Paige Spiranac sparks fan excitement with talk of joining celebrity golf eventSaquon Barkley is the NFL's version of Shohei Ohtani: Analysis On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. For more On Football analysis, head here . ___ Saquon Barkley has become the Shohei Ohtani of the NFL. There’s no better home run hitter playing football right now. Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press Nov 26, 2024 3:01 PM Nov 26, 2024 3:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley reacts after scoring against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun) On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. For more On Football analysis, head here . ___ Saquon Barkley has become the Shohei Ohtani of the NFL. There’s no better home run hitter playing football right now. Barkley had touchdown runs of 72 and 70 yards for the Philadelphia Eagles in a 37-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. He now has five runs of 50-plus yards this season and is on pace to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season record of 2,105 yards set in 1984. Barkley’s historic performance against the Rams — his 255 yards set a team record — captivated a national audience and turned him into a fan favorite for the AP NFL MVP award. He’s not the betting favorite, however. Josh Allen has the best odds at plus-150, according to Bet MGM Sportsbook. Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is next at plus-250 followed by Barkley at plus-400. Running backs have won the award 18 times, including three-time winner Jim Brown, who was the AP’s first NFL MVP in 1957. Quarterbacks have dominated the award, winning it 45 times. Only three players who weren’t QBs or RBs have been MVP. It takes a special season for a non-QB to win it mainly because the offense goes through the signal caller. Quarterbacks handle the ball every offensive snap, run the show and get the credit when things go well and the blame when it doesn’t. Adrian Peterson was the most recent non-QB to win it when he ran for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Minnesota Vikings in 2012. Playing for a winning team matters, too. Nine of the past 11 winners played for a No. 1 seed with the other two winners on a No. 2 seed. The Vikings earned the sixth seed when Pederson was MVP. Barkley is a major reason why the Eagles (9-2) are leading the NFC East and only trail Detroit (10-1) by one game for the top spot in the conference. Does he have a realistic chance to win the MVP award? Kicker Mark Moseley was the MVP in the strike-shortened 1982 season when he made 20 of 21 field goals and 16 of 19 extra points in nine games for Washington. If voters once selected a kicker, everyone has a chance, especially a game-changer such as Barkley. Defensive tackle Alan Page was the MVP in 1971 and linebacker Lawrence Taylor won it in 1986. Running back Christian McCaffrey finished third in voting last year and wide receiver Justin Jefferson placed fifth in 2022. The Offensive Player of the Year award and Defensive Player of the Year award recognize the best all-around players on both sides of the ball, allowing voters to recognize non-QBs if they choose. Wide receivers and running backs have won the AP OPOY award seven times over the past 11 seasons. McCaffrey was the 2023 winner. The AP’s new voting format introduced in 2022 also gives non-QBs a better opportunity to get MVP recognition. Voter submit their top five picks for each award, with a weighted point system. Previously, voters made one choice for each award. A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league vote for MVP and seven other awards. The awards are based on regular-season performance. Clinching scenarios The Chiefs (10-1) and Bills (9-2) already are in position to lock up postseason berths right after Thanksgiving. Kansas City clinches a playoff berth with a win over Las Vegas on Black Friday and a loss by Miami on Thursday night, or a win plus a loss by Denver on Monday night. Buffalo can wrap up a fifth straight AFC East title with a victory over San Francisco on Sunday and a loss by the Dolphins. Status quo in Dallas? It’s not a given that the Dallas Cowboys will be looking for a new head coach after this season. Owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday on local radio that Mike McCarthy could end up getting a contract extension. “I don’t think that’s crazy at all. This is a Super Bowl-winning coach. Mike McCarthy has been there and done that. He has great ideas. We got a lot of football left,” Jones said. McCarthy led the Cowboys (4-7) to three straight 12-win seasons, but they went 1-3 in the playoffs and haven’t reached the NFC championship game since winning the Super Bowl 29 years ago. Injuries have contributed to the team’s struggles this season, but Dallas was just 3-5 before Dak Prescott was lost for the rest of the season. The Cowboys upset Washington last week and their next four games are against teams that currently have losing records. If they somehow end up 9-8 or even 8-9, Jones could make a case for keeping McCarthy. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Rob Maaddi, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) J.K. Dobbins' knee injury could be tough news for the Chargers offense Nov 26, 2024 2:31 PM Giants QB Tommy DeVito has a sore throwing arm after loss to Bucs Nov 26, 2024 2:19 PM Vikings place LB Ivan Pace on injured reserve and sign LB Jamin Davis off Packers practice squad Nov 26, 2024 2:13 PMTAURANGA, New Zealand--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 19, 2024-- Craigs Investment Partners (“Craigs” or “the Firm”), a leading wealth management firm in New Zealand, today announced that TA Associates (“TA”), a leading global private equity firm, has signed a conditional agreement to make a strategic investment in the Firm. Under the agreement, Craigs’ existing employee and director shareholders will retain 50 percent ownership of the Firm, partnering closely with TA. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241218087239/en/ “TA is an ideal partner to support Craigs’ growth ambitions and ongoing commitment to client outcomes given its significant global experience investing in wealth management, and its strong understanding of the regional market,” said Simon Tong, CEO of Craigs. “Craigs and TA are aligned on a client-first philosophy and the importance of a personalized approach to wealth management. Client outcomes remain our top priority, and there will be no change in the people or our approach to providing outstanding service to our clients.” The partnership between Craigs and TA aims to further enhance Craigs’ position as a leader in the New Zealand wealth management market while enabling its continued expansion. Leveraging over 50 years of experience helping high-quality companies grow, TA will provide deep industry knowledge, strategic resources and a robust global network to accelerate Craigs’ growth strategy. “This is an exciting opportunity that connects our local team with TA’s extensive global experience in wealth management, supporting our ability to deliver enhanced outcomes for clients in an increasingly dynamic environment. Access to TA’s international network, best practices and insights will help us elevate our services while maintaining the personalised approach that sets us apart,” Tong continued. “Over the past 40 years, Craigs has established itself as one of the largest and most respected wealth management firms in New Zealand, offering a comprehensive range of personalised wealth advice and services to its clients,” said Edward Sippel, head of TA Associates Asia Pacific Ltd. and a Managing Director at TA. “We deeply respect this history and are honoured to support the Firm’s continued growth strategy and commitment to delivering best-in-class client outcomes.” “TA has a long history of partnering with world-class wealth managers like Craigs,” said Lily Xu, Vice President at TA. “We are excited to collaborate with the entire Craigs team to expand the Firm’s reach, continue enhancing its service offerings, and explore strategic M&A opportunities.” The agreement remains subject to certain approvals being obtained, including Court approval, Craigs’ shareholder approval and Overseas Investment Office (‘OIO’) consent. Settlement is expected to occur late in the first quarter of 2025. Financial terms were not disclosed. Craigs Investment Partners Limited is a NZX Participant firm. Craigs Investment Partners Limited’s Financial Advice Provider Disclosure Statement can be viewed at craigsip.com/terms-and-conditions . Please visit craigsip.com for more information on Craigs Investment Partners financial advice services. About Craigs Investment Partners (Craigs) Craigs Investment Partners is one of New Zealand's largest investment advisory firms, offering bespoke solutions to both private investors and corporate clients. Craigs provides the complete breadth of private client and wealth management services including investment advice and management, securities trading, research, cash management, institutional dealing, and investment banking. Craigs has over 180 qualified Investment Advisers, servicing over 65,000 private wealth investors across 19 branches in New Zealand. Craigs has a team of 650 employees, $32 billion in funds under advice (“FUA”), and is currently 100% owned by employee and director shareholders. www.craigsip.com About TA Associates (TA) TA is a leading global private equity firm focused on scaling growth in profitable companies. Since 1968, TA has invested in more than 560 companies across its five target industries – technology, healthcare, financial services, consumer and businesses services. Leveraging its deep industry expertise and strategic resources, TA collaborates with management teams worldwide to help high-quality companies deliver lasting value. The firm has raised $65 billion in capital to date and has more than 150 investment professionals across offices in Boston, Menlo Park, Austin, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong. More information about TA can be found at www.ta.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241218087239/en/ CONTACT: For more information, please contact: Craigs Investment Partners:Tania Bui |tania.bui@craigsip.com TA Associates:Maggie Benoit |mbenoit@ta.com KEYWORD: AUSTRALIA/OCEANIA NEW ZEALAND ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING ASSET MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: Craigs Investment Partners Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/19/2024 04:38 PM/DISC: 12/19/2024 04:36 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241218087239/en

