atlanta is the first city ever to repeat as host for the CFP national championship. The playoff was previously held in Atlanta in 2018. “We are honored to be the first city to repeat as host for the CFP national championship and look forward to welcoming college football fans from around the country in January,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Football Host Committee. “This event gives us another opportunity to showcase our incredible city.” The College Football Playoff is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games — the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on Dec. 31, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be Jan. 9-10, 2025. The CFP national championship will be Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!
AMMAN — Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Head of Government of Economic Team Muhannad Shehadeh stressed that the government has a realistic economic programme and a clear vision, and its decisions aim at achieving growth to be reflected on improving the quality of life and generating job opportunities, and sustainability based on the strategic approach of Economic Modernization Vision (EMV). The meeting was attended by the Minister of Finance Abdul Hakim Shibli, and Minister of Government Communication and Government Spokesman Mohammad Momani, in addition to economic programmes' presenters, heads of economic departments and economic news editors, from various media outlets. During the meeting, Shehadeh reiterates that economic measures and decisions, taken by the government since its formation of about 60 days, aim to stimulate economic growth and overcome the consequences of the political situation in the region and the world. Shehadeh stressed that the government is also committed to overcoming all obstacles and bureaucratic complications, while balancing expenditures and money collection on one hand, and moving forward with major investment projects on the other hand, to reach the desired economic growth. He pointed out that in order to reach that, it must be in line with the vision, which includes eight engines, 35 sectors and 360 economic measures related to its aspects and sectors. He explained that achieving economic growth requires the government to facilitate indirect spending, reduce the trade balance deficit, attract investments and support the purchasing power of citizens, thus contributing to increasing the GDP, which currently amounts at JD36 billion. He also pointed out that the government has already begun to facilitate spending through a number of measures and decisions it has taken related to customs, tax and princely funds, in order to provide indirect financial liquidity for citizens that can be injected into the local market to contribute to the revitalisation of economic activity. He pointed out that the funds pending today with the customs and related customs revenues exceed JD300 million, stressing that the settlement of these issues will reflect on the money circulation in the economy. He explained that the government's decision regarding medical tourism, whether in terms of allowing nationalities to enter the Kingdom, or the opening of direct airlines, came with the aim of restoring momentum to this important service sector, calling on the private sector to exploit these facilities and work to attract expatriates for treatment purposes in the Kingdom. He pointed out that the government's decision to exempt fees and fines on vehicles which their licenses have expired for more than a year amounting to more than 550,000 unlicensed vehicles, entailing JD332 million as fees. Shehadeh also noted that the government's decision on the amended bylaw of exempting profits, of exports of goods and services, from income tax for the year 2024, came in line with the EMV to ensure the continued growth of the service sectors, especially the information technology sector, which represents one of the main drivers of the vision. He stressed that the decision will also contribute to the revival of other service sectors, especially for engineers, lawyers, consultation, the information technology sector and others, and it is also part of the EMV to generate more job opportunities for Jordanians, explaining that the services sector constitutes 60 per cent of GDP. He also praised the banking sector's step toward reducing interest by 4.99 per cent on housing loans for 3 consecutive years, after the government's decision, describing it as positive as it will stimulate other economic sectors. He pointed to the major investment projects that will be implemented as part of the EMV, foremost of which is the "National Carrier", where the financial closure of the project during the next year will contribute to activate several economic sectors throughout the Kingdom and reflect on the development aspect. He pointed out that the other project is the "Railway from Aqaba to Shidia and Ghor Al-Safi", which will contribute to reducing transport fees, raising the competitiveness and level of services and improving the performance of companies, in addition to being an integrated solution for the truck sector, expecting that the first quarter of next year will witness the signing of final agreements related to it. He also addressed the issue of "indebtedness", stressing that the government is committed to manage the internal and external debt in "the best way", and there are many scenarios in this regard, including replacing part of the debt with soft loans and lower interest rates through the Kingdom's close and strong relationships with countries, in addition to the low interest rates in the world. He stressed that His Majesty King Abdullah's recent meeting with Arab and foreign investors sends a strong message that investment in Jordan reflects high confidence in monetary policies, which are the backbone of investment and employers. Finance Minister Abdul Hakim Shibli stressed that the budget is realistic, and the government is determined, despite the hard region circumstances, to reduce the deficit in the public budget as well as the public debt, in addition to securing budget allocations for the implementation of major projects, such as the national carrier and the railway. He explained that the current budget has maintained all guarantees that concern citizens, especially with regard to subsidising bread, barley and gas cylinders. Shibli added that the current budget increased the share of capital projects to JD1.469 billion. He pointed out that the draft budget law estimated public revenues at about JD10233 million, of which JD9498 million are local revenues and JD734 million are external grants, indicating that the draft budget has set realistic estimates of revenues in a way that contributes to managing the development process efficiently. Shibli explained that the budget draft included an increase in allocations for the National Aid Fund's (NAF) social protection network, and a 50 per cent increase in allocations for the University Student Support Fund, in addition to securing necessary allocations to support strategic food commodities, as well as indirect support for