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Atlanta (6-7) at Las Vegas (2-11) Monday, 8:30 p.m. EST, ESPN BetMGM NFL Odds: Falcons by 4 Series record: Falcons lead 8-7 Against the spread: Falcons 5-8, Raiders 5-8 Last meeting: Falcons beat Raiders 43-6 in Atlanta on Nov. 29, 2020. Last week: Falcons lost to Vikings 42-21; Raiders lost to Buccaneers 28-13 Falcons offense: overall (8), rush (12), pass (2), scoring (19) Falcons defense: overall (23), rush (17), pass (25), scoring (25) Raiders offense: overall (25), rush (32), pass (16), scoring (31) Raiders defense: overall (15), rush (14), pass (15), scoring (30) Turnover differential: Falcons minus-9; Raiders minus-17 OLB Arnold Ebiketie has been a key to Atlanta's suddenly improved pass rush. Ebiketie has three sacks in the past two games, giving him four for the season. Overall, the Falcons have had nine sacks in the past two games. They almost doubled their NFL-low total of 10 through their first 11 games. Whoever plays quarterback. Aidan O'Connell injured his left knee Sunday at Tampa Bay, so his availability is unknown. O'Connell is not a mobile quarterback, so if he plays, he likely wouldn't be as limited as a more athletic player at that position. If Desmond Ridder gets the call, he'll face the team where he started 13 games last season. Falcons QB Kirk Cousins vs. Raiders defense. Cousins has been intercepted the past four games, and he has been picked off six times combined the past two weeks. Las Vegas' best hope in forcing Cousins into even more mistakes is pressuring, and the Raiders have nine sacks over the past two weeks. They also had two interceptions against the Bucs. Falcons: Rookie RB Jase McClellan was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. The sixth-round pick earlier had missed time with a foot problem and had only 13 carries for 32 yards. RB Carlos Washington Jr. was signed to the active roster from the practice squad as depth behind Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. ... ILB Troy Andersen (knee) and WR Casey Washington (concussion) did not practice on Thursday. Raiders: RB Alexander Mattison (ankle) is expected to be activated after missing the past three games. CB Nate Hobbs (ankle) hasn't played since Nov. 3 at Cincinnati. The Falcons have won the past five meetings. ... Their 37-point victory in the most recent matchup in 2020 was the most lopsided game in the series' history. ... That game also was the second highest-scoring game by the winning team, behind the then-Oakland Raiders' 50-19 victory in 1979. Falcons WR Drake London needs only two catches to pass Calvin Ridley (217) for the most receptions in the first three seasons with Atlanta. ... London has 75 receptions for 866 yards and six touchdowns this season. ... Cousins has an unhealthy ratio of 17 touchdown passes to 15 interceptions. ... The Raiders' Brock Bowers has caught 87 passes to set an NFL rookie record tight ends record. Sam LaPorta had 86 last season for the Detroit Lions. Bowers also is 67 yards from becoming the third rookie tight end with 1,000 yards, joining Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts in 2021 and the Chicago Bears' Mike Ditka in 1961. ... DE Maxx Crosby is half a sack from becoming the third Raiders player since 1982 with 60 for his career. The other two are Greg Townsend (107 1/2) and Howie Long (84). ... LB Robert Spillane is one of seven players this season with at least 100 tackles, an interception and a sack. ... Las Vegas has committed 4.86 penalties per game since coach Antonio Pierce took over at midseason last season, best in the league. ... The Raiders have had at least one sack in 31 consecutive games, the third-longest active streak behind the Baltimore Ravens with 51 and Philadelphia Eagles with 41. Las Vegas has nine combined in the past two games, tied for best in the league with the Falcons. Raiders RB Sincere McCormick has secured the starting job, and he has averaged at least 5.2 yards per carry in each of his past three games. His rushing total keeps increasing, with McCormick gaining 78 yards against the Bucs. Especially given the uncertainty at quarterback, expect the Raiders to rely on McCormick. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
A Tennessee man is convicted of killing 2 at a high school basketball game in 2021Players must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before going through male puberty to compete in LPGA tournaments or the eight USGA championships for females under new gender policies published Wednesday. The policies, which begin in 2025, follow more than a year of study involving medicine, science, sport physiology and gender policy law. The updated policies would rule out eligibility for Hailey Davidson, who missed qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open this year by one shot and came up short in LPGA Q-school. Davidson, who turned 32 on Tuesday, began hormone treatments when she was in her early 20s in 2015 and in 2021 underwent gender-affirming surgery, which was required under the LPGA's previous gender policy. She had won this year on a Florida mini-tour