On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. For more On Football analysis, head here. ___ Saquon Barkley has become the Shohei Ohtani of the NFL. There’s no better home run hitter playing football right now. Barkley had touchdown runs of 72 and 70 yards for the Philadelphia Eagles in a over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. He now has five runs of 50-plus yards this season and is on pace to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season record of 2,105 yards set in 1984. Barkley’s historic performance against the Rams — his 255 yards set a team record — captivated a national audience and turned him into a fan favorite for the AP NFL MVP award. He’s not the betting favorite, however. Josh Allen has the best odds at plus-150, according to Bet MGM Sportsbook. Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is next at plus-250 followed by Barkley at plus-400. Running backs have won the award 18 times, including three-time winner Jim Brown, who was the AP’s first NFL MVP in 1957. Quarterbacks have dominated the award, winning it 45 times. Only three players who weren’t QBs or RBs have been MVP. It takes a special season for a non-QB to win it mainly because the offense goes through the signal caller. Quarterbacks handle the ball every offensive snap, run the show and get the credit when things go well and the blame when it doesn’t. Adrian Peterson was the most recent non-QB to win it when he ran for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Minnesota Vikings in 2012. Playing for a winning team matters, too. Nine of the past 11 winners played for a No. 1 seed with the other two winners on a No. 2 seed. The Vikings earned the sixth seed when Pederson was MVP. Barkley is a major reason why the Eagles (9-2) are and only trail Detroit (10-1) by one game for the top spot in the conference. Does he have a realistic chance to win the MVP award? Kicker Mark Moseley was the MVP in the strike-shortened 1982 season when he made 20 of 21 field goals and 16 of 19 extra points in nine games for Washington. If voters once selected a kicker, everyone has a chance, especially a game-changer such as Barkley. Defensive tackle Alan Page was the MVP in 1971 and linebacker Lawrence Taylor won it in 1986. Running back Christian McCaffrey finished third in voting last year and wide receiver Justin Jefferson placed fifth in 2022. The Offensive Player of the Year award and Defensive Player of the Year award recognize the best all-around players on both sides of the ball, allowing voters to recognize non-QBs if they choose. Wide receivers and running backs have won the AP OPOY award seven times over the past 11 seasons. McCaffrey was the 2023 winner. The AP’s new voting format introduced in 2022 also gives non-QBs a better opportunity to get MVP recognition. Voter submit their top five picks for each award, with a weighted point system. Previously, voters made one choice for each award. A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league vote for MVP and seven other awards. The awards are based on regular-season performance. Clinching scenarios The Chiefs (10-1) and Bills (9-2) already are in position to lock up postseason berths right after Thanksgiving. Kansas City clinches a playoff berth with a win over Las Vegas on Black Friday and a loss by Miami on Thursday night, or a win plus a loss by Denver on Monday night. Buffalo can wrap up a fifth straight AFC East title with a victory over San Francisco on Sunday and a loss by the Dolphins. Status quo in Dallas? It’s not a given that the Dallas Cowboys will be looking for a new head coach after this season. Owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday on local radio that Mike McCarthy could end up getting a contract extension. “I don’t think that’s crazy at all. This is a Super Bowl-winning coach. Mike McCarthy has been there and done that. He has great ideas. We got a lot of football left,” Jones said. McCarthy led the Cowboys (4-7) to three straight 12-win seasons, but they went 1-3 in the playoffs and haven’t reached the NFC championship game since winning the Super Bowl 29 years ago. Injuries have contributed to the team’s struggles this season, but Dallas was just 3-5 before Dak Prescott was lost for the rest of the season. The Cowboys upset Washington last week and their next four games are against teams that currently have losing records. If they somehow end up 9-8 or even 8-9, Jones could make a case for keeping McCarthy. ___ AP NFL:Phoebe Health System earns Digital Health Most Wired award

Chakrabongse Villas will get vibrant with the return of the Antiques & Culture Fair this Saturday and Sunday. For this sixth edition, the event will bring more than 30 stalls offering an array of beautiful and interesting vintage, antique and craft items at all price levels from dealers and private collections. This is the perfect opportunity for a treasure hunt to find this year's Christmas and New year gifts. The highlight will be six exclusive house tours per day, starting at 10.30am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 4.30pm and 5.30pm. The fee for the first four rounds is priced at 1,500 baht including the main house tour, one book and lunch. Tickets for the last two rounds cost 2,500 baht, including the main house tour, one book and dinner set. All sessions will be conducted in Thai, except the 12.30pm round which will be in English. Visitors