FORT WORTH, Tex — Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark clearly expressed his displeasure about the College Football Playoff rankings while insisting Wednesday that his conference's champion should get a first-round bye over any Group of Five champion. Arizona State and Iowa State, the 10-2 teams that will play in the Big 12 championship game Saturday, are outside the top 12 in the latest CFP rankings and behind three Southeastern Conference teams with three losses: No. 11 Alabama, No. 13 Mississippi and No. 14 South Carolina. The Sun Devils are 15th, and the Cyclones 16th. “The (selection) committee continues to show time and time again that they are paying attention to logos versus resumes,” Yormark said to open a nearly four-minute statement during a Zoom call to preview the Big 12 title game. The Big 12 is below No. 10 Boise State (11-1) from the Mountain West Conference. The Broncos, who play No. 20 UNLV on Friday night in the MWC title game, have a 10-game winning streak since a 37-34 loss on a last-second field goal at top-ranked Oregon, their only P4 opponent. The five highest-ranked conference champs in the the selection committee's final top 25 ranking on Sunday are guaranteed playoff spots, and the top four getting first-round byes. There are now four potential conference champions ahead of the Big 12, which in current projected pairings would be the No. 12 seed and have to play a first-round game on the road. “Strength of schedule should matter and wins against Power Four opponents should matter — 74% of the Big 12 wins were against Power Four opponents this season,” Yormark said. "Meanwhile, the Group of Five is 11-80. ... In no way should a group of Five champion be ranked above our champion.” Yormark repeated that last line for emphasis, and said strength of schedule was reiterated multiple times before the season as a key metric for the CFP rankings. But he says he hasn't seen that taken into account as much as it should, then pointed out that Arizona State and Iowa State both were 7-2 in Big 12 play and won the non-conference games they played against P4 opponents. Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) celebrates a touchdown against BYU with wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) and offensive lineman Kyle Scott (77) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. Arizona State won 28-23. Credit: AP/Ross D. Franklin Right below Arizona State and Iowa State in the CFP rankings is No. 17 Clemson (9-3), which plays eighth-ranked SMU in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game Saturday night. The Tigers would get in the playoff as the ACC champion with a win. No. 5 Georgia (10-2) plays No. 2 Texas (11-1) in the SEC title game. “The committee clearly focuses on the wins and loss column. Going by that principle, no three-loss team from a Power Four conference should get a bye over a two-loss champion from the Big 12,” Yormark said, again forcefully repeating his thought. Yormark had advocated for the 12-team playoff, and believes it has generated the expected excitement and fan engagement that made November “truly magical.” There was a four-way tie for first place in the 16-team Big 12 at the end of the regular season. Arizona State and Iowa State advanced in a series of tiebreakers that knocked No. 18 BYU and No. 23 Colorado out of title game contention. The Big 12 commissioner said that while he disagrees with what has transpired so far, he is hopeful that there will be some adjustments in the final CFP rankings. “Obviously I challenge what I’ve seen to date, and again I'm going to lean on strength of schedule. I don’t think it’s played out the way it should,” Yormark said. “But I do have trust in the committee that ultimately we'll land where we’re supposed to land. And, you know, that ultimately will mean we’ll get a bye. ... It will come down to the selection committee making that decision, but I’m hopeful it will be the right one."In today's digital-first business landscape, Praveen Sivathapandi stands out as a leader in solutions architecture, bringing over 18 years of experience across finance, healthcare, and logistics. Known for his technical expertise and commitment to transformative solutions, Praveen has shaped how enterprises structure their technology infrastructure, emphasizing adaptability, efficiency, and resilience. A Foundation in Architecture and Development Praveen's journey as a Senior Solutions Architect is rooted in a solid understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), where he has managed projects from conception through implementation. Leveraging his expertise in frameworks like TOGAF and