called NXXT Golf until the circuit announced in March that players had to be assigned female at birth. “Can't say I didn't see this coming,” Davidson wrote Wednesday on an Instagram story. “Banned from the Epson and the LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.” LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who is resigning in January, said the new gender policy "is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach." By making it to the second stage of Q-school, Davidson would have had very limited status on the Epson Tour, the pathway to the LPGA. The LPGA and USGA say their policies were geared toward being inclusive of gender identities and expression while striving for equity in competition. The LPGA said its working group of experts advised that the effects of male puberty allowed for competitive advantages in golf compared with players who had not gone through puberty. “Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who announced Monday that she is resigning in January. "The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organization, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.” Mike Whan, the former LPGA commissioner and now CEO of the USGA, said it developed the updated policy independently and later discovered it was similar to those used by swimming, track and field, and other sports. United States Golf Association CEO Mike Whan said the new policy will prevent anyone from having "a competitive advantage based on their gender." “It starts with competitive fairness as the North star,” Whan said in a telephone interview. “We tried not to get into politics, or state by state or any of that stuff. We just simply said, ‘Where would somebody — at least medically today — where do we believe somebody would have a competitive advantage in the field?’ And we needed to draw a line. “We needed to be able to walk into any women's event and say with confidence that nobody here has a competitive advantage based on their gender. And this policy delivers that.” The “Competitive Fairness Gender Policy” for the USGA takes effect for the 2025 championship season that starts with the U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball on May 10-14. Qualifying began late this year, though there were no transgender players who took part. “Will that change in the years to come as medicine changes? Probably,” Whan said. “But I think today this stacks up.” The LPGA “Gender Policy for Competition Eligibility” would apply to the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour and qualifying for the tours. Players assigned male at birth must prove they have not experienced any part of puberty beyond the first stage or after age 12, whichever comes first, and then meet limitation standards for testosterone levels. The LPGA begins its 75th season on Jan. 30 with the Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, as Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell (80) looks on during a touchdown run by Barkley in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Sent weekly directly to your inbox!Luka Doncic returns to Dallas Mavericks' lineup after missing two games with left heel contusion
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Sandstorm Gold Royalties Provides Updates on Producing and Key Development AssetsBy Sinéad Carew and Medha Singh (Reuters) -MSCI’s global equities index edged lower and the dollar slipped with Treasury yields on Wednesday as investors digested the latest economic data and the potential impact of policies from the incoming U.S. administration, including tariff threats. Oil prices settled close to flat after a large, surprise build in U.S. gasoline stockpiles and worries about the outlook for U.S. interest rates in 2025 countered easing supply concerns from a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah. Equities lost some ground after data showed U.S. consumer spending increased solidly in October, suggesting the economy kept a strong growth pace but that progress dampening inflation has stalled recently. In the 12 months through October core inflation, which the Federal Reserve tracks monetary policy, increased 2.8% after climbing 2.7% in September. “This was no earth-shattering news for the markets. We all expected that inflation would pop up a little bit, but inflation is not getting out of hand. And that’s the key,” said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Spartan Capital Securities. “This paves the way for a 25 basis point cut in December and then probably a pause.” After the data, traders were betting on a 70% probability for a Fed rate cut in December compared with a roughly 59% probability on Tuesday, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool. On Wall Street, at 02:50 p.m. the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 112.78 points, or 0.25%, to 44,747.53, the S&P 500 fell 20.60 points, or 0.34%, to 6,001.10 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 108.10 points, or 0.56%, to 19,068.01. MSCI’s gauge of stocks across the globe fell 0.56 points, or 0.07%, to 858.52, while Europe’s STOXX 600 index closed