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LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 on Monday at last said it will expand its grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. “As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It’s an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series, and we’re committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world," GM President Mark Reuss said. "This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level.” The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a U.S. Justice Department investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti. Andretti in September stepped aside from leading his namesake organization, so the 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. Towriss is the the CEO and president of Group 1001 and entered motorsports via Andretti's IndyCar team when he signed on financial savings platform Gainbridge as a sponsor. Towriss is now a major part of the motorsports scene with ownership stakes in both Spire Motorsports' NASCAR team and Wayne Taylor Racing's sports car team. Walter is the chief executive of financial services firm Guggenheim Partners and the controlling owner of both the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Premier League club Chelsea. “We’re excited to partner with General Motors in bringing a dynamic presence to Formula 1," Towriss said. “Together, we’re assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to race fans around the world.” Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, will have an ambassador role with Cadillac F1. But his son, Michael, will have no official position with the organization now that he has scaled back his involvement with Andretti Global. “The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team,” Michael Andretti posted on social media. “I’m very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!” The approval has been in works for weeks but was held until after last weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix to not overshadow the showcase event of the Liberty Media portfolio. Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive championship in Saturday night's race, the third and final stop in the United States for the top motorsports series in the world. Grid expansion in F1 is both infrequent and often unsuccessful. Four teams were granted entries in 2010 that should have pushed the grid to 13 teams and 26 cars for the first time since 1995. One team never made it to the grid and the other three had vanished by 2017. There is only one American team on the current F1 grid — owned by California businessman Gene Haas — but it is not particularly competitive and does not field American drivers. Andretti’s dream was to field a truly American team with American drivers. The fight to add this team has been going on for three-plus years and F1 initially denied the application despite approval from F1 sanctioning body FIA . The existing 10 teams, who have no voice in the matter, also largely opposed expansion because of the dilution in prize money and the billions of dollars they’ve already invested in the series. Andretti in 2020 tried and failed to buy the existing Sauber team. From there, he applied for grid expansion and partnered with GM, the top-selling manufacturer in the United States. The inclusion of GM was championed by the FIA and president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who said Michael Andretti’s application was the only one of seven applicants to meet all required criteria to expand F1’s current grid. “General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners," Ben Sulayem said Monday. "I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application." Despite the FIA's acceptance of Andretti and General Motors from the start, F1 wasn't interested in Andretti — but did want GM. At one point, F1 asked GM to find another team to partner with besides Andretti. GM refused and F1 said it would revisit the Andretti application if and when Cadillac had an engine ready to compete. “Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2024,” F1 said in a statement. “Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the 11th team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process." Yet another major shift in the debate over grid expansion occurred earlier this month with the announced resignation of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei, who was largely believed to be one of the biggest opponents of the Andretti entry. “With Formula 1’s continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport," Maffei said. "We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1." AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racingWhat's open and closed on New Year's Day 2025Guest Opinion: Like predecessors, Trump threatens to overreach his mandate

NoneWe're 12 weeks into the 2024 NFL regular season, and it's a special week in the NFL—Thanksgiving week. By the time we hit next weekend, four games will already have been played—games that are rather the 2024 season in a nutshell. For the first time in a long time, Thanksgiving's biggest game involves the soaring Detroit Lions. The Green Bay Packers will try to hold pace with the Lions on Thanksgiving night against the resurgent Miami Dolphins. And on Black Friday, a Kansas City Chiefs team that has made close wins an art form will attempt to maintain the top seed in the AFC. Those Chiefs got a win over the lowly Panthers in Week 12—albeit just barely. The Lions kept rolling and have their best record in decades. The AFC South-leading Houston Texans were stunned at home by the Tennessee Titans. And the Philadelphia Eagles sent a message in Los Angeles that while the Lions may have the NFC's best record, they aren't necessarily the best team in the conference. After a Lambeau Field beatdown, the Packers are rolling, while the San Francisco 49ers are reeling. The Denver Broncos may well be a legitimate playoff team. And the Las Vegas Raiders—well, the Raiders just need a hug. Another wild week around the NFL has shaken the league's pecking order. But as is the case every week, Bleacher Report NFL analysts Gary Davenport , Kristopher Knox , Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski are here to make sense of it all—by ranking the NFL's team from No. 32 to No. 1. Last Week: 32 Week 12 Result: Bye Week By just about any objective measure, the 2024 season has been a disaster for the Jacksonville Jaguars. A team with aspirations of competing for an AFC South title has been arguably the worst squad in the league. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has missed time with a shoulder injury, but head coach Doug Pederson told reporters there's a chance the former first overall pick will be out there in Week 13. "I mean we'll see. We'll see how he does during the week of this bye and see where he's at," Pederson said. "I'm not going to commit right now obviously. We still have a ways away, but we'll see. We'll see how he does this week, and we have time, so we'll figure that out." As to the embattled head coach himself, Pederson told reporters that last week's debacle against the Detroit Lions was not indicative of who the 2024 Jaguars are. "That's not who we are. That's not who we stand for," he said. There's enough pride in that locker room, enough pride on the coaching staff, whether we win the game or not. How we perform, it's not who we are. It's not who we are. It's not how I coach. It's not how we prepare during the week. It's not how the players practice and what they put their bodies through. I don't think many people understand what these guys go through during the course of a week. These guys play—and this is across the league. This is not just us. This is everybody who puts on a uniform on game days." Analyst's Take The thing is coach, it really has been who the 2024 Jaguars are. The offense couldn't move the ball consistently even when Lawrence was out there. The defense is the only one in the league that has surrendered an average of over 400 yards per game. The Jaguars are most likely going to blow this team up in the offseason, and it's hard to imagine a scenario where Pederson is the coach of this team in 2025. -- Davenport Last Week: 30 Week 12 Result: Lost vs. Tampa Bay 30-7 Maybe Daniel Jones wasn't the problem in New York. Tommy DeVito's first start for the Giants was a disaster. DeVito failed to clear 200 passing yards in a lopsided loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It wasn't just DeVito, though—the reality was that no one for the Giants played especially well. "They did everything better than we did today," head coach Brian Daboll told reporters . "It wasn't good, wasn't good. From a variety of missed tackles, converting in the red zone, turning the ball back over in the red zone. Got a good week of practice, did a lot of work, and obviously, it didn't show. No excuses. They played well, and we didn't play well. You get down 23-0 [and it] changes the complexion of the game some. Had a good drive coming out of the half, turned the football over. Just not good enough, and that all starts with me." Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers was even less diplomatic. "First, second quarter, I don't get the ball," Nabers ranted. "Start getting targets at the end. I mean, can't do nothing. Start getting the ball when it's 30-0. What do you want me to do?" Analyst's Take Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers knows the Giants have a problem beyond the quarterback position, but he doesn't know what it is other than a team that's played " soft ." The Giants can help themselves by starting quarterback Drew Lock over Tommy DeVito. This team needs someone to inject some energy into its play. -- Moton Last Week: 27 Week 12 Result: Lost vs. Denver 29-19 Things have gone from bad to worse for the Las Vegas Raiders. It's not bad enough that the Raiders suffered yet another loss Sunday at home against the rival Broncos. Las Vegas also lost its starting quarterback...again. Gardner Minshew fractured his collarbone in the second half and will miss the rest of the season. Head coach Antonio Pierce told reporters the team hopes Aidan O'Connell will be ready to play when the Raiders face the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday. "We're going to need somebody, right?" Pierce said. "We're running out of quarterbacks, too, now, so we'll see what happens (Monday). But obviously, it looks like (O'Connell is) getting better. He threw a little bit in practice this week. Obviously, we've got a short week—play on Friday, travel on Thursday—so we have to make that decision very quickly." If not, Desmond Ridder, who took over for Minshew on Sunday, said he'll be ready to go. "I've been here almost a month and how I feel comfortable with the offense, I'm ready to go," said Ridder. "So, whatever that situation may be, it's not up to me—it's up to the higher power. But I'm ready for any situation there may be." Frankly, after seven straight losses, at this point it probably doesn't matter. Analyst's Take Gardner Minshew will miss the remainder of the season with a broken collarbone, so the Raiders must turn to Desmond Ridder or Aidan O'Connell for the remainder of the season. The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed believe O'Connell will reclaim the starting position after returning from injured reserve. In Week 7, O'Connell fractured his thumb, but he likely would've been starting at this point of the campaign if not for his injury. Before Minshew broke his collarbone, the Raiders benched him three times. Yet regardless of who starts under center for the Raiders, they're headed toward a four-win season at best. -- Moton Last Week: 28 Week 12 Result: Lost at Miami 34-15 Things just keep getting uglier and uglier for the New England Patriots. The Patriots had another miserable performance in Sunday's loss to the Miami Dolphins. The Pats had just 268 yards of offense, turned the ball over twice, converted just 3-of-14 third downs and fell behind 31-0 before finally getting on the scoreboard. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye tried to put a positive spin on a miserable effort while addressing the media . "I always say I hate losing more than I like to win," Maye said. "We got our butts whipped today, and it's only up from here. We've got a bright future and the right players in there for the Patriots." Head coach Jerod Mayo, on the other hand, had a curious response when asked about the mistakes, turnovers and penalties that plague the Patriots on a weekly basis. "Once those guys cross the white lines, there's nothing I can do for them," Mayo said. "There's nothing any coach can do for them. It's my job to continue to prepare not only them, but our coaches as well." Apparently, it's just Mayo's job to "prepare" the Patriots from Monday through Saturday. But once the game starts, his work is done. The loss ensures New England a third straight losing season for the first time in three decades. So, Mayo's work may well be done for good before long. Analyst's Take Drake Maye has shown glimpses of what he can become as a franchise quarterback, but he's not Clark Kent. Maye cannot transform into a football Superman to save the Patriots' lackluster offense with the flick of his wrist. Maye is exciting to watch because he can create something out of nothing, but at some point, he needs a reliable partner in the backfield or within the pass-catching group to help the offense generate points. -- Moton Last Week: 31 Week 12 Result: Won vs. Pittsburgh 24-19 The 2024 season has been a nightmare for the Cleveland Browns. But for at least a moment at least on Thursday night, the Browns woke up, shocking their most hated rivals in a driving snowstorm in Cleveland. There were multiple heroes in the Week 12 upset, whether it was Myles Garrett's three sacks or Nick Chubb's two scores on the ground. But it was the play of Jameis Winston under center that truly propelled Cleveland to victory. Winston threw a terrible interception against the Steelers, and turnovers have dogged the 30-year-old throughout his career. But as Jason Lloyd wrote for the Athletic , over the last month it can't be denied that Winston has provided a spark to an offense that had been truly awful. "In four starts since replacing Deshaun Watson at quarterback, Winston has guided the Browns to a pair of victories—over heavyweight division rivals Baltimore and Pittsburgh, no less," he said. "He already leads the team in passing yards and touchdowns, and his charismatic nature has provided some memorable sermons and lighthearted social media clips in what has otherwise been a dreary season and a miserable trudge to the finish line." Analyst's Take It can be argued that Cleveland winning games at this point in the season costs the Browns more than it helps them—too many victories could knock the team out of the running for an elite quarterback prospect. With that said, Winston has earned the right to start the rest of the season—and if the money's right, he makes sense as Cleveland's starter to open the 2025 season, as well. -- Davenport Last Week: 29 Week 12 Result: Won at Houston 32-27 There hasn't been much in the way of good news for the Tennessee Titans in 2024. But Sunday in Houston, the team played easily its best game of the year in stunning the AFC South-leading Texans. Will Levis outplayed C.J. Stroud, throwing for 278 yards and two scores with a passer rating over 120. Running back Tony Pollard eclipsed 100 rushing yards with a touchdown. And Tennessee's defense put the clamps on the Texans, allowing just 40 yards on the ground and less than 2.5 yards per carry. While addressing reporters after the game, Titans head coach Brian Callahan expressed pride in how his team fought despite its record. "The coolest thing about this game was just the way our team fought," Callahan said. "It was a back-and-forth game. Our guys did a good job of not flinching and keeping the blinders on. We've been in games like this before, and we haven't been able to make a play, but this week, we made a play." It has still been a disappointing season in Nashville. But for one week at least, it's smiles all around. Analyst's Take When a team operates with a new head coach and developing quarterback, the bar is simple: Does the group get better as the season progresses? In the case of the Titans, it seems they are, especially with Sunday's surprising victory over the Houston Texans. Aside from an inexplicable pick-six, Will Levis consistently found his targets while working behind a somewhat improving offensive front that battled throughout the afternoon. As a result, the lowly Titans beat the rival Texans and went 2-2 in the month of November. -- Sobleski Last Week: 26 Week 12 Result: Lost vs. Kansas City 30-27 With the exception of the final score, Sunday's meeting with the Kansas City Chiefs went about as well as the Carolina Panthers could have hoped. And frankly, an argument can be made that losses are more valuable to Carolina than wins right now. The question is becoming whether the Panthers want to use their high draft pick in 2025 on a quarterback. Because in addition to giving the two-time defending champions all they could handle, quarterback Bryce Young played reasonably well for a third straight game. While talking to the media after the game, Panthers head coach Dave Canales lauded his young quarterback. "Bryce is certainly making the most of his opportunities," Canales said. "And he is making a statement to all of us. Showing us he can make plays in critical areas. He did a great job extending today." Young, for his part, said he's just taking things one game at a time. "For me, I just want to focus on what I can control," Young said. "Regardless, I always have the same mindset and preparation, wanting to be better throughout the week. I am definitely grateful for confidence." Analyst's Take Carolina's winning streak ended at two games, but this team should feel very good about where it is. Players are continuing to fight hard, which is a positive reflection on head coach Dave Canales. Bryce Young, meanwhile, is starting to play like the game-changer he was at Alabama. The season, overall, has been a disappointment. However, it's easy to forget just how bad this team was in 2023, and it's easy to overlook how much more hope they have now. -- Knox Last Week: 24 Week 12 Result: Bye Week Things were supposed to be different for the New York Jets in 2024. With Aaron Rodgers healthy, the Jets were supposed to shake off years of futility under center and be a factor in the AFC East. Instead, after 11 games, the Jets are actually a game worse than last year. And now, per Dianna Russini of the Athletic , it's looking increasingly likely that the Aaron Rodgers era in New York is going to look a lot like the Brett Favre era did—quick and ugly. "I'm told Johnson has lost confidence in Rodgers' ability to lead the team to their first playoff berth in 14 years, a drought that stands as the longest in the major North American professional sports leagues," Russini said. "There are some on the team who believe everyone is simply tiptoeing around the fact that Rodgers isn't the same player anymore. I'm told no decisions have been made yet, but it appears increasingly likely that the four-time MVP, who is banged up, could be placed on injured reserve or possibly benched over the next few weeks, signaling the end of his disastrous time with the Jets. Some around the league say they won't be surprised if Rodgers is cut in-season." Analyst's Take All the blame for the Jets' latest faceplant of a year can't be placed on Rodgers, but there's also no denying that Rodgers has looked his age most of the season. At this point, we should all know what will be happening next—after Rodgers is let go by the Jets, Rodgers will sign with the Minnesota Vikings in the offseason and lead the team to the NFC title game in 2025—just to twist the knife. -- Davenport Last Week: 25 Week 12 Result: Won at Washington 34-26 How 'bout them Cowboys? It may have been a weird game that included everything from a missed extra point that would have tied things at the end to a pair of kickoff returns for touchdowns, but the Cowboys are finally off the skid after downing the reeling Commanders in Washington. The win stopped a five-game skid for the Cowboys, and embattled head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters that hopefully it will give the team some momentum headed into their Thanksgiving Day tilt with the New York Giants. "Oh, we needed it. It's been frustrating, no doubt," McCarthy said. "I think everybody in our circle has been very accountable for it. But I think you're getting a look at who we are. Just tremendous fight. They fought from the time that ball was kicked off at the beginning all the way down to the end. That's what this team is about. Hopefully, we can continue to get healthy. And we got to win this next one. That was a division game. That was a big win for us. We got another one right around the corner here. Nice to get some wins, get some momentum." Analyst's Take The Cowboys snapped a five-game losing streak, but they almost blew a late fourth-quarter lead last week. Commanders kicker Austin Seibert's missed extra-point attempt may have saved Dallas from a mindboggling loss. The Cowboys should celebrate last week's win, but this club still has much to correct going into its Thanksgiving game with the Giants. -- Moton Last Week: 23 Week 12 Result: Bye Week There hasn't been a bigger roller-coaster of a team in 2024 than the New Orleans Saints. The Saints opened the season with a pair of dominant wins. Then New Orleans plummeted through a seven-game skid that got head coach Dennis Allen fired. However, since Allen was let go, the Saints have peeled off two straight wins to at least hang around the fringes of the NFC South. Per Dianna Russini of the Athletic , the way the team has played since coming out of the bye has garnered Dennis Rizzi some real consideration to have the "interim" tag to be removed from his name. "After the organization parted ways with Dennis Allen," she said, "Rizzi was a natural choice for the interim role, especially considering he was a finalist for the head coaching job two years ago. While Sean Payton's positive influence remains within the organization, Rizzi has introduced his own approach, which has been well-received by players. He has focused on building strong relationships with team leaders and veterans, reorganizing the locker room to enhance player cohesion, and adjusting practice schedules to reduce injuries. He believes in a high volume of reps with less intensity during practices that players, including Derek Carr, have appreciated. He's also allowing players an extra hour of sleep, a simple yet effective adjustment. An assistant coach shared: 'Everything has a purpose with Rizzi.'" Analyst's Take After their disastrous seven-game skid, the postseason isn't likely in New Orleans. But that doesn't mean the team has nothing to play for next week at home against the Rams. Rizzi is coaching for his future with the team. Quarterback Derek Carr may well be playing for his future as the team's quarterback, and he won't be the only guy playing for a job next season. The Saints aren't making the postseason. But they have the talent to be a thorn in the sides of some teams down the stretch. -- Davenport Last Week: 22 Week 12 Result: Lost vs. Minnesota 30-27 (OT) At 4-7, the postseason hopes for the Chicago Bears are just about toast. Sunday's loss to Minnesota in overtime was the team's fifth straight setback since a 4-2 start. But in some ways, Sunday's game was almost encouraging. The Bears may not be winning, but the play of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has improved—he torched the Vikings for 340 yards and two scores with a passer rating over 100. Williams told reporters after the loss that while the team didn't get the result they wanted, the offense has improved. "I think we've gotten better over these past couple games," Williams said. "I think today was a testament to that, being decisive, receivers and everybody, and things like that." Minnesota head coach Kevin O' Connell was impressed by what he saw from Williams. "I think the world of him," O'Connell said. "He just continues to get better and better. You can see it when he starts creating off schedule, and that change of direction and athleticism. We had him dead to rights a couple times and he gets out and makes huge plays." Analyst's Take Despite coming up short Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, encouraging signs can still be found for the Bears, particularly the play of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams finally appears to be getting comfortable and adjusting to the speed of the game. Over the last two contests, he really thrived when defenses attacked. The result? The playmaking quarterback everyone saw in college is finally fully emerging at the professional level. Williams is evading pressure and making outstanding throws that a select few can. Yes, the Bears have lost five in a row, but the whole point of this season was to ensure the organization finally had its franchise quarterback in place. It appears they do. -- Sobleski Last Week: 21 Week 12 Result: Lost vs. Detroit 24-6 The Indianapolis Colts are stuck in the in-between. The Colts aren't a bad team...but they aren't an especially good one, either. The Indy defense had little answer for the juggernaut that is the Lions offense. The Colts offense struggled Sunday—the team was 0-for-2 in the red zone, and after throwing the ball well in Week 11, young quarterback Anthony Richardson came back to earth, completing just 11 of 28 passes. Despite another rough day throwing the ball, teammate DeForest Buckner still believes that Richardson has a bright