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Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights
AP News Summary at 4:29 p.m. ESTSt. Thomas secures 100-61 win over Crown (MN)
By Chris Johnston , Pierre LeBrun and Julian McKenzie Team Canada revealed its 23-man roster for February’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament on Wednesday. Forwards Mitch Marner , Sam Reinhart , Anthony Cirelli , Brandon Hagel , Travis Konecny , Mark Stone and Seth Jarvis were added to Canada’s roster, with Alex Pietrangelo , Shea Theodore , Travis Sanheim , Devon Toews , Colton Parayko and Josh Morrissey joining as defensemen. Advertisement Forwards Connor McDavid , Nathan MacKinnon , Brayden Point , Brad Marchand and Sidney Crosby , along with defenseman Cale Makar had already been named as the first six members of Team Canada in June. Canada’s goaltending has been subject to much debate in anticipation of Wednesday’s roster reveal. The Canadians’ trio consists of Jordan Binnington , Adin Hill and Sam Montembeault . Canada is being led by Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper behind the bench, flanked by assistant coaches Bruce Cassidy, Pete DeBoer, Rick Tocchet, Mishka Donskov and Lightning video coach James Emery. Cooper is also expected to lead Canada at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The 4 Nations Face-Off will run Feb. 12 to 20 in Montreal and Boston. Full roster (Note: Highlighted players had already been named to the roster.) Snubs Every Team Canada has more qualified forwards than the number of available roster spots, so the most notable omissions can be found there in Zach Hyman , John Tavares , Mark Scheifele and Connor Bedard . Hyman is coming off a 70-goal season (postseason included) spent playing alongside Connor McDavid. Tavares has been in a top form for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season and has a vast international resume that includes serving as Canada’s captain at the IIHF World Hockey Championship in May. Scheifele is scoring at better than a point-per-game pace for the high-flying Winnipeg Jets . And Bedard is a 19-year-old wunderkind who rewrote the record book while representing his country at the world junior championship. The snubs on the back end include Evan Bouchard and Noah Dobson , aged 25 and 24, respectively. They’re both high-end puck distributors coming off big seasons. — Chris Johnston Surprises Jarvis jumps off the page as the player least expected to battle his way onto this version of Team Canada. He doesn’t have the resume of many other players left at home. And at 5-foot-10, he doesn’t have the size, either. Advertisement But the 22-year-old Carolina Hurricanes winger does possess slick playmaking ability and a competitive spirit, which makes him a selection with upside. He could become a Team Canada fixture if things go well. On the back end, few saw Parayko securing a spot among Canada’s top seven, but as a big man with Stanley Cup-winning pedigree who is capable of logging tough minutes, he brought more security than some other choices. Montembeault isn’t a surprise, per se, but his save percentage this season is lagging behind Cam Talbot , Logan Thompson , Mackenzie Blackwood , Marc-Andre Fleury and Darcy Kuemper . Each of those other Canadian goalies will be watching the tournament from home. — Johnston Expectations Fair or not, any player that pulls a Canadian national team sweater over their head is expected to win. That’s especially true in best-on-best men’s competition, where Canada has won four of the past five tournaments and nine of 13 overall. Even with the country’s decade of dominance now a long way in the rear-view mirror, the high hopes remain. Canada will try to overwhelm opponents with its depth. Cooper can run out McDavid, Crosby, Point and Cirelli down the middle. If for whatever reason that isn’t working, he’s got MacKinnon and Bennett as ready-made options to slide to center. And for good measure, Cooper’s got Makar to serve as the heartbeat of a blue line that features a nice blend of size, smarts and elite decision-makers. Even with the questions (or doubts) in goal, this is a roster built to execute at a high level that intends to keep opponents at bay in hard-fought games by limiting mistakes. Canada expects three goals to be good enough to win against any team in the tournament. — Johnston Required reading Other rosters (Photo of Mitch Marner scoring on Jordan Binnington: Jeff Curry / USA Today)WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request after it experienced trouble with its flight operating system, or FOS. The airline blamed technology from one of its vendors. As a result, flights were delayed across American’s major hubs, with only 37% of the airline's 3,901 domestic and international flights leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Nineteen flights were canceled. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the FOS system. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Hours after the ground stop was lifted, Tajer said the union had not heard about any “chaos out there beyond just the normal heavy travel day.” He said officials were watching for any cascading effects, such as staffing problems. On social media, however, customers expressed frustration with delays that caused them or their family members to miss connecting flights. One person asked if American planned to hold flights for passengers to make connections, while others complained about the lack of assistance they said they received from the airline or gate agents. Bobby Tighe, a real estate agent from Florida, said he will miss a family Christmas Eve party in New York because his American flight was repeatedly delayed. The delays made him miss a connecting flight, leaving him the choice of going to his destination — Westchester, New York — on Christmas Day or taking another flight to Newark, New Jersey, that was scheduled to land Tuesday evening. He chose the latter. “I’m just going to take an Uber or Lyft to the airport I was originally supposed to go to, pick up my rental car and kind of restart everything tomorrow,” Tighe said. He said his girlfriend was “going through the same exact situation” on her way from Dallas to New York. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights were departing within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 36% — were arriving at their destinations as scheduled. Dallas-Fort Worth, New York’s Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays, Cirium said. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 4,058 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed, with 76 flights canceled. The site did not post any American Airlines flights on Tuesday morning, but it showed in the afternoon that 961 American flights were delayed. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms were developing in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. And any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have “interline agreements” that let them put stranded customers on another carrier’s flights. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers automatic cash refunds for canceled or significantly delayed flights. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. That’s because finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. “Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday,” AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation’s highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. Boston, New York City, Seattle and Washington are the metropolitan areas primed for the greatest delays, according to the company. ___ Associated Press writers David Koenig, Mae Anderson and Mike Pesoli contributed to this report. Matt Ott And Haleluya Hadero, The Associated Press