Zachman, he has guided teams in defining the roadmaps, technical frameworks, and processes needed for effective enterprise transformation. His ability to blend strategic insight with technical precision has helped numerous organizations streamline processes and adopt agile, scalable solutions. Innovating with Cloud and Microservices Architecture Praveen's work in cloud computing and microservices has been integral to his success in driving organizational growth and efficiency. Skilled in AWS, Azure, and TANZU, he has led high-stakes cloud migration and optimization projects, transforming traditional infrastructures into flexible, modern systems. Praveen's mastery of microservices and containerized architectures enables organizations to achieve both scalability and operational flexibility, particularly crucial in high-demand sectors like finance and healthcare. One standout achievement was his role in an extensive architecture overhaul at a major healthcare provider, where he developed a cohesive strategy to enhance electronic data interchange (EDI) processes. This project, which required seamless integration and data interoperability, exemplified Praveen's approach to solutions architecture: meeting complex technical requirements while delivering practical, impactful results. Leadership and Mentorship Beyond his technical skills, Praveen is recognized for his collaborative leadership and mentorship. He actively promotes cross-functional alignment, ensuring that teams work in harmony toward unified goals. By guiding junior engineers and architects, he fosters an environment of continuous learning and innovation, encouraging his teams to think critically and creatively. This dedication to mentorship has left a lasting impact on his colleagues, contributing to a culture of growth and technical excellence. Recognition and Accolades Praveen's work has earned him significant recognition, including an early "Best Developer of the Year" award. His numerous certifications, including TOGAF and AWS Cloud Practitioner, highlight his commitment to professional development and staying at the forefront of industry advancements. Praveen is also Microsoft Certified - Azure Solutions Architect Expert. These credentials, paired with his real-world achievements, reinforce his status as a trusted leader in the field. Praveen Sivathapandi was honored with the Technical Professional of the Year award at the Titan Awards for his exceptional contributions to healthcare modernization and digital transformation. He has played a pivotal role in large-scale projects like the New Mexico Medicaid Management Information System Replacement and modernizing claims processing systems for Health Management Systems (HMS). His expertise in cloud architecture, data integration, and regulatory compliance has driven operational efficiencies, reduced processing times, and enhanced scalability, solidifying his reputation as a leader in technological innovation within healthcare and finance sectors. Vision for AI and Predictive Enterprise Architecture Looking to the future, Praveen envisions enterprise architecture enhanced by AI and machine learning, enabling real-time insights and predictive capabilities. His current focus is on data-driven strategies that help enterprises become more agile, responsive, and efficient. By integrating AI with solutions architecture, he aims to support hyper-efficiency and rapid adaptation to industry changes. Praveen's forward-thinking approach aligns with the demands of an evolving tech environment, where the ability to respond dynamically to data insights is paramount. Legacy of Innovation and Excellence Praveen Sivathapandi's career is a testament to his role as a transformative force in solutions architecture. From optimizing cloud environments to mentoring future technology leaders, his work consistently raises the bar for excellence. Each project reflects his dedication to innovation, strategic thinking, and collaboration, solidifying his influence across multiple industries. As Praveen continues to lead the way in enterprise solutions, his journey inspires a new generation of architects to approach technology with both vision and precision, shaping a more resilient and adaptable future.The people that president-elect Donald Trump has selected to lead federal health agencies in his second administration include a retired congressman, a surgeon and a former talk-show host. All of them could play pivotal roles in fulfilling a new political agenda that could change how the government goes about safeguarding Americans' health — from health care and medicines to food safety and science research. And if Congress approves, at the helm