essential services and facilities in the fields of water, electricity, and health. He pointed out that the government relied on a "Real Economic Growth Rate" of 2.5 per cent for the next year and a "Nominal Economic Growth Rate" of about 4.9 per cent during the formulation of the current budget, while maintaining moderate inflation rates, which would contribute to enhancing financial and monetary stability. Regarding the "expenditure Items" in the general budget, Shibli indicated that the budget allocated at approximately JD1,1042 million, and capital expenditures at approximately JD1,468 million, with an increase of 16.5 per cent compared to its re-estimated level for the current year 2024.Deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad went to Russia, a key ally to the fallen regime, after fleeing his country following the collapse of the Assad government to the rebels , according to Russian state media on Sunday. Rebel fighters poured into the Syrian capital Damascus on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, bringing an end to the 24-year reign of Assad and his Baath Party, which had ruled the country since a 1963 coup. Following the rebels' ascend to power, Assad vanished, his whereabouts unknown until Sunday afternoon when Russian state media reported that he was in Moscow. An unnamed Kremlin source told the Interfax news agency, "President Assad of Syria has arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted them [him and his family] asylum on humanitarian grounds." Meanwhile, the Tass news agency quoted an unnamed Kremlin source as saying, "Russia has always spoken in favor of a political settlement of the Syrian crisis. We insist that the UN-mediated talks be resumed." "Russian officials are in touch with representatives of armed Syrian opposition, whose leaders have guaranteed security of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions on the Syrian territory," the source said. Newsweek has reached out to the Russian government via email for comment Sunday afternoon. Assad Flees Syria Russia's Foreign Ministry said Sunday that Assad resigned from the presidency and left Syria after negotiations with the rebels. It added that Assad gave "instructions for a peaceful transfer of power." The ministry said that Moscow "did not participate in these negotiations." Meanwhile, previous unconfirmed media reports said Assad had been visiting Moscow when rebels reached Aleppo late last month before returning to his country. Assad has not publicly spoken since the rebels seized Aleppo last weekend. Syrians Celebrate End to Decades of Assad Rule Meanwhile, crowds gathered in the streets of Syria to celebrate the end of the Assad family's 50 years of iron rule. Assad became the president of Syria in 2000, succeeding his father Hafez al-Assad, who ruled from 1971 until he died in 2000. For nearly 14 years, the country had been in a civil war, starting as a March 2011 protest against Assad's rule. This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.
Mace, activist dispute handshake that resulted in arrest
First downs and second guesses: It feels like the last time I went to a bowl game, Bob Devaney and Bear Bryant were flipping a coin to see who would go to the Orange and Sugar Bowls. All signs point to the Nebraska-Iowa winner on Friday heading to the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla. That’s the bowl speculation. Man, I’ve missed it. The ReliaQuest is the former Outback Bowl, which has never had Nebraska. I always heard that the Outback Bowl served steaks in the press box. These guys will make sure your laptop doesn’t get hacked. It’s a good matchup, with the Big Ten going against the SEC. Which is why Music City would be my preference for a spot if NU doesn’t win on Friday. Some of the potential SEC teams I’ve seen in Nashville are LSU, Oklahoma, Missouri, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. The Huskers against any of them would be a dream matchup. Of course, the last bowl game Nebraska played in was the Music City Bowl, losing to Tennessee in 2016. My memory of that week was hitting the music honky-tonks on Broadway Street and realizing that none of them had TV’s. You were there to listen to music. What a concept. I’ll be happy with any bowl. First-time-in-a-long time bowlers can’t be choosers. Nebraska’s name pops up in several different bowl projections. There’s the Pinstripe Bowl (USA Today) vs. Pitt and vs. Georgia Tech (ESPN), the Duke’s Bowl in Charlotte vs. Syracuse (Action Network) and vs. Georgia Tech (ESPN), Nebraska vs. Texas Tech in the Rate (Phoenix) Bowl and in the Music City Bowl vs. LSU (247Sports). The Huskers will be happy to play in any of them. A good thing about the Duke’s is a Jan. 3 date. But that might be an awkward fit with coach Matt Rhule heading back to the city and stadium where he was fired two years ago. That storyline would dominate the week. Whatever happens, perfect. It’s just nice to be speculating again. I have to admit, the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl looks intriguing. Is there a trophy? One day, someone very smart will come up with an NIL Bowl, which will pay the players involved. That’s sort of what Creighton is doing this week, participating in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. The tourney will put $1 million into the CU Bird Club collective. Meanwhile, Coach Greg McDermott will earn his money this week and beyond, until point guard Steven Ashworth recovers fully from an ankle injury suffered against Nebraska. Wonder if Mac will have a committee approach to running the offense, including Pop Isaacs and freshman Ty Davis. Fred Hoiberg said on Monday that he has used “tough coaching” with his team twice in the last week — the day after the loss to St. Mary’s and again on Sunday to make sure his Huskers have come down from their win over Creighton. When a coach gets on his team like that, he knows they can handle it. That’s interesting because a good portion of this year’s NU team is new. Hoiberg is obviously going after an older, tougher-mindset kind of player in the portal. It works. Wow, how cool will it be to have Lindsay Krause, Kendra Wait and Ally Batenhorst all on the Omaha Supernovas this season? And Merritt Beason, the No. 1 overall pick to Atlanta in the Pro Volleyball Federation Draft, and Norah Sis, the overall No. 3 pick to Orlando, coming back to Omaha to play. I wonder how John Cook and Kirsten Bernthal Booth feel about having a pro draft in the middle of the season, with the NCAA tournament next week? I’m guessing the players will be focused. But what if the NFL Draft was now? And the NBA Draft was in February? All the talk this season about Nebraska Class A football being in trouble, and yet I couldn’t wait for the Westside-Millard South game on Monday night. It seems to me that there have always been two or three teams better than everyone else. When I arrived here in 1991, it was Omaha Creighton Prep and Lincoln Southeast. Then it was Prep and Millard North. And Millard West. And Omaha North. Westside. Gretna. The difference is the disparity between the top and the middle of Class A is now widening. You see more blowout games. You didn’t used to see those. The transfer issue is a factor, sure. So is OPS shutting down in 2020. And some new schools in districts where the population (and talent) in the district split into different schools. Based on conversations with several coaches, I would add specialization to the list. A lot of football programs have lost kids to playing other sports, like baseball and basketball, full-time. I still love the Friday Night lights, the marching bands, the student sections, all that. And, marquee matchups at state. There’s still a lot of good things going on. Should there be a Nebraska-Creighton basketball traveling trophy? I can’t think of one. But the teams should wear blue and red every year. