Hurricane Helene: The Young Adults Helping Communities Recover
Bareilly: In a tragic incident, three young men lost their lives when their car plunged off an unfinished bridge in Bareilly while relying on Google Maps for navigation. The victims, identified as Kaushal, Vivek, and Amit, were returning from a wedding late at night. Also Read: Teacher Dies by Suicide in Bheemunipatnam After Harassment in the Name of Love This heartbreaking incident underscores the urgent need for better coordination between technology platforms, local governments, and infrastructure authorities to ensure road safety. Drivers are also advised to exercise caution while relying solely on navigation apps, especially in adverse weather conditions.A young Florida resident became a millionaire after she bought a $10 scratch-off lottery ticket at a Publix grocery store, lottery officials said. Dominic Valerio, 24, claimed her winnings at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee, officials said in a Dec. 5 news release. The Orlando resident chose to receive her prize as a one-time lump-sum of $1,280,000, officials said. She bought the TRIPLE 777 ticket from the Publix store on South Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando. TRIPLE 777 has more than six million winning tickets with over $158.8 available in cash prizes and eight top prizes of $2 million, officials said. “With overall odds of 1-in-3.51, players can win up to 15 times, including DOUBLE revealing 77 and TRIPLE uncovering 777,” officials said. Scratch-off games are one of the lottery’s most popular games in Florida, making up 74% of ticket sales in fiscal year 2023-2024, officials said. Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families. If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website. Lottery player’s ‘extraordinary streak of luck’ lasts 3 months. How much did he win? Lucky gambler bets $66 on slot machine — then wins life-changing prize in Florida Three lottery players win big during lucky weekend in NC. Where were tickets sold?
Byfield scores in 200th career game as Kings hold off Kraken for 2-1 winBrisbane news live: Meta outage affecting Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp
Melita has new shareholderNEW YORK , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ZETA) resulting from allegations that Zeta Global may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. So What: If you purchased Zeta Global securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31333 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. What is this about: On November 13, 2024 , Culper Research published a report entitled "Zeta Global Holdings Corp ZETA: Shams, Scams, and Spam." (the "Report"). The Report raised concerns about the company's reported financials. In addition, Culper Research announced that it believed that "Zeta has quietly spun up its own network of consent farms i.e., sham websites that hoodwink millions of consumers each month into handing their data over to Zeta under false pretenses, baited by job applications, stimulus money, or other rewards that simply do not exist." On this news, Zeta Global's stock price fell 37.1% on November 13, 2024 . Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rosen-law-firm-encourages-zeta-global-holdings-corp-investors-to-inquire-about-securities-class-action-investigation--zeta-302314487.html SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
Lebanon's Hezbollah movement are firing heavy rocket barrages at Israel, with Israeli media reporting that a building has been hit near Tel Aviv, after a powerful Israeli air strike killed at least 29 people in Beirut a day earlier. or signup to continue reading Israel also struck Beirut's Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs on Sunday, where intensified bombardment over the last two weeks has coincided with signs of progress in US-led ceasefire talks. Hezbollah, which has previously vowed to respond to attacks on Beirut by targeting Tel Aviv, said it had launched precision missiles at two military sites in Tel Aviv and nearby. Police said there were multiple impact sites in the area of Petah Tikvah, on the eastern side of Tel Aviv, and that several people had minor injuries. Television footage showed an apartment damaged by rocket fire in Petah Tikvah, and video from the medical service MDA showed cars burning. The Israeli military (IDF) said Hezbollah had fired 170 rockets at Israel on Sunday, of which many were intercepted. At least four people had been injured by shrapnel. Video obtained by Reuters showed a projectile exploding as it smashed into the roof of a building in the northern Israeli city of Nahariya. The military warned on social media that it planned to target Hezbollah facilities in southern Beirut before strikes which security sources in Lebanon said demolished two apartment blocks. Afterwards, the IDF said it had hit command centres "deliberately embedded between civilian buildings". On Saturday, it had carried out one of its deadliest and most powerful strikes on the centre of Beirut. Lebanon's health ministry on Sunday raised the death toll from 20 to 29. It