BRUSSELS , Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In an upcoming EU Reporter interview , M. Shigeo Katsu , Founding President of Nazarbayev University (NU) and a key architect of Kazakhstan's education reforms, will address the escalating scandal surrounding financial mismanagement at the country's flagship higher education institution. The crisis gained public attention following the announcement of the state audit results of Nazarbayev University. The revelations have sparked widespread concerns about transparency and oversight at one of Central Asia's most prestigious universities. Adding to the controversy are allegations of financial mismanagement involving the New Generation Foundation, the Jusan Group — entities originally established to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of NU and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS). Questions have also been raised about the state of affairs at NU's Social Development Fund. Reports suggest that funds may have been misappropriated, triggering outrage from students, educators, and civil society. In response, a student initiative group from Nazarbayev University issued an open letter demanding the release of both the state audit and NU's internal audit of the Social Development Fund. The letter also calls for greater accountability, enhanced transparency, and the protection of students' rights. This appeal reflects mounting frustration with the university's leadership and a growing demand for immediate corrective action. Shigeo Katsu's interview will shed light on these unfolding developments. As a former leader of NU, Katsu is uniquely positioned to analyze the root causes of the crisis, critique the university's response, and discuss the broader implications for Kazakhstan's education sector. The full interview can be found here: https://www.eureporter.co/kazakhstan-2/2024/12/23/the-battle-for-nazarbayev-universitys-future-shigeo-katsu-on-financial-mismanagement-and-accountability/ The Battle for Nazarbayev University's Future: Shigeo Katsu on Financial Mismanagement and Accountability In light of recent controversies surrounding the financial governance of Nazarbayev University (NU) and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS), an open letter from concerned students has surfaced, addressing the troubling mismanagement of funds and alleged conflicts of interest. The letter highlights a series of financial decisions that led to the unraveling of key institutions meant to ensure the long-term stability of NU and NIS. The students are particularly concerned about the fate of the Jusan Group and the Nazarbayev Fund (NGF), which were once positioned to secure the financial future of these two leading educational institutions. Instead, they allege that significant funds were misappropriated and whole organizations lost, leading to the collapse of what was once a promising financial structure. In response, Shigeo Katsu , the Founding President of Nazarbayev University, has also written an open letter , received by EU Reporter, addressing the ongoing crisis and providing his perspective on the unfolding situation. In his letter, Katsu outlines the rationale of engagement in the financial sector and the erosion of the initial vision for NU, highlighting the role of key financial institutions like Jusan Bank and the NGF in securing a stable future for the university and NIS. He draws attention to the series of decisions that led to the loss of the former and calls for urgent remedial actions to prevent further damage to the institutions' credibility and financial stability . In this exclusive interview with EU Reporter , Shigeo Katsu , the Founding President of Nazarbayev University, sheds light on these pressing issues. He discusses the audit findings, the role of Jusan Bank , and what must be done to restore trust and secure the future of NU and NIS. Bio: Mr. Shigeo Katsu is the Founding President of Nazarbayev University. He held the position of President from December 2010 until June 2023 . He was Chair of the Board of Trustees of an affiliated secondary school system, the Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools, and of the University's hospital system. Prior to the assignments in Kazakhstan , over the course of a 30-year career at the World Bank, Mr. Shigeo Katsu held various positions including leading financial sector reform support for China , Director for Cote d'Ivoire , and Vice President for Europe and Central Asia . After his retirement from the World Bank, he served for a few years on the US board of a youth-oriented international development NGO. Between 2011 and 2015 he was an Advisory Panel member of the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO). Questions: - We have exclusively published your open letter and anticipate that it will generate a significant response. What drove you to write it, particularly in light of the misuse of funds intended to ensure the long-term financial stability of Nazarbayev University (NU) and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS)? The decision to write the open letter was not made lightly. It was driven by a profound sense of responsibility to the students, faculty, and broader community of Nazarbayev University (NU) and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS). These institutions were established with a vision to create world-class educational hubs in Kazakhstan and establish a center of excellence for academic research. Ensuring their financial independence and long-term stability is a core requirement to achieve the two institutions' mission. However, recent developments revealed through state and internal audits have exposed serious breaches of trust. The misuse of funds from entities like the University's Social Development Fund, New Generation Foundation, and Jusan Group directly threatens the sustainability of NU and NIS. These funds were meant to build up and guarantee the financial security of the institutions. Instead, we now see signs of embezzlement, mismanagement, and a concerning lack of accountability. The role played by key figures like the directors and executives of NGF, of Aslan Sarinzhipov (Executive Vice President of NU, a former Minister of Education) and Kadisha Dairova (Vice President for Student Affairs and International Cooperation, Nazarbayev University) only adds to the gravity of the situation. By writing the letter, my goal was to bring transparency to the issue and to mobilize public attention and international scrutiny. NU and NIS were founded on principles of meritocracy, transparency, and academic freedom. If we allow these values to be compromised, we risk undoing more than a decade of progress. The letter serves as a call for accountability, reform, and most importantly, protection of the future of Kazakhstan's youth. - Many students and alumni of NU have expressed their concern over the lowering of admission standards and the shift away from international standards. How do you assess these changes, and do you see them as diverging from the original vision for NU? NU was conceived as a model of excellence , designed to meet international standards in research, teaching, and governance. One of its founding principles was merit-based admission , which ensured that students were selected solely based on their ability and potential. This meritocratic foundation was not only an academic principle but a reflection of NU's mission to transform Kazakhstan's education system. Students, alumni, faculty and staff have worked hard to build NU's name. Now