8k8 update
When he was India’s best opening batsman, Sunil Gavaskar was a patient and careful player. He never played a single shot that was unwarranted. But now he seems to have made a very hasty judgement in the case of Mohammed Siraj. He recently urged the Indian team’s think tank to axe Siraj because the fast bowler failed to take wickets in the Australian innings. Gavaskar seems to have forgotten that Siraj took a total of five wickets in the first Test, had a creditable haul of four wickets in the second Test including the prize scalp of Travis Head. So far, in Australia’s second innings in the fourth match, Siraj has taken 3 wickets. With 16 wickets to his name so far, Siraj is number three in the list of wicket takers behind Bumrah and Pat Cummins. There is nothing in his performance that warrants removal from the team. Just because Siraj did not get any wickets in Australia’s first innings Gavaskar wants him to be sacked. It is surprising that the legendary batter from Mumbai has chosen to ignore his Mumbai teammate Rohit Sharma’s repeated failures with the bat and is pointing out one single non-performance of Mohammed Siraj. Clearly the demand by Gavaskar seems unjustified. Nobody can succeed in every innings. Siraj is a bowler who has proved his worth time and again. His track record in Australia has been worthy of emulation. He is a rhythm bowler and once he finds his normal touch he will be very effective. The fast and bouncy tracks suit Siraj’s style and approach perfectly. This time too he is very likely to perform well. Any chop-and-change policy at this point can only make matters worse for India. Siraj and Bumrah are the twin howitzers that can pulverize the Aussies. The need is to persist with an attack that has proven itself in the past instead of ringing changes every now and then. That approach will only unsettle the confidence and firepower of our fast bowlers. On top of that, Ashwin has pulled out prematurely. His absence will put more loads on the fast bowlers and any inexperienced pacer will be completely demolished. It is vital to have two experienced hands to do the job and Siraj with Bumrah is the ideal combination. But what is of vital importance is the fact that Siraj has a fearless approach and refuses to be cowed down by the reputation of the Australian batsmen. He is the man who can pull India back when the chips are down. It’s time for Gavaskar to take a close look at the real weaknesses in the team. The failures are happening frequently in the batting order. Experienced batters like Rohit have not been able to lay the foundation for a big total. Unless Gavaskar addresses this vital issue, his words will have a hollow ring. Among the Indian bowlers, Siraj is noted for his stamina. His ability to maintain his speed, bounce and movement over a long period is what makes Siraj such a dangerous bowler. There is no time for the batsmen to relax. Siraj is best suited for Australian conditions. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of the Aussie batters and he is experienced in playing on Australian pitches. On earlier occasions, he has succeeded. He will likely succeed again. But sacking him for one off colour match will result in a disaster for the team. It will also send wrong signals to the rest of the players Sudden sacking and unplanned promotions do nothing but ruin the team’s morale. Even if Harshit Rana is brought into the team now as Gavaskar has suggested, it will put pressure on the bowler himself. Rana will be aware that he too could be removed for just one imperfect game. On the other hand, Siraj is likely to come back into form soon. Removing him at this stage of the tour will be unproductive for the player concerned as well as for Indian cricket. This is the time for our ex-players to play a constructive role and advise players and selectors to be cautious instead of advocating sudden and drastic changes.
