GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Defending the run has been one of the Green Bay Packers’ weaknesses over the last several years. Not so much lately, though. Green Bay limited San Francisco to 16 carries for 44 yards in a 38-10 rout of the 49ers on Nov. 24, with two-time All-Pro Christian McCaffrey gaining 31 yards on 11 attempts. Four nights later, the Packers beat Miami 30-17 by holding the Dolphins to 39 yards on 14 carries. It was the first time since 1995 — and only the second time since 1950 — that the Packers had allowed fewer than 45 yards rushing in back-to-back games within the same season. “I think we’re playing harder and harder each week,” first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said. “And that’s how you play good defense.” That defense needs to be at its best Thursday as the Packers (9-3) close a stretch of three games in 12 days by visiting the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (12-1), who have the NFL’s highest-scoring offense thanks in part to a rushing attack featuring the speedy Jahmyr Gibbs and the physical David Montgomery. “Gibbs is a great running back,” defensive lineman Kenny Clark said. “I really think the offense really starts with him, honestly. He can do everything — receive, in-and-out runner, can do stretch, duo plays. We’ve got to have all hands on deck with Gibbs. And then Montgomery, he’s a great complement to him. He can do everything, also.” The Lions were the first team since the 1975 Miami Dolphins to rush for at least 100 yards and a touchdown in each of their first 11 games. The streak ended on Thanksgiving when the Lions rushed for 194 yards but didn’t have a touchdown on the ground in a 23-20 victory over the Chicago Bears. Green Bay outrushed Detroit 138-124 in the Packers’ 24-14 loss to the Lions on Nov. 3 at Lambeau Field. Montgomery rushed for 73 yards while Gibbs ran for 65 yards and a touchdown. Gibbs has 973 yards this season, which ranks fourth in the NFL. Montgomery ran for a combined 192 yards and four touchdowns in the Lions’ two games against the Packers last season. Green Bay’s run defense has come a long way since. The Packers have allowed 106.6 yards rushing per game this season, which ranks eighth in the league. The Packers haven’t closed a season in the top 10 in run defense since 2016 and have finished outside the top 20 in four of the last six years, including 26th in 2022 and 28th in 2023. “I think Haf’s doing a good job of mixing up the fronts and some of the coverages, but really it’s ultimately about tackling, swarming, getting many hats to the football,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “And our guys have really embraced that style of play.” The Packers are yielding 4.2 yards per carry to rank seventh in the league after finishing 22nd or worst in that category each of the last three seasons. They haven’t closed a season ranked in the top 10 in yards allowed per carry since 2017. Hafley says the improvement starts up front. “The interior part of our D-line has done such a good job these last few games,” Hafley said. “They really have. They’re hard to block. They’re staying in their gaps. They’re tearing off of blocks, and it’s the same thing with those defensive ends. They’re setting edges, they’re forcing the ball back inside, they’re getting off blocks and then we’re tackling and we’re running to the ball and there’s multiple people to the ball. “And when you turn on our tape right now and when you freeze it, you see that. You see a lot of guys around the football. And then you’re not afraid, right? Like if I have an open-field tackle and I know eight other guys are coming, I’m going to take my shot because I know if I miss, it’s going to be, ‘Bang, bang, bang,’ we’ve got three or four other guys there, and we’re starting to play faster.” Green Bay's defense has the Lions’ attention. “They’ve been playing well,” Detroit coach Dan Campbell said. “I mean, they have, really, all season, and nothing has changed.” AP Sports Writer Larry Lage contributed to this report. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLGermany Jointly With Denmark Transfers 15 More Leopard Tanks to Ukraine
Only two games remain for every NFL team during the 2024 regular season. The playoff push is here , and the Week 17 schedule gives us games on five days, including the first-ever Netflix NFL broadcast on Christmas day. That's when the most impactful matchups begin, as the Kansas City Chiefs face the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Houston Texans take on the Baltimore Ravens Wednesday with AFC postseason seeding likely to be affected by the outcomes. There's also three games on Saturday, in addition to the normal Thursday, Sunday and Monday fare. Other games with significant playoff implications include the Cincinnati Bengals hosting the Denver Broncos on Saturday, the Green Bay Packers facing the Minnesota Vikings in a key NFC matchup in Sunday's marquee late afternoon game and "Sunday Night Football" between the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders . Given all that's at stake with so little time left before the playoffs, Week 17 is shaping up to be a doozy. Analysts and experts are already weighing in on what might happen, so here is an early look at picks and predictions for every game on the schedule. NFL WEEK 16 WINNERS, LOSERS: Vikings have path to NFC's No. 1 seed NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more. NFL Week 17 game predictions, picks Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Dec. 23 Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers Sporting News : Steelers 23, Chiefs 20 "This won't be an easy game for a banged-up Mahomes, especially with a struggling running game and Chris Jones hurt on the defensive side. The Steelers have won multiple big games in 2024." Arizona Republic : Steelers 24, Chiefs 20 "The Steelers have lost two in a row and can't afford a third if they want to take the AFC North title. Russell Wilson will come up big and Pittsburgh will edge Kansas City in a thriller." Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans Pro Football Network : Ravens 27, Texans 20 "If this game follows the metrics, it should be lopsided on Christmas Day. However, the Ravens have had a knack this season for making things look harder than they should. ... The Ravens are the better team offensively by a considerable distance, while the Texans have a slight advantage defensively." Arizona Republic : Ravens 30, Texans 20 "If the NFL playoffs began today, these two teams would face off in the first round in Houston. We have to think that Baltimore would be favored in that game, as it is in this one. The Texans won't be able to keep up with Lamar Jackson." Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears Covers.com : Seahawks fly "The Bears aren’t in the same class as their NFC North peers, and in particular, the Chicago defense hasn’t shown snarl in weeks. ... Seattle shows up in a must-win game and plays better on both sides of the ball to pull away." BetMGM : Take Seattle "If Seattle’s offense continues to thrive, they could expose a Bears defense that looks uninspired under interim head coach Thomas Brown. ... But the real edge in this game lies with the Seattle defense." Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots Covers.com : Take the points with the Pats "The Los Angeles Chargers on the other side of the country ... with the forecast in Foxborough calling for temperatures around freezing. New England, on the other hand, is home for the holidays after living on the road for the past two months. Saturday’s battle with the Bolts is just the fourth time the Patriots have played at Gillette Stadium since Week 6 ... New England has kept those games close." BetMGM : Chargers win and cover Justin Herbert "has excelled as a market favorite ... Just in the Eastern time zone, Herbert posted a 9-0 against the spread record in his career, including a win and cover in New England last season. Los Angeles has simultaneously excelled as market favorites in Jim Harbaugh’s debut campaign." Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals ESPN : Ride the Broncos "Now is the time to jump on the Broncos' side if you like Denver. At 9-6, the Broncos desperately need this game to stay in contention for an AFC wild-card spot. Cincinnati has an explosive offense, but its defense is one Sean Payton and Bo Nix can exploit." Covers.com : Don't be fooled by Bengals "The Bengals are a bad football team yet have been priced as favorites in four straight outings. Skewing those power ratings is a lineup of broken opponents during the Bengals’ three-game winning streak. Cincy’s high-flying offense has taken advantage of Dallas, Tennessee, and Cleveland — three teams with backup QBs at the wheel and stop units that rank in the back half of the league." Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams Covers.com : Take the points with Arizona "These two teams met back in Week 2 and the Arizona Cardinals pulled off a dominating 41-10 victory at home. ... The Cardinals have lost four of their past five games since their bye week, including two pivotal division games. The Los Angeles Rams have won four straight and eight of their last 10 since their bye week. ... The Cardinals should be able to control time of possession and get things going on the ground enough to keep this game close." BetMGM : Pick the Rams to win "The Cardinals have kept only one team under 21 points away from home this season. Coming off a game where they allowed 30 points in regulation to the Panthers ... Arizona’s defense faces an uphill climb." Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants Arizona Republic : Colts 23, Giants 10 "The Giants are in position to land the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. We don't expect that to change against the Colts." Pro Football Network : Colts 23, Giants 10 "The motivational aspect could be totally altered after Saturday’s games, as the Indianapolis Colts may not have a chance at the playoffs anymore. The numbers tell you that the Colts are the better team, with the main advantage being offensively. Indianapolis has also played the harder schedule, further exacerbating their metrics advantage." New York Jets at Buffalo Bills Doc's Sports : Lay the points with Buffalo "Fading New York has been an excellent strategy this season, as they are just 4-12 against the spread this season. ... Buffalo has the MVP frontrunner starting under center and will be hoping it can still chase down the Kansas City Chiefs for the top spot in the AFC. There is no denying this is a thick point spread, and it has to be stated that the Bills last three games have been decided by 6 or fewer points. However, a game against the Jets will give the Bills a chance to run up the score in their final home game of the regular season." Sporting News : Bills 26, Jets 17 "Throughout his otherwise illustrious career, Aaron Rodgers has gone 0-2 with three total interceptions at Highmark Stadium. Buffalo at this time of year is not for the faint of heart, and outscoring Josh Allen at the pinnacle of the MVP favorite's career seems like a tall task." Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars Pro Football Network : Jaguars 17, Titans 16 "Both teams are starting backup quarterbacks for this one, making it messier than ever. ... The last game between these two was an offensive disaster." Arizona Republic : Jaguars 13, Titans 9 "These teams are a combined 6-24 on the season. The Jaguars beat the Titans in an ugly 10-6 game earlier this season. Expect a similar result this week." Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints Arizona Republic : Raiders 21, Saints 15 "The Raiders ended a 10-game losing streak with their win over the Jaguars in Week 16. Can they actually start a winning streak in Week 17 against a Saints team coming off a short week? Yes, they can." Pro Football Network : Saints 23, Raiders 20 "Neither side has been convincing, and the motivation of both teams, with their playoff hopes gone, is hard to judge. The New Orleans Saints are better in all three phases but have played a considerably easier schedule." Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Arizona Republic : Buccaneers 30, Panthers 24 "The Panthers came close to upsetting several contenders before beating the Cardinals last week. We're not picking them to upset the Buccaneers, but Bryce Young and company should make it interesting." Pro Football Network : Buccaneers 30, Panthers 27 "The Buccaneers are by far the superior team, but the Carolina Panthers have played much better in the last 4-6 weeks." Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles Arizona Republic : Eagles 27, Cowboys 21 "Jalen Hurts' status looms large in this game. With him, we think the Eagles can bounce back against a suddenly surging Cowboys team." Pro Football Network : Eagles 27, Cowboys 17 (with Hurts) "This game is massively complicated by the fact that Jalen Hurts is in the concussion protocol. ... The Eagles are the superior team offensively and defensively, but they have played a much easier schedule. Still, Philadelphia is significantly better defensively, and it’s hard to see Dallas being able to go toe-to-toe with Hurts and Saquon Barkley over four quarters." Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns Arizona Republic : Dolphins 24, Browns 16 "The Browns just don't have the offensive firepower to keep up with the Dolphins if Jameis Winston is not their quarterback. The Dolphins will pick up a big win on the road." Doc's Sports : Dolphins win big "Dorian Thompson-Robinson proved to not be an upgrade over Jameis Winston in Cleveland, and the Browns scored just 6 points against one of the worst defenses in the league last week. The Dolphins defense is not an elite unit, but they are still a middle of the pack defense taking on a rock-bottom offense. ... As long as the Dolphins don’t get caught by a cold front, this screams a double digit win for Miami." Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings Covers.com : Packers are the pick "The Packers present the first true test for the Vikings since October and are also fighting for the No. 6 spot in the NFC pecking order. Green Bay lost a 31-29 thriller to the Vikes at Lambeau Field back in Week 4, keeping it close despite four turnovers." Sporting News : Packers 27, Vikings 24 Jordan Love "is locked in, which means his litany of receivers are getting hot, too. Josh Jacobs might be the hottest running back nobody's talking about. If the Green Bay defense can do what it did to Miami, San Francisco, and Seattle over the past month, we could be in for a little upset in Minneapolis." Atlanta Falcons at Washington Commanders Doc's Sports : Commanders win "The Commanders are an unstoppable offense, and Michael Penix Jr. cannot be trusted to deliver when his team needs him most. These may be two rookie quarterbacks, but the experience of Jayden Daniels gathered this season will give him a playoff-clinching win and cover." BetMGM : Commanders run past Falcons This season, Washington’s results are generally driven by their ability to run the ball. The Commanders are 10-2 when they rush for 100 or more yards. ... That creates a sell-high spot on Atlanta, which has held three of its last four opponents under 100 rushing yards." Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers Arizona Republic : Lions 30, 49ers 21 "Every NFL team has injuries, but both of these teams seem to have more than their fair share. The Lions have been able to deal with them better, however, and we don't expect that to change this week." Pro Football Network : Lions 27, 49ers 17 "In theory, this should be a walkover for a Lions team that could have a chance to clinch the division and No. 1 seed with a win. The metrics are firmly in favor of Detroit, with an advantage in all three phases of the game." We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.By WILL WEISSERT, JUAN ZAMORANO and GARY FIELDS PANAMA CITY (AP) — Teddy Roosevelt once declared the Panama Canal “one of the feats to which the people of this republic will look back with the highest pride.” More than a century later, Donald Trump is threatening to take back the waterway for the same republic. Related Articles National Politics | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak National Politics | Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use National Politics | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump National Politics | Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal National Politics | House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of ‘regularly’ paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl The president-elect is decrying increased fees Panama has imposed to use the waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He says if things don’t change after