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Support Independent Arts Journalism As an independent publication, we rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. If you value our coverage and want to support more of it, consider becoming a member today . Already a member? Sign in here. Support Hyperallergic’s independent arts journalism for as little as $8 per month. Become a Member Jewish-American artist and activist Nan Goldin criticized the German state and its unconditional allegiance to Israel in an incendiary speech during the opening reception for her retrospective at the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin last Friday evening, November 22. Her 14-minute address drew immense support from a crowd of pro-Palestine activists and artists onsite, whose chants drowned out the words of Museum Director Klaus Biesenbach who spoke shortly after. Goldin’s speech has sparked intense criticism from German politicians and administrators as the nation continues its crackdown on any speech critical of Israel or Zionism. Upon taking the podium at the opening of her traveling exhibition This Will Not End Well , Goldin first led a moment of silence in honor of the tens of thousands of civilians killed in Gaza and Lebanon and the 815 Israeli civilians killed on October 7. After thanking the museum for maintaining its commitment to allowing her to speak, Goldin refuted the institution’s claim that her art and activism were separate. “The last year has been Palestine and Lebanon for me. I feel the catastrophe in my body, but it’s not in this show,” Goldin said. “Why can’t I speak, Germany?” she asked rhetorically, referring to the state’s conflation of anti-Zionism and antisemitism. “This is a false equivalency used to maintain the occupation of Palestine and to suppress those who speak out. The word antisemitism has been weaponized; it’s lost its meaning,” Goldin continued. “In declaring all criticism against Israel as antisemitic, it makes it harder to define and stop violent hatred against Jews.” Get the latest art news, reviews and opinions from Hyperallergic. Daily Weekly Opportunities Highlighting how Berlin’s Palestinian community is the demographic’s largest diasporic population in Europe, Goldin stated that the German government has ignored Islamophobia, thus embracing state violence against Palestinians and suppressing “180 artists, writers, and teachers since October 7,” many of them Jewish. “What have you learned, Germany?” she asked, after underscoring the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli military’s US-backed attacks against Palestinian and Lebanese civilians. Wielding banners, flags, and signs, the keffiyeh-clad crowd shouted in response: “Nothing!” Goldin ended her speech with a call for pro-Palestine activists to unify under the cause and amplify the voices of Palestinians, inviting cheers. When Biesenbach approached the podium, his words were practically drowned out as the crowd continued to chant. “As I mentioned in my introduction earlier, I disagree with your opinion,” Biesenbach began in response to Goldin’s speech. “Still, I stand for your right to express yourself freely.” “Israel’s right to exist is beyond question for us,” Biesenbach continued, speaking on behalf of the Neue Nationalgalerie. “The attack on the Jewish state on October 7th, 2023 was a cruel act of terror that cannot be justified by anything.” Biesenbach noted that he and the museum also empathize with the civilians of Gaza and Lebanon, adding that “all people in the Middle East have the right to live without fear and with the assurance of their safety.” The director ended his speech with a rejection of the cultural boycott of Israel, citing the museum’s commitments to freedom of expression and its historical responsibility to the Jewish state, and that it will not allow “calls for or incitement to violence, the legitimization or trivialization of acts of terrorism, the injury and killing of civilians or support of terrorist organizations.” In response to Hyperallergic ‘s request for comment, a Neue Nationalgalerie spokesperson said that “slogans were shouted that do not align with the institution’s Code of Conduct.” “The Neue Nationalgalerie explicitly distances itself from the statements made by the protesters and emphasizes its commitment to freedom of expression, respectful dialogue, and mutual respect,” the representative said. While Goldin’s confrontational speech was met with approval by the pro-Palestine attendees, German Culture Minister Claudia Roth lambasted the photographer for her “unbearably one-sided political views,” saying she was “appalled” at the way people in the audience chanted slogans such as “Free Palestine” during Biesenbach’s address. Berlin’s Culture Senator Joe Chialo also condemned Goldin’s “one-sidedness” and “obliviousness to history,” and Hermann Parzinger, president of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, said that the artist’s speech “does not correspond to our understanding of freedom of expression.” Conflicts simmering at the Neue Nationalgalerie in the previous weeks reached a boiling point during Goldin’s opening reception. The museum had planned a symposium titled “Art and Activism in Times of Polarization: A Discussion Space on the Middle East Conflict” for November 24 — two days after the opening of the retrospective. The boycott advocacy group Strike Germany called attention to the event, curated by Pakistani-German political analyst Saba-Nur Cheema and Israeli-German writer Meron Mendel, in an Instagram post , claiming that the symposium would be “dominated by genocide-denying Zionists while pretending to offer multiple ‘nuanced’ positions.” Reached by Hyperallergic , Cheema and Mendel said that the symposium was meant to “create a controversial yet respectful space to discuss the role of the Israel-Palestine-conflict in the art world.” Event panelists included South African, anti-Zionist Jewish artist Candice Breitz, Forensic Architecture’s Eyal Weizman, Israeli artist Ruth Patir of the intentionally shuttered Venice Biennale pavilion , Palestinian artist Osama Zatar, and Turkish-German artist Raphael Malik, among others, with filmmaker Hito Steyerl meant to deliver the keynote speech. Steyerl, Weizman, Breitz, and Malik withdrew from the symposium after Goldin communicated that she had not approved the program and had asked