future. "As a player, to go where you have never been and become the player that you want to be, you have to be willing to do things that you've never done and make certain sacrifices you've never made," Buckner told reporters . "At the end of the day, there's a price that needs to be paid. I feel like within this process the past two weeks, he's been able to really see that and that's what gives us so much confidence in him. Knowing that he's rooting in the process and he's developing as a pro." Still after losing four of five, it's fair to question how long the Colts can wait before they have to consider a Plan B under center. Because Richardson just hasn't been good as a passer in the NFL. Analyst's Take Anthony Richardson needs help. The sophomore quarterback needs to play better, of course. But multiple instances occurred during Sunday's contest against the Detroit Lions where others around the sophomore signal-caller let him down—Andrew Ogletree's drop of what would have been a walk-in touchdown being the most obvious example. Richardson may never become an efficient operator. But it's highly difficult to become anything when plays aren't being made by others or are called back because of penalties. -- Sobleski Last Week: 19 Week 12 Result: Bye Week It has been a miserable season for Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Mind you, not from a statistical standpoint—Burrow is playing as well as any quarterback in the league. But the Bengals have played seven one-score games in 2024...and lost six. Per Oliver Connolly of The Guardian , a team this bad having a quarterback this good is enough to give someone a migraine. "Losing six close games with a quarterback playing this well is almost impressive," he said. "Burrow's numbers this season are bonkers. He has thrown for 3,028 yards, 27 touchdowns and has only four interceptions so far. He's on pace for the best rushing season of his career, scrambling around to make something happen. He tops the league in QBR and is third in the RBSDM composite, which measures the value of a play and how much the quarterback can be deemed responsible for the value. In a normal year, Burrow would top ballots for the league's most prestigious hardware. Instead, he's left scrapping for the final playoff spot in a lousy AFC wild-card race (NFL.com gives the Bengals a 12% chance of making the postseason). Most likely, the Bengals will be on the outside looking in by the time the postseason rolls around." Analyst's Take That the Bengals have just four wins with Burrow playing at such a high level is a shame, and assuming the Bengals do miss the playoffs Cincinnati faces some major questions in the offseason. Wide receiver Tee Higgins and edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson are both free agents after the 2024 season, and frankly, the future of head coach Zac Taylor in the Queen City may be uncertain. -- Davenport Last Week: 13 Week 12 Result: Lost at Green Bay 38-10 The San Francisco 49ers are in deep trouble. Injuries have ravaged the Niners all season long. And the team may have reached a breaking point. Without quarterback Brock Purdy and left tackle Trent Williams, the San Francisco offense struggled to get anything going. The defense played its worst game in recent memory on Sunday, and the 49ers got blasted to fall into last place in the NFC West. After the blowout, head coach Kyle Shanahan didn't sugarcoat his team's performance while talking to reporters . "I thought we got out of our gaps a number of times," Shanahan said. "I thought we had way too many missed tackles. Just them being able to control that clock the first half was one of the worst ones I've been a part of as far as a half. (Then) To have those three turnovers, and all three led to touchdowns with 21 points. You top that with the penalties and stuff, that's how you get embarrassed like that." Analyst's Take The 49ers are cooked, and not just because of injuries. There's a serious lack of physicality on both sides of the ball, and San Francisco's defense has taken significant steps in the wrong direction under first-year coordinator Nick Sorensen. It should surprise no one if Kyle Shanahan fires his defensive coordinator for the second straight offseason. There was a time when the 49ers could be considered the bullies of the NFC. There is no longer any semblance of an intimidation factor with this team. -- Knox Last Week: 15 Week 12 Result: Lost vs. Philadelphia 37-20 Sunday night's tilt with the soaring Eagles was the chance for the Los Angeles Rams to make a statement—to show they can hang with the NFC's best. Instead, the Rams looked like a .500 also-ran, allowing Saquon Barkley to surpass 250 rushing yards and getting absolutely dominated in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was under constant duress Sunday night, and he told reporters that the Rams just weren't good enough up front. "They rushed four the majority of the night, that's kind of what they do," Stafford said. "Didn't do anything that we didn't expect, just executed a little bit better than we did, stayed ahead of the chains a little better than we did... Just didn't do enough in the second half to keep it close." The Rams are just one game off the pace in the NFC West. But with games coming up against Buffalo and at San Francisco, this week's tilt with an up-and-down Saints team has the makings of a must-win matchup. Analyst's Take The Rams still have an outside chance of stealing the NFC West. Even if they do, I can't see them getting past the wild-card round. This team is a fun mix of veterans like Matthew Stafford and young, budding stars like Jared Verse and Braden Fiske. However, it isn't a complete team, and that has shown against quality opponents like the Eagles. Los Angeles has holes in its defensive back seven that can't be fixed in-season. It has an offensive line that can't adequately protect Stafford for a full four quarters. Those are issues that will hurt the Rams in the postseason and could prevent them from even getting there. -- Knox Last Week: 20 Week 12 Result: Won vs. New England 34-15 This is the Dolphins team many expected before the season. Sunday in Miami, we saw a glimpse of the buzzsaw offense that dropped 70 points on the Broncos last year. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw for 317 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had his best game of the season, catching eight passes for 144 yards and a score. On a day the run game struggled, Miami outgained the Patriots by over 100 yards. Miami head coach Mike McDaniel talked up his quarterback while speaking to reporters after the game. "He's found a way to improve the way he plays the position throughout the game," McDaniel said. "The most monumental thing that you have to overcome as a quarterback is playing the position regardless of the ebbs and flows, so not changing how you play based upon positive or negative results and letting every play stand on its own." For his part, Tagovailoa was more concerned with Thursday's trip to face the 8-3 Green Bay Packers. "We're still below the .500 threshold, and it's a long way to where we want to get to," Tagovailoa said. "We'll enjoy this win, but this next one is going to be big for us." Analyst's Take Don't overlook Miami's defense in its midseason run. The Dolphins haven't surrendered 20 points in a game since Week 9. Miami faces a tougher test against the Packers on Thanksgiving, but its top-10 run and pass defense should be up for the challenge at Lambeau Field on Thursday night. We'll also find out if the Dolphins can hang with a playoff contender in below-freezing temperatures. -- Moton Last Week: 17 Week 12 Result: Bye Week The good news for the Atlanta Falcons is that the team entered its bye week in first place in the NFC South. The bad news is that the Falcons have also lost two straight, including a blowout defeat in Denver in Week 11. Those losses can be attributed at least in part to the struggles of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. As Nick Shook wrote for NFL.com , Cousins' lack of mobility after tearing his Achilles tendon last year is becoming an issue. "His immobility is becoming a bit of a glaring issue," he said. "Cousins still launched a few accurate throws downfield that were broken up by Denver's secondary, but he also threw a truly awful interception in the middle of the third quarter, piling onto what had already been an avalanche of negative outcomes for the Falcons on a generally no good, very bad offensive day. The Falcons need more balance and must stay on schedule to get back on track. It would be wise to figure it out quickly, especially with the Buccaneers lurking in the NFC South race." Analyst's Take Cousins was actually benched in that loss to the Broncos, but there has been nothing to indicate that was more than a temporary move in a game that was completely out of hand. But the Falcons have just about squandered their margin for error in the NFC South. Cousins needs to up his level of play when the Falcons host the Los Angeles Chargers next week, and it would be nice if the Falcons' invisible pass rush could get a little pressure on Justin Herbert -- Davenport Last Week: 18 Week 12 Result: Won at New York Giants 30-7 Coming out of the bye week, the Buccaneers needed a win as badly as any team in the NFL—with a wideout corps savaged by injuries, the Bucs had dropped five of six. The playoffs were getting farther and farther away with every defeat. However, star wide receiver Mike Evans was back for Sunday's blowout win over the New York Giants. He wasn't the biggest reason that Tampa rolled, but it didn't hurt matters, either. Tampa dominated every facet of the game. Baker Mayfield threw for nearly 300 yards, drawing praise from head coach Todd Bowles in the postgame press conference . "He did a heck of a job," Bowles said. "Baker just plays ball. He loves playing ball. He had some great scrambles. He bought some time. He made some runs. He played a heck of a ball game." Tampa gained 156 yards on the ground and averaged almost five yards per carry. The Buccaneers defense held New York under 250 yards. It was a dominant effort all around—one that gives the team momentum heading into games with the Panthers and Raiders that could get the Bucs back above .500. Analyst's Take The Buccaneers are one of the league's most balanced clubs, entering Week 12 with a top-10 passing and rushing offense. In Tampa Bay's win over the Giants, Baker Mayfield threw for 294 yards, and all three of its active running backs, Bucky Irving, Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, scored a touchdown. The Buccaneers' tailbacks accumulated 127 scrimmage yards. Despite its 5-6 record, Tampa Bay is a dangerous post-Thanksgiving team that can get hot down the stretch. -- Moton Last Week: 12 Week 12 Result: Lost at Seattle 16-6 Over the past several weeks, the Arizona Cardinals have been the NFC West's hottest team—winners of four straight. Coming out of the bye, the Redbirds had an opportunity to take a firm grasp on the division lead. Um...so much for that. The Arizona offense imploded against the Seattle Seahawks. The team ran for less than 50 yards. The Cardinals converted just 3 of 12 third-downs, and quarterback Kyler Murray threw a pick-six that accounted for one of Seattle's two touchdowns. Murray didn't mince words while addressing the media after the defeat. "Obviously, it's a hostile environment," Murray said. "We just didn't execute, did not execute at a high enough level to win that game." The loss isn't a killer—every team in the NFC West is either 6-5 or 5-6. But with a trip to Minnesota up next followed by a rematch with the Seahawks, Arizona needs to get the offense back on track in a hurry. Analyst's Take Just when I think Jonathan Gannon and Drew Petzing have Arizona headed in the right direction, we have games like Sunday's. The defense is improving but can't play consistently well. The offense looks great when things are clicking...and a lot like the bad Kliff Kingsbury years when they're not. At some point, in a tough game, the Cardinals must forge a better game plan than poking Kyler Murray with the football and telling him to do something. -- Knox Last Week: 16 Week 12 Result: Won vs. Arizona 16-6 Good luck figuring out the NFC West. All four teams in the division have been up and down this year. First place and last place are separated by a single game. And right now, the Seattle Seahawks are on top of the division. It was the Seattle defense that keyed Sunday's win, holding the Cardinals out of the end zone and allowing less than 300 yards of offense. Defensive lineman Leonard Williams led the way with six tackles and 2.5 sacks. He told reporters that after their recent struggles, the team is treating every contest like an elimination game. "We knew where we were in the division rankings, so ever since (the leaders) had that conversation, we've been treating it like playoffs," Williams said. "Since