he takes office next month, “We will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America, in full, quickly and without question.” Trump has long threatened allies with punitive action in hopes of winning concessions. But experts in both countries are clear: Unless he goes to war with Panama, Trump can’t reassert control over a canal the U.S. agreed to cede in the 1970s. Here’s a look at how we got here: What is the canal? It is a man-made waterway that uses a series of locks and reservoirs over 51 miles (82 kilometers) to cut through the middle of Panama and connect the Atlantic and Pacific. It spares ships having to go an additional roughly 7,000 miles (more than 11,000 kilometers) to sail around Cape Horn at South America’s southern tip. The U.S. International Trade Administration says the canal saves American business interests “considerable time and fuel costs” and enables faster delivery of goods, which is “particularly significant for time sensitive cargoes, perishable goods, and industries with just-in-time supply chains.” Who built it? An effort to establish a canal through Panama led by Ferdinand de Lesseps, who built Egypt’s Suez Canal, began in 1880 but progressed little over nine years before going bankrupt. Malaria, yellow fever and other tropical diseases devastated a workforce already struggling with especially dangerous terrain and harsh working conditions in the jungle, eventually costing more than 20,000 lives, by some estimates. Panama was then a province of Colombia, which refused to ratify a subsequent 1901 treaty licensing U.S. interests to build the canal. Roosevelt responded by dispatching U.S. warships to Panama’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The U.S. also prewrote a constitution that would be ready after Panamanian independence, giving American forces “the right to intervene in any part of Panama, to re-establish public peace and constitutional order.” In part because Colombian troops were unable to traverse harsh jungles, Panama declared an effectively bloodless independence within hours in November 1903. It soon signed a treaty allowing a U.S.-led team to begin construction . Some 5,600 workers died later during the U.S.-led construction project, according to one study. Why doesn’t the US control the canal anymore? The waterway opened in 1914, but almost immediately some Panamanians began questioning the validity of U.S. control, leading to what became known in the country as the “generational struggle” to take it over. The U.S. abrogated its right to intervene in Panama in the 1930s. By the 1970s, with its administrative costs sharply increasing, Washington spent years negotiating with Panama to cede control of the waterway. The Carter administration worked with the government of Omar Torrijos. The two sides eventually decided that their best chance for ratification was to submit two treaties to the U.S. Senate, the “Permanent Neutrality Treaty” and the “Panama Canal Treaty.” The first, which continues in perpetuity, gives the U.S. the right to act to ensure the canal remains open and secure. The second stated that the U.S. would turn over the canal to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999, and was terminated then. Both were signed in 1977 and ratified the following year. The agreements held even after 1989, when President George H.W. Bush invaded Panama to remove Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega. In the late 1970s, as the handover treaties were being discussed and ratified, polls found that about half of Americans opposed the decision to cede canal control to Panama. However, by the time ownership actually changed in 1999, public opinion had shifted, with about half of Americans in favor. What’s happened since then? Administration of the canal has been more efficient under Panama than during the U.S. era, with traffic increasing 17% between fiscal years 1999 and 2004 . Panama’s voters approved a 2006 referendum authorizing a major expansion of the canal to accommodate larger modern cargo ships. The expansion took until 2016 and cost more than $5.2 billion. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said in a video Sunday that “every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to.” He added that, while his country’s people are divided on some key issues, “when it comes to our canal, and our sovereignty, we will all unite under our Panamanian flag.” Shipping prices have increased because of droughts last year affecting the canal locks, forcing Panama to drastically cut shipping traffic through the canal and raise rates to use it. Though the rains have mostly returned, Panama says future fee increases might be necessary as it undertakes improvements to accommodate modern shipping needs. Mulino said fees to use the canal are “not set on a whim.” Jorge Luis Quijano, who served as the waterway’s administrator from 2014 to 2019, said all canal users are subject to the same fees, though they vary by ship size and other factors. “I can accept that the canal’s customers may complain about any price increase,” Quijano said. “But that does not give them reason to consider taking it back.” Why has Trump raised this? The president-elect says the U.S. is getting “ripped off” and “I’m not going to stand for it.” “It was given to Panama and to the people of Panama, but it has provisions — you’ve got to treat us fairly. And they haven’t treated us fairly,” Trump said of the 1977 treaty that he said “foolishly” gave the canal away. The neutrality treaty does give the U.S. the right to act if the canal’s operation is threatened due to military conflict — but not to reassert