
Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa are not available for the San Francisco 49ers when they enter Green Bay with designs on finding their finishing kick on Sunday afternoon. Purdy is out with a right shoulder injury and won't leave the sideline at Lambeau Field, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday, when he also declared Bosa out and confirmed journeyman Brandon Allen would make his 10th career start at quarterback. "Outside of here people haven't seen a lot of Brandon. But it's his second year (with the 49ers)," Shanahan said. "Obviously guys want Brock up, but guys are excited to see Brandon play." Shanahan said the 49ers are "a little surprised" Purdy experienced tightness and discomfort in his shoulder after an MRI exam on Monday that showed no long-term cause for concern. "The way it responded this week, it's really up in the air for next week," Shanahan said of Purdy's long-term prognosis. Allen's last NFL start on the road was with the Bengals at the Ravens in 2020. Allen completed 6 of 21 passes for 48 yards with two interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of 0.0 in a 38--3 loss. "It's definitely an opportunity for me to go out and play well and put our guys in a good position to win the game," Allen said Friday. "And obviously we want Brock back and healthy and all that, but for time being, it is an opportunity for me." Purdy took the practice field Thursday with the intent to participate. His shoulder tightened significantly, and the 49ers ushered him off the field to meet with trainers. Purdy beat the Packers in the NFC divisional playoffs at San Francisco in January, but Allen is familiar to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. LaFleur was an assistant coach with the Rams during Allen's two-year run in Los Angeles. Allen broke into the NFL in 2016 with the Jaguars and is 2-7 in nine career starts. He went 1-2 with the Broncos in 2019 and 1-5 in six starts over two years with the Bengals in 2020 and ‘21. A victory against the visiting 49ers on Sunday would bolster the Packers' playoff chances, send a conference rival below .500 and avenge a bitter playoff defeat. Those seemingly rank in no particular order for the Packers (8-3), although they don't shy from living at least partially in the past ahead of a Week 12 showdown. San Francisco eliminated Green Bay 24-21 in the NFC divisional playoffs last season, scoring 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. "That's what you've got to sit with all offseason, is going back, watching the game, trying to see what you could have done better," Packers quarterback Jordan Love said. "What you could have done differently in that game. ... Just knowing that's the team that knocked us out, we're definitely hungry for this game." Ditto for San Francisco. The 49ers fell to 5-5 after last week's 20-17 home loss to Seattle, done in by Geno Smith's 13-yard touchdown run with 12 seconds to play. Still only a game behind NFC West-leading Arizona, the reigning conference champion 49ers are just 1-3 in division play and can ill afford to lose more ground. A visit to AFC East leader Buffalo awaits after the trip to Green Bay. While they're dealing with plenty of not-so-good news on the injury front, the 49ers do anticipate the return of other contributors. Cornerback Charvarius Ward, who missed the past two games following the death of his 1-year-old daughter, practiced Wednesday. Tight end George Kittle also is eager to play after a nagging hamstring injury sidelined him against the Seahawks. "Very excited," Kittle said. "Can't pass up playing the Packers, so no, I will be out there for sure." Allen was a three-year starter at Arkansas but has been a journeyman backup since entering the NFL in 2016 as the 201st overall pick of the Jaguars. Shanahan and LaFleur have been fierce competitors since twice working together, first as low-level assistants with the Texans in 2008, then on the so-called "dream team" staff in Washington that also included Sean McVay, Mike McDaniel and Raheem Morris; and two seasons with the Falcons (2015, 2016) where LaFleur was quarterbacks coach and Shanahan called the plays. Shanahan scored the most recent win over LaFleur in January. Green Bay has won seven of the past eight regular-season meetings between the franchises. But the familiarity and shared-brain approach to offense that has the coaches completed each other's play calls has led to some tight games. The past three at Lambeau Field were all decided by three points. Green Bay, which hosts a home game on Thanksgiving next Thursday, is starting a run of three games in 12 days. They'll play back-to-back Thursday games. Their Week 14 game is at Detroit. That might make it good news for LaFleur that surprising contributors have emerged of late. Packers wideout Christian Watson had a career-best 150 receiving yards on only four catches during last week's 20-19 road win against the Chicago Bears. His diving 60-yard reception in the fourth quarter put the Packers in position for Love's go-ahead, 1-yard scoring run with 2:59 to play. Watson entered the game with eight catches for 83 yards over his previous three contests, but LaFleur assured Watson remains a "big part" of the attack. "He's a guy who's got every measurable known to man in terms of the size, the speed, and it's not like those were easy plays he was making," LaFleur said. "He was making tough, contested catches." San Francisco will aim to generate more pressure against Love than the Bears, who sacked him just once. The 49ers collected four sacks against the Seahawks, with Bosa and Leonard Floyd contributing 1.5 apiece. Recent regular-season history between the Packers and 49ers at Lambeau Field has favored Green Bay. The Packers have won seven of their past eight home games against the 49ers and are 22-11 versus San Francisco at home all-time. Green Bay leads the series 34-28-1. --Field Level Media