students, alumni and parents are rightly concerned that the lowering of admission standards undermines this mission and risks eroding the university's reputation both domestically and internationally. Such changes create the perception that NU is moving away from its original vision of being a world-class institution. To restore confidence, NU must reaffirm its commitment to international standards, transparency, and academic rigor. Reverting to merit-based admissions and prioritizing excellence will send a clear message that the institution remains steadfast in its mission. In the Open Letter, I stated that in theory, a policy of opening the entry door wider, but then be resolutely strict in terms of progression and graduation based on academic integrity and merit could work. There are some cases globally. However, it can only work if there is a full commitment to integrity and merit, openness and transparency, and NU's original values are upheld. But unfortunately, what I have observed and heard about recent developments at NU does not make me optimistic. While administration is supposedly in a belt-tightening mode, new senior positions were created and filled with scant regard for a proper hiring process and qualification. Conflict of interest and restrictions on hiring family members have been discarded. These are just a few of the institutional changes that will inevitably bleed over into the academic fabric as well. Is this the example that senior management wants to present to our students? - Do you believe the current situation, where the financial foundations like the Social Development Fund and New Generation Foundation were mismanaged, reflects a broader crisis within Kazakhstan's governance and democracy? Absolutely, but to be fair, this corporate governance crisis is not just limited to Kazakhstan . The findings of the internal audit conducted by NU on the Social Development Fund (SDF) reveal a systemic absence of check and balances and accountability that extends beyond these institutions. Mismanagement and theft, such as those involving Aslan Sarinzhipov , have not only undermined NU and NIS but also shaken public trust in Kazakhstan's leadership. The financial institutions linked to NU and NIS—Nazarbayev Fund, New Generation Foundation, and Jusan Group — were designed to guarantee long-term financial stability for education in Kazakhstan , securing the futures of NU and NIS for decades. However, NGF and Jusan Group's systematic depletion and dismantling highlight the country's struggle with accountability and the need for deep structural reform. This mismanagement reflects broader governance failings—particularly a lack of oversight, transparency, and mechanisms to prevent conflicts of interest. I cannot pronounce myself on the current status of the NF, but I would not be surprised if one discovers similar shortcomings there as well. I had called for an audit for some time until my departure but was not successful. The impact extends beyond education, affecting the economic and social fabric of Kazakhstan . Addressing these issues requires not just reforms within these organizations but also a renewed commitment to governance, accountability, and emphasis on establishing the rule of law. - With the financial stability once promised by entities like the NGF now in jeopardy, how do you envision NU's future without those foundational guarantees? The original intent of the Nazarbayev Fund, New Generation Foundation, and Jusan Group was to provide NU and NIS with long-term financial stability. These entities were carefully designed to ensure that Kazakhstan's leading educational institutions could eventually operate in a manner less affected by state budget fluctuations. However, as the audits reveal, these institutions have been systematically mismanaged and looted, jeopardizing the financial future of NU and NIS. NU's survival and success now depend on a bold and transparent strategy. The first step is to rebuild trust with the public, students, and alumni by publishing the findings of both the state audit of NU and the internal audit of SDF. Then, those responsible are held accountable. Financially, NU must re-establish a diversified funding model. This includes rebuilding its endowments and enhancing additional revenue streams, such as a logical and sound tuition policy, executive education and collaboration with industry and business in the form of contract research. Transparency and governance reform will be key to attract donors and investors who believe in NU's mission and potential. - The Supreme Audit Chamber of Kazakhstan , in its state audit, reported the mismanagement of 73.5 billion tenge at Nazarbayev University , as well as allegations of half a billion tenge being used illegally. What is your opinion on this, and how should the university address governance and corruption issues? I have not had the opportunity to access the state audit report, thus it is difficult to comment. If the cited amount in mismanagement of 73.5 billion tenge over six years is true, it is scandalous. However, we do not know what the auditors' definition and criteria of mismanagement is. So, let's first find out what the report actually says. What is clear, however, is the outcome of a 2023 internal audit of NU's Social Development Fund (SDF) , and it is sobering. This SDF audit reveals a blatant disregard of corporate governance principles, where individuals entrusted with university resources prioritized personal gain over the mission of NU. The audit revealed that SDF management led by current NU Executive Vice President Aslan Sarinzhipov constructed an intricate web of subsidiary entities, including abroad, to systematically evade the oversight and control of the University. Funds ( over 14 billion tenge ) meant to assist students and faculty were used for personal gains of Aslan Sarinzhipov and questionable deals. Unfortunately, NU senior officials such as Vice President Kadisha Dairova participated in such schemes. When I voiced my concern earlier over the developments at NU, it is largely because of the track record of senior officials there. For NU to move forward, it must adopt zero-tolerance policies for corruption, demand accountability from those responsible, and reform its governance structures to ensure transparency. - Why do some claim there is a lack of funds for NU and NIS, despite the promises of financial stability from their endowment funds? The claim of a lack of funds is a direct consequence of the systematic looting of resources from the New Generation Foundation and Jusan Group. These entities were explicitly designed to contribute to NU and NIS' long-term financial sustainability against the backdrop of reduced state funding. However, as I described in my Open Letter, these innovative financial structures have been undermined by mismanagement, and outright theft. For instance: Rebuilding financial stability will require recovering stolen assets, reforming governance structures, and restoring public trust through full transparency and accountability. - Given the scale of financial mismanagement, what steps are necessary to ensure accountability for those involved, including senior officials? Accountability must begin with transparency. First, all findings from the audits should be made public, and independent investigations should be conducted to identify those responsible. No individual, regardless of rank or influence, should be above scrutiny. Second, legal consequences must follow where wrongdoing is found. Kazakhstan's legal system must demonstrate its independence and commitment to justice by prosecuting those who exploited these funds. Finally, governance reforms are essential. NU