control. “There’s no clause of any kind in the neutrality agreement that allows for the taking back of the canal,” Quijano said. “Legally, there’s no way, under normal circumstances, to recover territory that was used previously.” Trump, meanwhile, hasn’t said how he might make good on his threat. “There’s very little wiggle room, absent a second U.S. invasion of Panama, to retake control of the Panama Canal in practical terms,” said Benjamin Gedan, director of the Latin America Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington. Gedan said Trump’s stance is especially baffling given that Mulino is a pro-business conservative who has “made lots of other overtures to show that he would prefer a special relationship with the United States.” He also noted that Panama in recent years has moved closer to China, meaning the U.S. has strategic reasons to keep its relationship with the Central American nation friendly. Panama is also a U.S. partner on stopping illegal immigration from South America — perhaps Trump’s biggest policy priority. “If you’re going to pick a fight with Panama on an issue,” Gedan said, “you could not find a worse one than the canal.” Weissert reported from West Palm Beach, Florida, and Fields from Washington. Amelia Thomson-Deveaux contributed to this report from Washington.
Julianne Brunet says public libraries are always working to reinvent themselves. Welland Public Library , which started as a mechanic’s institute in 1824 in a schoolhouse that no longer exists, is no different, Brunet, its chief executive officer, said ahead of its 200th anniversary celebration Wednesday. “What I have seen since I have been here is what has defined the library for the last 200 years. It’s a real community spirit. We’re community-led and we want to make sure we are responsive to the needs of residents. I think that has gotten us to where we are and will get us to where we want to go.” Brunet started at the library as manager of public services and became CEO in 2019, overseeing the main library at Welland Civic Square and branches at Seaway Mall and Diamond Trail on Southworth Street. “We need to make sure that we remain relevant. To do that, we have to listen to the people we serve. What was relevant 200 years ago may be relevant in some form today, but we must continue to grow and evolve and ensure we continue to meet those needs,” she said. As of last year, Welland’s three branches have more than 106,000 books in circulation, 3,433 special collection items in print and 3,918 digital items. That’s not counting CDs/DVDs, ebooks and e-audiobooks, print magazines, newspapers and electronic titles. Brunet said many people think literacy is just about reading and writing, but it’s more than that. “Literacy is more about showing people what they can do and how they can do it. The library will always serve a need in that realm.” Literacy also includes music, with the library lending instruments for people to play and practise. It teaches digital literacy, lending tech and offering people use of the internet who might not otherwise have access to it so they can participate in civic life. Board chair Lindsay Bryan said the library’s function is literacy of all kinds, not just serving the reading public. “Being among other people is a function of a modern library as well,” she said, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic with people still feeling a sense of loneliness and social alienation. Brunet said Welland Public Library serves as a community hub. “We are a place where people can connect with different ideas, different trains of thought. It’s an area of open ideas and a place for debate. We have been a pillar in the community for the last 200 years.” Welland Public Library’s main branch is at 50 The Boardwalk. The library celebrates its 200th anniversary Wednesday. And it’s being used more than ever. “We are on track to exceed our pre-pandemic numbers this year.” Online visits to the library catalogue and website are up 153 per cent compared to 2019; Wi-Fi and use of public access terminals are up 91 per cent; electronic circulation is up 926 per cent and program attendances up 172 per cent. While in-person visits are down 2.82 per cent to date, the library expects that number will increase by the end of the year. In 2019, there were 146,407 visits across the three branches. So far this year, there have been 142,277 visits. “We are getting busier and busier across all demographics, ages and all walks of life.” College and university students and seniors flock to the Seaway Mall branch, while students, parents and families use the branch inside Diamond Trail Public School. “We have three study rooms that people can use on a first come first serve basis and two larger rooms we rent out.” With Welland growing, its population is expected to reach 80,000 by 2041, Brunet and Bryan were recently before city council to ask for $120,000 in municipal funding for a nearly $400,000 bookmobile for 2026. The library will fund $278,000 from reserves and development charge revenue for the vehicle, while the city’s funding would pay for a full-time co-ordinator and part-time programmer to operate it. The vehicle would bring books, audiovisual materials, instruments, programming and services to places such as parks, schools, retirement residences and community events. “There are underserved areas of Welland, and as the city develops we’re going to learn more about where those areas are. We’ll see where the needs are within the community,” Brunet said. Original location was in a choolhouse near Brown’s Bridge - 1824 A room over McCaw’s Shoe Store on East Main Street - 1896 