JAKARTA: Millions of Indonesians will head to polling stations on Wednesday (Nov 27) to elect 545 regional leaders across the world’s third-biggest democracy, an event analysts say will shape Indonesia’s political landscape over the next five years. Indonesians will elect 37 governors, 93 mayors and 415 regents after an official campaigning period that began on Sep 25 and ended on Nov 23. The candidates largely hail from two political factions: President Prabowo Subianto’s 11-party Advance Indonesia Coalition or KIM Plus, and former president Megawati Soekarnoputri’s Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). A minority are independent candidates. For Mr Prabowo, the elections will likely determine how well his policies and programmes are implemented on the ground, which ultimately translates to his re-election chances when his term ends in 2029, should he decide to seek a second term. “If a (regional) leader comes from the opposition camp, then there is a high chance that region will not support decisions and programmes made (by the Prabowo administration) on a national level,” Mr Hendri Satrio, a political analyst from Jakarta’s Paramadina University, told CNA. For the PDI-P, the elections are a chance to make a comeback and stay relevant after its candidate Ganjar Pranowo – a former governor of Central Java – came in last in the presidential election with 16.5 per cent of the vote. Mr Prabowo won with 58.6 per cent of the vote in February while former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan was second with 24.9 per cent. The PDI-P, however, managed to secure the most votes in the legislative election held on the same day, Feb 14, and retain its title as the country’s largest party in parliament. “The PDI-P will fight very hard not to lose the regional election, particularly in provinces known to be PDI-P strongholds,” Mr Hendri said. Another former president’s shadow looms large. The election will be a test of Mr Joko Widodo’s king-making ability after he successfully helped his defence minister, Mr Prabowo, ascend to the presidency. Mr Prabowo’s vice-president is Mr Widodo’s eldest child Gibran Rakabuming Raka. Mr Widodo, known as Jokowi, was a member of the PDI-P before he decided to go against the party by not supporting Mr Ganjar’s presidential bid. Jokowi’s son-in-law Bobby Nasution is running for governor of North Sumatra against the PDI-P-supported incumbent Edy Rachmayadi. “QUICK COUNTS” COULD BE IN BY 6PM LOCAL TIME The polls will open from 7am to 1pm local time, after which votes will be tallied. Indonesia has three time zones. Independent pollsters and the country’s General Elections Commission will start compiling the results from 3pm local time. Vote-counting usually takes a few hours and Indonesians should know unofficial “quick count” results by around 6pm. The official results will not be out until one or two weeks later as they involve lengthy verification processes. Wednesday's regional elections come after a two-month campaigning period that saw candidates staging rallies, visiting impoverished neighbourhoods and lobbying community leaders and religious figures in hopes of tipping the odds in their favour. SCENARIOS THAT COULD EMERGE Experts say the populous provinces of West, East and Central Java – with 49.8 million, 41.8 million and 37.8 million people, respectively – will be key battlegrounds. Indonesians will also be watching the gubernatorial contest of the country’s biggest and most important city, Jakarta. The Jakarta governor position is considered one of Indonesia’s most prestigious political posts, with Jokowi and Mr Anies previously occupying the position. In the West Java gubernatorial race, the Prabowo coalition-backed candidate Dedi Mulyadi has been soaring in latest surveys, which suggest he may secure up to 71.5 per cent of the vote, far ahead of his three rivals. In East Java, the Prabowo coalition-backed incumbent Khofifah Indar Parawansa is predicted to beat two other candidates with around 55.1 per cent of the vote. The Central Java gubernatorial election is a tighter race, with various pollsters saying it could go to either Prabowo- and Jokowi-backed Ahmad Luthfi or PDI-P-supported former military chief Andika Perkasa. In a reflection of the stakes involved, Mr Prabowo endorsed Mr Ahmad on Nov 3 despite earlier pledges that he would remain neutral during the regional elections. In Jakarta, the PDI-P- and Anies-backed Pramono Anung is predicted to have a slight lead over the Prabowo- and Jokowi-supported Ridwan Kamil . If KIM Plus’ candidates win in most, or all of these battlegrounds, Mr Prabowo’s implementation of policies such as the free-meals programme is likely to be smoother. The PDI-P, however, will face an uphill battle to regain dominance. If the PDI-P and KIM Plus win their share of the key provinces, the power struggle between Mdm Megawati, and Mr Prabowo and Jokowi, is set to continue. The race for Jakarta governor will extend to 2025 with a run-off between the top two candidates, if no single candidate wins more than 50 per cent of the vote on Nov 27. GOVERNOR'S ARREST CREATES SHOCKWAVES; MANY VOTERS