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646-ph We are witnessing a historic counterrevolution after Trump's victory, far different from his first election in 2016. The orthodox and the supposed scripted future are now suspect. And they are likely to be dethroned -- from the trivial to the existential. Advertisement Critics claim Trump has no mandate to stage such a counterrevolution. They argue that he did not win 51 percent of the popular vote or achieve a Reaganesque landslide in the Electoral College. Yet all the initiatives he advanced and won on polled landslide public approval. Despite being the target of Democrat lawfare for years, a defiant Trump promised to end an open border, massive illegal immigration, rising crime, and soaring prices. He pledged to slash government and its administrative state, terminate racial and gender identity politics, and restore deterrence abroad. The people overwhelmingly wanted those messages but were waiting for an unorthodox messenger who would actually deliver them. The Trump messenger reassured weary citizens that they were not crazy. Instead, they had good cause to be sick of being talked down to by a media, academic, bureaucratic, and political elite that never earned nor deserved such self-appointed status. The FBI, the CIA, and the DOJ, not the massive crowds at rallies, were the ones truly out of control. President Joe... Victor Davis Hanson

President-elect Trump's the next director of the FBI would be a serious mistake that could haunt America for decades, writes historian and journalist Garrett M. Graff in a op-ed. Patel's only qualification for the post seems to be that he is fiercely loyal to Trump and willing to do his bidding, writes Graff. He argues that the agency has a long history of independence in its post-Hoover years, in part because directors serve 10-year terms that overlap presidencies. (Trump wants to break with that tradition and oust current director Christopher Wray three years early.) "What this independence illustrates is that the FBI is not, as many MAGA loyalists believe, some liberal bastion of wokeness," writes Graff, who points out that no Democrat has ever served as permanent director of the agency. "Trump has been clear in what he is trying to do with a nominee like Mr. Patel: He wants to bend and break the bureau and weaponize it against those he sees as his political enemies and domestic critics," writes Graff. Putting someone like Patel in charge even for a few years "could cause grave, lasting harm to the institution," he adds. That harm would come from the promotion of like-minded people into top positions, with those choices shaping "the bureau for decades." (Read the .)

Thousands rallied across Georgia on Thursday for a second week of pro-EU protests, after the prime minister threatened to "eradicate" the country's "liberal-fascist" opposition. Tbilisi has been rocked by turmoil since the governing Georgian Dream party, which critics accuse of creeping authoritarianism and leading the country back towards Russia, claimed victory in a disputed election in October. The government said last Thursday that it would suspend EU membership talks until 2028, sparking a fresh wave of demonstrations that have been met with a heavy-handed response from authorities. Several thousand people gathered outside parliament on Thursday for the eighth consecutive night of protests. Some held signs reading "your repression will finish you" in a reference to the government's heavy-handed response to the demonstrations, an AFP reporter witnessed. "This government has to change as they just don't care about us, about future generations," said Mano, a 23-year-old who declined to give her full name. As on previous nights, some demonstrators banged on the metal barriers blocking the parliament's entrance, waved EU flags and blew horns and whistles. But turnout was initially lower than in the previous days. Nini Tchurghulia, 19, a history student wrapped in a Georgian flag, said she was worried that the movement might be losing steam but was nevertheless determined to continue protesting. "We will win" in the end, she said. Protests were also held in cities including Batumi, Kutaisi, and Zugdidi, local media reported. The reports said several demonstrators were arrested in Kutaisi. Video footage shared on social media showed a teenager lying on the ground, semi-conscious, as protesters accused the police of using excessive force against him. Earlier, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told reporters "we will do everything necessary to completely eradicate liberal fascism in Georgia," escalating the government's bitter campaign against its rivals. "This process has already begun. These recent developments mark the start of the end of liberal fascism in Georgia," he said, using language reminiscent of the Kremlin in Russia to target political opponents. Masked police on Thursday raided several opposition party offices and arrested opposition leaders. Kobakhidze has refused to back down in the face of international condemnation, instead escalating a feud with pro-EU opposition groups that are demanding a rerun of the elections. Around 300 people have been detained and dozens injured, including protestors and police, in clashes outside parliament in Tbilisi over the last week. Several demonstrators, including journalists, have needed hospital treatment after being detained and, they allege, beaten by security forces. Rights ombudsman Levan Ioseliani has accused the police of using "torture" against those detained at rallies. On Thursday, he