Town Hall, King Street - 1901 Carnegie Building, King Street - 1923 Northwest Branch on South Pelham Road -1972 Main Branch - 2005, Diamond Trail Branch - 2013 Seaway Mall Branch - 2017 A bookmobile would allow the library to reach vulnerable sectors and individuals who may not have the means to get to any library branches. With the library running lean — it has had 35 employees over the three branches for several years — Brunet said the two new hires would be needed to operate the vehicle and programming. Brunet said Wednesday’s 200th anniversary celebrations start at 2 p.m. and go until 7 p.m. There will be food, toys and games for children, and speeches from all levels of government starting at 3 p.m. She said library staff having been planning the event for the past two years and through research determined the first local library opened on Nov. 27, 1824. “We’ve survived two world wars, two global pandemics, several iterations of the Welland Canal, the rise of the internet and we’re still here. “We have been relevant in every single decade we have operated and I have no doubt that will continue,” said Brunet.Aaron Rodgers is feeling healthy and will be the New York Jets’ starting quarterback as long as that remains the case. Whether he’s in the huddle beyond this season is still to be decided — by the Jets and Rodgers. “Football life is interesting because there’s no guarantees,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “Even with injuries, obviously, with contract situations, with age, with coaching changes, new scheme possibly, new system. There’s a lot of unknowns, so that stuff is out of my control. “I’m just going to enjoy these times here and let the future take care of itself.” Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Rodgers returned from the team’s bye-week break appearing physically refreshed and ready to go. The quarterback was not on the Jets’ injury report Wednesday for the first time since Week 4. “Definitely, as long as he’s healthy, my plan is to play him,” Ulbrich said. “And I know talking to him, that’s the way he wants to do it, too.” Rodgers, who turns 41 on Monday, has dealt with various injuries to his left leg, including a sore knee, sprained ankle and balky hamstring. And that’s after coming off a torn Achilles tendon in the same leg that limited him to just four snaps last season. “He’s doing better today than he has for quite a while now,” Ulbrich said. “After my conversations with him the last five or six weeks, he has felt healthier today than he’s felt in that time span.” That echoes what Rodgers said during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, when he said he “feels good.” Rodgers said he’s still contemplating whether he wants to play football next season, but would prefer it be with the Jets if he does return. He reiterated that Wednesday after practice and explained why his tone has changed a bit from a few weeks ago when he said “I think so, yeah,” when he was asked if he planned to play next year. “If you look at what transpired in those two weeks, Joe (Douglas) got axed,” Rodgers said, referring to the Jets’ former general manager who was fired last week. “Joe brought me in here. There’s uncertainty with, you know, everybody on the staff, so I’m not naive to what the situation is. And if a new GM comes in and they don’t retain Brick, I have to fit in those plans, so that’s kind of the first part. “Like I said, on ”The Pat McAfee Show,” this is my first option. I’d love to play here if I end up deciding to play. But there’s got to be a want for them to want to bring me back, and for me to want to play. But ‘I think so’ was the truth, and ‘I’m not 100% sure’ is also the truth today.” Rodgers, who is having a subpar season statistically, has been noticeably affected by his leg ailments — and that’s something that could be much improved starting Sunday against Seattle. “I’m super excited about getting him going, whether it’s the keepers, the boots, a little bit more quarterback movement,” Ulbrich said. “Taking advantage of the stuff that he’s done at a Hall of Fame level his entire career. So, excited to see a healthier version of Aaron out there.” There was some speculation that the Jets, who are 3-8 and close to falling mathematically out of the playoff hunt, could opt to sit Rodgers in favor of Tyrod Taylor with his playing future uncertain. “He is a very prideful person,” Ulbrich said. “He wants to finish this thing off right. He wants to celebrate this team that we have and have a good taste in our mouths as we leave this season.” Rodgers has been very complimentary of Ulbrich as a leader, saying he’s “definitely all-in” on the interim coach and would like to see him get the full-time job for next season. “Again, that’s out of my control,” Rodgers said. “I mean, I’m not going to say Brick or nothing. I need to see how I’m feeling. Obviously, I would love to play for Brick again. He’s a fantastic human being, but there’s a lot of things that can change in the next six weeks. “There could be some really good feelings coming out of this or there could be wholesale changes — and I might be a part of that.” Those changes could include two coaches Rodgers is closest with in offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and passing game coordinator Todd Downing. “Them not being here would not be a deal breaker for me,” Rodgers said, “although I obviously love them.” Owner Woody Johnson is using The 33rd Team, with former GMs Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman leading the project, to identify and analyze candidates for the Jets’ coach and GM searches. Rodgers is unsure if Johnson will seek his input on those decisions. “I’m always available if my opinion is wanted, but I’m going to focus on playing right now,” Rodgers said. “If I get drawn in those conversations, fantastic. If I don’t, that’s fantastic, too.”