of the team as Department of Health and Human Services secretary will be prominent environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine organizer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Recommended Videos By and large, the nominees don't have experience running large bureaucratic agencies, but they know how to talk about health on TV . Centers for Medicare and Medicaid pick Dr. Mehmet Oz hosted a talk show for 13 years and is a well-known wellness and lifestyle influencer. The pick for the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Marty Makary, and for surgeon general, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, are frequent Fox News contributors. Many on the list were critical of COVID-19 measures like masking and booster vaccinations for young people. Some of them have ties to Florida like many of Trump's other Cabinet nominees: CDC pick Dr. Dave Weldon represented the state in Congress for 14 years and is affiliated with a medical group on the state's Atlantic coast. Nesheiwat's brother-in-law is Rep. Mike Waltz , R-Fla., tapped by Trump as national security adviser. Here's a look at the nominees' potential role in carrying out what Kennedy says is the task to “reorganize” agencies, which have an overall $1.7 billion budget; employ 80,000 scientists, researchers, doctors and other officials; and affect the lives of all Americans. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Atlanta-based CDC, with a $9.2 billion core budget, is charged with protecting Americans from disease outbreaks and other public health threats. Kennedy has long attacked vaccines and criticized the CDC, repeatedly alleging corruption at the agency. He said on a 2023 podcast that there is "no vaccine that is safe and effective,” and urged people to resist the CDC's guidelines on if and when kids should get vaccinated . Decades ago, Kennedy found common ground with Weldon , the 71-year-old nominee to run the CDC who served in the Army and worked as an internal medicine doctor before he represented a central Florida congressional district from 1995 to 2009. Starting in the early 2000s, Weldon had a prominent part in a debate about whether there was a relationship between a vaccine preservative called thimerosal and autism. He was a founding member of the Congressional Autism Caucus and tried to ban thimerosal from all vaccines. Kennedy, then a senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, believed there was a tie between thimerosal and autism and also charged that the government hid documents showing the danger. Since 2001, all vaccines manufactured for the U.S. market and routinely recommended for children 6 years or younger have contained no thimerosal or only trace amounts, with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine. Meanwhile, study after study after study found no evidence that thimerosal caused autism. Weldon's congressional voting record suggests he may go along with Republican efforts to downsize the CDC, including to eliminate the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, which works on topics like drownings, drug overdoses and shooting deaths. Weldon also voted to ban federal funding for needle-exchange programs as an approach to reduce overdoses, and the National Rifle Association gave him an “A” rating for his pro-gun rights voting record. Food and Drug Administration Kennedy is extremely critical of the FDA, which has 18,000 employees and is responsible for the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs, vaccines and other medical products — as well as overseeing cosmetics, electronic cigarettes and most foods. Makary, Trump’s pick to run the FDA, is closely aligned with Kennedy on several topics . The professor at Johns Hopkins University who is a trained surgeon and cancer specialist has decried the overprescribing of drugs, the use of pesticides on foods and the undue influence of pharmaceutical and insurance companies over doctors and government regulators. Kennedy has suggested he'll clear our “entire” FDA departments and also recently threatened to fire FDA employees for “aggressive suppression” of a host of unsubstantiated products and therapies, including stem cells, raw milk , psychedelics and discredited COVID-era treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Makary's contrarian views during the COVID-19 pandemic including the need for masking and giving young kids COVID vaccine boosters. But anything Makary and Kennedy might want to do when it comes to unwinding FDA regulations or revoking long-standing vaccine and drug approvals would be challenging. The agency has lengthy requirements for removing medicines from the market, which are based on federal laws passed by Congress. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services The agency provides health care coverage for more than 160 million people through Medicaid, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, and also sets Medicare payment rates for hospitals, doctors and other providers. With a $1.1 trillion budget and more than 6,000 employees, Oz has a massive agency to run if confirmed — and an agency that Kennedy hasn't talked about much when it comes to his plans. While Trump tried to scrap the Affordable Care Act in his first term, Kennedy has not taken aim at it yet. But he has been critical of Medicaid and Medicare for covering expensive weight-loss drugs — though they're not widely covered by either . Trump said during his campaign that he would protect Medicare, which provides insurance for older Americans. Oz has endorsed expanding Medicare Advantage — a privately run version of Medicare that is popular but also a source of widespread fraud — in an AARP questionnaire during his failed 2022 bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania and in a 2020 Forbes op-ed with a former Kaiser Permanente CEO. Oz also said in a Washington Examiner op-ed with three co-writers that aging healthier and living longer could help fix the U.S. budget deficit because people would work longer and add more to the gross domestic product. Neither Trump nor Kennedy have said much about Medicaid, the insurance program for low-income Americans. Trump's first administration reshaped the program by allowing states to introduce work requirements for recipients. Surgeon general Kennedy doesn't appear to have said much publicly about what he'd like to see from surgeon general position, which is the nation's top doctor and oversees 6,000 U.S. Public Health Service Corps members. The surgeon general has little administrative power, but can be an influential government spokesperson on what counts as a public health danger and what to do about it — suggesting things like warning labels for products and issuing advisories. The current surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, declared gun violence as a public health crisis in June. Trump's pick, Nesheiwat, is employed as a New York City medical director with CityMD, a group of urgent care facilities in the New York and New Jersey area, and has been at City MD for 12 years. She also has appeared on Fox News and other TV shows, authored a book on the “transformative power of prayer” in her medical career and endorses a brand of vitamin supplements. She encouraged COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, calling them “a gift from God” in a February 2021 Fox News op-ed, as well as anti-viral pills like Paxlovid. In a 2019 Q&A with the Women in Medicine Legacy Foundation , Nesheiwat said she is a “firm believer in preventive medicine” and “can give a dissertation on hand-washing alone.” National Institutes of Health As of Saturday, Trump had not yet named his choice to lead the National Institutes of Health, which funds medical research through grants to researchers across the nation and conducts its own research. It has a $48 billion budget. Kennedy has said he'd pause drug development and infectious disease research to shift the focus to chronic diseases. He'd like to keep NIH funding from researchers with conflicts of interest, and criticized the agency in 2017 for what he said was not doing enough research into the role of vaccines in autism — an idea that has long been debunked . ___ Associated Press writers Amanda Seitz and Matt Perrone and AP editor Erica Hunzinger contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.Current 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)!play jili178 net 。

Ricks 1-4 2-2 4, Hutchins-Everett 8-15 0-0 17, Brown 5-12 3-4 18, Freeman 6-10 2-3 16, Smith 1-3 3-4 5, Lindsay 3-8 2-3 11, Williams 0-2 0-0 0, Dowuona 0-1 0-0 0, Taylor 0-0 0-0 0, Anderson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-55 12-16 71. Brigham 4-6 0-0 9, Nicholson 6-9 3-6 15, Cotton 1-5 0-2 3, Franklin 3-5 0-0 7, Pierre 8-21 7-9 24, Houge 2-3 0-0 4, Ituka 1-1 1-1 3, Niagu 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 25-51 11-18 65. Halftime_James Madison 40-29. 3-Point Goals_James Madison 11-27 (Brown 5-9, Lindsay 3-7, Freeman 2-3, Hutchins-Everett 1-3, Williams 0-1, Ricks 0-2, Smith 0-2), Jacksonville St. 4-17 (Brigham 1-1, Franklin 1-3, Cotton 1-4, Pierre 1-8, Niagu 0-1). Rebounds_James Madison 29 (Smith 9), Jacksonville St. 29 (Nicholson 8). Assists_James Madison 15 (Brown 4), Jacksonville St. 15 (Pierre 7). Total Fouls_James Madison 14, Jacksonville St. 15.