Elias Cato scores 23 as Central Arkansas tops UNC Asheville 92-83 in double OT
DUBLIN — David Misch has waited more than six years for a chance to tell his side of the story, and before a jury on Tuesday afternoon, he finally did it. Misch, 63, needed to explain just how his DNA came to be under the , whose nude body was found a few feet from that of her best friend, 18-year-old Michelle Xavier, in a remote section of the hills above Fremont back on Feb. 2, 1986. Misch also needed to convince the jury that an assortment of handwritten letters and numbers found on Xavier’s hand was not a partial license plate from a Honda motorcycle he rode at the time, as prosecutors contend. Speaking out loud for the first time during his six-week double murder trial on Tuesday morning, Misch launched into his version of events. He painted a picture of his life in the 1980s as an ex-convict who was living out of a Hayward motel, sold cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and “a little acid” to whoever would buy it and hung around prostitutes, addicts and who he referred to as “boosters” — people willing to pay Misch to take them shoplifting around the East Bay. “You had everybody from the local bars, to yuppies, to the average person who just wants to have some dope for work,” Misch said, when asked to describe his drug clientele in the 1980s. He later added that he even had a few “housewives” who would buy methamphetamine for “weight loss.” His explanation for Duey’s DNA under his fingernails was simple enough. Misch claims the two shared a cigarette while he was selling her and Xavier and a bag of cocaine — known as an “eight-ball” — just hours before the two were kidnapped, forced up Mill Creek Road and . If true, all this was just horrible luck for Misch, who by that point in his life had , a burglary that appeared to have a lewd motive and a random attack on a woman who angered Misch by picking flowers and appearing too arrogant for his liking, according to court records. Misch testified that he had a system going with local “boosters” who would pay him $100, fill the tank up in his “bright red” Volkswagen Beetle and cut him in on the profits to drive them around and shoplift. These professional shoplifters included a woman known as “Snaggletooth,” a handful of random drug customers and a woman named either, “Gertrude, Gretchen, or Giselle,” who went with him on one particular day of note. It was the day he met Duey, Misch claimed, who worked at a local mall at the time. Misch testified that his companion paid off another employee as part of the shoplifting scheme and that Duey went up and asked Misch for cocaine. He gave her his pager number and sold her drugs “10-12” more times after that, including on that fateful day in February 1986, he said. On that final meeting, Misch said that Duey and Xavier asked him for a much larger amount of cocaine than he was used to selling them. Suspicious, he said he agreed to meet up at a local gas station but questioned them before retrieving his bindle and handing it over for a price of $250. He says that while counting the cash, he and Duey shared a cigarette, passing it back and forth until he told them goodnight and left. “I walked off with her cigarette,” Misch said in a California Okie accent, wearing a sheepish grin on his face. When asked if he took them to Mill Creek Road, Misch denied it categorically. “I never even heard of Mill Creek Road until this case,” Misch said, adding that Fremont simply, “wasn’t one of my haunts.” “Fremont police were known as the gestapo,” he said of the department that eventually linked him to Xavier and Duey’s deaths. As for the motorcycle, Misch claimed that he was no longer driving it in early 1986, because he’d wrecked it in a crash months earlier. His lawyer, Ernie Castillo, had police paperwork proving that Misch was in fact involved in a motorcycle crash in 1985, but it was left up to Misch’s word that he never had the bike fixed or drove it again after that day. The story Misch told was wildly different than what he told cold case detectives in 2017. Back then, when confronted with DNA evidence, he said that he was at a gas station when he witnessed Duey being kidnapped, then leapt into action, engaging in a tug-of-war with her abductors before they pulled her away and left into the night. Castillo now says that story was simply an example of Misch playing games with the police, who noted in their report that Misch took long pauses during the interview before speaking. If Misch convinces a jury to acquit him, his legal troubles are far from over. He is also accused of murdering 9-year-old Michaela Garecht after allegedly kidnapping the young girl by moving her scooter next to his car while she bought candy at a Hayward store. He then grabbed her when she went to retrieve it, authorities say. Xavier and Duey were best friends who were planning to watch a film and share a pizza on the night they were killed. Prosecutors have contended that they had the misfortune of bumping into Misch that night, and that he used a gun and a knife to force them to the secluded area to rape them, then killed them when they began fighting back. By the time Misch was charged in the cold case double homicide in 2018, he was already serving 40 years to life for murdering a woman named Margaret Ball in Oakland in 1989, an attack that also appears to have had a sexual motive.In the world of football, there are few things more infectious and exhilarating than witnessing a team firing on all cylinders, playing with flair, excitement, and tenacity. In the current Premier League season, one team stands out among the rest as the epitome of attacking brilliance and passion: Chelsea Football Club. The Blues have been setting the league alight with their scintillating performances, dominating opponents with their offensive firepower and showcasing a brand of football that has captured the hearts of fans around the world.