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Qatar tribune QNA Doha The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) launched the new and improved version of the SAK application on Monday. In a statement, the ministry said that the new version includes e-services for the real estate registration and documentation section, including the newly launched digital transformation services and transactions, which enable citizens and residents to complete their transactions electronically without the need to visit the ministry. The latest version provides easy services and smooth procedures for all beneficiaries and those dealing with the Ministry of Justice within and outside of Qatar. The new version also contributes to enhancing the user experience and improving the digital experience provided to various segments of society. It also includes providing all services, regulations, laws, and applications, including the Absher service application, the real estate appraiser application, and the real estate bulletin, with the same new interface as the SAK application, which will save reviewers the hassle of searching in different applications, and searching in one application with ease and simplicity. The application also includes displaying detailed property data by simply scanning the QR Code available on the title deed. The application displays the property location on the GIS mapping system by simply scanning the QR Code on the title deed and clicking on the survey number. The upgraded version of SAK allows, for the first time, the completion of a number of transactions electronically and obtaining the legal document or paper copy of the transaction after the completion of the procedures via Qatar Post. These automated services include issuing a replacement title deed, correcting the owner’s name, and correcting the property type. These transactions are received via Qatar Post without the need to visit the ministry or its service offices, while the new application allows the user to apply for a property disclosure transaction and receive it via email. As part of its digital transformation plan, the Ministry of Justice seeks to employ new technologies and benefit from the country’s advanced infrastructure in the field of communications and information technology to provide pioneering and advanced services that advance the legal sector in the country, keep pace with the goals of the Third National Development Strategy, and achieve sustainable development. Copy 24/12/2024 10PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- It's more than just a football game. Eagles vs. Dallas is about pride, bragging rights, and a bitter rivalry. Sunday is about proving Philadelphia's strength to the rest of the league. Especially when your last name is "Byrd!" READ MORE: Eagles' Jalen Hurts listed as out for Sunday's game against Cowboys "If we can get Jalen Hurts back, it'll will be a rout," said Eugene Byrd from Cinnaminson before the QB was ruled out on Friday. "We have a lot to come back and prove this weekend after falling short last weekend in the division, but I think we will clinch the division this weekend." Kenny Pickett will get the start vs. the Cowboys as Hurts remains in concussion protocol. Still, fans are expecting to come out on top. "Big win, of course, lock in the playoffs," said Josh Shincarick from Edgewood, MD. Outside of Lincoln Financial Field, we did manage to find a Dallas fan. "We're from down south, down in Corpus Christi, Texas, and I'll always be a Cowboys fan," said Nathan Reyes. The players are focused on execution, but fans know their energy will play a role, too. They will be out in full force on Sunday!FSK Completes Public Offering of $100 million 6.125% Unsecured Notes Due 2030
Maga’s uncivil war: Musk and Ramaswamy under fire in ‘culture war’The opinions expressed below are Jon Keller's, not those of WBZ, CBS News or Paramount Global. BOSTON - Oxford University Press has officially dubbed "brain rot" its 2024 word of the year. It's described as that feeling you get after spending hours scrolling through social media. You could say this news has been 170 years in the making. That's how long it's been since Henry David Thoreau sat by Walden Pond and reflected on the spread of brain rot. And now an unholy union of clever tech and cultural dreck have turned that illness into a global plague. Brain rot and social media Experts define brain rot as mental lethargy and cognitive decline caused by too much doomscrolling, zombie scrolling, video gaming and other forms of social media addiction. "In many ways we have abdicated our responsibility as parents because we feel we aren't competent in the digital space," said Dr. Michael Rich of the Digital Wellness Lab at Children's Hospital, author of "The Mediatrician's Guide: A Joyful Approach to Raising Healthy, Smart, Kind Kids in a Screen-Saturated World." He says the issue isn't so much the lure of the web and its seductive algorithms, but kids being left alone, unchallenged, and easily seducible. "First of all, a parent should model the kind of behavior they want to see in their kids," said Rich. "We have to be the change we want to see in our kids. The smartphone, the laptop is a power tool that can do incredible things, we can be all around the world with all kinds of people, and yet we often choose the path of least resistance which is well-paved for us by very sophisticated