MicroStrategy Stock Declines Over 14% Amid Heightened Volatility Over S&P 500 Inclusion Concerns: Here's What Is HappeningCovenant Logistics Group Announces Two-For-One Stock Split

LCD With Modbus MCCB: Revolutionizing Circuit ProtectionChhattisgarh: Businessman Threatens Female GST Officer, Claims Backing Of Finance Minister; FIR FiledDonegal Group Inc sees $271,376 in stock purchases by major shareholderAfter absorbing their worst defeat of the year , the San Jose Sharks will be looking for a response Saturday against the Florida Panthers. The Sharks reverted to some bad habits during their 8-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, as they strayed from their identity and were generally outworked from start to finish. The seven-goal loss was the Sharks’ most lopsided of the season, unceremoniously ending a three-game winning streak. While the Sharks have been playing better hockey l ately, the loss in Tampa offered a blunt reminder that they can still get embarrassed when their details and competitive level are not where they need to be, particularly against playoff-caliber teams. “Break out pucks, defend hard, box out, you name it,” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky told reporters when asked about the defense’s shortcomings. “What a defenseman’s responsibilities are, we could have done a lot better.” The forward group wasn’t let off the hook, either. “Didn’t pay a price,” Warsofsky said. “You watch (the Lightning), they’re blocking shots. (Mikey) Eyssimont), (Luke) Glendining (when it’s) 8-1. And that’s the price to pay to win games in this league and that’s what we’ve got to learn.” The Sharks have done a fairly good job this season of responding after blowout defeats. After an 8-3 road loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Oct. 18, they returned home and played a much more competitive game two days later against the Colorado Avalanche in a 4-1 loss. Two days after getting blown out 7-3 by the Vegas Golden Knights on Oct. 26, the Sharks erased a three-goal deficit in the final five minutes of the third period against the Utah Hockey Club and won 5-4 in overtime. Now the Sharks face the reigning Stanley Cup champion Panthers, who, before Friday, were the third-highest scoring team in the NHL at 3.78 goals per game. Florida entered Friday tied for first place in the Atlantic Division with the Toronto Maple Leafs. “I’m not deflated. It’s an 82-game season,” Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro said after Thursday’s loss. “We’ve got another game in a couple of days and another opportunity to play a really good hockey team and surprise them. So it’s not deflating, but it’s definitely not something that’s acceptable, so we’ve got to be better.” The Sharks have lost 10 straight games to the Panthers, with their last victory in South Florida coming on Dec.1, 2017. The Sharks might have to face the Panthers without rookie forward Will Smith, who did not practice Friday. Warsofsky told San Jose Hockey Now that Smith is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, although it remained unclear when the 19-year-old was injured. Against the Lightning, Smith played late into the third period and finished with 15:50 in ice time. Smith has 11 points in 23 games this season and has recently been playing on a line with Mikael Granlund and Klim Kostin. Regardless of who plays against the Panthers, the Sharks still need to prove that they can consistently produce a strong performance against quality opponents. “We’ll obviously take a look at everything and talk within the group and figure it out,” Sharks winger Luke Kunin said, “so it doesn’t happen again.” GOODROW RETURNS: Forward Barclay Goodrow, who has been on injured reserve since Nov. 28 with an upper-body ailment, skated Friday, per San Jose Hockey Now. Goodrow was injured by a high hit from Ridly Greig in the Sharks’ Nov. 27 game against the Ottawa Senators. He is questionable to play against the Panthers. TEDDY BEAR TOSS: The San Jose Barracuda are hosting its annual Teddy Bear Toss at Tech CU Arena on Saturday when it plays the Coachella Valley Firebirds at 6 p.m. Fans are urged to bring stuffed animals to the game and throw them on the ice after the Barracuda scores its first goal. The Barracuda will then distribute some of the stuffed animals to children at local Kaiser Permanente hospitals, as well as other kids who might not get a gift during this time of year. The AHL franchise is also joining forces with San Jose-based Working Partnerships USA, which, per the team, helps to tackle “the root causes of inequality and poverty by leading collaborative campaigns for quality jobs, healthy communities, equitable growth, and a vibrant democracy.” For Saturday’s game, the Barracuda will also wear specialty jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game, with part of the proceeds going to Working Partnerships. The team is also giving away Barracuda stockings to the first 1,500 fans in the building.