for it to be canceled. In their emails to Biesenbach withdrawing from the symposium, both Steyerl and Breitz mentioned that their participation was contingent on Goldin agreeing to the event and fair treatment to the photographer respectively. “It is clear to me that the museum organized this symposium as a prophylactic to secure its position in the German discussion – in other words, to prove they do not support my politics,” Goldin said in a comment on Strike Germany’s post. We hope you enjoyed this article! Before you keep reading, please consider supporting Hyperallergic ’s journalism during a time when independent, critical reporting is increasingly scarce. Unlike many in the art world, we are not beholden to large corporations or billionaires. Our journalism is funded by readers like you , ensuring integrity and independence in our coverage. We strive to offer trustworthy perspectives on everything from art history to contemporary art. We spotlight artist-led social movements, uncover overlooked stories, and challenge established norms to make art more inclusive and accessible. With your support, we can continue to provide global coverage without the elitism often found in art journalism. If you can, please join us as a member today . Millions rely on Hyperallergic for free, reliable information. By becoming a member, you help keep our journalism free, independent, and accessible to all. Thank you for reading. Share Copied to clipboard Mail Bluesky Threads LinkedIn FacebookPanaji: Continuing with its action against the flesh trade racket, the Crime Branch of Goa Police has arrested a 32-year-old Odisha native and Candolim resident Subhas Pradhan for allegedly being involved in the prostitution activities in the state. Police said that he was working at a hotel and was acting as an agent. He has been arrested under section 67 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, section 6 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, and Sections 4 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. Police said that this is the fourth arrest in the case. “Two others were apprehended on November 10 from Madanapalle in Andhra Pradesh. The third accused was arrested from Delhi,” police said, adding that the accused were operating an escort website and running prostitution racket through an organised chain of agents. “They provided a contact number on the website, which was used by customers. Upon confirmation from customers, the accused coordinated with others in the chain to finalise transactions. Investigations revealed that the accused facilitated these services by fixing deals, with customers making payments by cash, Google Pay, or the Paytm mobile application. The accused earned commissions for their involvement,” police said, adding that the investigation is ongoing to identify more individuals involved in the case. The case is being investigated by PI Tushar Lotliker and PI Dattaram Raut.
Herbert tosses 3 TD passes and Chargers secure a playoff spot with a 40-7 rout of Patriots FOXBOROUGH, Mass. Kyle Hightower, The Associated Press Dec 28, 2024 2:50 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey celebrates after his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — As spontaneous celebrations rippled throughout the Los Angeles Chargers' locker room after their resounding 40-7 win over the New England Patriots, coach Jim Harbaugh grabbed general manager Joe Hortiz and wrapped him up in a bear hug. “Love you!” Harbaugh said. “Love you!” Hortiz responded. “Great job! Let's keep it going,” Harbaugh replied, finally loosening his grasp. The Chargers (10-6) are back in the playoffs. But the message is clear: They have their eyes on achieving much more. Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes and Los Angeles locked up its second playoff appearance in three seasons with Saturday's victory. “We had a good opportunity tonight and we went out and took it," Herbert said. “We had a good plan. All week we knew how big of a game this was for us. Guys were dialed in, focused and we executed today.” It also secured the fourth postseason appearance in Harbaugh’s five seasons as an NFL coach, adding to the three he made during his stint with the San Francisco 49ers. “You talk to them and there's more to do,” Harbaugh said. “There's no coach who could have it better than to be coaching these players. Nobody. Maybe the only person would be future us, could have it better than us.” Herbert finished 26 of 38 for 281 yards to become the third player in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his first five seasons. He joins Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson. Ladd McConkey had eight catches for 94 yards and pulled in TD throws of 6 and 40 yards. With a 10-yard reception in the second quarter, he passed 1,000 yards receiving for the season, making him the third Chargers rookie receiver to reach that milestone. JK Dobbins rushed 19 times for 76 yards and a TD. The Patriots (3-13) have lost six straight games, their second such losing streak of the season. They are now 2-14 the last two seasons at home. “We just didn’t play well enough in any phase of the game,” coach Jerod Mayo said. “No complementary football, and that’s what you get.” Asked if he thinks he is coaching for his job, Mayo said it comes with the territory. “I’m always under pressure and it’s been that way for a very long time, not just when I became the head coach of the Patriots," he said. New England quarterback Drake Maye finished 12 of 22 for 117 yards and a touchdown. He became the first rookie quarterback in franchise history with a TD pass in eight straight games. But he was sacked four times, and a second-quarter fumble marked his eighth straight game with at least one turnover. Los Angeles outgained New England 428-181 for the game. Maye briefly left the game to be evaluated for a head injury following a blow to his helmet in the first quarter. He was scrambling near the sideline on third down of the Patriots’ first possession when he was hit by Chargers cornerback Cam Hart, jarring the ball loose as Maye spun out of bounds. No flag was thrown on the play and Maye stayed down on the turf for several seconds before eventually getting up and jogging off the field. He initially sat on the bench before going to the medical tent for evaluation. He was replaced by backup Jacoby Brissett in the next series, which ended in a punt. But after further evaluation in the locker room and a Cameron Dicker 27-yard field goal put the Chargers in front 10-0, Maye returned to the game for the Patriots’ third series, at the 10:15 mark of the second quarter. Maye scrambled for 9 yards on his first play back, ending with him being hit by linebacker Junior Colson as he slid to the ground. Colson was flagged for unnecessary roughness. Five plays later, Maye mistimed a toss to Demario Douglas, causing a fumble that was recovered by Derwin James. The Chargers took over on the New England 24 and nine plays later, Herbert connected with McConkey for a 6-yard touchdown pass to put Los Angeles in front 17-0. Injuries Chargers: WR Joshua Palmer left the game in the third quarter with a heel injury. DB Elijah Molden limped off the field after a collision in the third quarter. He returned but was later driven off the field on a golf cart because of a shin injury. Patriots: In addition to Maye, CB Christian Gonzalez left the game in the second quarter to be evaluated for a head injury and was later ruled out with a concussion. Rookie record McConkey, a second-round draft selection, also set a Chargers rookie record for catches, surpassing Keenan Allen, who had 71 in 2013. Up next Chargers: Visit Las Vegas in their regular-season finale. Patriots: Host Buffalo next Sunday in their season finale. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Kyle Hightower, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Dolphins are on the outside of AFC playoffs and need help and a win over Browns to have any chance Dec 28, 2024 1:15 PM Dolphins clinging to thin playoff hopes. Hit the road to face Browns, who have lost four straight Dec 28, 2024 1:12 PM Dolphins downgrade QB Tua Tagovailoa to doubtful with hip injury ahead of Sunday's game vs Browns Dec 28, 2024 1:04 PM
New governor set to reorganize Indiana government operationsThe year girl power got a joyous updateATLANTA — On Jan. 18 and 19 the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will be held at State Farm Arena in advance of the College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 20. The star-studded lineup was announced Thursday at a news conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Performances will include Lil Wayne and GloRilla on Saturday; and Camila Cabello, Myles Smith and Knox on Sunday. On game day, the Allstate Championship Tailgate, taking place just outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Home Depot Backyard, will feature country acts on the Capital One Music Stage, including global superstar Kane Brown and iHeartCountry “On The Verge” artist Ashley Cooke. The concerts are just two of the festivities visiting fans can enjoy in the days leading up to the big game. The fan experience for both ticket holders and the general public has been a focus for event planners. All weekend long, an estimated 100,000 people from across the country are expected to attend fan events preceding kickoff. “It will be an opportunity for fans of all ages to come together to sample what college football is all about, and you don’t have to have a ticket to the game to be a part of it,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP in a press release. “We’ve worked closely with the Atlanta Football Host Committee to develop fan-friendly events that thousands will enjoy come January.” On Saturday, Jan. 18, Playoff Fan Central will open at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The free, family-friendly experience will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history. That day, fans can also attend Media Day, presented by Great Clips, which will feature one-hour sessions with student-athletes and coaches from each of the College Football Playoff national championship participating teams. ESPN and social media giants X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will be taping live broadcasts from the event. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Trophy Trot, both a 5K and 10K race, will wind its way through the streets of downtown Atlanta. Each Trophy Trot participant will receive a T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Participants can register at atlantatrackclub.org . On Sunday evening, the Georgia Aquarium will host the Taste of the Championship dining event, which offers attendees the opportunity to indulge in food and drink prepared by local Atlanta chefs. This premium experience serves as an elevated exploration of local cuisine on the eve of the national championship. Tickets to the Taste of the Championship event are available on etix.com . Atlanta is the first city ever to repeat as host for the CFP national championship. The playoff was previously held in Atlanta in 2018. “We are honored to be the first city to repeat as host for the CFP national championship and look forward to welcoming college football fans from around the country in January,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Football Host Committee. “This event gives us another opportunity to showcase our incredible city.” The College Football Playoff is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games — the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on Dec. 31, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be Jan. 9-10, 2025. The CFP national championship will be Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Hegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the SenateWWE SmackDown ratings rebound, ranks first on TV for the night
Families stunned as Nashville fertility clinic abruptly closes... with all their embryos insideWomen will for the first time make up a majority of state legislators in Colorado and New Mexico next year, but at least 13 states saw losses in female representation after the November election, according to a count released Thursday by the Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics. While women will fill a record number of state legislative seats in 2025, the overall uptick will be slight, filling just over third of legislative seats. Races in some states are still being called. "We certainly would like to see a faster rate of change and more significant increases in each election cycle to get us to a place where parity in state legislatures is less novel and more normal," said Kelly Dittmar, director of research at the CAWP, which is a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. As of Wednesday, at least 2,450 women will serve in state legislatures, representing 33.2% of the seats nationwide. The previous record was set in 2024 with 2,431 women, according to the CAWP. The number of Republican women, at least 851, will break the previous record of 815 state lawmakers set in 2024. "But still, Republican women are very underrepresented compared to Democratic women," Debbie Walsh, director of the CAWP, said. From left, House Maj. Whip Reena Szczepanski, D-Santa Fe, Rep. D. Wonda Johnson, D-Church Rock and Rep. Cristina Parajon, D-Albuquerque, talk July 18 before the start of a special session, in Santa Fe, N.M. By the most recent count, 19 states will have increased the number of women in their state legislatures, according to the CAWP. The most notable increases were in New Mexico and Colorado, where women will for the first time make up a majority of lawmakers. In New Mexico, voters sent an 11 additional women to the chambers. Colorado previously attained gender parity in 2023 and is set to tip over to a slight female majority in the upcoming year. The states follow Nevada, which was the first in the country to see a female majority in the legislature following elections in 2018. Next year, women will make up almost 62% of state lawmakers in Nevada, far exceeding parity. Women in California's Senate will make up the chamber's majority for the first time in 2025 as well. Women also made notable gains in South