and its associated entities must implement stricter checks and balances, including external audits, whistleblower protections, and oversight committees with independent members. These steps are not just about rectifying past mistakes—they're about ensuring a future where such mismanagement cannot happen again. - The audit findings were just the beginning of uncovering deeper issues. Is there more information you can share about how these financial foundations were exploited and what this means for the future of NU and NIS? The patterns that have emerged—opaque transactions, conflicts of interest, and questionable settlements—are deeply troubling. For instance, the transfer of assets to private hands under unclear terms raises red flags about the intentions behind such decisions. This exploitation puts the futures of NU and NIS at risk. These institutions were designed to be financially independent, insulated from political and economic volatility. The weakening of their financial foundations erodes their ability to deliver on their missions and betrays the trust of the Kazakhstani people, who have invested in these institutions through their taxes. The way forward requires not just recovering lost assets but rebuilding the governance systems that allowed this exploitation to occur. - Nazarbayev University was founded with a mission to serve as a model for higher education in Kazakhstan , supported by funds like those from the Nazarbayev Fund and New Generation Foundation. What was your original vision for the university, and how did these funds play a critical role in realizing that vision? The vision for NU was bold: to create an institution that could compete with the best universities in the world while serving as a model for higher education reform in Kazakhstan . From day one, we envisioned NU as a hub for innovation, research, and leadership development—a place where the brightest minds could come together to solve the challenges of tomorrow. However, one should not forget that universities, in particular research universities, are a long-term endeavor. They are meant to educate and develop generations upon generations of leaders and professionals in a broad range of sectors, and thus contribute to the scientific, economic, and societal wealth of countries. Building a strong institution that can meet the test of time requires long-term and unwavering commitments to foundational values such as integrity, meritocracy, excellence, openness and transparency. But of course, strong financial support from government and other stakeholders is needed, especially in the first decades. Thus, it was understood that NU would be dependent on state funding (through education grants and capital investments) for the initial decades of its existence, while in the meantime it would develop other sources of financing such as through endowment funds, tuition, and contract research. The Nazarbayev Fund, NGF and the Jusan Group were integral parts of this vision. This overall construct allowed us to recruit world-class faculty, develop state-of-the-art facilities, and provide scholarships to talented students, many from underprivileged backgrounds. These resources weren't just financial—they were a vote of confidence in NU's mission and a recognition of the transformative power of education. The loss of these resources is a significant setback, but I do hope that NU can recover. The university must focus on rebuilding trust with its stakeholders—students, faculty, alumni, and the public. This starts with transparency in financial management and governance. Diversifying funding sources will be crucial. This includes rebuilding its endowments, engaging with the philanthropic community, and developing innovative revenue streams. But most importantly, NU must stay true to its mission and values. Financial stability is important, but it must never come at the cost of compromising the university's integrity or academic excellence. Restoring NU's credibility begins with transparency. For instance, the university must share the audit report with stakeholders, and openly address any major shortcomings highlighted in the audit, including financial mismanagement and governance failures. An independent investigation, followed by public disclosure of findings, will demonstrate a commitment to accountability. Next, an affirmation of NU's commitment to its foundational values and principles is needed. Next, institutional reforms are essential. This includes introducing stronger oversight mechanisms for financial and administrative processes, ensuring that governance boards are staffed with individuals of the highest integrity and independence, and that management, faculty and staff are recruited on the basis of transparency and merit. Fourth, NU must recommit itself to its founding mission of academic excellence. This means maintaining rigorous admission standards, prioritizing high-quality faculty recruitment, and fostering research that addresses national and global challenges. And finally, engaging the NU community—students, faculty, alumni, and parents—in shaping the university's path forward is critical. A transparent, inclusive process will rebuild trust and reaffirm NU's position as a leader in higher education. Educational reform is not just critical—it is foundational to Kazakhstan's economic recovery and long-term stability. The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in education systems worldwide, but it also underscored the importance of adaptability, innovation, and resilience. For Kazakhstan , investing in education means investing in the future. A well-educated population is essential for diversifying the economy, attracting foreign investment, and fostering innovation. Institutions like NU and NIS must lead the way by setting benchmarks for quality and demonstrating the value of education in driving economic progress. Moreover, reform must focus on equity. Expanding access to high-quality education for students from socially vulnerable backgrounds will ensure that economic recovery benefits all segments of society, not just the privileged few. - How do you see the role of institutions like NU and NIS in not only providing quality education but also contributing to economic growth in Kazakhstan , especially when financial stability is threatened? NU and NIS are more than educational institutions—they are catalysts for economic growth and social development. By equipping students with critical thinking skills, technical expertise, and a global perspective, they prepare the workforce needed to diversify Kazakhstan's economy. Their impact extends beyond classrooms. NU's research contributes to solving national challenges in areas like energy, healthcare, and technology. Meanwhile, NIS fosters innovation and leadership at the secondary education level, creating a pipeline of talent that benefits universities and industries alike. To sustain this role, NU and NIS must secure their financial stability. This includes strengthening governance, diversifying funding sources, and forging partnerships with the private sector and international organizations. These institutions are vital to Kazakhstan's future, and their success is intertwined with the country's broader economic ambitions. - Could the model used by NU and supported by the Nazarbayev Fund be applied in other countries, or does it require a uniquely Kazakh approach to work effectively? The NU model is innovative, but its core principles—integrity, meritocracy, autonomy, and a focus on global best practices—are universally applicable. Many countries could benefit from establishing institutions that prioritize excellence and align with international