then, I just feel like our team is coming closer together. We're playing with great energy." However, wide receiver DK Metcalf chastised his offensive teammates for not performing similarly on their side of the ball. "We should have run away with that game early, but we put ourselves in bad positions to where we couldn't finish drives," Metcalf said. "The defense plays like that, week in and week out, we have no choice but to put points on the board and run away with every game." Analyst's Take Mike MacDonald continues to look like a solid coaching hire for the Seahawks. While Seattle's defense is far from perfect, it is aggressive and carries an energy that has been missing in recent seasons. It has also performed much better since the Week 10 bye. The offense still has weapons, and Seattle is beginning to look like a very balanced squad. I don't know if Seattle will win the volatile NFC West, but this is probably the one team from the division other teams won't want to see on the road in the wild-card round. -- Knox Last Week: 9 Week 12 Result: Lost vs. Dallas 34-26 The Washington Commanders are in trouble. It's not just that the Commanders have lost three straight after a 7-2 start. It's how they lost and who they lost against. The Dallas Cowboys were double-digit underdogs, but the Commanders allowed 332 yards of offense to a struggling Cowboys team, turned the ball over three times, allowed a pair of kickoff-return scores and missed a late extra point that would have tied the game. As star wideout Terry McLaurin told reporters , the Commanders just flat-out didn't play well. "We just didn't play our best," McLaurin said. "We didn't play complementary football. When you're playing division games it's going to come down to the four quarters. We knew that going into the game. We didn't underestimate them at all, but it's just unfortunate when you can't help each other on offense, helping out on the defense." The Commanders now find themselves well off the pace in the NFC East. If there's a silver lining, it's that before Washington takes on the Eagles for the second time this season, the team gets a pair of winnable games sandwiched around a Week 14 bye. Analyst's Take Even in a loss, Jayden Daniels looked exceptional as the Commanders tried to make a comeback, but the team has hit a wall, losing three consecutive games. Between late September and late October, Washington's defense overachieved, and it regressed to the mean. Since Week 10, the Commanders have surrendered an average of 29.3 points per game. -- Moton Last Week: 14 Week 12 Result: Won at Las Vegas 29-19 The Denver Broncos are starting to believe. Sunday's victory over the Las Vegas Raiders wasn't as emphatic as their blowout of the Atlanta Falcons the week before. But Denver went on the road and defeated a divisional opponent to move to 7-5 on the season and remain in the AFC playoff hunt. After the victory, head coach Sean Payton told reporters the mentality of his team is changing. "A year ago, we don't win that game," Broncos coach Sean Payton said. "It wasn't our best, but it was good enough. We're on to the next one, so we have a lot to clean up, but it was good to handle these guys for a second time." Wide receiver Courtland Sutton agreed. "I think the tide is turning," Sutton said. "The Broncos are in a spot where we want to be back in the AFC West, and I think that's a really exciting spot to be in. Job's not finished." Now Denver has a pair of winnable games sandwiched around the bye week before what could be a critical trip to Los Angeles to face the Chargers in Week 16. Analyst's Take Bo Nix is moving up the ladder of Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates. He's put together three consecutive qualities performances, throwing for eight touchdowns without an interception in that stretch. Last Sunday, Nix only completed 59.5 percent of his passes, but he threw for 273 yards and made no critical mistakes that hurt his team. Nix isn't a dazzling downfield passer, and his quarterback runs aren't eye-catching like Jayden Daniels' rush attempts, but he's one of the NFL's top offensive rookies heading into Week 13. -- Moton Last Week: 11 Week 12 Result: Lost vs. Tennessee 32-27 It just became a lot harder to trust the Houston Texans as a contender in the AFC. Taking on a two-win Titans team at home, the Texans were outplayed on both sides of the ball. Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud continued to struggle, throwing two more picks. With six games to go, Stroud now has almost twice as many interceptions as all of last year. The second-year quarterback admitted to reporters that he has to play better if the Texans are going to make noise in the postseason. "It's no secret that I haven't been playing well... I've got to be harder on myself," he said. "I'm not going to hold my head down. I know I can be a great player, but I've got to make better plays." Head coach DeMeco Ryans said that there was plenty of blame to go around. "Just a disappointing loss for us," Ryans said. "We didn't do anything well enough to win this game. Out of all the positives that we did have, there were way too many negatives." Analyst's Take C.J. Stroud set an impossible standard during his rookie season that he's struggling to maintain as a sophomore. A year ago, the discussion already centered on whether Stroud was worthy of being considered a top-five quarterback. This season, he's simply trying to remain efficient, which he's struggled to achieve. Over the past four games, Stroud has committed six turnovers. Unsurprisingly, the Texans are 1-3 during that stretch. Houston still holds a two-game lead in the AFC South, but its status is more of an indictment of the division than anything the Texans have done as of late. -- Sobleski Last Week: 10 Week 12 Result: vs. Baltimore ( Monday Night Football ) The Los Angeles Chargers will be updated after hosting the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night. Last Week: 8 Week 12 Result: Won vs. San Francisco 38-10 They have been overshadowed by the Detroit Lions in the AFC North. But over their last seven games, the Green Bay Packers are 6-1 after blowing out an undermanned San Francisco 49ers team Sunday. The only loss over that span? A 10-point loss to the aforementioned Lions. The engine for Sunday's win was a 26-carry, 106-yard effort with three touchdowns from running back Josh Jacobs. After the monster performance, Jacobs told reporters that this is exactly why he joined the Packers—the opportunity to win football games. "I came here because I'd seen them winning," said Jacobs. "And I haven't won a lot in my career, and that was a big thing for me when I'm making a decision. But not only that, man, being around these guys and seeing how hungry they are, seeing how much of pros they are on a day-to-day basis and how much it means to them, man, it makes me want to play harder, it makes me want to give everything I have." Analyst's Take Green Bay may have found its formula for fixing Jordan Love's interception problem, and it involves a heavy dose of Josh Jacobs. To be fair, the Packers played a bad 49ers defense in Week 12 (that still feels weird to say), but a strong ground game and some opportunistic defense made short work of San Francisco. That's a formula that travels into December and January and one that gives Green Bay a chance to play in February. -- Knox Last Week: 6 Week 12 Result: at Los Angeles Chargers ( Monday Night Football ) The Baltimore Ravens will be updated after facing the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night. Last Week: 5 Week 12 Result: Lost at Cleveland 24-19 The Pittsburgh Steelers have decided to go with a bit of a two-headed approach at quarterback—at times during Thursday's loss to the lowly Browns, Justin Fields replaced Russell Wilson under center. After the game, Wilson told reporters that both signal-callers are more than willing to help the team in any way they can. "We all try to make plays," said Wilson. "Obviously, we have trust in Justin in what he can do and is capable of. I always want to be in there. That's the competitor in me. But at the same time, we have great trust in Justin and the coaches. I don't know when it's going to happen. Whenever it does, all I want us to do is win. When Justin gets in there, I'm rooting for Justin to do great and make a big play. When I go back in, it's vice versa. We're always rooting for each other." It's understandable that the Steelers are looking for a spark offensively—the team has struggled in the red zone this season. But it's also fair to wonder if this plan is giving that Steelers offense more momentum or stifling it. Analyst's Take Musical quarterbacks isn't the reason the Steelers were stunned in Cleveland—edge-rusher T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh defense were uncharacteristically quiet against a Browns offense that has struggled big-time this season. Pittsburgh is still up a game on Baltimore in the loss column with a head-to-head win. But Pittsburgh's erratic offense could be a real issue against the AFC's best teams, and the Steelers have three straight games coming up in a few weeks against the Eagles, Ravens and Chiefs. -- Davenport Last Week: 7 Week 12 Result: Won at Chicago 30-27 (OT) The Sam Darnold reclamation tour moves on. It wasn't the prettiest of wins—the Vikings squandered a late lead and allowed Chicago to force overtime with an onside kick recovery. But after a three-and-out on the first drive of overtime, Darnold took the Vikings right down the field for a game-winning Parker Romo field goal. Darnold finished the game with 330 passing yards and two touchdowns, and after the victory head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters he has every confidence that Darnold can lead the Vikings to victory—no matter the opponent. "It was just the ability to overcome, and his trust in me and my trust in him," O'Connell said. "We were gonna do it via the pass on that drive for the most part, try to mix some runs in there if we could. But I think that when your best is required, I had no hesitation of trying to attack what I was seeing and trying to get our guys going to get down there and give Parker a chance. Football is a game where you've got to be able to respond. It's never gonna be perfect. This group is a special group, and it's a road win in the NFC North and I'm really proud of our team." After a two-game skid, the Vikings have rattled off four wins in a row. And the team has a manageable schedule ahead of games against the Packers and Lions that could have huge stakes in the NFC North. Analyst's Take The Vikings have a franchise quarterback. No, it's not J.J. McCarthy, whom the organization sank a top-10 pick into this past April. The reclamation project known as Sam Darnold has turned into something special. Darnold has reclaimed his career after playing for three different teams over the past four seasons. He's comfortable and it shows, particularly in crunch time. During Sunday's overtime victory over the Chicago Bears, Darnold completed 11-of-13 passes in the fourth quarter and overtime. He's now in line for a contract extension. McCarthy will just have to wait a while after his recovery from a knee injury before taking the reins. -- Sobleski Last Week: 4 Week 12 Result: Won at Los Angeles Rams 37-20 The Philadelphia Eagles are rolling, and running back Saquon Barkley may wind up being the single most impactful personnel move of the 2024 offseason. All Barkley did Sunday night against the Rams was pile up a franchise record 255 rushing yards, top 300 total yards and score twice while averaging almost 10 yards a carry. That's not a typo. Both of Barkley's touchdowns came on long runs, and after the win head coach Nick Sirianni applauded Barkley's ability to make a house call any time he carries the ball. "Saquon has that ability to hit home runs, and so sometimes that's how it goes," Sirianni said. "You get some short gain, short gain, short gain—boom, home run. Saquon is that type of player, and our offensive line did a good job of handling the variations of the front." Barkley told reporters that he's loving his first season with his new team. "To be honest, I'm not surprised," said Barkley. "I didn't know I would have this much success, (but) I'm thankful to be here. I'm thankful for the fresh start. A big reason why I wanted to come here (is) I felt like this is a spot where I could rewrite my story and show everyone the type of player that I feel like I can be and was meant to be, and it's working out right now." Analyst's Take I still think the Lions are the best team in the NFC, but I won't be shocked if the Eagles end up claiming the No. 1 seed. Thanks to a rebuilt secondary that has jelled under Vic Fangio, this team has no real weaknesses. The offense might not be quite as dynamic as Detroit's, but Saquon Barkley is dynamic enough that it doesn't often matter. This does not look like the same squad that