said that 191 protesters detained over the past week had reported mistreatment in custody, with 138 showing visible injuries. On Wednesday, Georgian police arrested seven people for "organising and leading group violence" and seized crates of fireworks, which have been launched by protestors at riot police. Opposition leader Nika Gvaramia of the Akhali party was beaten and detained during a police raid. Television footage showed him apparently unconscious, being carried away by masked security forces. Another detained opposition politician, Alexandre Elisashvili, was hospitalised with "serious injuries" he allegedly sustained in custody, his Strong Georgia opposition alliance said. The United States and other countries have denounced Georgia's crackdown, threatening additional sanctions against the country's leaders. Kobakhidze rejected Blinken's statements and said Tbilisi was hoping for better relations with Washington after Donald Trump takes office in January. Critics of the government are enraged by what they call its betrayal of Georgia's bid for EU membership, which is enshrined in its constitution and supported by around 80 percent of the population. Several ambassadors and a deputy foreign minister, resigned over the decision to suspend EU accession talks. Galvanising the protest movement, a senior interior ministry official tasked with responding to the protests also quit on Wednesday, posting his resignation letter on social media accompanied by Georgian and European flag emojis. The protests have drawn comparisons with the 2014 pro-EU revolution in Ukraine that ousted a Moscow-backed president. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday criticised Kobakhidze and billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, widely seen as the country's de facto leader, for "handing Georgia over to Putin", he said in a video message referring to Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Since 2022, Georgia has advanced legislation targeting civil society and independent media as well as curbing LGBTQ rights, measures critics say are based on repressive Russian laws. ub-im/gvSo much for Bill Belichick being obsessed with catching Don Shula. The long-time NFL coach has interviewed for the vacancy at North Carolina. According to Pat Forde of SI.com, Belichick has been talking to UNC for “several days.” He has a “genuine interest” in coaching at the college level. Belichick began his coaching career in 1975. He worked at the NFL level continuously through 2023. He has never coached at the college level. But his father was a scout at the Naval Academy, and Belichick learned the game by working with his dad. It would be fitting at some level for Belichick to give it a try. The bigger question is whether Belichick doesn’t think the planets will align to give him an NFL opportunity he’d accept. Last year, he received only one interview and no offer in the hiring cycle. Possible 2025 destinations include the Jaguars, the Bears, the Saints, the Cowboys, the Buccaneers, and the Giants. All hinge first on the existence of a vacancy, and second on the willingness of the owner to hire a coach who turns 73 in April. Control will be an issue. If he doesn’t get the keys to the football operation, will the person who has it be comfortable having Belichick work for him? Belichick also will presumably want to go to a team that presents him with an opportunity to win. If he fails in his first stop post-Patriots, that will diminish his perceived greatness. Of course, the college game is a different animal. Recruiting, NIL, limited access to players, etc. He’d need to accumulate a team of lieutenants with a different skill set than he’d need in the NFL. Wherever this goes, Belichick doesn’t seem like the type to waste anyone’s time, especially his. It will be interesting to see if he interviews for other vacancies at the college level.

The Bears look for an interim coach bump when they visit the struggling 49ersIn Kylie Kelce's 'Not Gonna Lie' podcast, she tells Kaitlin Olson she's never seen 'It's Always Sunny'

Put politics aside and act on online harms, mother of sextortion victim tells MPsHere’s why Colorado communities are opposing a proposed Utah railroad at the U.S. Supreme Court this weekCollege Football Playoff's first 12-team bracket is set with Oregon No. 1 and SMU in, Alabama out SMU captured the last open spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, bumping Alabama to land in a bracket that placed undefeated Oregon at No. 1. The selection committee preferred the Mustangs, losers of a heartbreaker in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, who had a far less difficult schedule than Alabama of the SEC but one fewer loss. The inaugural 12-team bracket marks a new era for college football, though the Alabama-SMU debate made clear there is no perfect formula. The tournament starts Dec. 20-21 with four first-round games. It concludes Jan. 20 with the national title game in Atlanta. Alabama left out of playoff as committee rewards SMU's wins over Crimson Tide's strong schedule The College Football Playoff committee took wins over strength of schedule, taking SMU over Alabama for the final at-large spot in the field. The field was expanded from four to 12 teams this season, but that didn’t save the committee from controversy. SMU showed it could compete against a traditional power, losing to Clemson 34-31 on a 56-yard field goal in the ACC title game on Saturday. Alabama had some ups and downs in its first season under coach Kalen DeBoer. The Crimson Tide had quality wins