Dakota, increasing its number by at least nine. Four of South Carolina's Sister Senators, from left, Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, D-Walterboro, Sen. Mia McLeod, I-Columbia, Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, and Sen. Penry Gustafson, R-Camden, stand in front of the Senate on June 26 with their John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award in Columbia, S.C. At least thirteen states emerged from the election with fewer female lawmakers than before, with the most significant loss occurring in South Carolina. This year, the only three Republican women in the South Carolina Senate lost their primaries after they stopped a total abortion ban from passing. Next year, only two women, who are Democrats, will be in the 46-member Senate. No other state in the country will have fewer women in its upper chamber, according to the CAWP. Women make up 55% of the state's registered voters. Half the members in the GOP dominated state were elected in 2012 or before, so it will likely be the 2040s before any Republican woman elected in the future can rise to leadership or a committee chairmanship in the chamber, which doles out leadership positions based on seniority. A net loss of five women in the legislature means they will make up only about 13% of South Carolina's lawmakers, making the state the second lowest in the country for female representation. Only West Virginia has a smaller proportion of women in the legislature. West Virginia stands to lose one more women from its legislative ranks, furthering its representation problem in the legislature where women will make up just 11% of lawmakers. Many women, lawmakers and experts say that women's voices are needed in discussions on policy, especially at a time when state government is at its most powerful in decades. Walsh, director of the CAWP, said the new changes expected from the Trump administration will turn even more policy and regulation to the states. The experiences and perspectives women offer will be increasingly needed, she said, especially on topics related to reproductive rights, healthcare, education and childcare. "The states may have to pick up where the federal government may, in fact, be walking away," Walsh said. "And so who serves in those institutions is more important now than ever." November 7, 2024: Trump Victory Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Juan Soto contract details: Mets star gets luxury suite, personal securityNawaz asks Shehbaz to address Fazl’s concerns on madrassa bill PM assured Nawaz that JUIF leader would be taken into confidence on bill LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-N (PMLN) supremo Nawaz Sharif on Sunday directed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUIF) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s concerns on the madrasa registration bill. Both the brothers met at their Jati Umrah residence and discussed the overall political situation of the country. The PM assured Nawaz that the JUIF leader would be taken into confidence on the bill. In the meeting, PM Shehbaz Sharif presented a report on his visit to Saudi Arabia to the party head Nawaz Sharif. Sources said Nawaz Sharif congratulated his brother on ‘improvements’ in the country’s economic situation, particularly for setting a new record in the stock exchange. The PM informed Nawaz Sharif about progress in foreign investment in the context of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). They also deliberated on the political and economic landscape, including the events of November 26 and jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s potential call for civil disobedience. The prime minister also briefed Nawaz Sharif about the interest shown by Saudi Arabia and other countries in investing in Pakistan. Both leaders paid tribute to the martyrs of the Pakistan armed forces and other law-enforcement agencies. Later, PM Shehbaz Sharif met Federal Interior Minister and Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi and expressed full confidence in him regarding the ICC Champions Trophy. The interior minister briefed the PM about the progress of ICC Champions Trophy tournament. Shehbaz appreciated the principled stand of PCB chairman regarding the Champions Trophy. He said his stand was the voice of every Pakistani. He said honour of Pakistan comes first. Naqvi said the PCB was fully prepared to hold the Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan. “We want Pakistan and cricket to win and InshaAllah, good news will come out regarding the Champions Trophy.” PM Shehbaz Sharif also met members of National and Punjab Assembly separately, including Mudassar Qayyum Nahra, Azhar Qayyum Nahra, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhinder and leaders of PMLN Mian Marghoob Ahmed and Hafiz Mian Muhammad Noman. Discussions on issues of relevant constituencies and the overall political situation of the country were discussed in the meetings. Rana Sanaullah Khan, Adviser to Prime Minister on Inter-Provincial Coordination, also called on PM Shehbaz Sharif. He said he talked to the PM about the overall political situation of the country. Shehbaz Sharif also visited MNA Raza Hayat Hiraj to offer his condolences on the demise of his father.
In October, a video on social media showed the manager of Social Islami Bank's Agargaon branch breaking down in tears after enduring harsh verbal abuse from frustrated customers seeking to withdraw cash. It didn't take long to go viral. The severe cash crunch at Social Islami Bank was far from an isolated incident. Throughout October and November, protests erupted inside the branches of several banks, with angry clients blocking branch managers to recover their money. The social media footage itself was a testament to the fragile state of the banking sector — a system teetering under the weight of corruption, mismanagement and a crisis of confidence. At the heart of the turmoil were several Shariah-based banks heavily controlled by S Alam Group, a controversial business conglomerate whose governance failures and financial irregularities cast a shadow over the entire sector. For years, the true state of Bangladesh's banking system remained obscured by political interference and flawed policies during Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule. After her fall in early August, the extent of the dysfunction became painfully clear. In 2024, the banking sector faced a perfect storm of challenges: liquidity shortages in Shariah-based lenders, foreign exchange instability, soaring inflation, ill-conceived mergers and a seismic increase in non-performing loans. As part of its $4.7 billion loan programme for Bangladesh, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) made financial sector reforms a key condition. While the previous government had resisted the demands for reform, the interim administration that came after Hasina's exit moved swiftly to address systemic irregularities and implement a broad reform agenda. Towards the end of the year, a slew of steps had been taken, though the path to stability remained fraught with difficulty. A