said 84 people had been killed in all on Saturday, taking the death toll to 3754 since October 2023. The IDF did not comment on Saturday's strike in the capital or say what it had attacked. Israel went on the offensive against the Iran-backed Hezbollah in September, pounding the south, the Bekaa Valley and Beirut's southern suburbs with air strikes after nearly a year of hostilities ignited by the Gaza war. The Israeli offensive has uprooted more than one million people in Lebanon. Israel says its aim is to secure the return home of tens of thousands of people evacuated from its north due to rocket attacks by Hezbollah, which opened fire in support of Hamas at the start of the Gaza war in October 2023. US mediator Amos Hochstein highlighted progress in negotiations during a visit to Beirut last week, before travelling to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, and then returning to Washington. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Sunday said a US ceasefire proposal was awaiting final approval from Israel. "We must pressure the Israeli government and maintain the pressure on Hezbollah to accept the US proposal for a ceasefire," he said in Beirut after meeting Lebanese officials. Israeli media reported that Netanyahu had convened a meeting of his security cabinet for 5pm local time. Diplomacy has focused on restoring a ceasefire based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a 2006 Hezbollah-Israel war. It requires Hezbollah to pull its fighters back around 30 km from the Israeli border, and the Lebanese army to deploy in the buffer zone. The Lebanese army said on Sunday at least one soldier had been killed and 18 more injured in an Israeli strike that caused severe damage at an army centre in Al-Amiriya near the southern city of Tyre. The Israeli military said it regretted and was investigating the incident, and that it was fighting against Hezbollah, not the Lebanese Army. Lebanon's caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, said the attack "represents a direct bloody message rejecting all efforts to reach a ceasefire, strengthen the army's presence in the south, and implement ... 1701". Borrell said the EU was ready to allocate 200 million euros ($A321 million) to support the Lebanese army. Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . Advertisement
In our series “ My American Dream is in Mexico ”, we delve into the rising trend of individuals born to Mexican parents but raised abroad who are now choosing to build their lives and pursue their dreams in Mexico. Each story explores their motivations, the challenges of navigating dual identities, and the connections they’re rediscovering in the country their parents left in search of new opportunities. Today, we spotlight Agustín Barrios Gómez , a businessman, analyst, and speaker with a global upbringing. The son of a diplomat, he spent his formative years in Canada, the U.S., and Switzerland before a prolific career in both the private and public sectors. He shares insights into his privileged, international background, the milestones of his impressive career, and why he ultimately chose to establish his roots in Mexico despite abundant opportunities elsewhere. Age: 53 Location: Mexico City Occupation: CEO of International Capital Partners “My father was a prominent figure in television and later transitioned into diplomacy. When I was six, he was appointed as Mexico’s Ambassador to Canada, so our family moved there. We spent six years in Canada before President de la Madrid named him Ambassador to Switzerland, where we lived for another four years. Later, my father became Consul General to New York City, which brought me to the United States for six more years.” “Growing up in Canada, the U.S., and Switzerland gave me a global perspective. I speak four languages, have lived in five countries, and can adapt to life almost anywhere. These experiences shaped me into a global citizen with friends across the world and the ability to move between different cultures. Many people who’ve had similar upbringings often embrace a global identity, living in cities like London, New York, or Rome, or working for organizations like the World Bank or transnational corporations. But I made a conscious and specific decision to define myself as Mexican. Unlike immigrants, who often leave their home country out of necessity, I’ve always had choices. As someone with options, I could decide how I wanted to live and who I wanted to be. I chose Mexico because it’s a nation with so much to offer, and I’ve always felt deeply connected to it. Mexico City, in particular, is my favorite city in the world, and deciding to plant roots here was a deliberate choice to affirm my identity as Mexican. That said, my experience of Mexico is very different from what many people imagine. My Mexico is a country of hardworking, talented, and creative people. I don’t see myself in the narratives of violence or victimhood that often come up when talking about Mexico. While I understand those aspects exist, they are not part of the Mexico I know or live in. Instead, my Mexico is about its incredible potential and