The college football program upping its stock as much as any on the recruiting trail on National Signing Day happens to be the defending national champs. Michigan is on a tear, kicked off by the Bryce Underwood flip , which threw a jolt into the class down the home stretch. On Tuesday it flipped fellow five-star Nathaniel Marshall from Auburn and on Wednesday, on national television, another five-star in Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng joined the fold. The Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy star, a Notre Dame legacy, selected UM over Colorado and the Irish in the end. The senior took multiple trips to Ann Arbor over the last several months, including an official visit in June before a pair of game day trips to campus during the 2024 season. During each of the treks to see Sherrone Moore’s program, considerable buzz would follow the Owusu-Boateng camp. It began as novelty and turned into the pace-setting program in very short order since the offseason. Now Michigan is on the verge of a top-five recruiting class , the highest it has worked on National Signing Day since 2017 when it brought in the No. 4-ranked class, which also featured a trio of five-stars at the top. CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Top 100 TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker What Owusu-Boateng brings to Ann Arbor UM just locked in one of the most modern linebackers in the class of 2025. Not only is he ideally built to work on the second level at a rocked-up 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, but he works with a suddenness and a fluidity that can both be the key towards moving him around a defense and propel him to work as a three-down player able to contend with backs and inside pass-catchers in space. On top of the natural gifts, which included short-area explosion and long speed alike, the future Wolverine also works with a competitive edge that is easy to get behind. He is a tireless worker, vocal leader and the type of Alpha personality that should be leading the middle of a Big Ten defense. Others will rally around his game and energy at the next level. Owusu-Boateng is comfortable working downhill like a traditional inside ‘backer, but he has this ground-covering ability on the outside -- potentially built for the back side -- that will make defensive coaches smirk. We envision him building a role early on during his tenure in Ann Arbor, critical in his decision-making process from the beginning, before becoming the potential leader of the defense down the line. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH MICHIGAN FANS AT MAIZEANDBLUEREVIEW.COM Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on Rivals.com , the leader in college football and basketball recruiting coverage. Be the first to know and follow your teams by signing up here .

VERMILLION, S.D. — No. 4-ranked South Dakota stunned top-ranked North Dakota State with a last-second touchdown off a scramble. Javion Phelps caught a 25-yard touchdown with 12 seconds remaining to lift the Coyotes to a 29-28 victory against the Bison on Saturday in Missouri Valley Football Conference play at the DakotaDome. NDSU (10-2, 8-1 MVFC) had its 10-game winning streak snapped and now share the conference crown with multiple teams. The FCS selection show is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, on ESPNU. The Bison could have earned a top-2 seed with a victory. South Dakota (9-2, 7-1) also earned a share of the MFVC championship. Montana State completed an undefeated regular season and will likely be the No. 1 seed for the playoffs. Bison quarterback Cam Miller completed 10 of 22 passes for 174 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 82 yards and one TD on 19 attempts after a slow start. The Coyotes raced to a 14-0 lead before NDSU responded in a game that had huge momentum shifts. The Coyotes had the lead early in the second half. USD kicker Will Leyland hit a 37-yard field goal to give the Coyotes a 17-14 lead with 10 minutes, 21 seconds to play in the third quarter. That capped a 10-play, 51-yard drive. Miller scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to give the Bison a 21-17 lead with 4:48 to play in the third quarter, giving NDSU its first lead. That capped an 80-yard drive that took 10 plays. The 5-foot-11, 214-pound Brown capped an epic 99-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run for a 28-17 lead with 4:10 remaining in the fourth quarter. The long march lasted 20 plays and NDSU converted two fourth-and-1s in its own territory to extend the drive. The Bison looked in control at that point. USD answered with a big drive. Wide receiver Jack Martens caught a 40-yard TD pass from quarterback Aidan Bouman to cut the lead to 28-23 with 3:22 remaining. The Coyotes missed on their two-point conversion attempt. Phelps later added his clutch TD catch for a 29-28 lead. The game-winning touchdown catch came after a Bison sack and Phelps broke wide open after UDS hurried to regroup and run a play with the game clock winding down. The Coyotes started strong. Running back Travis Theis scored on a 6-yard touchdown run to give USD a 7-0 lead with 6:35 remaining in the first quarter. That capped an 80-yard drive that took 11 plays. The Coyotes converted on third-and-17 and third-and-9 on that scoring march. Theis added a 14-yard TD run for a 14-0 lead with 12:44 to play in the second quarter. That capped a 73-yard drive that lasted seven plays. USD had a 158-9 edge in yards after that score. Braylon Henderson countered with a 23-yard touchdown catch to cut the USD lead to 14-7 with 2:39 to play in the first half. That capped a 66-yard drive in six plays. Earlier in the drive, RaJa Nelson had a 30-yard catch that moved the ball to the USD 18-yard line. Marty Brown scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to even the score at 14-14 with 26 seconds remaining in the first half. That capped an 83-yard drive in nine plays. Bryce Lance helped set up that score with a 48-yard catch to the USD 24. The Bison finished the first half with 173 yards on 30 plays, while the Coyotes had 184 yards on 32 plays.