Title: The Shrinking of Tencent Video Membership: From 5 to 3, 2 to 1Title: The Dramatic Transformation of Southeast Asian Overseas Warehousing
The quadriceps muscle is a crucial muscle group that plays a key role in a player's ability to sprint, jump, and change direction quickly on the basketball court. A tear in this muscle can significantly impair an athlete's performance and may lead to further complications if not properly treated.SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Even when Penn State quarterback Drew Allar gets some praise, it's usually a backhanded compliment. They say he's a good game manager and stays within himself, or that he doesn't try to do too much. They mention he might not be flashy, but he gives the team a chance to win. And here's the thing about Penn State since Allar stepped under center: The Nittany Lions have won games. A lot of them. Sometimes that's hard to remember considering the lukewarm reception he often gets from fans. "I get it — we have a really passionate fan base and they're a huge part of our success," Allar said Sunday at College Football Playoff quarterfinals media day. "For us, we always want to go out there every drive and end with a touchdown, so when we don't do that, there's nobody more frustrated than us." The polarizing Allar is having a solid season by just about any standard, completing more than 68% of his passes for 3,021 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading the sixth-seeded Nittany Lions to a 12-2 record and a spot in the Fiesta Bowl for Tuesday's game against No. 3 seed Boise State. But in a college football world filled with high-scoring, explosive offenses, Allar's no-frills performances often are the object of ire. The Penn State offense is a run-first bunch, led by the talented combo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. "If we had a nickel for every time there was a Monday morning quarterback saying some BS stuff, we'd all be pretty rich," offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki said. "I think part of being a quarterback, especially at Penn State but really anywhere, is how you respond to and manage criticism." The 20-year-old Allar has made strides in that department after a trying 2023 season that finished with a 10-3 record. He says that's largely because once fall camp started back in August, he logged off the social media platform X. Allar said negative online experiences wore on him last year, and his phone number was leaked a few times, which added to the stress. He finally realized that controlling outside narratives was impossible, so the best course of action was to eliminate a needless distraction. "I've been more mentally free, as much as that sounds crazy," Allar said. "I think that's been a huge difference for me this year." The biggest criticism of Allar — and really Penn State as a whole during the 11-year James Franklin era — is that he isn't capable of winning the big games. He's 0-2 against rival Ohio State and threw a late interception against Oregon in the Big Ten title game earlier this month, which sealed the Ducks' 45-37 victory. He wasn't great in the CFP's first round, either, completing just 13 of 22 passes for 127 yards as Penn State muscled past SMU 38-10 on a cold, blustery day to advance to the Fiesta Bowl. But the quarterback is confident a better performance — aided by a game that will be played in comfortable temperatures in a domed stadium — is coming. "For me, I just have to execute those (easy) throws early in the game and get our guys into rhythm," Allar said. "Get them involved early as much as I can and that allows us to stay on the field longer, call more plays and open up our offense more. That will help us a ton, building the momentum throughout the game." Allar might be a favorite punching bag for a section of the Penn State fan base, but that's not the case in his own locker room. Star tight end Tyler Warren praised his quarterback's ability to avoid sacks, saying that the 6-foot-5, 238-pounder brings a toughness that resonates with teammates. "He's a football player," Warren said. "He plays quarterback, but when you watch him play and the energy he brings and the way he runs the ball, he's just a football player and that fires up our offense." Now Allar and Penn State have a chance to silence critics who say that the Nittany Lions don't show up in big games. Not that he's worried about what other people think. "I think it's a skill at the end of the day — blocking out the outside noise," Allar said. "Focusing on you and the process and being honest with yourself, both good and bad." Get local news delivered to your inbox!US stocks fall but Alphabet jumps on Google discovery