are also invited to book a trip of the Chao Phraya River on the Villas' very own Serichai Riva boat. Bookworms can browse and buy all the latest Riverbooks titles at a discounted price. Also, treat yourself to tasty food and refreshments available throughout the day. Entrance fee is 200 baht including access to the market, the beautiful gardens and riverside terrace, plus one complimentary herbal drink. Chakrabongse Villas is on Maharaj Road. Call 086-987-0493 or add Line: @chakrabongsevillas.PARIS (AP) — After more than 20 years of negotiations, the 27-nation European Union and Mercosur — a South American trade bloc of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia — are still trying to finalize a major trade agreement that is sparking protests by European farmers. A draft deal was announced in 2019 , but disagreements over environmental, economic and political issues are delaying its final approval. Here’s a look at the deal, why it matters, and challenges it faces: It aims to create one of the largest free trade zones in the world, covering over 700 million people and nearly 25% of global GDP. Much like the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement, its goal is to reduce tariffs and trade barriers, making it easier for businesses on both sides to export goods. For the EU, the deal would mean lower tariffs on products like cars, machinery and chemicals. Mercosur countries would benefit from better access to EU markets for agricultural exports such as beef, poultry and sugar. Negotiations began in 1999 and an initial agreement was reached in 2019, but it remains unratified due to significant opposition, particularly from France. European farmers, especially in France, worry that an influx of South American products would saturate their markets, undercutting local agriculture. One year after a massive European farmers’ protest movement, another round of protests have erupted across the continent, with many claiming that reduced tariffs or duty-free quotas for South American products could be fatal for them. For example, 99,000 tons of beef would face a reduced tariff of just 7.5%, while 180,000 tons of poultry would enter duty-free. According to the European Commission, this accounts for less than 2% of the EU’s annual beef consumption. Livestock farmers argue they cannot compete with South American producers, who benefit from lower labor costs, larger farms and less stringent regulations on practices such as the use of growth hormones compared to EU standards. In October, a European Commission audit found that Brazil, the world’s largest exporter of beef, cannot guarantee that its exports to the EU are free of the growth hormone “oestradiol 17-β,” which has been banned in Europe for decades. Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal are among EU countries pushing for the deal to be finalized by year's end. Germany, in particular, sees Mercosur as a key market for its automakers. In South America, leaders like Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva view the agreement as a boost for regional trade and economic growth. Countries like Uruguay and Paraguay also support the deal, hoping to diversify their trade partners and reduce reliance on China. Argentina’s President Javier Milei has also backed it, signaling a shift from his predecessor’s skepticism. The deal is also backed by industries in both regions. European carmakers and pharmaceutical companies see it as a way to access Mercosur’s growing markets. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, has also expressed strong support, calling it “an agreement of great economic and strategic importance” — despite opposition from certain EU member states. France, with the biggest agriculture sector in Europe, has led opposition within the EU, along with Poland, Austria and the Netherlands. French President Emmanuel Macron has called for stronger environmental and labor standards, stating that “France would not sign the deal as is." France has also requested that the European Commission renegotiate the text, particularly by incorporating “mirror clauses,” which would impose identical standards on products traded between the two blocs. However, France’s ability to block the deal is limited, as trade talks fall under the authority of the European Commission, which negotiates for the 27 member states. Environmental groups, including Greenpeace, have also criticized the deal, warning it could accelerate deforestation in the Amazon and increase the use of harmful pesticides. The Mercosur summit on Dec. 5-6 in Uruguay could be a key moment for the deal. However, even if the agreement is signed, it must be ratified by all 27 EU member states, the European Parliament and all member states’ national parliaments before taking effect. This would give France a chance to veto it. To speed up and make approval easier, the European Commission is considering splitting the deal into two parts: a broader cooperation agreement and a trade-focused agreement. The latter would only require a majority vote under EU rules, bypassing the need for unanimous approval. Under this plan, France would lose its veto power unless it can gather enough support to form a blocking minority. While countries like Poland and Austria have raised objections, their combined influence falls short of the threshold needed to halt the deal.