down 0.19% earlier in the day. Investor reactions to the data took into account President-elect Donald Trump’s late Monday threat to immediately put a 25% tariff on all products from Mexico and Canada when he takes office in January, and impose an additional 10% tariff on goods from China. The threat already drew warnings of retaliation. “Today’s data shouldn’t change views of the likely path for disinflation, however bumpy. But a lot of observers, probably including some at the Fed, are looking for reasons to get more hawkish on the outlook given the potential for inflationary policy change like new tariffs,” said David Alcaly, lead macroeconomic strategist at Lazard Asset Management in an email. Wednesday’s market moves were likely magnified by lower liquidity as investors turned their focus to Thursday’s U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, according to Alex Atanasiu, portfolio manager at Glenmede Investment Management. Thursday’s market close will be followed by a shorter trading day on Friday. In Treasuries, the yield on benchmark U.S. 10-year notes fell 5.8 basis points to 4.244%, from 4.302% late on Tuesday while 30-year bond yield fell 5.3 basis points to 4.427%. The 2-year note yield, which typically moves in step with interest rate expectations, fell 3.9 basis points to 4.215%, from 4.254% late on Tuesday. In currencies, the dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies including the yen and the euro, fell 0.75% to 106.04. Against the Japanese yen, the dollar weakened 1.38% to 150.98 with the yen touching its strongest level versus the greenback in almost five weeks. The euro was up 0.75% at $1.0565 while sterling strengthened 0.85% to $1.2675. After falling on Tuesday, the Mexican peso strengthened 0.23% versus the dollar at 20.628 while the Canadian dollar strengthened 0.2% versus the greenback. The largest cryptocurrency, bitcoin, attempted to find its feet after a four-day retreat from a record high of $99,830. It was last up 5.36% to $96,567.00. Oil prices had flitted between red and green having fallen on Tuesday following confirmation of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire after selling off more sharply on Monday in anticipation of such an agreement. U.S. crude settled down 0.07% at $68.72 a barrel, while Brent ended at $72.83 per barrel, up 0.03% on the day. In precious metals, spot gold rose 0.1% to $2,634.62 an ounce. U.S. gold futures rose 0.56% to $2,635.90 an ounce. (Reporting by Sinéad Carew, Stephen Culp, Medha Singh and Kevin Buckland; Additional reporting by Tom Westbrook; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Mark Potter) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. 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Stock market today: Wall Street slips as the 'Magnificent 7' weighs down the marketThe GOAT is a big fan of superstar Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion who now serves as the lead NFL color commentator for FOX, recently answered a fan question on social media that Vikings fans will want to see. Brady was asked which current NFL wide receiver that he never played with would he most want to throw to. He initially mentioned Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase as an honorable mention, before naming Jefferson as his pick. Here was the GOAT’s full explanation: “He can do everything from any spot on the field. He goes deep. He goes short. He can catch the ball, catch and run, touchdowns, third downs. He’s a ridiculous player. He reminds me so much of my former teammate and Viking: Randy Moss. So if it comes down to choosing only one, he would be the one right now.” If @TomBrady could throw to any current receiver in the league, who would he choose? 👀✈️ pic.twitter.com/BJ6oPuW1MC That’s high praise for Jefferson, who’s been absurdly productive over his first four-plus NFL seasons. He’s averaging 96.8 receiving yards per game overall, which puts him well on pace to have a Moss-like, Hall of Fame career. Moss averaged 70.1 yards per game over his illustrious 17-year career. Jefferson has already clinched his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season. He accomplished the feat in 2023 (1,074) despite a carousel of quarterbacks and a hamstring injury that limited him to just 10 games. As long as he stays healthy, the Vikings will be a problem for oppositing defenses no matter who is under center. Related Minnesota Vikings stories: Kirk Cousins sounds off on Sam Darnold, loss to Vikings in return to Minnesota Insider: Vikings should plan for future, land 6-foot-3 lockdown corner in 2025 NFL Draft Analyst drops bold take on Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy’s future as Vikings starter Vikings should pay Sam Darnold, follow Packers model at QB with J.J. McCarthyCurrent State of Affairs I doubt anyone with a basic understanding of economics would dispute negative economic growth for this calendar year. We cannot simply take the official accounts and take the balance of trade surplus as an accurate indicator of the economy. With severe restrictions on imports, this current account is always