strength, and I feel fortunate to have chosen to be part of it.” “Mexico was the place where I felt I could make the biggest difference. The first question I asked myself was, “ Where can I have the greatest impact ?” And the answer was Mexico. Then came the next question: “ Is Mexico a country worthwhile to dedicate your life to?” For me, the answer was yes. Mexico is a unique country with a confluence of factors that give it a significant role on the world stage. With 120 million people and a strategic position globally, it’s a middle-income power with real potential for influence — whether through soft power or other means. Mexico matters. However, when I returned, I realized I needed to create a Mexican persona because, despite my roots, I’d never truly lived here. I spoke Spanish with an accent, and there was a process of truly becoming part of the culture. I gave myself time in those early years to refine my Spanish, immerse myself in the culture, and develop into someone who could genuinely contribute to Mexico as a public figure. By the time I felt comfortable and fully integrated, I was ready to step into the opportunities that came my way.” “After 16 years abroad, I returned to Mexico City as a 22-year-old to join Procter & Gamble. Shortly after, my father had a stroke so I took over the family finances since I’m an only child. This led to entrepreneurial ventures like launching a tequila brand and running a nightclub and restaurant. In my early 30s, I transitioned into public life, hosting a radio talk show and later running for Mayor of Miguel Hidalgo [a district of Mexico City]. Although I narrowly lost, the campaign propelled me into public policy. Eventually, I shifted to private equity, founding a real estate investment fund in the U.S., where I’ve been navigating opportunities between Mexico City and Houston ever since. I’ve been doing this for the past eight years.” “I’ve always believed that American prosperity and national security are closely tied to a stable and cooperative Mexico. What’s good for Mexico is inherently good for the U.S., especially when it comes to stability and cooperation. For example, if Mexico were to turn away from the U.S. or align with adversaries, it could create a significant crisis, especially given the size and strategic position of Mexico’s economy. Mexico’s economy is four times the size of Iran’s — imagine the potential chaos if it were to go rogue. In this context, I see supporting Mexico’s interests as directly supporting U.S. interests. And conversely, what benefits the U.S. also benefits Mexico. These two countries are inseparable — there’s no daylight between their interests. You can’t truly understand U.S. history without considering Mexico, and you can’t understand Mexico’s history without the United States. The cultural, political, and economic ties are so deeply intertwined that they form a unique partnership, one that’s essential to the success of both nations. Also, 10% of the U.S. population is Mexican-American, and this isn’t just about immigration — it’s a historic reality. Out of the 37 million Mexicans and Mexican-Americans in the U.S., only 6 million are undocumented, and the vast majority are legal citizens. It benefits the U.S. to understand its relationship with this large, integral community. Vilifying 10% of your population doesn’t make sense, especially when that community contributes so much. The U.S. and Mexico share deep, historic ties, and recognizing these connections is crucial for both nations’ futures.” “Gentrification in Roma and Condesa began long before Americans arrived. Mexicans have always had the ability to gentrify their own neighborhoods. While the influx of newcomers, including Americans, may drive up prices in specific areas, it’s also contributing to the city’s growing diversity, which I believe is positive. Mexico City is home to over 22 million people and has many neighborhoods that could benefit from revitalization. Areas like Santa María la Ribera or Doctores are ripe for development. The idea of xenophobia surrounding this issue is, in my view, un-Mexican — Mexico has always been a welcoming country. There are plenty of other areas in the city that can accommodate new residents and offer affordable housing. The focus should be on the city’s overall growth, not on blaming foreigners for rising rents.” “The Mexican Dream is rooted in diversity, personal freedom, and strong family and friendship bonds. Unlike in the U.S., where families often live separately, here in Mexico, extended families live close together, supporting each other. Hospitality is key to the Mexican Dream, with the idea that if more people arrive at your home than expected, you simply add more water to the soup to accommodate everyone. It’s about generosity, respect for different cultures, and maintaining close-knit relationships.” “Mexico offers many opportunities, and if you’re not finding what you’re looking for in one city, consider exploring other regions like Monterrey, Oaxaca, or Mazatlan, which are experiencing significant growth. Tijuana, once considered a rough place, is now a booming foodie destination. If you still feel the need to succeed abroad, remember that personal freedom is key. Mexicans make excellent immigrants — hardworking and law-abiding — but often don’t believe in themselves enough. It’s important to take control of your life and recognize that you belong wherever you go. Only you can make that decision.” Are you a U.S.