psychological design in these online programs." Fighting brain rot in kids But for parents willing to fight brain rot, here's the good news. "Kids actually do want our attention, that's one of the most frequent answers I get from kids when I ask them what could your parents do better - pay more attention to me," said Rich. The deck might seem stacked when it comes to the rotting of our kids' brains by social media - unsavvy mom and dad vs. billion-dollar corporations peddling garbage dressed up with slick graphics and addictive technology. But you parents have a secret weapon - you're right there, while Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are not. And as Dr. Rich puts it: "the kids are going to be alright, if we are there with them." Jon Keller is the political analyst for WBZ-TV News. His "Keller @ Large" reports on a wide range of topics are regularly featured during WBZ News at 5 and 6 p.m.Franklin Institute celebrating 200 years with brand new experiencesPHILADELPHIA and NEW YORK , Dec. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FS KKR Capital Corp. (NYSE: FSK) today announced that it has completed its previously announced offering of an additional $100 million in aggregate principal amount of its 6.125% notes due 2030 (the "Notes"). The Notes will be a further issuance of, and form a single series with, the $600 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% Notes due 2030 that FSK issued on November 20, 2024 , increasing the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the series to $700 million . BofA Securities, Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, KKR Capital Markets LLC, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., and Truist Securities, Inc. are acting as joint book-running managers for this offering. FSK intends to use the net proceeds of this offering for general corporate purposes, including potentially repaying outstanding indebtedness under credit facilities and certain notes. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Notes, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About FS KKR Capital Corp. FSK is a leading publicly traded business development company (BDC) focused on providing customized credit solutions to private middle market U.S. companies. FSK seeks to invest primarily in the senior secured debt and, to a lesser extent, the subordinated debt of private middle market companies. FSK is advised by FS/KKR Advisor, LLC. About FS/KKR Advisor, LLC FS/KKR Advisor, LLC (FS/KKR) is a partnership between FS Investments and KKR Credit that serves as the investment adviser to FSK and other business development companies. FS Investments is a global alternative asset manager dedicated to delivering superior performance and innovative investment and capital solutions. The firm manages over $83 billion in assets for a wide range of clients, including institutional investors, financial professionals and individual investors. FS Investments provides access to a broad suite of alternative asset classes and strategies through its best-in-class investment teams and partners. With its diversified platform and flexible capital solutions, the firm is a valued partner to general partners, asset owners and portfolio companies. FS Investments is grounded in its high-performance culture and guided by its commitment to building value for its clients, investing in its colleagues and giving back to its communities. The firm has more than 500 employees across offices in the U.S., Europe and Asia and is headquartered in Philadelphia . KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR's insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR's investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. Forward-Looking Statements and Important Disclosure Notice This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements, including statements with regard to future events or future performance or operations of FSK. Words such as "believes," "expects," "projects," and "future" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. Certain factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include changes in the economy, risks associated with possible disruption in FSK's operations or the economy generally due to terrorism, geo-political risks, natural disasters or pandemics such as COVID-19, future changes in laws or regulations and conditions in FSK's operating area and the price at which shares of FSK's common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange. Some of these factors are enumerated in the filings FSK makes with the SEC. FSK undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contact Information: Investor Relations Contact Anna Kleinhenn Anna.Kleinhenn@fsinvestments.com FS Investments Media Team Melanie Hemmert Melanie.Hemmert@fsinvestments.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fsk-completes-public-offering-of-100-million-6-125-unsecured-notes-due-2030--302339667.html SOURCE FS Investments
Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda’s U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. On Monday: The S&P 500 rose 43.22 points, or 0.7%, to 5,974.07. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 66.69 points, or 0.2%, to 42,906.95. The Nasdaq composite rose 192.29 points, or 1%, to 19,764.89. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 4.93 points, or 0.2%, to 2,237.44. For the year: The S&P 500 is up 1,204.24 points, or 25.2%. The Dow is up 5,217.41 points, or 13.8%. The Nasdaq is up 4,753.53 points, or 31.7%. The Russell 2000 is up 210.36 points, or 10.4%.
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