likely to be in surplus. Yet imports continued to flow in like a tidal wave across a large number of porous borders. Without considering these unofficial statistics, we will not be able to judge the economy correctly and we would be misinterpreting the economic signals on most fronts. With the dearth of credible economic statistics being publicize, it does not help but accentuate the bombardment of negative news coming out via fake news circles encamped within the perimeters of Chiang Mai, Thailand. How would we be able to take the correct remedy, if we do not know of genuine facts and figures? Yet, we are still dragging each other down, oblivious to the fact that other countries, especially those neighbouring us, are treating us like dirt. We cursed and swore at our leaders online, attacked Myanmar’s own brands, businesses and companies if there was the slightest hint of them supporting our own government and Tamadaw and shoved our competitors into the trench vengefully for even the slightest of mistakes. Myopic, as blind as a bat, tunnel vision would come to our minds. Do they not know that our destiny is all tied by the same red passport that we have to hold when we get out of this land? Nonetheless, the majority seem to have fallen into the trap of those instigators who want the country to fail and the economy wrecked because these campaigners no longer share our destiny. Holding passports of the Western countries (US, UK, Australia, etc.) they called for upheaval and continuing revolution, bestowing distrust among our nationals and promoting the mass murders of one another. Without unity on the inside, we will always be the lowest of the rock-bottom class people in view of other countries. I do not want to dwell much on the Tatmadaw fronts. Reading the ‘Lashio Incident’ would probably help you better understand the circumstances. Murphy’s Law Worst things always happen at the worst possible times! That’s what the Murphy’s Law said. Even you can convince yourself easily; on the day you have left the umbrella at home, there will be a downpour. When you are eating KFC with your fingers, there will be an itch on your body that you cannot possibly reach or scratch. Sounded familiar? When the country is feeling despondent on the economic, security and military fronts, suddenly, once in a century flood will extensively inundate our farmlands and homes. The impact is going to last beyond this year. The standard of living has already gone down due to kyat depreciation and excessive inflation. What more could we possibly suffer? Notwithstanding, the recovery efforts are going to be long and arduous. Families are already in desperate need of help. NNCP terrorist groups claimed they were all for the people, and then they all vanished from sight once the floods came in. Donations they collected are all for themselves only. There is even a news report of them shooting at Tatmadaw soldiers on the flood rescue missions. I don’t know if Kipling would be able to say the same phrase now, if he were alive: “I love the Burman with the blind favouritism born of first impression. When I die, I will be a Burman”. What an irony, considering how things are now. Getting the Inflation Wrong CBM and MOF stated the last FY inflation officially at 27 per cent. When the price of the eggs, e.g., has gone up from around K100 the year before to nearly K500 now, you know the figure is a hogwash. With the US dollar rates going up nearly 300 per cent within the last three years, you know for sure, that the imported inflation is somewhere around that figure. (Fret not, inflation in the UK, from 2019 to 2022 was six times the average figure of the previous ten years) Electricity bills are going up from September 2024 onwards. The diesel and petrol are heading north all the time. These two costs would be passed on to the prices of locally produced goods and services. The danger here is that inflation is becoming unanchored; with no third party or credible confirmation on inflation figures, the headline figure becomes flexible without any targeted number by CBM or the MOF. This long period of inflation would lead to both individuals and companies, expecting more price rises in the future. Researchers from the Western world have proven that an unexpected 1 per cent increase in CPI or RPI (Consumer/Retail Price Index) produces a 0.7 per cent rise in inflationary expectations for the future and the fact that the unexpected increase continued to exert influence over future pricing decisions. Once this expectation has set in, it would become even more difficult to control inflation. A dire warning for the CBM/MOF perhaps, but getting the truth out, setting the targets and garnering support, especially from the business community would be an excellent start. Else, the future looks grim. Pulse of the Foreign Believers One Singapore businessman who has been operating in Myanmar for the past thirty years complained of having to fund the operations out of his savings and having no new products to sell to customers because of the ban on imports. One Indian businessman who is a major exporter of beans and pulses