lost to the Falcons and Buccaneers early in the season. Games against the Ravens and Steelers will provide challenges, but the rest of Philly's schedule is fairly favorable. A Lions-Eagles NFC title game might be inevitable. -- Knox Last Week: 3 Week 12 Result: Bye Week There's nothing better than hitting the bye week after a huge win. That's how things worked out for the Buffalo Bills, who knocked the Kansas City Chiefs from the ranks of the unbeaten. Quarterback Josh Allen is a legitimate MVP candidate at this point in the season. But Bills legend Buce Smith told TMZ Sports that individual accolades aren't as important as the ultimate goal—a trip to New Orleans in February for Super Bowl XLIX. "Josh has my [MVP] vote thus far," Smith said. "He needs to finish strong, but keep in mind, winning the MVP but not having an opportunity to play and win in a Super Bowl, I just look at that as, obviously a personal statistic is always great to have, but you want to have that opportunity to go to the Super Bowl and become the MVP in the Super Bowl, win the Super Bowl. All of those things that make history, and I think this gives us a great shot. What took place [against the Chiefs] showed a lot of character about this team." Analyst's Take Perhaps the most impressive part about Allen's play this year is that he hasn't really had a true go-to receiver—yes, Buffalo traded for Amari Cooper, but he's still acclimating to his new home. Allen has spread the ball around, running back James Cook is playing well and Buffalo's defense is steadily improving. The Bills haven't lost since all the way back in Week 5, but the team faces a challenging three-game stretch post-bye—home against San Francisco, at the Rams and then a trip to Ford Field for a potential Super Bowl preview. -- Davenport Last Week: 2 Week 12 Result: Won at Carolina 30-27 Just about no one expected the Kansas City Chiefs to need a last-second field goal to squeak past the lowly Panthers in Carolina on Sunday—including the Panthers, probably. But that's what happened Sunday. The Panthers surprisingly gave Kansas City all it could handle before some patented Patrick Mahomes heroics saved the day. While addressing the media after the game, Mahomes said that while a 30-point win would have been great, making a habit of pulling out close games is a valuable learning experience. "You always want to have some blowouts and be a little calmer in the fourth quarter, but I've always said it could be a good thing when you get to the playoffs later in the season knowing that you have been in those moments before, and knowing how to attack it play by play not making it too big of a moment," Mahomes said. That would resonate a bit more if Sunday's scraper hadn't come against one of the worst teams in the league. Analyst's Take There still isn't a team I'd trust in a one-score game more than the Chiefs. Obviously, there isn't a quarterback anyone would trust more in the final two minutes of a one-score game than Patrick Mahomes. However, the fact that Kansas City keeps having to find ways to win late is concerning. More concerning is the fact that the Chiefs defense—which has been the team's strength all year—has struggled in two straight weeks. There's plenty for this team to clean up between now and the postseason. -- Knox Last Week: 1 Week 12 Result: Won at Indianapolis 24-6 The Detroit Lions are a juggernaut right now. At 10-1, the Lions are off to the franchise's best start since before World War II. The Lions had no problem with the overmatched Colts, out-gaining Indianapolis by over 120 yards, racking up more than twice as many first downs and converting nine of 15 first downs. The Lions also held the Colts out of the end zone, leading head coach Dan Campbell to tell reporters that he's happy with how well the Lions are playing in all phases of the game. "This is, whatever it is, 10 quarters without allowing a touchdown and the three last games in the second half we're not allowing it," Campbell said. "We talk about it all the time—limiting points, play physical style, shut down the run—we were able to do that. If you can win on the road, you're normally a pretty damn good team. And we can win on the road." The Lions are now at home for three straight, starting on Thanksgiving against the Chicago Bears. After that comes a game with the Packers that could offer the Lions a stranglehold on the NFC North and a potential Super Bowl preview against the Buffalo Bills. Analyst's Take The current version of the Lions is the best team in the franchise's history. It has existed since 1930. At 10-1, they are tied for the organization's best start ever, and it's pretty safe to say this group could easily dispatch the '34 version that held the same record. To understand just how long ago that really was, the previous 10-1 edition came during the franchise's first season in Detroit with Franklin Delano Roosevelt in his first term as President of the United States. The attack on Pearl Harbor was still seven years away from occurring. Dan Campbell's Lions aren't just good; they're historically good. -- Sobleski

Zayn Malik paid a heartfelt tribute to his One Direction bandmate Liam Payne during the first show of his solo tour. Malik kicked off his Stairway To The Sky tour in Leeds’s O2 Academy on Saturday after rescheduling the original opening dates in Edinburgh due to Payne’s funeral on Wednesday. Advertisement The singer reunited with his fellow bandmates at the private service in Buckinghamshire to pay their final respects to Payne, following his death aged 31 in Argentina last month. Liam Payne died aged 31 in Argentina last month (Ian West/PA) Images shared on social media from Malik’s gig show a message was displayed on a large blue screen behind the singer which said: “Liam Payne 1993-2024. Love you bro” with a pink heart. Advertisement The 31-year-old previously postponed the US leg of his Stairway To The Sky tour over the “heartbreaking loss” of Payne. He later rescheduled the Edinburgh shows, planned for November 20 and 21, to December due to “unforeseen circumstances”. Following the death of Payne, Malik said he “never got to thank” his fellow bandmate for supporting him through some of the “most difficult” times in his life. “I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly”, he added in a statement shared to Instagram. Advertisement “I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever. “There is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. “I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you bro.” Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zayn Malik (@zayn) Advertisement The singer rose to fame alongside Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan when Simon Cowell put them together to form One Direction on ITV talent show The X Factor in 2010. Malik left One Direction in 2015 before the group went on indefinite hiatus in 2016, with the members all going on to pursue their own solo careers. Payne died on October 16 of multiple traumas and “internal and external haemorrhage” after falling from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, a post-mortem examination report said. Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Liam Payne were formed on ITV talent show The X Factor (Ian West/PA) An investigation has been launched into his death by prosecutors and three people have been charged in connection with the incident. Fans from across the globe have continued to hold vigils in memory of Payne. Malik is set to perform a string of dates in the UK, including shows in London, Wolverhampton, Newcastle and Manchester, throughout the final two months of this year before kicking off the US leg in January.Published 5:09 pm Friday, November 22, 2024 By Jan Griffey NATCHEZ — Natchez lost a native son on Nov. 14, when Aubrey Bernell “B.J.” Norman Jr. died after suffering a seizure. He was 41. Born and raised in Natchez to Aubrey Bernell Norman Sr. and Shirley Bland Norman, Norman was a proud graduate 2001 Natchez High School, where he was elected Mr. Natchez High. “He was a Natchez boy through and through. He was so proud of his hometown. He always told people how he was from Natchez,” said his former wife, Ashleigh Crosby Norman. The pair ended their marriage about a year ago, but remained best friends and co-parented their three children — Aubrey III, 16, and 10-year-old twins, Alton and Ava. Norman, who lived in Ridgeland, was known in the restaurant community in Jackson as a celebrity chef. During his young career, he opened and operated several restaurants, including the Downtown Cafe in 2010. Normal also hosted a cooking segment on Jackson’s Fox 40. After attending Hinds Community College and Jackson State University, where he studied business, Norman went to work as a night auditor at the Marriott. He learned every aspect of that business, Ashleigh said, and went to work at the popular upscale Steam Room Grill. “The owners took a liking to him and he worked as a bartender and server and became assistant manager. He learned everything from the front of the house to the back of the house,” she said. The two got married in 2007, which is when Norman began developing his vision of opening a restaurant. “That was the beginning of his entrepreneurship journey. He opened Downtown Cafe in 2010 and went on to open several restaurants,” she said. However, Norman had a health setback in 2021 when he suffered a stroke. “He suffered his first stroke in 2021 and was left with some physical impairments, but he was super positive,” Ashleigh said. “He was unable to do all of his catering, but he learned to pivot and turned Downtown Cafe into a consulting company and helped numerous businesses, particularly small Black businesses. He was an expert. He did everything from setting up payment systems to training staff.” In all, Norman is credited with helping open 20 restaurants in Mississippi. In fact, Norman was named recently to the Top 50 under 50 of Mississippi’s Urban Elite Professionals. He was to be presented that honor at a gala on Jan. 25, 2025. Norman was at his oldest son’s basketball game on Nov. 5 when he suffered a seizure from which he did not recover. He died on Nov. 14. “He loved his children. He did not miss a game or a match or a practice. He loved to cook, and our children get that from him. He was so proud of everything they did. He loved to watch people operate in their craft. He said people should figure out how they can use that and share it with the world,” Ashlee said. “He was a blessing to us all and he will be so, so missed. Family visitation for Norman is Tuesday from 5 to 6 p.m. at Marshall Funeral Home, 225 Pilgrim Blvd., Natchez. A Good Times and Great Memories social hour will be held on Tuesday beginning at 7 p.m. at Doll Baby’s, 6 Saint Catherine St. A celebration of life is Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Pilgrim Baptist Church with reserved seating for the Natchez High School Class of 2001. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. A repast will follow at Pilgrim Baptist Church.

