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GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — DJ Lagway threw two touchdown passes, Montrell Johnson ran for 127 yards and a score, and Florida upset No. 9 Mississippi 24-17 on Saturday to knock the Rebels out of College Football Playoff contention. The Gators (6-5, 4-4 Southeastern Conference), who topped LSU last week, beat ranked teams in consecutive weeks for the first time since 2008 and became bowl eligible. The late-season spurt provided another vote of confidence for coach Billy Napier, who is expected back for a fourth season. Ole Miss (8-3, 4-3), which entered the day as a 10-point favorite, lost for the first time in four games and surely will drop out of the 12-team playoff picture. The Rebels ranked ninth in the latest CFP and needed only to avoid stumbling down the stretch against Florida and lowly Mississippi State to clinch a spot in the playoff field. But coach Lane Kiffin’s team failed to score in three trips inside the red zone and dropped countless passes in perfect weather. No. 2 OHIO ST. 38, No. 5 INDIANA 15 COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, TreVeyon Henderson ran for a score and No. 2 Ohio State beat previously undefeated No. 5 Indiana. All Ohio State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten, CFP No. 2) has to do now is beat Michigan at home next Saturday and it will earn a return to the Big Ten championship game for the first time since 2020 and get a rematch with No. 1 Oregon. The Ducks beat Ohio State 32-31 in a wild one back on Oct. 12. The Hoosiers (10-1, 7-1, No. 5 CFP) had their best chance to beat the Buckeyes for the first time since 1988 but were hurt by special teams mistakes and disrupted by an Ohio State defense that sacked quarterback Kurtis Rourke five times. Howard finished 22 for 26 for 201 yards. Emeka Egbuka had seven catches for 80 yards and a TD. No. 8 GEORGIA 59, UMass 21 ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Carson Beck threw four touchdown passes, Nate Frazier ran for 136 yards with three scores and No. 8 Georgia overwhelmed Massachusetts as the Bulldogs tried to protect their College Football Playoff hopes. Georgia (9-2, No. 10 CFP) needed the big offense from Beck and Frazier to rescue a defense that gave up 226 rushing yards. UMass (2-9) played its first game under interim coach Shane Montgomery, the offensive coordinator who retained his play-calling duties after replacing fired coach Don Brown on Monday. Jalen John led the Minutemen with 107 rushing yards and a touchdown. Georgia extended its streak of consecutive home wins to 30, the longest active streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision. No. 10 TENNESSEE 56, UTEP 0 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nico Iamaleava threw for 209 yards and four touchdowns to lead No. 10 Tennessee to a victory over UTEP. The Volunteers (9-2) overcame a sluggish start to roll up the impressive win. Both teams were scoreless in the first quarter, but Tennessee found its rhythm. Grad student receiver Bru McCoy, who hadn’t caught a touchdown pass this season, had two. Peyton Lewis also ran for two scores. Tennessee’s defensive line, which had no sacks in last week’s loss to Georgia, had three against the Miners. UTEP (2-9) struggled with two missed field goals and three turnovers. Tennessee’s offense came alive with 28 points in the second quarter. In the final four drives of the quarter, Iamaleava completed 11 of 12 passes for 146 yards and touchdowns to Squirrel White, Ethan Davis and McCoy. No. 11 MIAMI 42, WAKE FOREST 14 MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Cam Ward passed for 280 yards and threw two touchdowns to Jacolby George on another record-breaking day, Mishael Powell ran an interception back 76 yards for a touchdown and No. 11 Miami pulled away late to beat Wake Forest. The Hurricanes (10-1, 6-1 Atlantic Coast Conference, No. 8 College Football Playoff) can clinch a berth in the ACC title game with a win at Syracuse next weekend. Ward completed 27 of 38 passes, plus ran for a score. He broke two more single-season Miami records, both of which had been held for 40 years by Bernie Kosar — most passing yards in a season and most completions in a season. Ward now has 3,774 yards on 268 completions this season. Kosar threw for 3,642 yards on 262 completions in 1984. Demond Claiborne had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown for Wake Forest (4-7, 2-5). Claiborne also rushed for 62 yards for the Demon Deacons, and starting quarterback Hank Bachmeier was 8 of 14 passing for 86 yards and a touchdown. No. 13 SMU 33, VIRGINIA 7 CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Kevin Jennings threw for a career-high 323 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another, and No. 13 SMU clinched a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game by routing Virginia. Isaiah Smith and Jared Harrison-Hunte each had two sacks to help the Mustangs (10-1, 7-0, No. 13 CFP) extend their winning streak to eight. They would earn an automatic bid into the expanded College Football Playoff by beating 11th-ranked Miami or 17th-ranked Clemson in the ACC title game on Dec. 