as well as the owner of several restaurants, whines of the same issue. He has made Myanmar his home since his father’s time. Now, his moans have become meows and he decided to spend more of this time back in India and elsewhere. One Frenchman, who is a permanent resident of Myanmar, has deserted Myanmar after his 20-year-old travel and tour businesses had to remain shut, due to the absence of any inbound European tourists into Myanmar. To rub salt into his wounds, his boutique hotel in Inlay which he wanted to put up for sale, was devastated so much by recent floods that he is back in Myanmar to clean up and repair the damages. An irony perhaps, for someone who loves Myanmar much. The ‘last to arrive and the first to leave’ Japanese are still trying to find buyers for their factories in Thilawa and around Yangon, to abandon Myanmar. Koreans are also moaning in distress, complaining incessantly of incurring losses year after year and difficult economic environment, especially on the import and money transfer fronts. The Chinese want certainty in the political situation and the scarcity of information is making all of them nervous, especially those credible ones by government news agencies. Bringing the Confidence Back A good proportion of investments and consumption in a country depends on the confidence that businesses and people have in that country and its economy. So, what’s the recipe to increase confidence across the board? (1) Communication: We need the top leaders and ministers from the government to talk about the State of the Union at least every month. Many like me believe in the current leaders and trust that they are doing their best for the country. With a little bit of top-down communication, these followers cannot help but feel motivated about the need to move in the same direction as the government and help accomplish its policies. Best of all, they could help persuade others who lean towards the dark side to get themselves back to the mainstream, thereby reducing terrorism and destructive behaviours along the way. (2) Moral leadership: If you look at Facebook and TikTok right now, Myanmar pages are full of impoliteness, impertinence, impudence and insolence, highlighting the lack of moral guidance and leadership from elderly statesmen and alike. Akin to Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong giving moral guidance for the civil service and general population, we also need moral leaders who cared enough about the social apathy and lack of concern about the deterioration of moral values and standards, across the board. We need those who are not chicken out to talk about these degrading moral principles in public and media. (3) We need timelines and specific actions: Instead of using wishy-washy phrases such as the government is doing what is necessary, the ministry is doing the needful, the department is carrying out the essentials, would it not be a change for the better, if timelines and specific actions are included. Instead of just saying we will try to bring peace in Mandalay, e.g., would it not be building more confidence if the public heard that the Mandalay Region would be free of terrorists by the end of the year, by hook or by crook? Or something equivalent perhaps. With such confidence being built up, businessmen or people with savings would no longer be buying gold and USD. Foreign investors would not be thinking of turning their back on Myanmar. The general population would be more supportive of the government’s actions. More people would start re-investing and hiring people. These confidence-building exercises alone would be a much-needed uplift to the economy, without costing anything to the State. When would be the right time for youth? The current Thai Prime Minister is 38. Singapore’s Prime Minister is 48. Last year, when Cambodia’s Ambassador to Myanmar left the country, he was 34. The new Ambassador is 39 years old. I believe you be hard-pressed to find any ambassadors or ministers of Myanmar below the ripe old age of 60. The majority of them have been on this earth for more than six decades. Being older may equate to being wiser with better judgement, but it also means that they would be unwilling to make changes, slow in decision making, ‘cheugy’ in technology and reluctant to upset the status quo. Worst of all, they are likely to be ‘yes’ men and avoid publicity, challenges and controversies. Even in a recent election in a statutory board (council), the people wanting to occupy the top posts are 73 and 71 years old. Both of them are competing with another 50-year-old, whom they deemed to be young to take on the responsibility. Opportunity for youth only exists in books and words in Myanmar perhaps. Would it not be better if the youth were given a chance to face challenges while being guided by the experience? Would it not be preferable for the country to generate youthful and contemporary ideas from the qualified youth (around 50 years old)? Probably I have to repeat the phrase of the day from Trump – Well, we have concepts of a plan (to promote youths)!ANGE Postecoglou savaged Timo Werner in the aftermath of