-born or raised child of Mexican immigrants currently living in Mexico? Perhaps your Mexican parents immigrated to another country, and you’ve chosen to return to Mexico? If so, I’d love to hear your story for this series! Please leave your email in the comments, and I’ll reach out. Rocio is based in Mexico City and is the creator of CDMX iykyk , a newsletter designed to keep expats, digital nomads and the Mexican diaspora in the loop. The biweekly dispatches feature top news, cultural highlights, upcoming CDMX events & local recommendations. For your dose of must-know news about Mexico, subscribe here .Stock market today: Wall Street gets back to climbing, sending Nasdaq to a record
Ruling on Monday after an emergency hearing at Belfast High Court, judge Mr Justice McAlinden rejected loyalist activist Jamie Bryson’s application for leave for a full judicial review hearing against Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn. The judge said Mr Bryson, who represented himself as a personal litigant, had “very ably argued” his case with “perseverance and cogency”, and had raised some issues of law that caused him “some concern”. However, he found against him on the three grounds of challenge against Mr Benn. Mr Bryson had initially asked the court to grant interim relief in his challenge to prevent Tuesday’s democratic consent motion being heard in the Assembly, pending the hearing of a full judicial review. However, he abandoned that element of his leave application during proceedings on Monday, after the judge made clear he would be “very reluctant” to do anything that would be “trespassing into the realms” of a democratically elected Assembly. Mr Bryson had challenged Mr Benn’s move to initiate the democratic consent process that is required under the UK and EU’s Windsor Framework deal to extend the trading arrangements that apply to Northern Ireland. The previously stated voting intentions of the main parties suggest that Stormont MLAs will vote to continue the measures for another four years when they convene to debate the motion on Tuesday. After the ruling, Mr Bryson told the court he intended to appeal to the Court of Appeal. Any hearing was not expected to come later on Monday. In applying for leave, the activist’s argument was founded on three key grounds. The first was the assertion that Mr Benn failed to make sufficient efforts to ensure Stormont’s leaders undertook a public consultation exercise in Northern Ireland before the consent vote. The second was that the Secretary of State allegedly failed to demonstrate he had paid special regard to protecting Northern Ireland’s place in the UK customs territory in triggering the vote. The third ground centred on law changes introduced by the previous UK government earlier this year, as part of its Safeguarding the Union deal to restore powersharing at Stormont. He claimed that if the amendments achieved their purpose, namely, to safeguard Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom, then it would be unlawful to renew and extend post-Brexit trading arrangements that have created economic barriers between the region and the rest of the UK. In 2023, the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the trading arrangements for Northern Ireland are lawful. The appellants in the case argued that legislation passed at Westminster to give effect to the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement conflicted with the 1800 Acts of Union that formed the United Kingdom, particularly article six of that statute guaranteeing unfettered trade within the UK. The Supreme Court found that while article six of the Acts of Union has been “modified” by the arrangements, that was done with the express will of a sovereign parliament, and so therefore was lawful. Mr Bryson contended that amendments made to the Withdrawal Agreement earlier this year, as part of the Safeguarding the Union measures proposed by the Government to convince the DUP to return to powersharing, purport to reassert and reinforce Northern Ireland’s constitutional status in light of the Supreme Court judgment. He told the court that it was “quite clear” there was “inconsistency” between the different legal provisions. “That inconsistency has to be resolved – there is an arguable case,” he told the judge. However, Dr Tony McGleenan KC, representing the Government, described Mr Bryson’s argument as “hopeless” and “not even arguable”. He said all three limbs of the case had “no prospect of success and serve no utility”. He added: “This is a political argument masquerading as a point of constitutional law and the court should see that for what it is.” After rising to consider the arguments, Justice McAlinden delivered his ruling shortly after 7pm. The judge dismissed the application on the first ground around the lack