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina. SMU had to get there first, and Jennings led the way again, bouncing back from an interception and a fumble to complete 25 of 33 passes to six different receivers, including TD tosses to Jordan Hudson and Matthew Hibner. Brashard Smith provided a little balance on offense, running for 63 yards and his 13th touchdown of the season. SMU’s defense overwhelmed UVa’s offensive line, sacking Anthony Colandrea nine times and allowing the Cavaliers (5-6, 3-4) just 173 yards. Special teams contributed, too, with Roderick Daniels Jr. returning a punt 48 yards and Collin Rogers making two field goals. No. 24 ILLINOIS 38, RUTGERS 31 PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Luke Altmyer found Pat Bryant for a catch-and-run, 40-yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds left, sending No. 24 Illinois to a wild victory over Rutgers. Illinois (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten) was down 31-30 when it sent long kicker Ethan Moczulski out for a desperation 58-yard field goal with 14 seconds to go. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano then called for a timeout right before Moczulski’s attempt was wide left and about 15 yards short. After the missed field goal was waved off by the timeout, Illinois coach Bret Bielema sent his offense back on the field. Altmyer hit Bryant on an in cut on the left side at the 22, and he continued across the field and scored untouched in a game that featured three lead changes in the final 3:07. Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) gave up a safety on the final kickoff return, throwing a ball out of bounds in the end zone as players passed it around hoping for a miracle touchdown. Altmyer was 12-of-26 passing for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Bryant finished with seven receptions for 197 yards.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The chair of the Democratic National Committee informed party leaders on Monday that the DNC will choose his successor in February, an election that will speak volumes about how the party wants to present itself during four more years of Donald Trump in the White House. Jaime Harrison, in a letter to members of the party’s powerful Rules & Bylaws Committee, outlined the process of how the party will elect its new chair. Harrison said in the letter that the committee will host four candidate forums — some in person and some virtually — in January, with the final election on Feb. 1 during the party’s winter meeting in National Harbor, Maryland. The race to become the next chair of the Democratic National Committee, while an insular party affair, will come days after Trump is inaugurated for a second term. Democrats' selection of a leader after Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 loss will be a key starting point as the party starts to move forward, including addressing any structural problems and determining how to oppose Trump. Members of the Rules & Bylaws Committee will meet on Dec. 12 to establish the rules for these elections, which beyond the chair position will include top party roles like vice chairs, treasurer, secretary and national finance chair. The committee will also use that meeting to decide the requirements for gaining access to the ballot for those top party roles. In 2021, candidates were required to submit a nominating statement that included signatures from 40 DNC members and that will likely be the same standard for the 2025 campaigns. “The DNC is committed to running a transparent, equitable, and impartial election for the next generation of leadership to guide the party forward,” Harrison said in a statement. “Electing the Chair and DNC officers is one of the most important responsibilities of the DNC Membership, and our staff will run an inclusive and transparent process that gives members the opportunity to get to know the candidates as they prepare to cast their votes.” Two Democrats have announced campaigns for chair: Ken Martin, chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and a vice chair of the national party, and Martin O’Malley, the former Maryland governor and current commissioner of the Social Security Administration. Other top Democrats are either considering a run to succeed Harrison or are being pushed by party insiders, including former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke; Michael Blake, a former vice chair of the party; Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin; Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan and a former Chicago mayor; Sen. Mallory McMorrow, majority whip of the Michigan Senate, and Chuck Rocha, a longtime Democratic strategist. The next chair of the committee will be tasked with rebuilding a party demoralized by a second Trump victory. They will also oversee the party’s 2028 nominating process, a complex and contentious exercise that will make the chair central to the next presidential election. Harrison, of South Carolina, made clear in his letter to the rules committee that the four forums hosted by the party would be live streamed and the party would give grassroots Democrats across the country the ability to engage with the process through those events. He also said he intends to remain neutral during the chair election. This story has been corrected to show that McMorrow is a senator, not a representative.None