ST. PAUL — St. Paul-based Bremer Bank is being acquired by Old National Bank, which has headquarters in Evansville, Indiana, in a transaction valued at $1.4 billion in cash and stock. The deal, which still requires regulatory approval and approval by Bremer shareholders, would combine Bremer’s $16.2 billion in assets with Old National’s nearly $54 billion to create a bank with more than $70 billion in total assets. ADVERTISEMENT “This partnership represents an outstanding fit between two highly compatible, relationship- and community-focused banks,” Old National Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan said in a joint announcement released Monday, Nov. 25. Ryan said what has made Bremer Bank a leading institution since 1943 aligns closely with the “strategic priorities and cultural principles that have guided Old National’s success for 190 years: a strong deposit franchise, a diversified loan portfolio accentuated by exceptional credit quality, and a passion for investing in and strengthening communities.” “For more than 80 years, we’ve been honored to carry out the legacy of our founder, Otto Bremer,” said Jeanne Crain, president and CEO of Bremer. “When our majority shareholder, the Otto Bremer Trust, reaffirmed its interest in selling Bremer Bank, we appreciated the opportunity to identify a partner through a collaborative process to ensure the best possible outcome for our customers, employees, and our communities. With Old National, we have confidence we found a great fit,” Crain said as part of the joint announcement. The Otto Bremer Trust, a majority owner of Bremer Bank, is a private charitable trust based in St. Paul. Since the trust’s inception in 1944, it has made more than $1.1 billion in grants and program-related investments to more than 4,200 organizations. Once the merger is complete, the trust will have an approximate 11% ownership stake in Old National Bank and a trustee of the Otto Bremer Trust will join the Old National board of directors. ADVERTISEMENT The Otto Bremer Trust stated as part of the joint announcement: “All of us at the Otto Bremer Trust are excited that the Bremer Bank legacy of investing in people, places and opportunities continues with one of the most community-minded banks in the nation. This partnership expands the scope of what can be accomplished for and within our communities — civically, socially and economically.” Once the deal is finalized, Old National will become the third-largest bank in the Twin Cities, and the partnership will expand Old National’s reach into several other markets throughout Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. The deal affects 48 Bremer Bank branches in Minnesota and 14 in North Dakota, including six locations in Grand Forks and seven in the Fargo region.NEW YORK (AP) — Chuck Woolery, the affable, smooth-talking game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble” who later became a right-wing podcaster, skewering liberals and accusing the government of lying about COVID-19, has died. He was 83. Mark Young, Woolery's podcast co-host and friend, said in an email early Sunday that Woolery died at his home in Texas with his wife, Kristen, present. “Chuck was a dear friend and brother and a tremendous man of faith, life will not be the same without him,” Young wrote. Woolery, with his matinee idol looks, coiffed hair and ease with witty banter, was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978. In 1983, Woolery began an 11-year run as host of TV’s “Love Connection,” for which he coined the phrase, “We’ll be back in two minutes and two seconds,” a two-fingered signature dubbed the “2 and 2.” In 1984, he hosted TV’s “Scrabble,” simultaneously hosting two game shows on TV until 1990. “Love Connection,” which aired long before the dawn of dating apps, had a premise that featured either a single man or single woman who would watch audition tapes of three potential mates and then pick one for a date. A couple of weeks after the date, the guest would sit with Woolery in front of a studio audience and tell everybody about the date. The audience would vote on the three contestants, and if the audience agreed with the guest’s choice, “Love Connection” would offer to pay for a second date. Woolery told The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2003 that his favorite set of lovebirds was a man aged 91 and a woman aged 87. "She had so much eye makeup on, she looked like a stolen Corvette. He was so old he said, ‘I remember wagon trains.’ The poor guy. She took him on a balloon ride.” Other career highlights included hosting the shows “Lingo," “Greed” and “The Chuck Woolery Show,” as well as hosting the short-lived syndicated revival of “The Dating Game” from 1998 to 2000 and an ill-fated 1991 talk show. In 1992, he played himself in two episodes of TV’s “Melrose Place.” Woolery became the subject of the Game Show Network’s first attempt at a reality show, “Chuck Woolery: Naturally Stoned,” which premiered in 2003. It shared the title of the pop song in 1968 by Woolery and his rock group, the Avant-Garde. It lasted six episode and was panned by critics. Woolery began his TV career at a show that has become a mainstay. Although most associated with Pat Sajak and Vanna White, “Wheel of Fortune” debuted Jan. 6, 1975, on NBC with Woolery welcoming contestants and the audience. Woolery, then 33, was trying to make it in Nashville as a singer. “Wheel of Fortune” started life as “Shopper’s Bazaar,” incorporating Hangman-style puzzles and a roulette wheel. After Woolery appeared on “The Merv Griffin Show” singing “Delta Dawn,” Merv Griffin asked him to host the new show with Susan Stafford. “I had an interview that stretched to 15, 20 minutes,” Woolery told The New York Times in 2003. “After the show, when Merv asked if I wanted to do a game show, I thought, ‘Great, a guy with a bad jacket and an equally bad mustache who doesn’t care what you have to say — that’s the guy I want to be.’” NBC initially passed, but they retooled it as “Wheel of Fortune” and got the green light. After a few years, Woolery demanded a raise to $500,000 a year, or what host Peter Marshall was making on “Hollywood Squares.” Griffin balked and replaced Woolery with weather reporter Pat Sajak. “Both Chuck and Susie did a fine job, and ‘Wheel’ did well enough on NBC, although it never approached the kind of ratings success that ‘Jeopardy!’ achieved in its heyday,” Griffin said in “Merv: Making the Good Life Last,” an autobiography from the 2000s co-written by David Bender. Woolery earned an Emmy nod as host. Born in Ashland, Kentucky, Woolery served in the U.S. Navy before attending college. He played double bass in a folk trio, then formed the psychedelic rock duo The Avant-Garde in 1967 while working as a truck driver to support himself as a musician. The Avant-Garde, which tourbed in a refitted Cadillac hearse, had the Top 40 hit “Naturally Stoned,” with Woolery singing, “When I put my mind on you alone/I can get a good sensation/Feel like I’m naturally stoned.” After The Avant-Garde broke up, Woolery released his debut solo single “I’ve Been Wrong” in 1969 and several more singles with Columbia before transitioning to country music by the 1970s. He released two solo singles, “Forgive My Heart” and “Love Me, Love Me.” Woolery wrote or co-wrote songs for himself and everyone from Pat Boone to Tammy Wynette. On Wynette’s 1971 album “We Sure Can Love Each Other,” Woolery wrote “The Joys of Being a Woman” with lyrics including “See our baby on the swing/Hear her laugh, hear her scream.” After his TV career ended, Woolery went into podcasting. In an interview with The New York Times, he called himself a gun-rights activist and described himself as a conservative libertarian and constitutionalist. He said he hadn’t revealed his politics in liberal Hollywood for fear of retribution. He teamed up with Mark Young in 2014 for the podcast “Blunt Force Truth” and soon became a full supporter of Donald Trump while arguing minorities don’t need civil rights and causing a firestorm by tweeting an antisemitic comment linking Soviet Communists to Judaism. “President Obama’s popularity is a fantasy only held by him and his dwindling legion of juice-box-drinking, anxiety-dog-hugging, safe-space-hiding snowflakes,” he said. Woolery also was active online, retweeting articles from Conservative Brief, insisting Democrats were trying to install a system of Marxism and spreading headlines such as “Impeach him! Devastating photo of Joe Biden leaks.” During the early stages of the pandemic, Woolery initially accused medical professionals and Democrats of lying about the virus in an effort to hurt the economy and Trump’s chances for reelection to the presidency. “The most outrageous lies are the ones about COVID-19. Everyone is lying. The CDC, media, Democrats, our doctors, not all but most, that we are told to trust. I think it’s all about the election and keeping the economy from coming back, which is about the election. I’m sick of it,” Woolery wrote in July 2020. Trump retweeted that post to his 83 million followers. By the end of the month, nearly 4.5 million Americans had been infected with COVID-19 and more than 150,000 had died. Just days later, Woolery changed his stance, announcing his son had contracted COVID-19. “To further clarify and add perspective, COVID-19 is real and it is here. My son tested positive for the virus, and I feel for of those suffering and especially for those who have lost loved ones,” Woolery posted before his account was deleted. Woolery later explained on his podcast that he never called COVID-19 “a hoax” or said “it’s not real,” just that “we’ve been lied to.” Woolery also said it was “an honor to have your president retweet what your thoughts are and think it’s important enough to do that.” In addition to his wife, Woolery is survived by his sons Michael and Sean and his daughter Melissa, Young said. Mark Kennedy is at .

Kobe Sanders, Nevada beat Oklahoma St. for fifth place in CharlestonVegas Golden Knights (13-6-2, in the Pacific Division) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (9-10-2, in the Metropolitan Division) Philadelphia; Monday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Flyers host the Vegas Golden Knights after the Flyers took down the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in overtime. Philadelphia has a 5-6-0 record in home games and a 9-10-2 record overall. The Flyers are fourth in NHL play with 92 total penalties (averaging 4.4 per game). Vegas has a 5-4-2 record in road games and a 13-6-2 record overall. The Golden Knights have a 13-2-2 record in games they score at least three goals. Monday's game is the first time these teams meet this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Travis Konecny has 11 goals and 14 assists for the Flyers. Matvei Michkov has scored goals over the last 10 games. Pavel Dorofeyev has 10 goals and three assists for the Golden Knights. Alexander Holtz has scored goals over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Flyers: 5-4-1, averaging 2.7 goals, five assists, 3.7 penalties and eight penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game. Golden Knights: 6-3-1, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.4 assists, 2.8 penalties and seven penalty minutes while giving up 2.7 goals per game. INJURIES: Flyers: None listed. Golden Knights: None listed. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

System Integration Services Market size is set to grow by USD 140.69 billion from 2024-2028, need for enhanced business process efficiency boost the market- TechnavioIn their final fixture of 2024, Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game midway through the opening period. Arsenal’s victory takes them back to within six points of leaders Liverpool, having played one match more than the Reds, and a point clear of Chelsea following their Boxing Day defeat to Fulham. Ipswich, although much improved in the second half, have now lost five of their last six games, and remain just one place off the bottom of the table, three points away from safety. Mikel Arteta’s men have been rocked by Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury which could keep the England winger, who has nine goals and 13 assists this season, out of action for the next two months. Gabriel Martinelli was handed the unenviable task of filling Saka’s shoes on Arsenal’s right-hand side and the Brazilian was involved in the only goal of the evening. The Ipswich defence failed to deal with Martinelli’s cross, with the ball falling to Leandro Trossard on the opposite side of the area. Trossard fought his way to the byline before fizzing his cross into the box for Havertz to convert from a matter of yards. It was Havertz’s third goal in four matches, his 12th of the season, and no less than the hosts, who at that stage of the match had enjoyed a staggering 91.4 per cent of the possession, deserved. Heading into Friday’s fixture, Arsenal had lost only one of their last 75 Premier League games when they had opened the scoring, and their triumph here rarely looked in doubt following Havertz’s strike. Havertz thought he had doubled Arsenal’s lead with 34 minutes gone when he converted Gabriel Jesus’ cross. But Jesus – handed his third successive start for the first time in a year – strayed into an offside position in the build-up. When referee Darren England blew for half-time, Ipswich had failed to touch the ball in Arsenal’s box, becoming just the second side to do so in the Premier League this season. Nottingham Forest were the other, away at Liverpool, before they went on to inflict Arne Slot’s sole defeat of his tenure so far. And for all of Arsenal’s possession, while they held just a one-goal advantage, Ipswich knew they were still in the game. An encouraging start to the second half for the Tractor Boys ensued, albeit without testing David Raya in the Arsenal goal. Shortly after the hour mark, Gabriel should have settled any growing Emirates nerves when he arrived unmarked to Declan Rice’s corner, but the defender headed wide of Arijanet Muric’s post when it looked easier to score. Martin Odegaard then forced a fine fingertip save from Muric at his near post after a mazy run and shot from the Arsenal skipper. Rice’s stinging goal-bound volley from the following corner was blocked by Dara O’Shea as Arsenal pushed for a game-killing second. Havertz should have tapped home Trossard’s header but he fluffed his lines. And moments later, substitute Mikel Merino’s effort was diverted from danger by a diving Muric. Ipswich looked to catch Arsenal on the counter, but the match ended without them registering a single effort on Raya’s goal. Ipswich fans goaded their opponents with chants of “boring, boring Arsenal”, but it was the Gunners who enjoyed the last laugh as they saw out 2024 with a win which keeps the pressure on Liverpool.