against Georgia and South Carolina, but lost at Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Oklahoma. Big Ten wins playoff selection derby, followed by SEC despite notable Alabama omission College football’s conference shakeup left concerns about two super conferences dominating the playoff field. They weren’t totally unfounded, or 100% born out. The Big Ten, not the Southeastern Conference, was the biggest winner. The ACC scored, too. The Big Ten led the initial 12-team playoff field with four making the cut, topped by a No. 1 Oregon team that was part of the Pac-12 exodus. Then came the SEC — and one notable omission. ACC runner-up SMU got the nod over college football blue-blood Alabama, another blemish in Kalen DeBoer’s first season as Nick Saban’s championship-or-bust successor. Darnold delivers for Vikings with career-high 347 yards and 5 TDs to beat Falcons, Cousins 42-21 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Sam Darnold threw for 347 yards and five touchdowns, both career highs, and the Minnesota Vikings pulled away from Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons 42-21 for their sixth straight victory. Darnold added another highlight to his brilliant first season with the Vikings following Cousins' departure in free agency to Atlanta with a 22-for-28 performance and no turnover-worthy plays despite heavy first-half pressure. Jordan Addison had eight catches for 133 yards and three scores and Justin Jefferson racked up seven receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Cousins threw two more interceptions without a touchdown in his return to Minnesota. Saquon Barkley sets Eagles season rushing record and has Dickerson's NFL mark in his sights PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley has broken LeSean McCoy's Eagles franchise record for rushing yards in a season. Barkley has 1,623 yards. He surpassed McCoy's mark of 1,607 yards with a 9-yard run in Sunday's 22-16 win over Carolina. Barkley finished the game with 124 yards, within a yard of his season average. He has four games left and is on pace to break Eric Dickerson's 40-year-old NFL record of 2,105 yards. Dickerson set that record in a 16-game season and Barkley has one more game. Eagles fans serenaded Barkley with “MVP!” chants and McCoy congratulated him on social media. Saints QB Derek Carr injures left hand on dive in 4th quarter of win over Giants EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr injured his left hand late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 14-11 victory over the New York Giants when he went airborne while trying for a first down and crashed to the turf. Carr tried to leap over a Giants tackler and landed at the New Orleans 39-yard line, extending his non-throwing hand to break his fall. He was on the turf for a minute or two before walking to the medical tent. He was examined and slowly walked to an area where X-rays are done. The injury could hurt the already slim playoff hopes of the Saints. Tamar Bates scores 29 points to help Missouri beat No. 1 Kansas 76-67 COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Tamar Bates had 29 points and five steals to help Missouri beat Hunter Dickinson and No. 1 Kansas 76-67. Mark Mitchell scored 17 points in Missouri’s first win over Kansas since a 74-71 victory on Feb. 4, 2012. Anthony Robinson II had 11 points and five steals for the 8-1 Tigers. Dickinson had 19 points and 14 rebounds, but he also committed seven turnovers. The 7-2 Jayhawks have lost two straight on the road after falling 76-63 against Creighton on Wednesday night. Scottie Scheffler ends his big year in the Bahamas with his 9th victory NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Scottie Scheffler ended his biggest year with another victory. Scheffler was coming off a two-month break and looked as good as ever. He shot 63 in the Hero World Challenge and set tournament records at Albany with a 72-hole total of 263 and a six-shot victory. Tom Kim was the runner-up and Justin Thomas finished third. Scheffler ends his year with nine victories in 21 tournaments. That includes the holiday tournament in the Bahamas and the Olympic gold medal in Paris. It's the third-highest winning percentage in the last 40 years. Tournament host Tiger Woods had two better years. Lindsey Vonn is encouraged by how close she is to being competitive in ski racing return at age 40 COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — Lindsey Vonn is encouraged by how close she is to being competitive again in her ski racing return at 40 years old. Vonn is still getting her ski equipment dialed in and getting used to going full speed again on her new titanium knee. That’s why all that she's reading into being more than two seconds behind in a pair of lower-level super-G races Sunday is that she’s right there. This after nearly six years away from ski racing and an abbreviated prep period. She was 2.19 seconds behind in the first race and 2.06 in the second. Both were won by her American teammate Lauren Macuga. Plane circles MetLife Stadium with message to co-owner John Mara to fix the Giants' 'dumpster fire' EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — A small plane circled MetLife Stadium roughly 90 minutes before New York was to play host to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, asking Giants co-owner John Mara to overhaul the team that has made the playoffs twice since winning the Super Bowl in February 2012. “Mr. Mara, enough. Please fix this dumpster fire!” the message read as it was towed behind the rear of a small plane.