Trellisware Announces Successful Field Tests Of Distributed Beamforming (DBF) TechnologyWhat growing up Mexican-Canadian taught me about family

Northern, rural municipalities get provincial boostMumbai: Court Orders FIR Against Ali Abbas Zafar And Others In 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' Cheating And Forgery Case

After drubbing, San Jose Sharks look for response in South Florida

Features of the WEW1-6300 air circuit breaker and similar 400V ACBsSANTA CLARA — pulled off his grey 49ers sweatshirt Friday and, as he headed for the locker room showers, his sore right shoulder was exposed. There was no noticeable swelling or lump, aside from minor marks via treatment he received since last Sunday’s once-subtle injury. His muscular 24-year-old build appeared stout as ever. Looks can be deceiving. So can words, in any NFL team’s injury descriptions, any Instagram doctors’ prognosis, or any reporters’ déjà vu feelings. “I don’t want to say there’s long-term concern,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday, referring to Purdy’s MRI exam and indicating the quarterback will miss Sunday’s game at Green Bay. will make the spot start. For how long, though? Exercising caution is wise to protect a bona fide franchise quarterback who threw for a 49ers-record 4,280 yards last season on a surgically repaired elbow and is due for a 49ers-record contract extension at this season’s likely bitter end. Shanahan and general manager John Lynch indicated that Purdy’s MRI on Monday did not reveal a dire, franchise-altering ailment. “We thought he just needed some rest and really weren’t concerned about him not being good this week,” Shanahan said. “But when he started up Thursday, (his shoulder) just surprised him, surprised us, how it felt.” It’s no surprise, however, how a shoulder injury can grow into a bigger firestorm. For now, public proclamations are minimizing any long-range ramifications. Purdy was not made available to reporters, but as he walked through the locker room Friday, he tried to exude a positive outlook, saying: “We’re all good.” His demeanor remained as upbeat and polite as ever in an ensuing conversation with a staff member. Neither of Purdy’s understudies, Allen and Josh Dobbs, has a history of shoulder injuries, so they were hesitant to speak about how fear-inducing those must be for a quarterback. “I’m not too worried about it, I don’t think any of our guys are,” Allen said. “He’ll rehab and get back as fast as he can. And as far as shoulders, it happens. I don’t think it’ll be anything lingering or long-term for him.” Three seasons ago, when the 49ers last visited Lambeau Field, Jimmy Garoppolo was a week removed from hurting his shoulder – a torn capsule, the 49ers said – in a wild-card playoff win at Dallas. Garoppolo played through the injury, the 49ers won without scoring an offensive touchdown. Two months after losing in the NFC Championship Game, Garoppolo surprised the 49ers by electing to have surgery on his shoulder, complicating a potential trade or release and keeping him on the roster. That made for an awkward but necessary comeback in 2022 as he served as a helpful bridge between Trey Lance’s two-start cameo and Purdy’s late-season emergence for another playoff run. Go back nine years and there is another 49ers quarterback quandary. Colin Kaepernick was listed as probable to play at Seattle, but a day before kickoff, the 49ers surprisingly put him on injured reserve. He headed for surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. Benched three weeks before that IR move, Kaepernick spent the ensuing offseason rehabilitating for what would be one final season with the 49ers and the NFL. An even messier shoulder story unfolded with Kaepernick’s predecessor, Alex Smith. A 2007 feud ensued between Smith and third-year coach Mike Nolan, who publicly dismissed Smith’s shoulder pain that traced back to a Sept. 30 separation. Smith played hurt a few games, then confessed to the nagging pain in his shoulder, after the 49ers had listed him out of practice with a forearm strain. Smith rallied and rebuilt his career, albeit under other coaches. Now it’s Purdy stepping aside for an unknown length of time. Allen relayed their Friday conversation: “He believes in me, says ‘You’re here for a reason. Go in, step up, play well.’ He’ll be back. So I’m not worried about it.” “He’s doing well. He’s in good spirits,” Dobbs added. “Obviously, I don’t want to speak for him, but he wants to be out there. So he will work his butt off to get back out there, and we’ll hold it down for him until he gets back.”12 Information Technology Stocks Moving In Friday's Pre-Market Session

Payal.Dhawan@timesofindia.com Ludhiana: Political manoeuvring to make the MC house in Ludhiana reached new heights with a Congress councillor repeatedly flipping between two rival parties in a span of a few hours. Jagdish Lal Disha , a Congress worker who won from ward number 6, joined Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday at around 4pm. Two hours later, he returned to the Congress fold after district Congress committee president Sanjay Talwar visited him at his residence. The reunion was shortlived. Two hours later, Disha went back to AAP after cabinet minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, Punjab AAP general secretary Amandeep Singh Mohie and MLA from Ludhiana East Daljit Singh Grewal went to his residence. With no party getting a clear majority in the Municipal Corporation elections, poaching of winning councillors is being done brazenly. Earlier, AAP managed to get two councillors, including an independent councillor from ward number 11, Deepa Rani, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) councillor from ward number 20, Chatarvir Singh alias Kamal Arora. Jagdish Lal Disha, a veteran Congress worker, won the elections from ward number 6 on a Congress ticket. A day after, on Dec 22, district Congress committee president Sanjay Talwar visited him with a few other councillors. Talwar said that AAP was approaching their councillors and he was visiting them personally to get them to stay united. At around 4pm on Thursday, AAP released pictures of Jagdish Lal joining their party in the presence of MLA from East constituency, Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal, MLA from North constituency Madan Lal Bagga, and Punjab AAP general secretary Amandeep Singh Mohi. He went back to Congress after two hours, nudged by a visit from Sanjay Talwar and other party workers. By 8pm, minister Bhullar and other party leaders went to Jagdish Lal's house, after which he joined AAP again. An irate Sanjay Talwar said, "AAP, which attacked the BJP for ‘operation lotus' of poaching leaders of other parties, is now forcing winners of other parties to join them since people rejected AAP by not giving them a clear majority. AAP claimed to be a different party and stated that they don't purchase leaders or pressurise them, however now it is pressuring winning councillors. I surely know that Jagdish has not joined AAP willingly but only under pressure. Also, it is ironic that MLAs and the minister who never visited any locality for work, huddled to get a Congress councillor. I would also not hesitate to say that when it comes to casting a vote, Jagdish Lal would vote for the Congress." Interacting with the media, Jagdish Lal denied being under duress. "I have joined AAP willingly for the betterment of my ward. Development of the ward is only possible with the ruling govt, which is why I have joined AAP." On being asked why he returned to Congress after Talwar met him, Lal said, "Parties could be different, however, Sanjay Talwar Ji is my brother and he will remain my brother." Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword .

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.