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TEHRAN – Time magazine chose Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Revolution, as its Man of the Year for 1979. The magazine’s editors explained at the time that they sought to recognize the individual who "had done the most to change the news, for better or for worse." Without a doubt, the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979 was one of the most impactful events of the latter half of the 20th century. Both before and after the revolution’s victory in February of that year, the world's most prominent newspapers and magazines extensively covered the unfolding events, focusing particularly on its leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, more widely known as Imam Khomeini. In late December 1979, Time magazine's correspondents in Iran, L. Bruce van Voorst and Roland Flamini, traveled to the holy city of Qom to interview the revolution's leader on December 29th. This was just a day before the American weekly announced him as Man of the Year. The interview focused on topics such as the crimes of the Shah’s regime, the nature of the Islamic Revolution, international developments, the collapse of the bipolar world order, and the fate of the American detainees who had been held in Iran since the U.S. Embassy takeover on November 4th. Time described Imam Khomeini as "an old man of 79" who lived in “his modest home in the holy city of Qom,” a leader who had shaken the world. “One thing is certain: the world will not again look quite the way it did before Feb. 1, 1979, the day on which [Imam] Khomeini flew back to a tumultuous welcome in Tehran after 15 years in exile,” the magazine wrote. He was the second Iranian political figure to be named Man of the Year by Time, following democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh, who was ousted in a US-led coup in 1953. Imam Khomeini challenged the established world order and the two superpowers with his unwavering positions. Time’s editors likely portrayed a sullen-looking Imam Khomeini due to their disapproval of the American detainees being held in Tehran. The revolutionary leader had thrown his support behind the students who had stormed the U.S. Embassy, which they dubbed the “Den of Espionage.” In the interview, when asked about the American detainees’ release, Imam Khomeini replied, “We want to prove to the world that superpowers can be defeated by the power of faith. We will stand against America with all our might. We fear no power.” “The revolution that he led to triumph threatens to upset the world balance of power more than any other political event," the Time article concluded. "It wasn't just its Islamic aspect. Non-Muslim nations, too, were likely to be drawn to the spectacle of a rebellion aimed at expelling all foreign influence," the article stated. The American magazine further cautioned about the Iranian leader's inspiring ideas, noting that their influence would spread from the Indian subcontinent to Turkey and southward through the Arabian Peninsula to the Horn of Africa. "Most significantly," it warned, "the revolution that transformed Iran into an Islamic republic, with the Quran as its supreme law, was undermining the stability of the Middle East. This region supplies more than half of the Western world's imported oil and sits at the strategic crossroads of superpower competition." Time praised Imam Khomeini for leading the revolution that overthrew the Shah regime, explaining that "as America's surrogate policeman of the Persian Gulf, the U.S. had given the Shah its full support. President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger allowed him to purchase all the modern weapons he desired.” Time went on to acknowledge that "Even after the revolution had begun, U.S. officials remained convinced that 'there is no alternative to the Shah.'" Regarding Imam Khomeini’s undeniable influence within Iran, the weekly wrote, "When he called for strikes, his followers shut down banks, the postal service, factories, food stores, and most importantly, the oil wells, bringing the country close to paralysis." The article also attributed the rise of the Islamic movement led by Imam Khomeini to Western colonialism. "Muslims have bitter memories of over a century of Western colonialism, which kept most Islamic countries in subjugation until a generation ago. They tend to see U.S. support for Israel as a continuation of this imperialist tradition." Time further stated in the lengthy article that the late founder of