standards. That said, successful implementation depends on adapting the model to local contexts. Kazakhstan's approach benefited from strong initial financial and political backing, and a vision that emphasized independence from political and state bureaucratic interference. Replicating this requires careful consideration of governance structures, funding mechanisms, autonomy and other values, and cultural factors. In countries where philanthropic traditions or financial resources are limited, the model may need to rely more on public-private partnerships or international collaborations. Ultimately, the NU experience demonstrates that ambitious goals in education are achievable with the right vision, leadership, and long-term commitment support. - What lessons do you hope others will learn from the experience of the NGF, Jusan Bank , and the financial turmoil at NU? The story of NU and its financial affiliates offers a critical lesson: no institution, no matter how noble its mission, is immune to mismanagement and corruption without strong governance. NU and NIS' financial pillars, namely the Nazarbayev Fund, NGF, Jusan Group, but also the SDF and NIS' Corporate Development Fund were designed to guarantee long-term financial sustainability, yet their exploitation demonstrates how quickly trust can be eroded when transparency and accountability are neglected. For any endowment fund or financial institution, the following lessons are clear: NU's experience is a cautionary tale but also an opportunity. By addressing these failures head-on, NU can emerge as a model for how institutions can learn from adversity and rebuild stronger than before. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nazarbayev-university-crisis-shigeo-katsu-demands-audit-transparency-302338886.html SOURCE EU Reporter
President-elect Donald Trump on Friday nominated Dr. Marty Makary to lead the Food and Drug Administration , selecting a surgeon and author who gained national attention for opposing vaccine mandates and some other public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Makary, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, is the latest in a string of Trump nominees who have declared the U.S. health system “broken” and in need of a shakeup. Watch NBC Bay Area News 📺 Streaming free 24/7 In books and articles Makary has decried the overprescribing of drugs, the use of pesticides on foods and the undue influence of pharmaceutical and insurance companies over doctors and government regulators. He will need to be confirmed by the Republican-led Senate to take the post. Trump announced the nomination in a statement Friday night, saying Makary “will restore FDA to the gold standard of scientific research, and cut the bureaucratic red tape at the agency to make sure Americans get the medical cures and treatments they deserve.” Headquartered in the Maryland suburbs outside Washington, the 18,000 employees of the FDA are responsible for the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs , vaccines and medical devices as well as a swath of other consumer goods, including food , cosmetics and vaping products . Altogether those products represent an estimated 20% of U.S. consumer spending annually, or $2.6 trillion. Makary gained prominence on Fox News and other conservative outlets for his contrarian views during the COVID-19 pandemic. He questioned the need for masking and, though not opposed to the COVID-19 vaccine, had concerns about vaccinations in young children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that COVID-19 vaccinations prevented more than 686,000 U.S. deaths in 2020 and 2021 alone. While children faced much lower rates of hospitalization and death from the virus, medical societies including the American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that vaccinations significantly reduced severe disease in the age group. Trained as a surgeon and cancer specialist, Makary was part of a vocal group of physicians calling for greater emphasis on herd immunity to stop the virus, or the idea that mass infections would quickly lead to population-level protection. In a February 2021 Wall Street Journal piece , he wrote that “COVID will be mostly gone by April, allowing Americans to resume normal life.” That summer the delta variant of the virus ripped through the U.S. , followed by omicron in the winter, leading to hundreds of thousands of additional deaths. If confirmed, Makary would be expected to report to anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , Trump's pick to oversee the nation’s Department of Health and Human Services , which includes the FDA. Makary does not share Kennedy’s discredited views on vaccines , but he has a similar distrust of the pharmaceutical industry. Makary has lamented how drugmakers used misleading data to urge doctors to prescribe OxyContin and other opioids as low-risk, non-addictive pain relievers. That marketing was permitted under FDA-approved labeling from the 1990s, suggesting the drugs were safe for common ailments like back pain. In more recent years, the FDA has come under fire for approving drugs for Alzheimer's , ALS and other conditions based on incomplete data that failed to show meaningful benefits for patients. A push toward greater scrutiny of drug safety and effectiveness would be a major reversal at FDA, which for decades has focused on speedier drug approvals . That trend has been fueled by industry lobbying and fees paid by drugmakers to help the FDA hire additional reviewers. Kennedy has proposed ending those payments, which would require billions in new funding from the federal budget. Other administration priorities would likely run into similar roadblocks. For instance, Kennedy wants to bar drugmakers from advertising on TV , a multibillion-dollar market that supports many TV and cable networks. The Supreme Court and other conservative judges would likely overturn such a ban on First Amendment grounds that protect commercial speech, experts note. Makary would also inherit a raft of ongoing projects at the FDA kicked off by outgoing Commissioner Robert Califf, including the reorganization of the agency's food division and plans to regulate artificial intelligence in medical technology. In the event of other controversial initiatives under Trump, career staffers may simply drag the work out until a new administration comes to power. “The bureaucracy can wait anybody out, and that’s an attitude I think you’ll hear a lot,” said Wayne Pines, a former FDA official under Republican and Democratic administrations. Trump appointments and nominees Here are some of the people that President-elect Donald Trump has named for high-profile positions in his administration. Positions in orange require Senate confirmation. Source: NBC News The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Nothing's guaranteed, but Bucs need to win out to give themselves best shot to make the playoffsWinners’ Chapel International Leeds has teamed up with Afrikindness to introduce a safeguarding training pack The move was aimed at enhancing child protection within African and faith-based communities The training pack was developed in partnership with safeguarding experts from Voluntary Action Leeds and is tailored to address the unique needs of African and faith-based communities Winners' Chapel International Leeds, under the leadership of Pastor Adeyinka Olaniyan, has shown a strong commitment to child safety and well-being CHECK OUT: Education is Your Right! Don’t Let Social Norms Hold You Back. Learn Online with LEGIT. Enroll Now! Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements. Bishop David Oyedepo ’s Living Faith Church, Winners Chapel International Leeds, under the leadership of Pastor Adeyinka Olaniyan, has shown a strong commitment to child safety and well-being. Winners' Chapel Leeds, group launch safeguarding training pack This is as it collaborated with Afrikindness, to create a specialized safeguarding training pack, aimed at protecting children within faith-based environments. Read also Govt agency partners TikTok for online safety, digital literacy PAY ATTENTION : Standing out in social media world? Easy! "Mastering Storytelling for Social Media" workshop by Legit.ng. Join Us Live! The initiative was launched during a workshop attended by over 110 parents and leaders from various faith communities. What to know about the training pack In a statement made available to Legit.ng on Saturday, November 23, the training pack was developed in partnership with safeguarding experts from Voluntary Action Leeds and is tailored to address the unique needs of African and faith-based communities. The content adapts the Leeds Safeguarding Board’s guidelines to better reflect the realities of African congregations.fit the cultural and spiritual realities of these congregations. “This training pack is crucial for equipping our communities with the necessary tools to safeguard our children,” stated Deaconess Olufunmilola Olaniyi-Alabi, the lead trainer behind the initiative. “Safeguarding is not just about compliance; it requires our collective awareness and proactive measures to protect our most vulnerable members.” Lord Mayor of Leeds backed the initiative Meanwhile, the initiative received major support from prominent figures, including Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung, who emphasized the importance of collaboration between faith communities and civic institutions in safeguarding children. Read also 36 governors meet national assembly leaders, reasons emerge In her keynote address, she said: “Safeguarding extends beyond the walls of homes. When faith communities unite with families and civic institutions, our collective strengths ensure that no child is left unsupported. We all have a responsibility to safeguard and care for our children.” Additionally, Pastor Adeyinka Olaniyan of Winners’ Chapel International Leeds highlighted the church’s commitment to child safety. “We are devoted to upholding the safety and well-being of every child in our congregation and beyond,” he said. The man of God also introduced the church’s designated safeguarding leads, highlighting their essential role in implementing thorough safeguarding practices. Echoing similar sentiments, CEO of Afrikindness, Bunmi Owolabi, urged faith leaders to uphold moral standards. “A church should be a safe and holy place dedicated to instilling moral values and positively influencing communities,” she remarked. The workshop, sponsored by the National Lottery Community Fund, attracted diverse attendees, including representatives from several faith communities such as the Redeemed Christian Church of God and Dunamis International Gospel Centre. Read also FULL LIST: Senate mentions 6 states terrorists from Mali, Burkina Faso are currently operating The growing need for safeguarding in faith-based communities Legit.ng understands the workshop tackled vital issues, including child molestation, domestic abuse, and forced marriages. Parents and leaders shared personal experiences, revealing that neglect or ignorance can often put children at risk while participants left with a better understanding of how to identify signs of harm and establish safer environments for children in their care. Moving forward, Afrikindness, a Continuing Professional Development (CPD), announced plans to offer this essential training free to nominated leaders from faith communities. The organisation aims to empower these leaders with the knowledge and skills to uphold child protection standards within their respective congregations. Through this pioneering initiative, Afrikindness and Winners’ Chapel International Leeds are leading the way in safeguarding practices within faith settings, fostering a legacy of care and protection for future generations. Read more about Oyedepo's Winners Chapel here: Bishop Abioye organises first crusade after leaving Oyedepo’s Living Faith Church Bishop Abioye shares how he met Oyedepo Read also Prominent Plateau cleric speaks out amid ethnic, religious divisions in Nigeria Oyedepo prays for Abioye as he retires In another development, Legit.ng reported that Bishop David Oyedepo sent forth Bishop Abioye with prayers as he retired from Living Faith Church Worldwide. Oyedepo released words of blessings on Abioye during his valedictory service on Friday, October 18. Abioye's retirement is based on the rules of the Mandate, which is the Liberation Commission's Constitution or operational manual. PAY ATTENTION : Legit.ng Needs Your Opinion! That's your chance to change your favourite news media. Fill in a short questionnaire Source: Legit.ng
In today's Daily Fix:More bad news from Ubisoft to close out the year. The company has decided to shut down its free-to-play shooter XDefiant—despite positive impressions from the game's fans and the media, there just weren't enough people playing to justify the cost of keeping the game running. And with the game's shutdown comes the closure of two studios working on it. Ubisoft's San Francisco and Osaka studios have been closed, with nearly 300 people being laid off. Ubisoft is hoping to boune back from a disappointing year with Assassin's Creed Shadows in 2025. In other news, Walton Goggins is putting the Ghoul skin back on for season 2 of Fallout. The actor shared an image on Instagram with him and a make-up artist layering on his character's irradiated skin. No release date is set yet for Fallout Season 2. And finally, Reebok has revealed new shoes to coincide with the new Sonic the Hedgehog movie. There will be two child-sized shoes and three adult shoes in Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles colorways.Maersk North America Market Update — November Highlights 2024
Report: Ex-Maryland RB Roman Hemby signs with Indiana
NHL Predictions: Nov. 23 w/ New York Rangers vs Edmonton Oilers
NoneInhale. Hold. Exhale. Hold. Breathe. It will all be what it will be. If you’ve felt panicked or confused in the last few days, it’s understandable. The constant churn of Nebraska football news since Sunday has been like drinking from a fire hose. Defensive coordinator Tony White is heading to Florida State as its defensive coordinator. Defensive backs coach John Butler will serve as the interim. Interim offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen is staying, signing a two-year extension for $1.2 million. Nebraska has hired a new wide receivers coach, Daikiel Shorts. Defensive line coach Terrance Knighton appears to be on the move. Several players, including Jimari Butler, have declared their intention to enter the transfer portal when it opens on Monday. Nebraska signed 20 high school prospects in conjunction with Wednesday’s signing day. People are also reading... Phew. Again, breathe. It’s a lot. It’s not all bad. It’s not all good, either, but it’s not all bad. Such is life in college football in December. Thoughts on the state of Nebraska football: Tony White's departure White — a two-time Broyles Award finalist — leaving for another job was anticipated. He had plenty of calls in the last offseason to the point where he received a king’s ransom of a raise to be Nebraska’s defensive coordinator for 2024. The act of him leaving is not a surprise. But the job he left for, Florida State’s defensive coordinator, did raise some eyebrows — as many expected him to be a head coaching candidate once again. “Obviously