Furthermore, Triumvirate Aurora recognizes the importance of liquidity and flexibility in its investment strategy. By maintaining a well-balanced portfolio of medium and low-risk financial products, Triumvirate Aurora can easily adjust its asset allocation based on market conditions and changing economic environments. This adaptive approach not only helps mitigate potential risks but also allows Triumvirate Aurora to seize opportunities for growth and capital appreciation.Sudan accuses UAE of supporting paramilitaries, welcomes Turkish mediation
NoneArticle content ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score, and the Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the unraveling and undisciplined New York Jets on Sunday. The Bills put the game away by capitalizing on two Jets turnovers and scoring three touchdowns over a 5:01 span in the closing minutes of the third quarter. Buffalo’s defence forced three takeaways overall and sacked Aaron Rodgers four times, including a 2-yard loss for a safety in the second quarter. Allen had a short and efficient outing, finishing 16 of 27 for 182 yards with a 30-yard TD pass to Amari Cooper and a 14-yarder to Keon Coleman before giving way to backup Mitchell Trubisky with Buffalo leading 33-0 through three quarters. And Trubisky piled on by completing a 69-yard touchdown pass to practice squad call-up Tyrell Shavers 2:23 into the fourth quarter. Allen’s two-TD passing outing was the 64th of his career to match Peyton Manning for the third most in a player’s first seven NFL seasons. Patrick Mahomes holds the record with 67 two-TD outings in that span, followed by Dan Marino’s 65. Allen also became the NFL’s first player with five consecutive 40-TD seasons, while his 1-yard score was the 65th rushing TD of his career, matching the team record held by Thurman Thomas. The five-time defending AFC East champion Bills improved to 13-3 to match a franchise single-season record, and will open the playoffs hosting the conference’s seventh-seeded team in two weeks. The outing was a meltdown for Rodgers and the Jets (4-12), who will finish with five or fewer wins for the seventh time over a 14-season playoff drought — the NFL’s longest active streak. Rodgers, who entered the game with 499 career TD passes and looking to become just the fifth player to reach 500, instead was shut out and replaced by Tyrod Taylor with 12:37 remaining. Discipline was an issue for a Jets team that fell to 2-9 since Jeff Ulbrich took over as interim coach. New York finished with 16 accepted penalties for 120 yards. Taylor accounted for New York’s only points with a 9-yard TD pass to Garrett Wilson and a 20-yarder to Tyler Conklin in a game played in blustery, unseasonably warm conditions, with temperatures in the mid-50s Farenheit (10 Celsius) and winds gusting up to 35 mph (56 kmph). Rodgers finished 12 of 18 for 112 yards with two interceptions after entering the game having thrown only one in his past eight outings. He was also sacked four times, pushing his career total to 568, moving ahead of Tom Brady (565) and into first place on the NFL list. The outing became a comedy of errors for the Jets. Trailing 7-0 after Allen’s 1-yard run, New York’s three possession of the first half ended with turning the ball over on downs Buffalo’s 24; Rodgers being intercepted at his own 17 by defensive tackle Jordan Phillips; and being sacked for a safety by A.J. Epenesa. The bottom fell out to close the third quarter when Rodgers’ being intercepted by Christian Benford led to Cooper’s leaping TD grab put Buffalo up 19-0. James Cook scored on a 1-yard run on Buffalo’s next possession with 1:15 left, and Coleman’s touchdown with 12 seconds left in the third was set up after Wilson lost a fumble. Home cooking The Bills finished their third season with a perfect record, and first since 1990, by going 8-0 at home. They’ve won 11 straight regular-season home games dating to last season since dropping a 24-22 decision to Denver on Nov. 13. Injuries Jets CB Sauce Gardner aggravated a hamstring injury in the first half and was ruled out in the third quarter. Up next Jets: Close the season hosting the Miami Dolphins. Bills: Play their regular-season finale at the New England Patriots.