GLOOMY START The year began under a cloud of economic uncertainty. Inflation surged to 11.66 percent in July -- the highest in 13 years. The price pressure has been hovering above the 9 percent mark since March 2023. Despite the government and the central bank's efforts, including multiple policy rate hikes, inflationary pressures showed little sign of easing. To make things worse, the foreign exchange market faced unrelenting volatility for months. Over two years, the country's dollar stocks had halved and local currency Taka had depreciated by about 28 percent. These burdens further strained the banking sector, specially for Shariah-based lenders already wrestling with governance failures and liquidity shortfalls. BB's LIQUIDITY SUPPORT ALL THROUGH 2024 To protect the banking sector from a collapse, the Bangladesh Bank (BB) injected fresh funds into struggling banks throughout the year. The lack of securities tied to these liquidity supports fueled inflation and drew criticism for making things difficult in the long run. Critics argued that such measures merely postponed the reckoning, without addressing the structural flaws undermining the sector. At the end of 2023, the central bank provided Tk 22,000 crore in emergency funds to seven beleaguered banks, including five Islamic ones, to dress up their balance sheets before the year closed. Then, in January, the banking regulator provided Tk 12,000 crore to six banks against the special purpose treasury bond issued by the government to settle outstanding payments for fertiliser and power. Economists came down heavily on these fund injections, arguing that those fueled inflation by "printing money". Under the interim government, the central bank also extended Tk 22,500 crore as liquidity support to six crisis-hit banks in November. FAULTY MERGER MOVE As per the instruction of the previous government, Abdur Rouf Talukder, former governor of the central bank, took an initiative to merge five weak banks with sound ones. The move prompted massive instability in the banking sector as depositors of the weak banks rushed to withdraw cash. The decision to merge the weak and problematic Padma Bank with the EXIM Bank in March was the first merger initiative. Later, names of a few more banks came to light for merger, which eventually caused the lenders to face a liquidity crisis due to massive deposit withdrawals. However, after the political changeover, the merger decision was cancelled. THE RETURN OF MARKET-BASED INTERESTS In May this year, the BB was forced to reintroduce market-based interest rates after shelving it for four years. The reintroduction was to meet the conditions of the IMF. The central bank, in line with the government instruction in 2020, introduced a single-digit lending rate which allowed banks to charge a maximum 9 percent interest rate on lending. Economists criticised the single-digit lending rate policy as it created an opportunity for bad borrowers to take funds at a cheap rate and launder it abroad. The single-digit lending rate also contributed to high inflation. In July 2023, the central bank withdrew the 9 percent lending rate cap and introduced the Six-Months Moving Average Rate of Treasury bills (SMART) formula for setting the interest rate. In May this year, the banking regulator scrapped the SMART formula to let the market decide interest rates on commercial lending. At the same time, the BB introduced a crawling peg exchange rate system for buying and selling foreign currencies and allowed banks to buy and sell US dollars at around Tk 117. BAD LOANS REACHED RECORD HIGH At the end of September this year, non-performing loans (NPLs) in the banking sector reached Tk 2,84,977 crore. The figure included a massive Tk 73,586 crore defaulted in just three months. Between July and September, bad debts soared by 34.8 percent, according to the BB. Industry insiders said that the actual scenario of the sector came to light less than two months after the fall of Sheikh Hasina on August 5. The actual bad loans will likely cross Tk 5,00,000 crore when rescheduled and written-off loans are added, according to them. BANKING HAMSTRUNG IN MASS UPRISING Student-led nationwide movement in July and the anti-government campaign in August largely disrupted the banking services. To quell the movement, the Awami League-led government suspended internet facilities nationwide for almost a week. These internet outages crippled digital banking, internet banking and remittance earnings. After the fall of the Awami League government in early August, there were also cash withdrawal restrictions throughout the month. Besides, most of the automated teller machines (ATMs) were closed for a prolonged period due to security concerns. BANKING SECTOR UNDER THE INTERIM GOVT After the formation of the interim government, Ahsan H Mansur, a reputed economist, became the governor of the Bangladesh Bank by replacing Abdur Rouf Talukder. After assuming office, new governor Mansur restructured the boards of eleven banks, six of which were dominated by the controversial S Alam Group. The banking regulator also formed three taskforces on non-performing loan management, strengthening project and legal frameworks to continue and accelerate reforms. Meanwhile, the interim government appointed a pool of experts to prepare a report on the state of the economy. The expert team submitted their white paper on the economic state of Bangladesh to the chief adviser in December, which dedicated a chapter, titled "Deep into a Black Hole," elaborating on banking irregularities. The BB initiated forensic audits in crisis-hit banks, efforts to bring back laundered money and strengthening the capacity of the central bank with the help of the World Bank and IMF. Besides, a government taskforce was formed to investigate money laundering and other misdeeds allegedly carried out by 10 major business groups in the country: S Alam Group, Beximco Group, Summit Group, Bashundhara Group, Gemcon Group, Orion Group, Nabil Group, Nassa Group, Sikder Group and Aramit Group. While these reform measures marked a critical point to restore public confidence and strengthen regulatory oversight, the road to recovery remains long and uncertain. In October, a video on social media showed the manager of Social Islami Bank's Agargaon branch breaking down in tears after enduring harsh verbal abuse from frustrated customers seeking to withdraw cash. It didn't take long to go viral. The severe cash crunch at Social Islami Bank was far from an isolated incident. Throughout October and November, protests erupted inside the branches of several banks, with angry clients blocking branch managers to recover their money. The social media footage itself was a testament to the fragile state of the banking sector — a system teetering under the weight of corruption, mismanagement and a crisis of confidence. At the heart of the turmoil were several Shariah-based banks heavily controlled by S Alam Group, a controversial business conglomerate whose governance failures and financial irregularities cast a shadow over the entire sector. For years, the true state of Bangladesh's banking