the Islamic Revolution inspired Muslims in countries like Libya, India, and Bangladesh to stage anti-American demonstrations. The piece continued, noting that Muslims in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, burned the U.S. embassy and killed two U.S. servicemen. "In Saudi Arabia, possessor of the world's largest oil reserves, the vulnerability of the royal family became starkly apparent when a group of 200 to 300 well-armed raiders seized the Sacred Mosque in Mecca, the holiest of all Islamic shrines, which is under the protection of King Khalid.” Time described the Iranian revolution as the first major international “crisis” that was not an East-West conflict. The American magazine further cautioned against the appeal of Imam Khomeini’s Islamic Revolution to non-Muslim nations in the East. It argued that the Iranian Revolution called into question the viability of modernization and industrialization theories promoted by the West to avert anti-American uprisings. The Iranians, the article suggested, demonstrated that culture was a significant factor. It urged action to "keep future Third World revolutions from taking an anti-American turn." “The Iranian revolution has also had a dramatic impact on Western economies. 1979 was the year the world economy moved from an era of recurrent oil surpluses into an age of chronic shortages,” Time’s article also stated. “If there had been no revolution in Iran... 1979 would have been a normal year.” The article also urged for addressing the Palestine issue, stating, "The extent to which the Palestinian problem has inflamed passions, even among Arabs who consider themselves pro-U.S., is not at all understood by Americans." Washington must bear in mind that Iran today, under the leadership of the Imam’s successor, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, is in a far more powerful position compared to the early years after the Revolution. Therefore, one can say, in Imam's words, "America can't do a damn thing" against Iran.
Shiba Inu (SHIB) vs. Ripple (XRP) vs. Rexas Finance (RXS): Which One Is the Best Coin to Hold for January 2025 Gains?The Los Angeles Galaxy will aim to complete one of the most remarkable transformations in Major League Soccer history on Saturday when they host the New York Red Bulls chasing a record-extending sixth MLS Cup crown. A year ago, the California franchise had hit rock bottom, plummeting to their worst ever regular season record to finish one place off the bottom of the Western Conference. The team that had once been a home to the likes of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were engulfed in crisis, with fans boycotting fixtures after nearly a decade of failure on the field. Moreover, the Galaxy's status as one of MLS's glamour clubs had been diminished by the arrival of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, as well as the emergence of city rivals Los Angeles FC, winners of the MLS Cup in 2022. The febrile atmosphere at the Galaxy prompted team ownership to shake up their front office, with Will Kuntz appointed general manager to replace long-time predecessor Chris Klein, who was fired in May 2023. The turnaround since those changes has been dramatic. After winning just eight fixtures in the 2023 season, the Galaxy under head coach Greg Vanney won a record-equalling 19 games this season to finish joint top of the table, second only to leaders LAFC on goal difference. The Galaxy kept up their winning ways in the postseason, swatting aside Colorado 9-1 on aggregate to wrap up their first round series, before thrashing Minnesota United 6-2 and then squeezing past Seattle 1-0 last weekend. Those results have left the club on the threshold of a first MLS Cup title since 2014 and a record sixth championship overall. Victory in Saturday's showpiece in Carson would be especially sweet for Vanney, who appeared in three MLS Cup finals with the Galaxy as a player in 1996, 1999 and 2001 -- and lost all three. Reflecting on his team's journey to this year's final, Vanney said this week his team had thrived under the pressure of being expected to challenge for silverware. "The expectation is to be in games like this, to win trophies and win championships," Vanney said. "This group has come out and attacked it from day one and hasn't been afraid of it or in awe of it -- and that's one of the beauties of this group. "I'm excited for this group and this opportunity and now the objective is to win it and put the stamp on it, rewriting a new group of players and new legacy for this organisation." Vanney's task has become more complicated by an injury to star midfielder Riqui Puig, who suffered torn knee ligaments in last week's Western Conference final win over Seattle and will miss Saturday's game. "He's the ultimate competitor," Vanney said. "He wants to win, compete, and take responsibility on the field. He drives the team in so many ways. "We're going to have to adapt, and we're going to have to adapt in a collective way." The Galaxy meanwhile will be wary of a New York Red Bulls line-up that have ripped up the form book en route to the final. After finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference -- 27 points behind leaders Inter Miami -- the Red Bulls stunned reigning champions Columbus in the first round of the playoffs before wins on the road over rivals New York City FC and Orlando to book their place in their first MLS Cup since 2008. New York's Scotland international midfielder Lewis Morgan says the team is unfazed by Saturday's assignment in Los Angeles. "For me, it doesn't really matter where it is: it's playoff football," Morgan said this week. "It's not the regular season. These games are more cagey. You go 1-0 up, we defend a little bit deeper and we're relying on guys at the back. There have been massive performances." rcw/bb