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans made mistakes in every facet of the game Sunday against the Tennessee Titans to lose for the third time in four games. C.J. Stroud threw two interceptions, the defense gave up multiple big passing plays and Ka′imi Fairbairn missed a 28-yard field goal that would have tied it late in a 32-27 loss . “Just a disappointing loss for us,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We didn’t do anything well enough to win this game. Out of all the positives that we did have, there were way too many negatives, too many negative plays.” Jimmie Ward had a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter and the Texans tied a franchise record with eight sacks. Danielle Hunter led the group with a season-high three sacks and Will Anderson Jr. added two in his return after missing two games with an ankle injury. But the offense sputtered for most of the game as Joe Mixon was held to 22 yards on 14 carries. But Ryans refused to blame the offense for the loss. “Our offense did plenty," Ryans said. "They gave us enough points. On defense, we have to be able to stop them.” Chig Okonkwo grabbed a short pass and rumbled 70 yards for a touchdown to put the Titans (3-8) up 30-27 with 91⁄2 minutes remaining. Safety Eric Murray missed a tackle that would have stopped him near midfield. It was the last of three big passing plays the Titans had Sunday. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine got in front of the defense and was wide open for a 38-yard TD catch that made it 10-7 late in the first quarter. Calvin Ridley had a 63-yard reception that set up their next touchdown in the second. “It was just way too many negative plays,” Ryans said. “Defensively, unexplainable explosives for touchdowns. We didn’t play good across the board and that starts with me.” Despite this, the Texans (7-5) had a chance to tie it with less than two minutes remaining, but Fairbairn’s short field-goal attempt sailed wide left. He fell to the ground after the miss before getting up and slamming his helmet on the field. “The most frustrating part about it is out of all the bad things that happened, we still had a chance to finish the game,” Ryans said. “Everything that could go wrong, it went wrong. We still had a chance there to tie it up and finish the game, and we didn’t.” The Texans forced a three-and-out, but couldn’t move the ball after that and Harold Landry sacked Stroud in the end zone for a safety to make it 32-27 and allow Tennessee to snap a two-game skid. Stroud threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, but his two interceptions Sunday give him five combined in the past three games. He now has more interceptions in 12 games this season (nine) than he had in 15 games as a rookie last season (five). “It’s no secret that I haven’t been playing well ... I’ve got to be harder on myself,” he said. “I’m not going to hold my head down. I know I can be a great player, but I’ve got to make better plays.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflIndia’s startup ecosystem closes 2024 on a transformative note, marked by pivotal advancements in AI, deeptech, fintech, and edtech. This year has been defined by resilience, evolution, and significant opportunities. 2024 emerged as the year of startup IPOs, with 12 companies going public and collectively raising billions. Leading the charge was Swiggy’s landmark $1.35 billion IPO, cementing the ecosystem’s global stature. Venture capitalists enjoyed a windfall, earning over $4 billion in IPO returns—double the 2023 figures. Major players like SoftBank, Peak XV, Accel, and Elevation reaped the rewards of patient investments, turning long-term bets into substantial gains. Despite global economic challenges, India’s markets showcased resilience, supported by robust economic growth, regulatory reforms, and sustained investor confidence. With at least 25 IPOs already anticipated for 2025, the momentum shows no signs of slowing down. Big-ticket funding dominated headlines in 2024, with startups raising over $10 billion. Notably, family offices emerged as significant contributors, injecting over $1 billion into the ecosystem. While early-stage funding remained vibrant, growth-stage investments reflected a cautious yet quality-focused approach amidst global uncertainties and shifting interest rates. Challenges persisted, though. Layoffs decreased significantly compared to 2023, yet nearly 9,000 employees faced job cuts. Corporate governance issues continued to trouble notable startups like Byju’s, while others, including Koo and Reshamandi, shuttered operations. CNBC-TV18 spoke to Dr Apoorva Ranjan Sharma, Co-Founder & MD of Venture Catalysts; Mrigank Gut-Gutia, Partner at Redseer; Vaibhav Anant, Founder of Bambrew; and Vivek Pandey, Co-Founder of Ecozen who reflected on the milestones of 2024 and shared their outlook for 2025. Below are the excerpts of the discussion. Q: Tell us what were the key milestones of the year gone by and what will continue to drive momentum and deal activity in 2025? Sharma: The key milestone of 2024 is AI transformation which is happening. The o1 which is the next level of ChatGPT is transforming the things globally. Now the things have moved from LLM to the o1 level where they are able to think and they can also respond and listen to the queries. So basically, next level AI transformation is happening globally. In space tech Tesla has brought back the rocket engine that is also a big milestone. So, the impact of that is also happening in India. You can see a lot of AI transformation happening. Q: 2024 also saw resurgence of major funding rounds, with VC firms injecting over $10 billion into the ecosystem. What was expected to be a chilly winter for venture capital saw funding spring, with Indian startups seeing large ticket deals in winter 2024-2025, setting an optimistic tone. What's fuelling this winter funding spring? Sharma: Two things which are fuelling the winters, which has just gone, I would say. One, the 12 IPOs, which have just happened in this year. In the last three years, Indian stock market, the success of startup is established. And the return also. Remember, there was Paytm IPO, the big chunk of that has gone to the global investors as an exit. From there, it started. So global investors have realised that Indian stock market is responding to startups very, very well. And that is why you can see the Zomato and Swiggy story also now this year. So that is giving the confidence to global investors, that if you invest in India, the exit mechanism is already in place. Number two is the bottom line focus of the large companies, which was not the case three years back. The funding winter has taught us a lot. Almost all the large companies, they are focusing a lot on bottom line, because they're targeting IPO in Indian stock market. That is why the strength of Indian startups is also reflected to the global investors. And that is why you see these startups becoming more attractive to the global investors. Q: Quick commerce has been the buzzword for this year. Could you start by explaining why this segment has taken off the way it has and where the current GMV average spends and the number of users stands? Gut-Gutia: Quick commerce has had a fantabulous year. Looking at the data sets of the total size of the sector, we see that every month the sector is breaking all the records in terms of growth. So most of the months this year, the quick commerce sector in India, when we look at the GMV levels, it is growing at more than 80% on a year on year (YoY) basis. And if you talk about the actual GMVs that we expect, I think by the end of FY25 or let's say by the whole FY25 period, I think we will see the sector exceeding the GMV of close to $6 billion. So, for a sector that was just about less than $1 billion, maybe four or five years ago to reach the $6 billion scale by FY25, I think it's a fantastic achievement. I think one of the biggest factors that is driving the growth of the sector is the monthly transacting users. So just about a few months ago, the sector had about 9 million monthly transacting users. But because of this phenomenal growth in adoption and experience, we expect that the monthly transacting users will be more than 15 million. It's already there in these last few, last couple of months, and the average for the whole year might also be sitting around the 15-17 million mark. Essentially what is happening is that user is just spending across the categories, not just grocery, but across electronics and home goods, some part of fashion, beauty, and so on. So, it's really spending across the segments and the huge convenience that quick commerce has afforded to our customers that is really driving the phenomenal growth in the sector. Watch accompanying video for entire discussion.

NEW YORK (AP) — Chuck Woolery, the affable, smooth-talking game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble” who later became a right-wing podcaster, skewering liberals and accusing the government of lying about COVID-19, has died. He was 83. Mark Young, Woolery's podcast co-host and friend, said in an email early Sunday that Woolery died at his home in Texas with his wife, Kristen, present. “Chuck was a dear friend and brother and a tremendous man of faith, life will not be the same without him,” Young wrote. Woolery, with his matinee idol looks, coiffed hair and ease with witty banter, was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978. In 1983, Woolery began an 11-year run as host of TV’s “Love Connection,” for which he coined the phrase, “We’ll be back in two minutes and two seconds,” a two-fingered signature dubbed the “2 and 2.” In 1984, he hosted TV’s “Scrabble,” simultaneously hosting two game shows on TV until 1990. “Love Connection,” which aired long before the dawn of dating apps, had a premise that featured either a single man or single woman who would watch audition tapes of three potential mates and then pick one for a date. A couple of weeks after the date, the guest would sit with Woolery in front of a studio audience and tell everybody about the date. The audience would vote on the three contestants, and if the audience agreed with the guest’s choice, “Love Connection” would offer to pay for a second date. Woolery told The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2003 that his favorite set of lovebirds was a man aged 91 and a woman aged 87. "She had so much eye makeup on, she looked like a stolen Corvette. He was so old he said, ‘I remember wagon trains.’ The poor guy. She took him on a balloon ride.” Other career highlights included hosting the shows “Lingo," “Greed” and “The Chuck Woolery Show,” as well as hosting the short-lived syndicated revival of “The Dating Game” from 1998 to 2000 and an ill-fated 1991 talk show. In 1992, he played himself in two episodes of TV’s “Melrose Place.” Woolery became the subject of the Game Show Network’s first attempt at a reality show, “Chuck Woolery: Naturally Stoned,” which premiered in 2003. It shared the title of the pop song in 1968 by Woolery and his rock group, the Avant-Garde. It lasted six episode and was panned by critics. Woolery began his TV career at a show that has become a mainstay. Although most associated with Pat Sajak and Vanna White, “Wheel of Fortune” debuted Jan. 6, 1975, on NBC with Woolery welcoming contestants and the audience. Woolery, then 33, was trying to make it in Nashville as a singer. “Wheel of Fortune” started life as “Shopper’s Bazaar,” incorporating Hangman-style puzzles and a roulette wheel. After Woolery appeared on “The Merv Griffin Show” singing “Delta Dawn,” Merv Griffin asked him to host the new show with Susan Stafford. “I had an interview that stretched to 15, 20 minutes,” Woolery told The New York Times in 2003. “After the show, when Merv asked if I wanted to do a game show, I thought, ‘Great, a guy with a bad jacket and an equally bad mustache who doesn’t care what you have to say — that’s the guy I want to be.’” NBC initially passed, but they retooled it as “Wheel of Fortune” and got the green light. After a few years, Woolery demanded a raise to $500,000 a year, or what host Peter Marshall was making on “Hollywood Squares.” Griffin balked and replaced Woolery with weather reporter Pat Sajak. “Both Chuck and Susie did a fine job, and ‘Wheel’ did well enough on NBC, although it never approached the kind of ratings success that ‘Jeopardy!’ achieved in its heyday,” Griffin said in “Merv: Making the Good Life Last,” an autobiography from the 2000s co-written by David Bender. Woolery earned an Emmy nod as host. Born in Ashland, Kentucky, Woolery served in the U.S. Navy before attending college. He played double bass in a folk trio, then formed the psychedelic rock duo The Avant-Garde in 1967 while working as a truck driver to support himself as a musician. The Avant-Garde, which tourbed in a refitted Cadillac hearse, had the Top 40 hit “Naturally Stoned,” with Woolery singing, “When I put my mind on you alone/I can get a good sensation/Feel like I’m naturally stoned.” After The Avant-Garde broke up, Woolery released his debut solo single “I’ve Been Wrong” in 1969 and several more singles with Columbia before transitioning to country music by the 1970s. He released two solo singles, “Forgive My Heart” and “Love Me, Love Me.” Woolery wrote or co-wrote songs for himself and everyone from Pat Boone to Tammy Wynette. On Wynette’s 1971 album “We Sure Can Love Each Other,” Woolery wrote “The Joys of Being a Woman” with lyrics including “See our baby on the swing/Hear her laugh, hear her scream.” After his TV career ended, Woolery went into podcasting. In an interview with The New York Times, he called himself a gun-rights activist and described himself as a conservative libertarian and constitutionalist. He said he hadn’t revealed his politics in liberal Hollywood for fear of retribution. He teamed up with Mark Young in 2014 for the podcast “Blunt Force Truth” and soon became a full supporter of Donald Trump while arguing minorities don’t need civil rights and causing a firestorm by tweeting an antisemitic comment linking Soviet Communists to Judaism. “President Obama’s popularity is a fantasy only held by him and his dwindling legion of juice-box-drinking, anxiety-dog-hugging, safe-space-hiding snowflakes,” he said. Woolery also was active online, retweeting articles from Conservative Brief, insisting Democrats were trying to install a system of Marxism and spreading headlines such as “Impeach him! Devastating photo of Joe Biden leaks.” During the early stages of the pandemic, Woolery initially accused medical professionals and Democrats of lying about the virus in an effort to hurt the economy and Trump’s chances for reelection to the presidency. “The most outrageous lies are the ones about COVID-19. Everyone is lying. The CDC, media, Democrats, our doctors, not all but most, that we are told to trust. I think it’s all about the election and keeping the economy from coming back, which is about the election. I’m sick of it,” Woolery wrote in July 2020. Trump retweeted that post to his 83 million followers. By the end of the month, nearly 4.5 million Americans had been infected with COVID-19 and more than 150,000 had died. Just days later, Woolery changed his stance, announcing his son had contracted COVID-19. “To further clarify and add perspective, COVID-19 is real and it is here. My son tested positive for the virus, and I feel for of those suffering and especially for those who have lost loved ones,” Woolery posted before his account was deleted. Woolery later explained on his podcast that he never called COVID-19 “a hoax” or said “it’s not real,” just that “we’ve been lied to.” Woolery also said it was “an honor to have your president retweet what your thoughts are and think it’s important enough to do that.” In addition to his wife, Woolery is survived by his sons Michael and Sean and his daughter Melissa, Young said. Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits .

CALIFORNIA, United States, December 27th, 2024, Chainwire Pepeto's Social Media Presence Reaches New Milestone With a combined social media following of over 45,800 across platforms, the God of Frogs, Pepeto, is making a mark in the memecoin space. Across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, Telegram, and TikTok, Pepeto has cultivated a thriving and engaged community. Boasting 1.61k YouTube subscribers, 9,310 followers on X, 1,180 TikTok followers, 18,157 Telegram subscribers, and 15,600 Instagram followers, the Pepeto Army's expanding presence underscores the project's growth as it prepares for 2025. Pepeto Launches Christmas Marketing Campaign with Rewards and Surprises for 2025 Pepeto has officially announced its latest marketing campaign through its social media channels, spreading festive cheer with a special holiday message wishing its community a Merry Christmas. Alongside the warm wishes, the campaign unveiled three of the five steps in its January initiative designed to engage the Pepeto Army and reward their dedication. These steps include engaging with Pepeto's content by sharing and tagging its reels and stories, as well as showcasing support by interacting with posts across platforms. The remaining two steps will be revealed on January 1st , 2025, as part of a campaign that promises exciting prizes and live randomizer giveaways. The Campaign That Gives Back to the Pepeto Army In recognition of its passionate community, Pepeto has launched a marketing... ChainwireMolton Brown Christmas beauty gift sets reduced from £40 to just £16 onlineKobe Sanders tied a season high with 27 points as Nevada claimed fifth place in the Charleston Classic with a 90-78 victory over Oklahoma State Sunday afternoon in South Carolina. Sanders helped the Wolfpack (6-1) earn a second win following one-possession games against Vanderbilt and VCU. After hitting the decisive 3-pointer with five seconds left in Friday's 64-61 win over VCU, Sanders made 7 of 10 shots, hit three 3s and sank 10 of 13 free throws Sunday. Nick Davidson added 223 points as Nevada led by as many as 19 and shot 58.9 percent. Brandon Love contributed 11 on 5-of-5 shooting as the Wolfpack scored 46 points in the paint and scored at least 85 for the fourth time this season. Marchelus Avery led the Cowboys (4-2) with 15 points and Arturo Dean added 13. Robert Jennings and Abou Ousmane added 11 apiece but leading scorer Bryce Thompson was held to seven points on 1-of-9 shooting as Oklahoma State shot 42 percent and 73.2 percent (30-of-41) at the line. After Avery's 3 forged a 12-12 tie with 13:41 remaining, Nevada gradually gained separation. The Wolfpack took a 24-15 lead on Chuck Bailey's jumper in the paint with 8:28 left but the Cowboys inched back, getting within 33-31 on a dunk by Avery with 4:11 left. Another Bailey jumper staked Nevada to a 40-33 lead by halftime. Nevada began pulling away early in the second half as it scored eight in a row for a 52-40 lead on a basket by Love with 16:44 left. A 3 by Sanders opened a 62-43 lead with 14:06 remaining before Oklahoma State charged back. After Nevada made eight straight shots, the Cowboys countered with 11 straight points and trailed 62-54 with 11:19 left on a 3-pointer by Avery. Thompson made his first basket by sinking a jumper with 10:37 left to get Oklahoma State within 64-56 left, and Keller's triple cut the margin to 70-64 nearly three minutes later. The Cowboys were within 78-72 on a basket by Avery with 3:56 remaining, but he fouled out about a minute later and the Wolfpack outscored Oklahoma State 12-6 the rest of the way as Sanders sank five free throws. --Field Level Media

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Any Texas or Texas A&M player has heard the lore of the rivalry between the two schools, a grudge match that dates to 1894. But for more than a decade — two generations of college football players — that's all it has been: Ghostly memories of great games and great plays made by heroes of the distant past.Hosting a middling mid-major might help DePaul get back on track following a pair of lopsided defeats. The Blue Demons look to avoid a third straight loss Saturday in Chicago against Loyola Maryland, which hasn't beaten a major conference opponent in 15 years. DePaul (8-4) opened 7-0 under first-year coach Chris Holtmann but is 1-4 since its schedule became tougher. After shooting 51.6 percent during a 91-72 home win over Wichita State on Dec. 14, the Blue Demons shot a combined 38.1 percent and committed 38 turnovers while losing at St. John's and Northwestern by a combined 48 points. The Red Storm and Wildcats also made a combined 54.2 percent of their shots in those contests. "We obviously got to do some things better," Holtmann said. "It starts with turnovers right now. (And), we've got to play with more defensive force." Isaiah Rivera (11.4 points per game), one of DePaul's leading scorers, went 5 of 8 from 3-point range for 17 points versus Wichita State. However, he's 1 of 5 from distance with just five total points in the two games since. DePaul ranks among the national leaders shooting 40.1 percent from behind the arc, but Loyola (5-5) has limited opponents to just 28.3 percent shooting from deep. The Greyhounds shoot just 29.1 percent from distance. Loyola shot 46.3 percent overall and held Hampton to 3-of-15 shooting from 3 in its most recent contest on Dec. 21, but committed 14 turnovers and went to the free-throw line 14 fewer times than the Pirates in a 76-68 loss. "We want to continue getting better," first-year Loyola coach Josh Loeffler told The Greyhound school paper. "Put them in a position to be successful." Though the Greyhounds have split their six true road games this season, they lost by 21 at Boston College on Nov. 19. Since February 1982, Loyola is 1-66 against major conference foes. That lone victory came at Indiana, 72-67, on Dec. 22, 2009. Loyola big man Milos Ilic averages team highs of 14.8 points on 55.1-percent shooting and 9.2 rebounds. He has posted four double-doubles this season. --Field Level MediaAuthor's Tranquility Press Presents: Oyinbo Pepe White Face: My African Story by Dr. Danuta "Dana" Mason, M.D. 11-25-2024 07:32 PM CET | Associations & Organizations Press release from: ABNewswire An Unforgettable Journey Across Continents and Cultures Author's Tranquility Press is thrilled to announce the release of Oyinbo Pepe White Face: My African Story [ https://www.amazon.com/Oyinbo-Pepe-White-Face-African/dp/1662467362/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image ], a memoir that transcends borders and reveals the extraordinary odyssey of Dr. Danuta "Dana" Mason, M.D. Predicted by a fortune teller to "travel over three oceans, live on three different continents, and be very successful," Dr. Mason's life unfolded in ways she could never have imagined. This riveting memoir recounts her remarkable journey from Europe to Africa, where unforeseen circumstances left her stranded in a land brimming with culture, challenges, and unexpected adventures. In Oyinbo Pepe - a term meaning "White Face" in Nigerian Yoruba tribe language - Dr. Mason shares her incredible experiences as an outsider navigating the vibrant yet complex tapestry of African life. Her story weaves together themes of resilience, adaptability, and the deep connections that transcend cultural divides, offering readers a poignant exploration of identity and belonging. Dr. Mason's memoir is a testament to the unpredictability of life and the power of embracing its mysteries. It invites readers to reflect on their own paths, to marvel at the surprise's destiny holds, and to live fully in the present moment. About the Author: Dr. Danuta "Dana" Mason, M.D., is a passionate storyteller and world traveler who brings her unique perspective as a physician and adventurer to her writing. Through her memoir, she captures the wonder, challenge, and humor of her life-changing experiences in Nigeria, sharing a story that is as inspiring as it is enlightening. Immerse yourself in the extraordinary journey of Oyinbo Pepe White Face: My African Story - a tale that promises to inspire, entertain, and transport you to another world. Available now on Amazon [ https://www.amazon.com/Oyinbo-Pepe-White-Face-African/dp/1662467362/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image ]. Discover the power of embracing life's unpredictability with Dr. Danuta Mason's unforgettable memoir! About Author's Tranquility Press Author's Tranquility Press is a top publicity agency known for delivering innovative solutions designed to help writers across genres to reach a wider audience. The company combines the use of the latest technologies and the expertise and diverse experience of the team to provide quality, relatable content to as many people as possible, irrespective of their location across the globe. Media Contact Company Name: Author's Tranquility Press Contact Person: Louela Sanders - Marketing Fulfillment Associate Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=authors-tranquility-press-presents-oyinbo-pepe-white-face-my-african-story-by-dr-danuta-dana-mason-md ] Phone: (866) 411-8655 Address:3900 N Commerce Dr. Suite 300 #1255 City: Atlanta State: GA, 30344 Country: United States Website: http://www.authorstranquilitypress.com This release was published on openPR.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A ban on New Zealanders wearing or displaying symbols of gang affiliation in public took effect on Thursday, with police officers making their first arrest for a breach of the law three minutes later. The man was driving with gang insignia displayed on the dashboard of his car and was among more than a dozen people arrested or summoned to appear in court for exhibiting such symbols since the law took force, New Zealand’s police said Friday. The prohibition on displaying gang insignia anywhere outside private homes, including on clothing or in vehicles, is among a suite of new measures intended to bolster police powers to disrupt the groups. Wearing or displaying the insignia of 35 listed gangs will now prompt a fine of up to 5,000 New Zealand dollars ($2,940) or up to six months in jail. New Zealand’s center-right government, which pledged ahead of last October’s election to tackle gang crime, says the measures will reduce the membership of groups responsible for violence and drug offenses. But detractors say the law breaches civil liberties and could drive gang activities underground. "Gangs aren’t community groups. They’re not a Rotary club," Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wrote on social media Thursday. “They thrive on destroying the lives of other New Zealanders, whether that’s by peddling drugs or through brutal acts of violence that leave communities in fear.” Under the new law, officers can also disperse public gatherings of three or more members, bar some gang affiliates from associating with each other, and enter homes of those who keep breaking the law to search for banned items. Gang membership will now be considered by the courts when sentencing offenders. Police Minister Mark Mitchell told reporters Thursday that two people were arrested hours after the law took effect for wearing gang “patches,” which are large insignia often worn by gang members on the backs of leather jackets or vests. The government says the patches are intimidating because members are required to earn them through violent acts. The measures shift New Zealand's response to gangs closer to that of neighboring Australia, which also uses a law to suppress the public visibility of gangs, and away from jurisdictions like the U.S. and Britain, which use criminal law to respond to specific activities carried out by organized crime groups, according to a report published by Treasury officials in February. Facial tattoos that display gang insignia are exempt from the ban, as is the wearing of gang colors. The government was criticized by some for not including white supremacist groups in its list of 35 organizations targeted by the new law. That means displaying swastikas and making Nazi salutes remains legal in New Zealand -– unlike in Australia, which banned both in a law that took effect in January. There are nearly 9,400 people on a New Zealand police list of known gang members. New Zealand’s population is 5 million. Successive governments have vowed to tackle criminal gangs, which often are linked to poverty and other deprivation. The previous center-left government was decried by Luxon’s administration for working with gangs on social initiatives, including COVID-19 vaccination efforts, while the current government has been denounced for advancing policies that are likely to ensnare some of New Zealand’s most marginalized groups, including Indigenous Māori. Official reports say three-quarters of those on the national gang list are Māori, who make up less than 20% of New Zealanders, and that 80% to 90% of those in two of the most notorious gangs are former wards of the state. Luxon made a formal apology this month for the widespread abuse of children and vulnerable adults in state care over the past seven decades. Get any of our free daily email newsletters — news headlines, opinion, e-edition, obituaries and more.

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