UNDECIDED The regional elections have been blighted in recent days by the arrest of Bengkulu governor Rohidin Mersyah and two aides for suspected corruption on Sunday. Rohidin is seeking re-election in the Sumatran province and is accused of extorting money from subordinates by threatening to remove them from their positions if they do not contribute to his campaign. He has been charged with extortion. Investigators seized banknotes in various currencies worth 7 billion rupiah (US$440,000) from the suspects, said Corruption Eradication Commission deputy chairman Alexander Marwata. Mr Alexander reportedly said Rohidin’s case reflected a larger trend of vote-buying ahead of the elections, and the commission has received other tip-offs. Rising cost of living, high unemployment and a dwindling middle class are expected to be top of voters’ minds when they cast their votes. For Jakartans, issues like the city’s crippling traffic, floods and worsening air pollution could be the deciding factor. “No one seems to be offering viable solutions to these problems. That’s why the number of undecided voters is high,” Mr Adi Prayitno, a political science lecturer at Jakarta’s Syarif Hidayatullah Islamic University told CNA. Several pollsters put the proportion of undecided Jakarta voters at between 11 and 15 per cent. Meanwhile in West Java, undecided voters stand at around 17 per cent, with even higher figures reported in East and Central Java. According to two separate surveys conducted by Kompas newspaper this month, 22.8 per cent of voters in East Java and 43.1 per cent of voters in Central Java are undecided. Experts say the high figures could also be the result of election fatigue, which could translate to low voter turnout on Wednesday. The Indonesian General Elections Commission (KPU) is more optimistic. “Given the situation, there is potential for a decline in participation. Hopefully, the voter participation rate can reach 82 per cent,” KPU commissioner Idham Holik said on Saturday, as quoted by Antara news agency. The participation rate for February’s presidential election was 81.7 per cent.Esquimalt Celebration of Lights returns for night of holiday cheerNone
LAS VEGAS — Southern California opened its season at Allegiant Stadium with a victory over LSU that set up the Trojans for early contention for the College Football Playoff, but instead will end the year where they started. Texas A&M also had high hopes for a playoff spot, and the Aggies went even deeper into the season before that dream ended with three defeats in their final four games. Now both teams face each other in Friday night’s Las Vegas Bowl, not the setting either side envisioned but a chance for both to finish the season on a positive note. “We’re all still competitors at heart,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said. “Any chance you get to come play a really good program, like we’re playing a really good team, you’ve got to relish that opportunity.” The Trojans (6-6) will try to avoid their first losing season since 2021 when they went 4-8 and coach Clay Helton was fired. Riley took over the program and immediately went 11-3 followed by an 8-5 record last season. People are also reading... USC appeared to be on the way back to prominence after opening this season with a 27-20 victory over then-No. 13 LSU. But the Trojans lost five games in which they led in the fourth quarter, which is why they’re back in Las Vegas and not potentially preparing for a playoff game. “You’ve just got to stay consistent all the way through and locked in the small things,” USC safety Bryson Shaw said of the lessons learned from the close calls. “We learned a lot this year. It’s been great for us in bowl preparation.” Texas A&M (8-4) also was coming off a victory over LSU when it looked as if the Aggies might even be playing for a national title. They were 7-1 after the 38-23 victory, and at 5-0 the only undefeated team in the Southeastern Conference. But then came the season-ending slide. “It obviously hurt,” Texas A&M linebacker Taurean York said. “Obviously, we wanted to be in the playoffs, but it’s not how our story ended this year. So, hopefully, it ends the right way with a win over USC.” The Aggies will be without defensive ends Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart, defensive tackle Shemar Turner and backup wide receiver Moose Muhammad III, who opted out to prepare for the NFL draft. “I think it was the right decision for each one of them, and the rest of our roster is here, so we’re excited,” Aggies coach Mike Elko said. “I think we’re in a really good place, and I’m happy with where we are moving forward.” Homecoming for Maiava USC sophomore quarterback Jayden Maiava was a high school star in Las Vegas, and last season as UNLV’s starting quarterback, he played at Allegiant Stadium. Then he left for USC, though initially as the backup to Miller Moss before claiming the starting job with three games left. Maiava went 2-1, passing for 840 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. “I’m really bullish on his future,” Riley said. “He’s a talented kid. I think he’s going to continue to get better and better.” QB change Part II Similar to the Trojans, Texas A&M also made an in-season quarterback change. Redshirt freshman dual threat Marcel Reed took over as the full-time starter after he replaced Conner Weigman in the victory over LSU. He has started seven games and has 1,572 yards and eight 12 touchdowns passing and 501 yards and six TDs rushing. “I think they’ve got to respect him on that run side,” Texas A&M wide receiver Noah Thomas said. “They might throw a couple of more people in the box, so I think that will open me up, too.” Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