United Parcel Service 's ( UPS -0.20% ) stock closed at an all-time high of $206.37 per share on Feb. 2, 2022. At the time, many investors were impressed by its stable growth, wide moat, and rising shipments for e-commerce platforms. However, after setting that record high, UPS's stock price pulled back nearly 40% to about $125. It dropped as it lapped its pandemic-driven growth spurt in deliveries in 2021, struggled with higher fuel and labor costs, and lost customers as it dealt with tense union negotiations that nearly sparked a strike in 2023. Rising interest rates also chilled the economy while also making its dividend-paying shares less appealing than fixed-income investments. UPS' business has gradually stabilized over the past year as it overcame most of those challenges. Its stock looks cheap at 14 times forward earnings, and it's still trading about 30% below Wall Street's highest price target of $185. Should investors buy this oft-overlooked stock before it rises back to those levels? Is UPS' slowdown finally over? UPS is one of the world's largest courier service providers. It employs more than half a million people worldwide and serves over 200 countries and territories. Its average daily package volume, average revenue per piece, and total revenue jumped in 2020 and 2021 as the pandemic drove more people to shop online. That top-line growth offset the near-term pressure on its margins and boosted its earnings per share (EPS). Metric 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Average daily package volume 21.88 million 24.68 million 25.25 million 24.29 million 22.29 million Average revenue per piece $10.87 $10.94 $12.32 $13.38 $13.62 Total revenue $74.09 billion $84.63 billion $97.29 billion $100.34 billion $90.96 billion Adjusted operating margin 11% 10.3% 13.5% 13.8% 10.9% Diluted EPS $7.53 $8.23 $14.68 $13.20 $7.80 Data source: United Parcel Service. But in 2022 and 2023, UPS' daily package volumes declined as the pandemic tailwinds dissipated, inflation curbed consumer spending, and some customers shifted their deliveries to FedEx and other competitors to hedge against a potential strike from the Teamsters Union, which represents around 330,000 UPS workers. UPS partly offset that pressure by raising its rates, which boosted its average revenue per piece, but that growth couldn't fully prop up its revenue or EPS . Those near-term challenges drove many investors away from UPS' stock. For 2024, UPS expects its revenue to rise just 0.2% to $91.1 billion as its adjusted operating margin dips to 9.6%. That outlook seems dim, but several of its near-term headwinds are dissipating as it tosses more irons in the fire. It negotiated a new worker contract with the Teamsters Union this August to avoid a strike, but it's partly offsetting those higher labor costs by laying off about 12,000 employees, investing in new logistics technologies, and automating more tasks across its network. The Fed's rate cuts over the past year also indicate that inflation is gradually cooling off. For the full year, analysts expect its revenue to stay flat as its EPS dips 15%. But in 2025, they expect its revenue and EPS to grow 4% and 17%, respectively, as the macro environment warms up and it laps the initial costs of its new union contract. UPS pays a high forward dividend yield of 5.2%, and that high payout should become more attractive as declining interest rates make CDs and T-bills less appealing to retail investors. It's raised its dividend for 15 consecutive years, and its payout ratio remains below 100%. Should you buy UPS' stock while it's trading below $185? UPS' low valuation and high yield should limit its downside potential, but its stock probably won't soar back toward $185 over the next 12 months. At $185, it would be pricier at 21 times forward earnings and its forward yield would drop to 3.5% -- which would be significantly lower than the 10-year Treasury's current yield of 4.1%. UPS is still a solid buy at these levels if you're looking for a high-yielding alternative to bonds, CDs, or other lower-yielding dividend stocks. However, it's not the right stock for investors who are seeking out more aggressive market-beating gains.Georgia quarterback Carson Beck on Saturday announced his plans to enter the NFL draft, five days after having season-ending elbow surgery . Beck, a fifth-year senior, made his NFL plans official on social media. Beck suffered a right elbow injury in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 22-19 overtime win over Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 7 in Atlanta. Beck had surgery on Monday