system remained obscured by political interference and flawed policies during Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule. After her fall in early August, the extent of the dysfunction became painfully clear. In 2024, the banking sector faced a perfect storm of challenges: liquidity shortages in Shariah-based lenders, foreign exchange instability, soaring inflation, ill-conceived mergers and a seismic increase in non-performing loans. As part of its $4.7 billion loan programme for Bangladesh, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) made financial sector reforms a key condition. While the previous government had resisted the demands for reform, the interim administration that came after Hasina's exit moved swiftly to address systemic irregularities and implement a broad reform agenda. Towards the end of the year, a slew of steps had been taken, though the path to stability remained fraught with difficulty. A GLOOMY START The year began under a cloud of economic uncertainty. Inflation surged to 11.66 percent in July -- the highest in 13 years. The price pressure has been hovering above the 9 percent mark since March 2023. Despite the government and the central bank's efforts, including multiple policy rate hikes, inflationary pressures showed little sign of easing. To make things worse, the foreign exchange market faced unrelenting volatility for months. Over two years, the country's dollar stocks had halved and local currency Taka had depreciated by about 28 percent. These burdens further strained the banking sector, specially for Shariah-based lenders already wrestling with governance failures and liquidity shortfalls. BB's LIQUIDITY SUPPORT ALL THROUGH 2024 To protect the banking sector from a collapse, the Bangladesh Bank (BB) injected fresh funds into struggling banks throughout the year. The lack of securities tied to these liquidity supports fueled inflation and drew criticism for making things difficult in the long run. Critics argued that such measures merely postponed the reckoning, without addressing the structural flaws undermining the sector. At the end of 2023, the central bank provided Tk 22,000 crore in emergency funds to seven beleaguered banks, including five Islamic ones, to dress up their balance sheets before the year closed. Then, in January, the banking regulator provided Tk 12,000 crore to six banks against the special purpose treasury bond issued by the government to settle outstanding payments for fertiliser and power. Economists came down heavily on these fund injections, arguing that those fueled inflation by "printing money". Under the interim government, the central bank also extended Tk 22,500 crore as liquidity support to six crisis-hit banks in November. FAULTY MERGER MOVE As per the instruction of the previous government, Abdur Rouf Talukder, former governor of the central bank, took an initiative to merge five weak banks with sound ones. The move prompted massive instability in the banking sector as depositors of the weak banks rushed to withdraw cash. The decision to merge the weak and problematic Padma Bank with the EXIM Bank in March was the first merger initiative. Later, names of a few more banks came to light for merger, which eventually caused the lenders to face a liquidity crisis due to massive deposit withdrawals. However, after the political changeover, the merger decision was cancelled. THE RETURN OF MARKET-BASED INTERESTS In May this year, the BB was forced to reintroduce market-based interest rates after shelving it for four years. The reintroduction was to meet the conditions of the IMF. The central bank, in line with the government instruction in 2020, introduced a single-digit lending rate which allowed banks to charge a maximum 9 percent interest rate on lending. Economists criticised the single-digit lending rate policy as it created an opportunity for bad borrowers to take funds at a cheap rate and launder it abroad. The single-digit lending rate also contributed to high inflation. In July 2023, the central bank withdrew the 9 percent lending rate cap and introduced the Six-Months Moving Average Rate of Treasury bills (SMART) formula for setting the interest rate. In May this year, the banking regulator scrapped the SMART formula to let the market decide interest rates on commercial lending. At the same time, the BB introduced a crawling peg exchange rate system for buying and selling foreign currencies and allowed banks to buy and sell US dollars at around Tk 117. BAD LOANS REACHED RECORD HIGH At the end of September this year, non-performing loans (NPLs) in the banking sector reached Tk 2,84,977 crore. The figure included a massive Tk 73,586 crore defaulted in just three months. Between July and September, bad debts soared by 34.8 percent, according to the BB. Industry insiders said that the actual scenario of the sector came to light less than two months after the fall of Sheikh Hasina on August 5. The actual bad loans will likely cross Tk 5,00,000 crore when rescheduled and written-off loans are added, according to them. BANKING HAMSTRUNG IN MASS UPRISING Student-led nationwide movement in July and the anti-government campaign in August largely disrupted the banking services. To quell the movement, the Awami League-led government suspended internet facilities nationwide for almost a week. These internet outages crippled digital banking, internet banking and remittance earnings. After the fall of the Awami League government in early August, there were also cash withdrawal restrictions throughout the month. Besides, most of the automated teller machines (ATMs) were closed for a prolonged period due to security concerns. BANKING SECTOR UNDER THE INTERIM GOVT After the formation of the interim government, Ahsan H Mansur, a reputed economist, became the governor of the Bangladesh Bank by replacing Abdur Rouf Talukder. After assuming office, new governor Mansur restructured the boards of eleven banks, six of which were dominated by the controversial S Alam Group. The banking regulator also formed three taskforces on non-performing loan management, strengthening project and legal frameworks to continue and accelerate reforms. Meanwhile, the interim government appointed a pool of experts to prepare a report on the state of the economy. The expert team submitted their white paper on the economic state of Bangladesh to the chief adviser in December, which dedicated a chapter, titled "Deep into a Black Hole," elaborating on banking irregularities. The BB initiated forensic audits in crisis-hit banks, efforts to bring back laundered money and strengthening the capacity of the central bank with the help of the World Bank and IMF. Besides, a government taskforce was formed to investigate money laundering and other misdeeds allegedly carried out by 10 major business groups in the country: S Alam Group, Beximco Group, Summit Group, Bashundhara Group, Gemcon Group, Orion Group, Nabil Group, Nassa Group, Sikder Group and Aramit Group. While these reform measures marked a critical point to restore public confidence and strengthen regulatory oversight, the road to recovery remains long and uncertain.