Biden calls for Assad to be 'held accountable'As I walked through Killarney on a breezy morning, a burst of vibrant colour permeated the winter drizzle. Then my stomach churned with the smell of latex. A huge arch of balloons was attached to a shopfront. Colours bring us joy, but these things are lethal. It’s distressing to see them being used at everything from art exhibitions to political meetings. Balloons burst and land in the sea. Turtles, birds, and whales mistake the litter for jellyfish. When they try to consume the scraps, latex gets lodged in their throats and the creatures slowly starve to death. As for human bellies, microplastics infiltrate the soil to enter our food chain. I ask Dr Silvia Caldararu a botanist at Trinity college, for insights. “Rain washes across surfaces where plastics are found,” she says. “As water flows though the soil, particles move down to the deeper layers with the water flow. The exact effects on plants depend on the type, and especially the size, of plastic particles.” Larger pieces of debris (microparticles) can change the soil texture. “This affects the water and nutrients that are available to plants, often leading to less plant growth and to plants being more susceptible to things like drought. Smaller particles (nanoparticles) are a different story. They can actually be taken up by plant roots and cause toxicity in plants,” Silvia explains. The scientist says that plants need to be studied at bigger scales as well as how they interact with each other and with soil. Most of us consume plants. Our vegetables are affected by toxins in the soil, and balloons are part of the problem. In the nineties I was clueless. Birthdays parties meant balloons. Watery eyes and tomato-red faces. Filling them with air brought fart sounds and squeamish stretching. Knotted rubber. Fingers sore from thumb tacks. My football-crazy son moved balloons with slow-motion kicks and headers. Latex toy balloons have been around since 1931. Last January, for the good of the environment, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee vowed to interfere with the manufacturing process. The toy industry complained, “Perfectly safe balloons, colouring pencils and sturdy trampolines are in danger of disappearing.” But balloons are not safe, even ‘biodegradable’ ones. They can travel for hundreds of miles before exploding at higher altitudes. Strings attached to them can cause birds to get tangled up. Balloons don’t vanish. They take years to decompose. Helium-filled versions with metallic coating can cause an outage or fire if they hit electricity power lines, so California banned them. We don’t need to look to our government for ecological guidance on this. We can simply stop purchasing balloons. Bubbles and flowers There are endless Earth-kinder ways to add colour and celebration to life. Streamers, balloons, and confetti can be replaced with bubbles, which leave no trace. Blowing bubbles is a feelgood activity that spreads smiles in people of all ages who enjoy the shimmering, iridescent, rainbow colours. Floral arrangements are an attractive alternative to tinsel. In Cavan, Kirsten O'Keeffe makes dried flower products for interiors. She supplies shops under the name Studio 8. “The most popular products are my handcrafted dried flower wreaths” she says. “I source all the flowers from small Irish flower farmers and suppliers.” Plants also add a natural vibrancy and therapeutic benefits. They reduce stress and improve air quality. Make sure that the ones choose are safe to have around children and pets. Trees Celebrate the arrival of a winter baby or New Year by planting a tree. For information on native species and making an excellent choice, the Tree Council of Ireland offer guidance. You can also cherish the memory of a deceased person by paying to plant a tree in an existing forest. Look for organisations online. For Christmas, trees are ripped out of the ground only to be dumped a few weeks later. Why not display one that is still growing? At ChristmasTree.ie, customers can choose from different sized trees grown in pots from bare roots. The West Cork enterprise is twenty-seven years in business and has a store in Mahon. “We have expanded this year. People in Dublin, Waterford Kildare Kilkenny Wexford and Wicklow can rent a tree from us. All going well, we will potentially expand it further to other counties in the future,” Colm Crowley (no relation) tells me. Pot-grown trees can be delivered. They are not to be confused with potted trees, which are cheaper, but die quickly because the transplanting process shocks the roots and can cause irreversible damage. Pot-grown trees look bushier. Check with your local garden centre to ensure that the tree was cultivated from seed in a container. Children’s parties Parents feel pressurised to buy gifts, so plastic bits and pieces that cost around a tenner are common winter presents. Consider popping a fiver or another note in a card instead. The birthday boy or girl could save up for something that they genuinely want if everyone did this. Cheap toys, costumes, and decorations are soon chucked in