consultation, noting that such an exercise was not a “mandatory” obligation on Mr Benn. On the second ground, he said there were “very clear” indications that the Secretary of State had paid special regard to the customs territory issues. On the final ground, Justice McAlinden found there was no inconsistency with the recent legislative amendments and the position stated in the Supreme Court judgment. “I don’t think any such inconsistency exists,” he said. He said the amendments were simply a “restatement” of the position as set out by the Supreme Court judgment, and only served to confirm that replacing the Northern Ireland Protocol with the Windsor Framework had not changed the constitutional fact that Article Six of the Acts of Union had been lawfully “modified” by post-Brexit trading arrangements. “It does no more than that,” he said. The framework, and its predecessor the NI Protocol, require checks and customs paperwork on goods moving from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. Under the arrangements, which were designed to ensure no hardening of the Irish land border post-Brexit, Northern Ireland continues to follow many EU trade and customs rules. This has proved highly controversial, with unionists arguing the system threatens Northern Ireland’s place in the United Kingdom. Advocates of the arrangements say they help insulate the region from negative economic consequences of Brexit. A dispute over the so-called Irish Sea border led to the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2022, when the DUP withdrew then-first minister Paul Givan from the coalition executive. The impasse lasted two years and ended in January when the Government published its Safeguarding the Union measures. Under the terms of the framework, a Stormont vote must be held on articles five to 10 of the Windsor Framework, which underpin the EU trade laws in force in Northern Ireland, before they expire. The vote must take place before December 17. Based on the numbers in the Assembly, MLAs are expected to back the continuation of the measures for another four years, even though unionists are likely to oppose the move. DUP leader Gavin Robinson has already made clear his party will be voting against continuing the operation of the Windsor Framework. Unlike other votes on contentious issues at Stormont, the motion does not require cross-community support to pass. If it is voted through with a simple majority, the arrangements are extended for four years. In that event, the Government is obliged to hold an independent review of how the framework is working. If it wins cross-community support, which is a majority of unionists and a majority of nationalists, then it is extended for eight years. The chances of it securing such cross-community backing are highly unlikely.10 hot-ticket gifts we predict will sell out on Black Friday 2024Meet Flying Teetars: Madhya Pradesh's Pardhi, Gond Kids Who Quit Beggary, Addiction
Hurricane Helene: The Young Adults Helping Communities RecoverPamela Anderson gets praised by Gia Coppola for commitment to ‘The Last Showgirl’ Pamela Anderson collaborated with film director, screenwriter Gia Coppola for latest movie Pamela Anderson’s latest movie, The Last Showgirl director Gia Coppola gushed about the actress’ commitment to the project. The Hollywood star and director were jointly honored with the Pioneer Award at the Sun Valley Film Festival on December 6, as part of the festival’s 2024 Winter Screening Series. In a conversation with Variety , Coppola praised Anderson’s dedication to their project, highlighting her as a guiding force throughout the production. “[Pamela] was really setting the bar for all of us to just be honest and real and raw and vulnerable, and coming together and really creating a family bond, which was so much of what needed to transcend in the movie,” Coppola shared. Anderson, for her part, described her motivation with humility. “I would tell the girls, ‘Look, you’re going to go on to do another hundred movies. You’ve been in the film industry a long time. This might be my only chance,’” she said. The film tells the story of Shelly, a seasoned showgirl played by Anderson, who grapples with her future when the revue she performs in announces its closure. The production, which featured a tight 18-day shooting schedule, required Anderson to bring her A-game from day one. “I knew that I had to prepare for this film like I would a play,” Anderson explained. The Pioneer Award celebrates innovators who have made significant contributions to the art of filmmaking, and Anderson and Coppola’s collaboration on the heartfelt project earned them this well-deserved recognition. Katie Holmes maintains defense for daughter Suri Cruise against rust fund reports Pamela Anderson debuts new ‘bangs’ hairdo at ‘Last Showgirl’ screening Miley Cyrus buys her historic Grammys dress: 'Pivotal moment in my life' Chris Rock angrily walks out during comedy show at billionaire’s partyWhat happens next with Alex Jones' Infowars? No certainty yet after sale to The Onion is rejectedKnowing superstitions aren't real doesn't stop us behaving superstitiously – why?
Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah has already found a new program in Duke, while Mississippi State's Michael Van Buren Jr., Wisconsin's Braedyn Locke and Cal's Fernando Mendoza are exploring changes of their own in the transfer portal. Mensah, a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining, told ESPN on Wednesday he has transferred to Duke. He attended the Blue Devils men's basketball game against Incarnate Word on Tuesday night. The Blue Devils (9-3) will face Mississippi in the Gator Bowl, but without 2024 starting quarterback Maalik Murphy and backup Grayson Loftis, who also entered the portal. Mensah, viewed as one of the top players in the portal, threw for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns and completed 65.9% of his passes. He led the Green Wave to a 9-4 record and the American Athletic Conference championship game, where they lost 35-14 to Army. Tulane will play Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl on Sunday. Van Buren, Mendoza and Locke announced on social media they had entered the portal. Van Buren started eight games as a true freshmen for the Bulldogs. He threw for 1,886 yards on 55% passing with 16 total touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Bulldogs (2-10, 0-8 Southeastern Conference). He took over as the starter when Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in a 45-28 loss to Florida on Sept. 21. Shapen has said he plans to return next season. Van Buren, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound passer from St. Frances Academy in Maryland, had two 300-yard performances for the Bulldogs, including 306 yards and three touchdown passes in a 41-31 road loss against Georgia. Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards in 2024 with 16 TDs, six interceptions and a 68.7 completion percentage. "For the sake of my football future this is the decision I have reached," he posted. Locke passed for 1,936 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Wisconsin this season. He said he will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school. ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan cornerback Will Johnson has joined defensive tackle Mason Graham in the NFL draft. Johnson declared for the draft on Wednesday, one day after Graham decided he would also skip his senior season with the Wolverines. Both preseason All-America players are expected to be first-round picks. Johnson was limited to six games this year due to an injury. He had two interceptions, returning them both for touchdowns to set a school record with three scores off interceptions. Johnson picked off nine passes in three seasons. Graham played in all 12 games this season, finishing with 3 1/2 sacks and seven tackles for losses. He had 18 tackles for losses, including nine sacks, in his three-year career. Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is The Associated Press offensive player of the year in the Southeastern Conference and South Carolina defensive lineman Kyle Kennard is the top defensive player. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was voted the top newcomer on Wednesday while the Gamecocks' Shane Beamer is coach of the year in voting by the panel of 17 media members who cover the league. Sampson led the SEC and set school records by rushing for 1,485 yards and 22 touchdowns. He is tied for third nationally in rushing touchdowns, recording the league's fifth-most in a season. Sampson was chosen on all but two ballots. Mississippi wide receiver Tre Harris and his quarterback, Jaxson Dart, each got a vote. Kennard led the SEC with 11-1/2 sacks and 15-1/2 tackles for loss. He also had 10 quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles. Beamer led the Gamecocks to just their fifth nine-win season, including a school-record four wins over Top 25 opponents. They've won their last six games and ended the regular season with a win over eventual ACC champion Clemson. South Carolina plays Illinois on Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl. Pavia helped lead Vandy to its first bowl game since 2018 after transferring from New Mexico State. He passed for 2,133 yards and 17 touchdowns with four interceptions. He ran for another 716 yards and six touchdowns, directing an upset of Alabama. AMES, Iowa — Matt Campbell, who led Iowa State to its first 10-win season and became the program's all-time leader in coaching victories, has agreed to an eight-year contract that would keep him with the Cyclones through 2032. University president Wendy Wintersteen and athletic director Jamie Pollard made the announcement Wednesday, four days after the Cyclones lost to Arizona State in the Big 12 championship game. “Given all the uncertainty currently facing college athletics, it was critical that we moved quickly to solidify the future of our football program,” Pollard said. “Matt is the perfect fit for Iowa State University and I am thrilled he wants to continue to lead our program. Leadership continuity is essential to any organization’s long-term success." The Cyclones won their first seven games for their best start since 1938 and are 10-3 heading into their game against Miami in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 28. BRIEFLY FLAG PLANT: Ohio Republican state Rep. Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state. His proposal comes after the Nov. 30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield. MALZAHN: Gus Malzahn, who resigned as UCF’s coach last month to become Mike Norvell’s offensive coordinator at Florida State, said he chose to return to his coaching roots rather than remain a head coach distracted by a myriad of responsibilities.In fact, he argued, it could have been a culinary conspiracy concocted by criminals, whose actions led to the cooking wine used to prepare the noodles being laced with a banned heart drug that found its way into an athlete's system. This theory was spelled out to international anti-doping officials during a meeting and, after weeks of wrangling, finally made it into the thousands of pages of data handed over to the lawyer who investigated the case involving 23 Chinese swimmers who had tested positive for that same drug. The attorney, appointed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, refused to consider that scenario as he sifted through the evidence. In spelling out his reasoning, lawyer Eric Cottier paid heed to the half-baked nature of the theory. "The Investigator considers this scenario, which he has described in the conditional tense, to be possible, no less, no more," Cottier wrote. Even without the contaminated-noodles theory, Cottier found problems with the way WADA and the Chinese handled the case but ultimately determined WADA had acted reasonably in not appealing China's conclusion that its athletes had been inadvertently contaminated. Critics of the way the China case was handled can't help but wonder if a wider exploration of the noodle theory, details of which were discovered by The Associated Press via notes and emails from after the meeting where it was delivered, might have lent a different flavor to Cottier's conclusions. "There are more story twists to the ways the Chinese explain the TMZ case than a James Bond movie," said Rob Koehler, the director general of the advocacy group Global Athlete. "And all of it is complete fiction." In April, reporting from the New York Times and the German broadcaster ARD revealed that the 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for the banned heart medication trimetazidine, also known as TMZ. China's anti-doping agency determined the athletes had been contaminated, and so, did not sanction them. WADA accepted that explanation, did not press the case further, and China was never made to deliver a public notice about the "no-fault findings," as is often seen in similar cases. The stock explanation for the contamination was that traces of TMZ were found in the kitchen of a hotel where the swimmers were staying. In his 58-page report, Cottier relayed some suspicions about the feasibility of that chain of events — noting that WADA's chief scientist "saw no other solution than to accept it, even if he continued to have doubts about the reality of contamination as described by the Chinese authorities." But without evidence to support pursuing the case, and with the chance of winning an appeal at almost nil, Cottier determined WADA's "decision not to appeal appears indisputably reasonable." A mystery remained: How did those traces of TMZ get into the kitchen? Shortly after the doping positives were revealed, the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organizations held a meeting on April 30 where it heard from the leader of China's agency, Li Zhiquan. Li's presentation was mostly filled with the same talking points that have been delivered throughout the saga — that the positive tests resulted from contamination from the kitchen. But he expanded on one way the kitchen might have become contaminated, harkening to another case in China involving a low-level TMZ positive. A pharmaceutical factory, he explained, had used industrial alcohol in the distillation process for producing TMZ. The industrial alcohol laced with the drug "then entered the market through illegal channels," he said. The alcohol "was re-used by the perpetrators to process and produce cooking wine, which is an important seasoning used locally to make beef noodles," Li said. "The contaminated beef noodles were consumed by that athlete, resulting in an extremely low concentration of TMZ in the positive sample. "The wrongdoers involved have been brought to justice." This new information raised eyebrows among the anti-doping leaders listening to Li's report. So much so that over the next month, several emails ensued to make sure the details about the noodles and wine made their way to WADA lawyers, who could then pass it onto Cottier. Eventually, Li did pass on the information to WADA general counsel Ross Wenzel and, just to be sure, one of the anti-doping leaders forwarded it, as well, according to the emails seen by the AP. All this came with Li's request that the noodles story be kept confidential. Turns out, it made it into Cottier's report, though he took the information with a grain of salt. "Indeed, giving it more attention would have required it to be documented, then scientifically verified and validated," he wrote. Neither Wenzel nor officials at the Chinese anti-doping agency returned messages from AP asking about the noodles conspiracy and the other athlete who Li suggested had been contaminated by them. Meanwhile, 11 of the swimmers who originally tested positive competed at the Paris Games earlier this year in a meet held under the cloud of the Chinese doping case. Though WADA considers the case closed, Koehler and others point to situations like this as one of many reasons that an investigation by someone other than Cottier, who was hired by WADA, is still needed. "It gives the appearance that people are just making things up as they go along on this, and hoping the story just goes away," Koehler said. "Which clearly it has not."