Today, Indian investors have many financial investment asset classes – domestic and foreign, to bet on. In CY24, they have not been let down by any of them. All delivered positive returns in the calendar year, with equities topping the list. As far as the long-term performance is concerned, small- and mid-cap stocks top the chart in 2024 and outperformed the other asset classes. The accompanying chart exhibits the relative long-term performance of the most liquid financial asset classes accessible to Indian investors. We considered large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, gold, silver, US equities, Chinese equities, long-term debt and short-term debt and, computed the five-year returns at the end of each year for the last ten years. The assets were picked based on invisibility option for Indian investors via direct investing or mutual funds/ETFs. Overall, when looking at long-term performance, mid-caps outperformed large-caps and small-caps in terms of consistency and relatively better returns. In the last five-year timeframe ended 2024, the Nifty Smallcap 250 Total Return Index (TRI), which represents small-cap stocks, produced a compound annualised return of 30.6 per cent, while the mid-caps as represented by Nifty Midcap 150 TRI, delivered a return of 28.3 per cent. The domestic equities market demonstrated stellar show after the pandemic, despite short-term turbulences. Trivesh D, COO Tradejini says, “However, this stellar performance may not carry forward into 2025. Market dynamics indicate that growth across segments is likely to moderate, with mid-single-digit returns being a realistic projection. Large caps may continue to provide stability but face valuation pressures, while mid and small caps could witness uneven performance due to slower earnings growth and heightened regulatory scrutiny”. Over the last 15 years, mid-caps have consistently outperformed large-caps and small-caps in the majority of timeframes, as the table illustrates. Over the last two years, US equities delivered better returns compared to the large-cap stocks in the domestic market. This growth has been largely driven by the ‘Magnificent 7 ’ — Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla — backed by strong earnings and major investments in artificial intelligence (AI). Further rupee depreciation has boosted 5 year returns for an Indian investor. For example, while the last 5-year CAGR of S&P 500 total returns (including dividends) is 15 per cent in USD terms, it increases to 19 per cent in INR terms. “In 2024, the US market has become much more balanced,” said Pratik Oswal, head of passive funds at Motilal Oswal AMC. The 450-490 companies that had not performed well last year have also recovered in 2024 and demonstrated better returns, he added. Macroeconomic factors such as the US Federal Reserve’s policy rate cut rate and the likelihood of more in the offing, and the easing of the rate of inflation have been favourable factors, leading to a resurgence in US stocks, Oswal said. After three years of underperformance, Chinese stocks came into the limelight thanks to the stimulus measures announced by the Chinese government in October 2024. The policy measure announced were aimed at supporting a weak property sector, increase retail consumption and boost capital markets. A China-focussed ETF trading in India returned 29 per cent this year, although 5-year CAGR was flat. The years 2018–2022 were not so good for the domestic fixed income markets, due to multiple headwinds. However, things changed over the last 18-20 months due to few factors including significant FII (foreign institutional investors) inflows into Indian government bonds and expectations of a rate cut cycle. Devang Shah, Head Fixed Income, Axis Mutual Fund, said, “For 2025, we believe the RBI will cut rates, driving performance of bond markets. We expect a 50-basis points rate cut in the next six months. The reasons for this would be slower GDP growth, as seen in the lower Q2 GDP, with Q3 and Q4 also expected to be lower. This would prompt the RBI to change its course and start cutting rates”. Your asset allocation plan should include debt funds since they may act as a buffer when other asset classes decline. Gold, as an asset class, is used as a store of value and a hedge against stock market volatility amid economic uncertainties. Despite short-term blips, gold prices have been on the rise since October 2022. The yellow metal has delivered a solid CAGR of 14.4 per cent over the last five years in rupee terms. Expected rate cuts by major economies and persisting geopolitical tensions led to a significant surge in gold price. Chirag Mehta, CIO, Quantum AMC said, “The surge in gold prices is anticipated to persist into 2025, with the trajectory expected to be influenced significantly by the return of President Donald Trump to office, which could herald a series of policy changes and strategic decisions.” Expected rate cuts by major economies and persisting geopolitical tensions could also lead to a significant surge in gold price he added. While the gold has been the mainstay of investors’ portfolio for years for diversification into commodities, the silver has also gained traction among investors. Silver is a key component in solar panels and other renewable energy technologies. The increasing demand for these technologies has driven up the demand for silver. Manish Banthia, CIO Fixed Income, ICICI Prudential AMC said, “The outlook for silver in 2025 is shaped by two key factors: its relationship with gold as a proxy in the precious metals space and its industrial demand dynamics”. The year 2025 presents a challenging macroeconomic environment in the United States, characterized by elevated debt levels and a substantial fiscal deficit. Gold, traditionally seen as a hedge against risk, is likely to benefit from these uncertainties, and this positive sentiment could extend to silver, given its dual role as a precious and industrial metal Banthia added. Secondly, the ongoing surge in power sector investments and electric vehicles (EVs) investments continues because of new age applications demand for silver may remain robust. Should these trends persist, silver’s industrial value will likely remain strong Banthia explained. Silver, in rupee term, delivered a CAGR return of 13.7 per cent in the last five years. However, gold outperformed silver over long run in most time frames, as the table illustrates. CommentsAP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:40 p.m. EST