the wheelie bin. Goody bags afterwards are not necessary. What matters is that children gather and have fun. If you are adamant that junior revellers bring something home, why not share any leftover party food or give them a packet of seeds to plant? Glitz and shine ‘Tinswool’ is a sustainable tinsel made by Convert textiles in Monaghan. Hannah Mc Mahon upcycles excess yarn from a local weaver. Each piece is a minimum of 1.8M long. Her mustard-yellow creation, and one in pink, caught my eye online. Tinsel shreds and the plastic shards are lethal. If your inner magpie demands glitzy decor, perhaps you could use lights. Flickering, dancing flames add a soft glow. Candles create atmosphere. Some companies infuse theirs with essential oils such as lemongrass, orange, and aromatic spices. Soilse in Dundalk and Meath’s Handmade Soap Company are two examples. If you don’t have enough safe spots, or if you dislike candles, white LED lights are lovely substitutes. If you buy new, keep the receipt. The cheapest, made-in-China variety are unlikely to serve you very well or last long. Christmas is a big deal for Christians and other folks like it regardless of their affiliations. Some people choose not to decorate. In the last census over 14% of the population reported having no religion. Over 3,800 people identified as Agnostic or Atheist. Whatever your beliefs, a splash of colour can be uplifting. Upcycled furniture will transform a space. Revamp 3R store in Longford diverts items from landfill. Find similar initiatives in Duhallow Furniture Revamp, Renew Enterprises in Waterford, and elsewhere. You can donate old furniture. Remember to support artists too! Exhibitions happen all year around. It is also easy to find paintings online. All that glitters isn’t gold, so let’s find alternatives and prevent stuff ending up in the nearest river before flowing to the sea. K illarney was the first town in Ireland to ban single use coffee cups. I wonder if any town will ban balloons. In a world where microplastics are a massive problem it’s heartening to know that we can create a cultural shift by making more conscious consumer choices. Come on, colour lovers: let that be our legacy.‘We love you Nosi. Happy Driving!’ These were heart-warming sentiments expressed by a family in a video surprising their child’s nanny with a brand new car. The TikTok video with almost four million views, was posted by Simon at Volkswagen this week showing a family surprising their Nosi with the amazing gift. Watch Nosi being surprised with a new car from her boss In the video, the family which includes the husband, wife and child and the grandparents wait for Nosi to be brought outside to accept her gift. ‘We love you Nosi’ The woman’s husband covers Nosi’s eyes before saying that his wife wanted to tell her something. “We love you Nosi. Happy Driving!” said the mom as the nanny seemingly shocked and tries to come to terms that the new VW Polo parked in the driveway is actually hers. “Tjoh this is mine, this is mine,” she asks before running to the car and opening the door. Nosi then runs to the little boy she looks after, picks him up and in a moment that can only be described as true love and ubuntu hugs the child, still unable to believe that the new car was hers. ALSO READ: WATCH: Tom Cruise praises spirit of Ubuntu in South Africa Love She then runs to her owners and hugs them in a moment that has brought a lot of emotions and tears to the social media users who share their sentiments on the various platforms. Amours mom on X shared her sentiments of the beautiful gesture by the family. “I know she’s a great nanny! The way she ran n hugged her Boss (the kid)... says a lot! I’m so happy for her and I’m happy for the family she’s taking care of! They’re blessed to have her.” Appreciation Edward Themba congratulated the family for taking care of their nanny. “Well done to the family. It’s not every day one sees such. I guess they appreciate all the hard work she’s done over the years, a bg congratulations to her.” Ntokozo Masuku also shared her sentiments that South Africa has changed. “Beautiful, they are not like their forefathers,” she said on X. As someone else hands her the keys to her new car, she says: “It’s mine. Guys, you did a big thing for me. I never even dream about this. How can I say thank you to you? I don’t know.” Nosi is also handed other gifts as she stood next to her new car. Tom Cruise and Ubuntu Last year, Hollywood actor Tom Cruise praised the spirit of Ubuntu in South Africa while filming the latest Mission Impossible movie in the country. Cruise and his team started filming in Mpumalanga and Limpopo in February 2022, using Hoedspruit as a base for their stay before moving to the Drakensberg area in KwaZulu-Natal. (KZN). He was awarded the David O. Selznick Achievement Award during the Producers Guild of America Awards. In his acceptance speech, Cruise spoke about his time in South Africa and the spirit of ubuntu. “It is the idea that humanity is based on the plural, not the singular and Ubuntu essentially means I am, because we are. And I thank all of you, because you are,” Cruise said. ALSO READ: Human Rights Day: ‘SA needs to restore friendship and ubuntu’ – Madonsela
Year-end tax planning tips