Spurs’ disappointing draw with Rangers in the Europa League at Ibrox tonight and warned he needs more from his senior players. Posteocoglou substituted the experienced German internationalist at the start of the second and put on Dejan Kulusevski after a flat first half performance from the English club. Swedish internationalist Kulusevski netted an equaliser with 15 minutes of regulation time to earn the visitors a draw in the league phase match. However, the former Celtic manager, who has a raft of key personnel missing through suspension and injury, was still deeply unhappy with how Werner performed after the full-time whistle. “We weren't anywhere near our best, that's fair to say,” he said. “But at the same time we're in a period of games where we're grinding through at the moment. “Obviously we're a fairly depleted squad and there are some players who need to stand up week in, week out. In the context of that, like I said, in the end I think it was a good outcome for us.” Asked why he substituted Werner, he said: “He wasn't playing anywhere near the level he should. “When you've got 18-year-olds, it's not acceptable to me. I said that to Timo. He's a senior international, he's a German international. It's not like we've got many options. “I need everyone to at least be going out there, trying to give the best of themselves. His performance in the first half wasn't acceptable.” Asked how the RB Leipzig loanee and former Chelsea man had responded to his words, Postecoglou said: “I don't really know and it's not really of great concern. “Like I said, we just need everybody, including him, to be contributing because we don't have the depth to leave people out if they're performing poorly. We need them to play their part. “Like I said, especially the senior guys, when I'm asking younger guys to do massive jobs, I expect a level of performance from some of the senior guys and today wasn't that.” Postecoglou was pleased with how youngster Archie Gray, the son of former Scotland internationalist Andy, performed at centre half in the 1-1 draw with Rangers in Govan. “He's 18 and it’s a big experience for him,” he said. “I thought he handled himself really well. We're asking him to do something, to play in an unfamiliar position in such big games, as an 18-year-old in his first year at this level. “I think it's outstanding what he's doing. And I thought Lucas [Bergvall] was excellent when he came on as well. He was due to start tonight but he wasn't feeling well today, he was a bit under the weather so we had to keep him on the bench. “But that's a massive positive for us. I think those two, as 18-year-olds, who are already contributing and experiencing these things, will be of enormous benefit to us.”
Niger junta suspends BBC accusing it of 'spreading false news' in coverage of attackBeyond Paradise enthusiasts said the same thing as they settled in to enjoy the Christmas special on Friday night. Kris Marshall returned as the beloved Humphrey Goodman, cracking yet another enigmatic case in Shipton Abbott, while Sally Bretton's character Martha Lloyd grappled with life after taking in a teenage foster child. The holiday special boasted an impressive guest cast, including Mark Heap playing the grieving widower Bob Holland, haunted by visions of his late wife. Strictly Come Dancing's Seann Walsh also appeared as Bob Holland's son-in-law, Colin. But the real buzz among viewers was the return of Humphrey Goodman to their screens. Fans couldn't contain their excitement on social media, with one exclaiming: "HUMPHREY GOODMAN, IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK," reports the Express . "Humphrey time #BeyondParadise," tweeted another, and a third shared: "Oh, how I've missed you, Humphery." Another fan declared their love for the episode, thanks to Humphrey being his usual self, while another chimed in with: " Humphrey and Martha, I've missed you." One more viewer expressed how much they had missed him, saying: "I've missed him so bad." Anticipation is high for the new series of Beyond Paradise, which will return next year. Although no official date has been released, rumours suggest it could be back as early as March. In the second series, fans nearly saw Humphrey and Martha walk down the aisle, and their journey as foster parents reached a touching end as they welcomed Ryan into their family. Tim Key, the Executive Producer for Red Planet Pictures, was ecstatic about the outstanding reception to series two as he discussed the upcoming third series and the Christmas special. He expressed his delight: "The response to series two has been fantastic. So much love goes into the making of the show and we're delighted that the audience have enjoyed it so much. "We can't wait to get back to Shipton Abbott for another Christmas special and series to continue the story and learn more about our characters and the town they live in - I can promise that we'll be making the viewers laugh, cry, laugh a bit more and then baffling them with a series of ingenious puzzles. There will also be a duck." Beyond Paradise is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.