A mother whose daughter spent her first Christmas undergoing intense chemotherapy treatment following a rare cancer diagnosis now raises thousands in order to donate gifts to other children in hospital. Angelica Campbell, 30, from Guildford, Surrey, said her now four-year-old daughter, Eliza, had a “horrendous” start to her life after she was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer named BCOR sarcoma at just 10 weeks of age in December 2020, where it was found a large tumour was growing close to her spine and compressing her lung. After undergoing 14 rounds of intense chemotherapy treatment nicknamed the “Red Devil” as well as a major surgery to remove the tumour, Eliza was given the all-clear in August 2021 when she was 11 months old. Read more: Mum whose son was born premature praises support from the “incredible” staff in the neonatal unit Read more: ‘This might be my last Christmas – the thought my baby son might not remember me is heartbreaking’ However, because of the location of the tumour, she suffered with a spinal cord injury which has left her disabled and in a wheelchair. While physiotherapy and hydrotherapy is helping Eliza to get “stronger all the time”, Angelica said it is not likely she will make a full recovery from her battle with cancer, although this has not stopped her from being “feisty” and “determined”, and from being “best friends” with her brother, three-year-old Otis. Eliza was treated by Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH) and spent her first Christmas in their care, prompting Angelica to fundraise through GoFundMe for the first time in 2022 to purchase gifts for other children with cancer spending the festive season at the hospital. This year, she has undertaken the initiative again, raising nearly £5,000 so far. “Eliza is like a little celebrity where we live because everybody is amazed with what she’s done and what she’s overcome,” Angelica, who stopped working as a mental health support worker to care for her daughter, told PA Real Life. “Her first Christmas was a strange one – we were grateful she was still alive but as it was during Covid-19, it was sad and it meant she was just with me as nobody else could come to visit... it was quite lonely and daunting.” Angelica said she thought something was wrong with her daughter from the “minute” she was born in September 2020. “She was a good baby but she was always asleep, she never really woke up to feed,” she said. “Even from the minute she was born, I thought there was something wrong with her.” She took Eliza to a doctor a few times but no issues could be found – until Angelica noticed a lump had started to grow just above her daughter’s right shoulder blade. “It was thought it could be a muscle tear from birth, or a cyst,” Angelica said. Eliza was referred for further tests but as the country was still battling through the Covid-19 pandemic, Angelica was told the appointment could take a while. Weeks went by and the lump on Eliza’s shoulder continued to grow, so Angelica made the decision on December 1 2020 to take her daughter to A&E at their local hospital in Guildford, the Royal Surrey County Hospital. “They did an X-ray and they could see she had a really big tumour that was growing really close to her spine and compressing her lung,” Angelica said. “We got blue-lighted to Great Ormond Street Hospital and we didn’t leave there until about February for the first time.” Eliza was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer named BCOR sarcoma on December 3 2020 and she was just 11 weeks old when she began having chemotherapy treatment at GOSH. “She was a newborn, just a tiny little baby,” Angelica said. “It was horrendous, it was shocking, you’re kind of numb and you don’t really believe it’s happening to you.” Doctors were able to shrink the size of the tumour during the 14 rounds of chemotherapy Eliza received before they were able to operate and remove it in a major surgery on June 15 2021, which left her in intensive care for one night. “She had some of the strongest chemotherapy you can have, they call it the Red Devil,” Angelica said. Having spent the first year of her life in hospital, Eliza finished her cancer treatment and was given the all-clear when she was 11 months old in August 2021 – although she still requires check-up scans every six months. “For her first birthday in September, we went up to Great Ormond Street so she could ring the bell,” Angelica said. As the tumour grew so close to Eliza’s spine, she has been left disabled and using a wheelchair. While physiotherapy and hydrotherapy are helping Eliza to get “stronger all the time”, it is not certain whether she will ever make a full recovery. “Eliza is so determined and she’s such a girly-girl – she loves pink, loves Barbie,” Angelica said. “She’s feisty and she knows what she wants, even at her little age.” She added that Eliza and her son, Otis, are “really close” and even though they argue as brothers and sisters do, they are “best friends”. “He’s a good brother, he comes to all her appointments and he’s really patient,” she said. As Eliza spent her first Christmas in hospital, Angelica decided to raise money through GoFundMe in 2022 to donate presents to children with cancer spending the festive season at GOSH. Angelica is doing so again this year, raising nearly £5,000 so far and saying she has bought “loads and loads of presents”. She has purchased electronics such as iPads, Nintendo Switch games and PlayStation 5 games which will remain on the ward for children to share. She has also bought plenty of presents which the children will be able to keep and take home, including teddies, Lego, puzzles, craft kits, colouring books, Disney princess dolls, Nerf guns, Play-Doh and sensory toys. Angelica said she will deliver the gifts to GOSH in two carloads on December 19 before they are wrapped and distributed on Christmas Eve night for the children to wake up to on Christmas morning. She added any leftover money will be placed on an Amazon gift card and given to the hospital to spend throughout the year as they see fit. “I’ve seen so many children in Great Ormond Street with cancer, it’s not rare to me but it’s horrendous,” she said.Longest-lived US president was always happy to speak his mind
In the ever-evolving landscape of the financial market, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have emerged as a popular investment option for individuals and institutions alike. Among the various types of ETFs available, dividend ETFs have recently garnered significant attention due to their focus on high-quality, income-generating stocks. In a recent development, the total scale of dividend ETFs in China has exceeded a staggering 71.1 billion yuan, with leading products breaking the 20 billion yuan mark.The prospect of the United States withdrawing from NATO raises serious concerns about the implications for European security and the balance of power in the region. NATO's collective defense clause, enshrined in Article 5 of the alliance's founding treaty, stipulates that an attack on one member country is considered an attack on all, triggering a collective response. The absence of U.S. military support could undermine the credibility and effectiveness of this mutual defense commitment, potentially emboldening adversaries and destabilizing the security landscape in Europe.In conclusion, Rudy Gobert's reflections on the team's current state highlight the importance of shared experiences in driving growth and success. The bond that the Jazz have built through their journey together has been instrumental in shaping their identity and propelling them towards their goals. As they continue to face new challenges and push forward, Gobert and his teammates stand united, ready to take on whatever comes their way.