DENVER (AP) — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's “America’s Got Talent” meets “American Idol,” with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it’s never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at “Dream Team” status given the men’s side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023 . The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. “We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport,” said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. “We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world.” Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores . “Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That’s something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok , the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado’s two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. “If a receiver is running around, I’m thinking, ‘OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,’” Daniels explained. “They’re like, ‘No, you can’t.’ I’m just like, ‘So I’m supposed to let this guy just run?!’ I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn.” The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. “I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. “I’m not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, ‘I played NFL football for five years. I’m popular. I have a huge name.’ I’m still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise.” Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It’s his way of working on avoiding a “defender” trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. “You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the ‘Redeem Team’ led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, ‘That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. “Everybody thinks, ‘Yeah, the U.S. just wins,’” Daniels said. “But we work hard all the time. We don’t just walk in. We don’t just get off the bus thinking, ‘We’re going to beat people.’” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
TROY, N.Y. — The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers (5-5-1) men’s hockey team faced a tall task as they hosted the No. 5 University of Maine Black Bears (9-2-2) at Houston Field House on Saturday afternoon in Troy. In the first of a two-game set, the Black Bears slowly built up a lead and busted it open in the third period for a 6-0 victory. The Black Bears opened the scoring at the 9:37 mark of the first frame. Sophomore forward Charlie Russell, from Owen Fowler and Lynden Breen, made it 1-0. Speaking of Breen, the graduate student forward had quite [...]ITV I'm A Celebrity's Coleen Rooney takes swipe at Wayne as she opens up about struggles
Texans look to get on track before playoffs after lopsided loss to RavensMichigan upsets No. 2 Ohio State 13-10
Blue Ocean Acquisition Stock Hits All-Time High at $12.5When Seuk Kim took off from Maryland last weekend with three small dogs aboard his plane, it was the latest of many volunteer flights he had made to rescue animals in need. After realizing a childhood dream of becoming a pilot, Kim transported cats and dogs from disaster areas, overcrowded shelters and other misfortunes — including a dog trapped for days in a shipping container — to rescue groups. He lined up other aviators to do the same. But Sunday's flight to New York was his last. Kim's 1986 Mooney M20J crashed in the snowy woods of the Catskill Mountains, killing the 49-year-old pilot and one of the dogs, authorities said. The other two pups survived and were recovering Tuesday. “There are very few people like Seuk in this world. He has no ulterior motives. He never needed recognition,” said Sydney Galley, a fellow rescue flight volunteer. “He just wanted to help.” RELATED STORY | 'Need all the help I can get': Hurricane-related IV shortage landed woman in hospital for 6 weeks Whiskey — a 4-month-old Labrador-mix puppy who was found huddled in the snow with two broken legs — was doing well while awaiting surgery at Pieper Memorial Veterinary emergency and specialty hospital in Middletown, Connecticut. Videos showed the tawny pup getting belly rubs, licking a staffer’s face and, later, calmly looking around while having a leg bandage changed. The other surviving dog, an 18-month-old Yorkshire terrier mix called Pluto, was found Monday with minor injuries. By Tuesday, Pluto was at the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley, the New York organization that had been set to receive all three dogs. The third was a 5-pound (2.3-kg) puppy