to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Beck is expected to begin throwing next spring. He could have returned for a sixth season but instead will enter the NFL draft. Beck posted on Instagram: “The past five years at the University of Georgia have been nothing short of a dream come true and I will forever cherish the memories that have been made.” Gunner Stockton, who took over for Beck in the second half against Texas, will start for Georgia on Wednesday in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Beck has started every game of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He was 24-3 as a starter. Beck passed for 3,941 yards with 24 touchdowns and only six interceptions in 2023 but had more difficulties with turnovers this season as he passed for 28 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He completed 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards before his injury in the SEC championship game. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballresident reportedly regrets dropping out of the after the Democrats suffered their latest defeat as proved unable to stop . With 312 Electoral College votes and 77.2 million popular votes, the 78-year-old Republican will return to the White House for his second spell running the country, this time with as Vice-President. The American billionaire and media personality-turned-politician managed to even repel the Democrats' late roll of the dice when announced he was stepping down following a poor TV debate and rumors of cognitive decline throughout his term. Yet despite ' strong showing in ABC News' debate she proved unable to stop the MAGA horde voting en masse to send Trump back to the Oval Office, and now Biden is left wondering if he could have actually done it on his own according to The Washington Post. "Aides say the president has been careful not to place blame on Harris or her campaign," an insider speaking on behalf of the 82-year-old told the outlet, who is said to have felt forced to withdraw from the race. Biden previously appeared to name , the ex-House Speaker, as one of the members looking to replace him with the far younger Harris, who is only 60 years old. "A number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races," Biden told CBS News. "And I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic. "You'd be interviewing me about what did Nancy Pelosi say, and I thought it'd be a real distraction." When is Inauguration Day? Inauguration Day marks the official transferring of power from Biden's Democrats to Trump's Republicans, who also boast the power of the world's richest man, , in their political ranks. will be sworn in at the Capitol Building before they take to the White House to begin their work. Inauguration Day is on January 20, 2025 and will see Trump become the 47th President of the United States since back in 1789.
EU rules requiring all new smartphones, tablets and cameras to use the same charger came into force on Saturday, in a change Brussels said will cut costs and waste. Manufacturers are now obliged to fit devices sold in the 27-nation bloc with a USB-C, the port chosen by the European Union as the common standard for charging electronic tools. “Starting today, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, speakers, keyboards and many other electronics sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port,” the EU Parliament wrote on social media X. The EU has said the single charger rule will simplify the life of Europeans and slash costs for consumers. By allowing consumers to purchase a new device without a new charger, it will also reduce the mountain of obsolete chargers, the bloc has argued. The law was first approved in 2022 following a tussle with US tech giant Apple. It allowed companies until December 28 this year to adapt. Makers of laptops will have extra time, from early 2026, to also follow suit. Most devices already use these cables, but Apple was more than a little reluctant. The firm said in 2021 that such regulation “stifles innovation”, but by September last year it had begun shipping phones with the new port. Makers of electronic consumer items in Europe had agreed on a single charging norm from dozens on the market a decade ago under a voluntary agreement with the European Commission. But Apple, the world’s biggest seller of smartphones, refused to abide by it and ditch its Lightning ports. Other manufacturers kept their alternative cables going, meaning there were about half a dozen types knocking around, creating a jumble of cables for consumers. USB-C ports can charge at up to 100 Watts, transfer data up to 40 gigabits per second, and can serve to hook up to external displays. At the time of its approval, the commission said the law was expected to save at least 200 million euros ($208 million) per year and cut more than a thousand tonnes of EU electronic waste every year. “It’s time for THE charger,” the European Commission wrote on X on Saturday. “It means better-charging technology, reduced e-waste, and less fuss to find the chargers you need.” With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.Keene State men post 75-71 hoops win over WilliamstownScottsbluff-based startup aims to automate cattle feeding