In a lengthy speech at the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C. think tank, on Tuesday, President Joe Biden forcefully defended his economic legacy and harshly criticized his successor. “Most economists agree the new administration is going to inherit a fairly strong economy, at least at the moment, an economy going through fundamental transformation,” Biden said. “It is my profound hope that the new administration will preserve and build on this progress. Like most great economic developments, this one is neither red nor blue, and America's progress is everyone's progress.” RELATED STORY | What impacts will a Trump presidency have on the economy? The president pointed specifically to record job growth during his tenure and an historically-low unemployment rate, as well as solid GDP performance, major investments in infrastructure and a soaring stock market. Most economists agree Biden’s term in office has coincided with a strong jobs market, and note the economic forecast remains bright – especially when contrasted to that of other peer nations, many of which have struggled to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. And yet, Americans by and large disapprove of Biden’s economic tenure, particularly the high costs of goods and services. Though inflation has fallen some, it remains higher than when the president took office and has become a frequent point of attack for Republicans critical of the Biden administration. RELATED STORY | Wealthier Americans are driving retail spending and powering US economy President-elect Donald Trump’s victory last month served in some was as a repudiation of the president’s so-called “Bidenomics” policies, with most voters telling pollsters they were dissatisfied with the state of the U.S. economy and Biden’s handling of the issue. Since Trump’s election, attitudes towards the economy have improved slightly, particularly among Republicans; according to research from Gallup, just eight percent of Republicans in October viewed economic conditions as getting better, compared to 30% last month. Biden himself seemed to acknowledge some missteps in selling his economic vision to Americans. “I also learned something from Donald Trump,” Biden said. “He signed checks for people for $7,400 bucks,” the president noted of the pandemic-era relief measures. Even though Biden approved similar relief efforts during his term, his name never appeared on American’s checks. “I didn't – stupid,” Biden conceded. RELATED STORY | Powell says Fed will likely cut rates cautiously given persistent inflation pressures Seeking to bolster Biden’s economic legacy, the White House on Tuesday launched a new website hailing the “Biden Economy,” featuring statistics about economic performance during his term and complimentary videos from his supporters. Biden’s speach, meanwhile, also served as a warning of sorts to his successor, with the president arguing against tax cuts for the wealthy and the notion that such benefits would “trickle down” to middle class Americans. “You can make as much money as you can, good for you, but everybody's got to be they pay their fair share,” Biden said. Trump has pledged to extend the tax cuts he signed into law in 2017, telling NBC News he intends to submit a tax package to Congress within his first 100 days in office. “They’re coming due and they’re very substantial for people,” Trump said of his 2017 cuts. “That’s what led us to one of the greatest economies ever.” RELATED STORY | Amid corporate layoffs, 36% of workforce turns to gig economy for alternative employment A report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office in December found that failing to extend those tax incentives would have a negligible impact on the economy, though Republicans are expected to pursue them and other business tax breaks after they retake both chambers of Congress next year. Trump has also promised to impose significant tariffs on the import of foreign goods from Mexico, Canada and China – despite economists’ and retailers’ warnings that will drive up consumer prices. Trump in the NBC interview said he couldn’t guarantee the move wouldn’t increase consumer costs, something Biden harshly refuted. “I believe we've proven that approach is a mistake over the past four years,” Biden said. “But we all know in time, we all know in time what will happen.”