named Lisa, Galley said. The Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday that the aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances in mountainous terrain. National Transportation Safety Board investigators were at the crash site. Greene County Sheriff Peter Kusminsky has said visibility was poor Sunday and that Kim sought permission to change his altitude because of turbulence before the plane went down in early evening. Galley said the aircraft — Kim's third plane, purchased in recent months — was equipped with technology to help locate it in an emergency. Still, it took authorities until about midnight Sunday to find the aircraft, which was in about a foot of snow a couple of miles from the nearest road, the sheriff said. Kim lived with his wife and their three children in Springfield, Virginia. Originally from South Korea, he “came to this country with little but a dream, and through hard work and perseverance, he built a life of meaning and generosity,” cousin Christine Kim said in a Facebook message. “Witty, spontaneous, and full of boundless generosity,” he combined a caring heart with a sense of adventure, the Kim family said in an online obituary. RELATED STORY | 'Need all the help I can get': Hurricane-related IV shortage landed woman in hospital for 6 weeks Seuk Kim had worked in fields including public relations and marketing. His family said he had pastimes including cooking and following baseball, but he had long aspired to fly. He eventually made that wish come true, and Galley said Kim recently told friends that he had landed a job with a charter flight company. “He was on top of the world,” she said. Kim started flying rescue dogs about four years ago and became a dedicated volunteer who handled as many as three flights a week and helped line up other pilots, Galley said. Unfazed by huge dogs, cats that other pilots didn't want to fly, or animal potty accidents, he responded to virtually any request with a smile and “sure, I can do that,” she recalled. Earlier this year, he flew “Connie the container dog,” the canine found in a shipping container at the Port of Houston, according to Galley and to a post on his memorial website. After Hurricane Helene struck parts of the Southeast this fall, Kim helped fly planeloads of generators and other supplies to hard-hit western North Carolina and even acquired a pickup truck to drive in hay for farms, Galley recalled. Penny Edwards of Forever Changed Animal Rescue, one of the groups Kim helped with Helene response, called him “a huge asset to not just us but the entire rescue community.” “Our hearts are shattered,” she wrote in an email Tuesday. Maggie Jackman Pryor, the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley’s executive director, said Kim helped save hundreds of animals over the years. Among them were a dog and her five puppies that he flew in October to Cathy West of Kuddles & Kisses K9 Rescue in Baltimore. The mixed-breed dog had been on a list to be euthanized at an overfilled shelter in Tennessee, West said. “He was so involved in trying to get the word out to volunteer, to other pilots — that this is a good thing to save these dogs so that they don’t die in shelters,” she said. On Sunday, Galley said, Kim picked up four dogs at a Virginia airport where her husband had just transported them from Georgia. After excitedly telling her husband about his new charter-plane job, Kim took off, dropped a big dog at a small airport in Maryland, and headed on with the rest toward Albany, New York. She imagines that he apologized to his canine passengers as the plane went down. “He always,” she said, “put everybody ahead of himself.”
Marshall withdraws from Independence Bowl matchup against ArmyThe West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination Board (WBJEEB) has officially released the dates of the WBJEE 2025 exam. The entrance exam, which takes admission into engineering, technology, pharmacy, and architecture courses in various universities and colleges across West Bengal, will be conducted on April 27, 2025. The WBJEE 2025 schedule and information bulletin will be released on the official websites, wbjeeb.nic.in and wbjeeb.in. Aspiring candidates are advised to regularly check the Board’s websites for updates regarding the exams. According to the official notice, "The WBJEE-2025 for admission to engineering, technology, pharmacy, and architecture courses at various universities and colleges in West Bengal will be held on Sunday, April 27, 2025." Aspiring applicants are encouraged to visit the Board's website (www.wbjeeb.nic.in/www.wbjeeb.in) on a regular basis for more detailed information. The board will administer the OMR-based WBJEE 2025 Common Entrance Examination for undergraduate admission to engineering, technology, pharmacy, and architecture. This test is valid for the academic year 2025-26 at numerous universities, government institutions, and self-financing engineering and technology institutes throughout West Bengal. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Education and around the world.
Marshall withdraws from Independence Bowl matchup against Army