My seven-year-old has been suspended TEN times – I’m terrified he’ll end up in prisonAn attorney for the former director of History Nebraska has asked a Lincoln judge to dismiss his felony theft case, arguing that the state's prosecutors had failed to bring him to trial within six months. The Nebraska Attorney General's Office has accused Trevor Jones, who resigned as CEO and executive director of the agency in July 2022 after six years in the role, of felony theft by deception for his alleged mishandling of more than $270,000 in funds in 2020. The state alleges that Jones transferred discretionary funds from the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation that ended up going into History Nebraska's Foundation account. On Tuesday, Jones, who lives in Minnesota now, appeared by video for a hearing where his attorney, Mallory Hughes, said the Attorney General's Office had a Sept. 12 deadline to bring him to trial and didn't. People are also reading... Rest assured, Nebraska volleyball fans: The missing fan behind the servers will be back Saturday Matt Rhule, Luke Fickell both downplay postgame encounter between Fickell, Donovan Raiola Arrest made in 55-year-old cold case of Nebraska teen stabbed to death 'Bocephus' is back: Hank Williams Jr. to play Lincoln arena Friday Signing Day: Meet Nebraska volleyball's five-player 2025 class Amie Just: Bring out the tissues — and the brooms — for Nebraska volleyball's emotional win Cover Five: With pressure rising, Matt Rhule delivers Nebraska a bowl bid in Year 2 Wind-aided fire destroys vacant Village Inn in Lincoln Sound waves: What others are saying about Nebraska's win against Wisconsin Nebraska GOP to seek hard-right social policies in 2025 legislative session UNO freezes funds for LGBTQ+, multicultural, other student groups after audit Amie Just: Ahead of milestone birthday, local sports figures give advice on turning 30 Mountain lion spotted on trail camera east of Bennet, Sheriff's Office says As Nebraska's Democratic Party shrinks, some former party officials call for change Matt Rhule reacts to no-call at end of Nebraska-USC game: "I don’t know what else to say" "It was the state of Nebraska's burden to ensure such," she said. Assistant Attorney General Sandra Allen argued against a dismissal, pointing to a motion Jones's previous attorney filed March 12, asking to withdraw from the case. "And it has never been ruled upon," Allen said. She said the court's JUSTICE system showed a judge's note March 26, where the court ruled on pending motions for discovery. But the note doesn't show that the judge granted the motion, and there was no formal order. "It's the state's contention that the speedy-trial clock stopped when this was filed on March 24, 2024, and to date it's still tolled," Allen argued. Hughes said that motion followed her and Berry Law's entry of appearance in the case. "There is no question that the state of Nebraska knew who defense counsel was," she said. Hughes said the office communicated with her and provided discovery to her. "If every time a defense counsel moves to withdraw when there is already new counsel on the case actively working the case, I think that is a fundamentally unfair way to treat criminal defendants," she said. "That is fundamentally against his right to speedy trial." Hughes said the Lancaster County Attorney's Office declined to file the case, and when the Attorney General's Office did it had an obligation to recognize local court rules, which includes requesting a docket call to get a trial date to move the case forward. "This case should be discharged," she argued. Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong asked the attorneys to brief the issue and she would rule later. It was just the latest legal wrangling in the case, which was filed after concerns were raised in early 2022 by History Nebraska with the State Auditor's hotline to report fraud, waste or abuse of state funds. History Nebraska, a state agency, had requested funds from the Historical Society Foundation to offset anticipated loss of revenue due to COVID-19. In return, the foundation cut a check to History Nebraska for $269,926.25 in June 2020 and a second check for $325.09 a month later. But the funds never made it into the State Treasury or an account for History Nebraska, according to an audit. Instead, Jones deposited them into the History Nebraska Foundation bank account, which the state is alleging was illegal. The History Nebraska Foundation is a private organization created in 2020 to rival the State Historical Society Foundation, which had served as the agency's primary fundraiser for decades. Last week, Gov. Jim Pillen picked Daryl Bohac, the former head of Nebraska's National Guard, to lead the troubled Nebraska State Historical Society, which lawmakers placed under Pillen's purview this year. The agency had been without a permanent director since July 2022.

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