In the face of adversity, the people of Nevada stand strong, united in their determination to rebuild and emerge stronger than before. The earthquake may have shaken the ground beneath their feet, but it will not shake their spirit or their resolve. Together, they will rise above this challenge and rebuild their communities with steadfast determination and unwavering strength.The synergy between Okeoghene and Rooney is evident in their shared passion for the game and their commitment to developing young talents. Their combined experience and strategic approach to coaching are set to transform Plymouth Argyle into a formidable force in English football.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Even when Penn State quarterback Drew Allar gets some praise, it's usually a backhanded compliment. They say he's a good game manager and stays within himself, or that he doesn't try to do too much. They mention he might not be flashy, but he gives the team a chance to win. And here's the thing about Penn State since Allar stepped under center: The Nittany Lions have won games. A lot of them. Sometimes that's hard to remember considering the lukewarm reception he often gets from fans. "I get it — we have a really passionate fan base and they're a huge part of our success," Allar said Sunday at College Football Playoff quarterfinals media day. "For us, we always want to go out there every drive and end with a touchdown, so when we don't do that, there's nobody more frustrated than us." The polarizing Allar is having a solid season by just about any standard, completing more than 68% of his passes for 3,021 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading the sixth-seeded Nittany Lions to a 12-2 record and a spot in the Fiesta Bowl for Tuesday's game against No. 3 seed Boise State. People are also reading... But in a college football world filled with high-scoring, explosive offenses, Allar's no-frills performances often are the object of ire. The Penn State offense is a run-first bunch, led by the talented combo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. "If we had a nickel for every time there was a Monday morning quarterback saying some BS stuff, we'd all be pretty rich," offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki said. "I think part of being a quarterback, especially at Penn State but really anywhere, is how you respond to and manage criticism." The 20-year-old Allar has made strides in that department after a trying 2023 season that finished with a 10-3 record. He says that's largely because once fall camp started back in August, he logged off the social media platform X. Allar said negative online experiences wore on him last year, and his phone number was leaked a few times, which added to the stress. He finally realized that controlling outside narratives was impossible, so the best course of action was to eliminate a needless distraction. "I've been more mentally free, as much as that sounds crazy," Allar said. "I think that's been a huge difference for me this year." The biggest criticism of Allar — and really Penn State as a whole during the 11-year James Franklin era — is that he isn't capable of winning the big games. He's 0-2 against rival Ohio State and threw a late interception against Oregon in the Big Ten title game earlier this month, which sealed the Ducks' 45-37 victory. He wasn't great in the CFP's first round, either, completing just 13 of 22 passes for 127 yards as Penn State muscled past SMU 38-10 on a cold, blustery day to advance to the Fiesta Bowl. But the quarterback is confident a better performance — aided by a game that will be played in comfortable temperatures in a domed stadium — is coming. "For me, I just have to execute those (easy) throws early in the game and get our guys into rhythm," Allar said. "Get them involved early as much as I can and that allows us to stay on the field longer, call more plays and open up our offense more. That will help us a ton, building the momentum throughout the game." Allar might be a favorite punching bag for a section of the Penn State fan base, but that's not the case in his own locker room. Star tight end Tyler Warren praised his quarterback's ability to avoid sacks, saying that the 6-foot-5, 238-pounder brings a toughness that resonates with teammates. "He's a football player," Warren said. "He plays quarterback, but when you watch him play and the energy he brings and the way he runs the ball, he's just a football player and that fires up our offense." Now Allar and Penn State have a chance to silence critics who say that the Nittany Lions don't show up in big games. Not that he's worried about what other people think. "I think it's a skill at the end of the day — blocking out the outside noise," Allar said. "Focusing on you and the process and being honest with yourself, both good and bad." Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!