I was disappointed,” Rhule said. “I liked coaching with Tony, I liked being around him. I thought he had a great effect. But he’s gotta go do what he’s gotta do.” Rhule continued later: “Did I want Tony to leave? No. But it’s OK. Coaches are going to leave. If we have good players and we have good coaches, people are going to come try to get them. If no one’s trying to take our players and no one’s trying to take our coaches, that means we’re in trouble.” While the title appears to be the same — defensive coordinator to defensive coordinator — this is not a lateral move. For one, Rhule said Wednesday that part of White’s move was for “family reasons.” For two, it likely comes with a bigger paycheck. White’s salary has not been publicly disclosed since the hire has not yet been announced by Florida State, but his predecessor, Adam Fuller, made $2 million in 2024 before he was fired last week. At Nebraska, White made $1.6 million in 2024. Of note, there’s no state income tax in Florida. Nebraska’s progressive income tax rate for White’s tax bracket is 6.54%. As far as other finances are concerned... Florida State football had an NIL team budget of around $12 million in 2024, according to an August report from the Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, with almost $2 million allocated for the defensive line. Nebraska’s NIL budget for football “is not even 10” million, Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen reportedly said at the 1890 annual member appreciation event last April. Yes, it is true that Florida State had an abysmal season — which is the entire reason why White has a job there now. But what about the season before that? When Florida State went undefeated in the regular season and was mindbogglingly left out of the four-team College Football Playoff. Yes, Florida State did go 2-10 this season. That did happen. But I still think the Florida State gig is a better job — even with the university in an active lawsuit against the ACC. With Mike Norvell making sweeping changes after the disappointing season, I doubt he remains on the hot seat. And even if he does? White’s a good candidate to take the reins. So ... who will replace him? You can be mad at White for bolting. But that doesn’t change the fact that Nebraska needs a new defensive coordinator. (And a new defensive line coach, most likely.) Who’s it going to be? In the interim, at least, it will be defensive backs coach John Butler. Butler joined the staff over the summer after the untimely departure of Evan Cooper. Butler was previously with the Buffalo Bills and was Penn State’s defensive coordinator in 2013. Rhule did say that Butler is a candidate for the job. But, Rhule isn’t going to put a timetable on this hire. Nor is he going to try to make a big splash with a big name. He wants to 1.) Get it right, and 2.) Keep the defense the same. “I want to do this defense,” Rhule said. “Whoever that is, I don’t want to make that decision for the short term — where we all feel good about it.” Nothing here would surprise me. Promoting Butler would make sense. Hiring from the outside would make sense — especially since Rhule brought in an outside guy in the last two coordinator hires he’s made: White and Dana Holgorsen. 2 years for Holgorsen One shred of good news from Monday was that Nebraska and offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen opted to continue things. Not just for a few more weeks, this time, but rather two years to the tune of $1.2 million. “I was ecstatic when Dana decided to stick around,” Rhule said. “He decided that he saw enough here in his time here to know that ... we can get this thing offensively to where we want to get it to.” There are good pieces here, that’s for sure. Quarterback Dylan Raiola is, of course, the straw that stirs the drink, but seeing the overall rise of play from most everyone on offense the last three weeks was quite the sight. Will be interesting to see how that develops with more time. One big change that Holgorsen wanted was to bring in one of his guys — Daikeil Shorts, a receiver who played for Holgo at West Virginia and then coached receivers on his staff at Houston. But that was the only change Holgorsen requested, Rhule said. Everything else, offensively at least, is expected to stay the same — Donovan Raiola as offensive line coach, Glenn Thomas at quarterbacks, EJ Barthel at running backs and Marcus Satterfield at tight ends. Yes. As of now, Satterfield will remain on staff as the tight ends coach. “That was Dana’s call,” Rhule said. “... Satt wants to be here and he’s done a great job in recruiting and I think he’ll continue to help us.” Portal moves Yes. It’s been a lot of guys. Is it frustrating seeing guys like Jimari Butler and James Williams and Mikai Gbayor and Princewill Umanmielen in the portal? Yes. But that’s the name of the game these days. I warn you, there will be more. Not trying to fearmonger or anything, but it’s a numbers game at this point. Nebraska remains over the limit. And, Nebraska will be active in the portal, too. Lots of coming and going in the weeks to come. Ty Robinson Nebraska’s lone All-Big Ten team selection was Ty Robinson, making the third team. I feel like that was a slight. Not necessarily a snub, but a slight. Hard to imagine nine more guys at his position in this league that are better than him. But, on a positive note for Robinson, he accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl. Expect his draft stock to rise. Photos: Nebraska football vs. Iowa on Black Friday — Nov. 29 Nebraska players, including Jacob Hood (center), turn to wave during the "Hawkeye Wave" on Friday in Iowa City. Nebraska assistant coach Garret McGuire looks on during warm up before the Iowa game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska assistant coach Marcus Satterfield looks on during warm up before the Iowa game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska fan Zachary Roth of Omaha dances in the cold during the Iowa game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule talks with an official during the Iowa game on Friday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Nebraska's Jahmal Banks is tackled by Iowa's TJ Hall on Friday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Iowa's Kamari Moulton (center) is tackled by Nebraska's MJ Sherman (left) and Elijah Jeudy, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska's Carter Nelson (center) is tackled by Iowa's Deontae Craig (right) on Friday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Iowa's Quinn Schulte (left) tackles Nebraska's Nate Boerkircher, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska's Thomas Fidone picks up a pass against Iowa, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska's John Hohl reacts after missing a field goal against Iowa, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska's Dylan Raiola runs with the ball against Iowa on Friday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Nebraska's Isaac Gifford (left) rips the ball away from Iowa's Jarriett Buie on Friday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. The Nebraska defense stops Iowa on fourth down on Friday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Nebraska's Jahmal Banks picks up a pass next to Iowa's Deshaun Lee, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska's Emmett Johnson escapes a tackle by Iowa's Deshaun Lee, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule looks on during the Iowa game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska's Dante Dowdell tries to break a tackle from Iowa's Jay Higgins (left) and Koen Entringer (4), Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska's Emmett Johnson fumbles under pressure from Iowa's Sebastian Castro (top) and TJ Hall (bottom), Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa's Drew Stevens (18) celebrates after making the game-winning kick against Nebraska, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa's Drew Stevens (18) celebrates after making the game-winning kick against Nebraska, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa's Luke Elkin (left) and Ty Nissen carry Heroes Game trophy after defeating Nebraska on Friday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Iowa's Drew Stevens (18) kicks a game-winning field goal through the arms of Nebraska's Ty Robinson (9) and Nash Hutmacher (0) on Friday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Nebraska's Dante Dowdell scores a touchdown against Iowa in the second quarter, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska's Dylan Raiola carries the ball against Iowa, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa's Deontae Craig (bottom) pressures Nebraska's Dylan Raiola, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska's John Hohl (right) celebrates his field goal against Iowa, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska's Mikai Gbayor tips a pass by Iowa's Jackson Stratton on Friday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Iowa's Deontae Craig (left) and Aaron Graves (right) pressure Nebraska's Dylan Raiola on at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule (left) talks with Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz before the game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Jesse Divis of David City, 17, braves the cold before the Nebraska game at Iowa, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule arrives before the Iowa game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska special teams coordinator Ed Foley arrives before the Iowa game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska's Dylan Raiola arrives before the Iowa game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. The Nebraska football team arrives arrives at Kinnick Stadium before the Iowa game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. The Nebraska football team arrives arrives at Kinnick Stadium before the Iowa game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Nebraska offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen arrives at Kinnick Stadium before the Iowa game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Subscribe for the best Husker news & commentary Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! 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Inhale. Hold. Exhale. Hold. Breathe. It will all be what it will be. If you’ve felt panicked or confused in the last few days, it’s understandable. The constant churn of Nebraska football news since Sunday has been like drinking from a fire hose. Defensive coordinator Tony White is heading to Florida State as its defensive coordinator. Defensive backs coach John Butler will serve as the interim. Interim offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen is staying, signing a two-year extension for $1.2 million. Nebraska has hired a new wide receivers coach, Daikiel Shorts. Defensive line coach Terrance Knighton appears to be on the move. Several players, including Jimari Butler, have declared their intention to enter the transfer portal when it opens on Monday. Nebraska signed 20 high school prospects in conjunction with Wednesday’s signing day. Phew. Again, breathe. It’s a lot. It’s not all bad. It’s not all good, either, but it’s not all bad. Such is life in college football in December. Thoughts on the state of Nebraska football: White — a two-time Broyles Award finalist — leaving for another job was anticipated. He had plenty of calls in the last offseason to the point where he received a king’s ransom of a raise to be Nebraska’s defensive coordinator for 2024. The act of him leaving is not a surprise. But the job he left for, Florida State’s defensive coordinator, did raise some eyebrows — as many expected him to be a head coaching candidate once again. “Obviously I was disappointed,” Rhule said. “I liked coaching with Tony, I liked being around him. I thought he had a great effect. But he’s gotta go do what he’s gotta do.” Rhule continued later: “Did I want Tony to leave? No. But it’s OK. Coaches are going to leave. If we have good players and we have good coaches, people are going to come try to get them. If no one’s trying to take our players and no one’s trying to take our coaches, that means we’re in trouble.” While the title appears to be the same — defensive coordinator to defensive coordinator — this is not a lateral move. For one, Rhule said Wednesday that part of White’s move was for “family reasons.” For two, it likely comes with a bigger paycheck. White’s salary has not been publicly disclosed since the hire has not yet been announced by Florida State, but his predecessor, Adam Fuller, made $2 million in 2024 before he was fired last week. At Nebraska, White made $1.6 million in 2024. Of note, there’s no state income tax in Florida. Nebraska’s progressive income tax rate for White’s tax bracket is 6.54%. As far as other finances are concerned... Florida State football had an NIL team budget of around $12 million in 2024, according to an August report from the Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, with almost $2 million allocated for the defensive line. Nebraska’s NIL budget for football “is not even 10” million, Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen reportedly said at the 1890 annual member appreciation event last April. Yes, it is true that Florida State had an abysmal season — which is the entire reason why White has a job there now. But what about the season before that? When Florida State went undefeated in the regular season and was mindbogglingly left out of the four-team College Football Playoff. Yes, Florida State did go 2-10 this season. That did happen. But I still think the Florida State gig is a better job — even with the university in an active lawsuit against the ACC. With Mike Norvell making sweeping changes after the disappointing season, I doubt he remains on the hot seat. And even if he does? White’s a good candidate to take the reins. You can be mad at White for bolting. But that doesn’t change the fact that Nebraska needs a new defensive coordinator. (And a new defensive line coach, most likely.) Who’s it going to be? In the interim, at least, it will be defensive backs coach John Butler. Butler joined the staff over the summer after the untimely departure of Evan Cooper. Butler was previously with the Buffalo Bills and was Penn State’s defensive coordinator in 2013. Rhule did say that Butler is a candidate for the job. But, Rhule isn’t going to put a timetable on this hire. Nor is he going to try to make a big splash with a big name. He wants to 1.) Get it right, and 2.) Keep the defense the same. “I want to do this defense,” Rhule said. “Whoever that is, I don’t want to make that decision for the short term — where we all feel good about it.” Nothing here would surprise me. Promoting Butler would make sense. Hiring from the outside would make sense — especially since Rhule brought in an outside guy in the last two coordinator hires he’s made: White and Dana Holgorsen. One shred of good news from Monday was that Nebraska and offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen opted to continue things. Not just for a few more weeks, this time, but rather two years to the tune of $1.2 million. “I was ecstatic when Dana decided to stick around,” Rhule said. “He decided that he saw enough here in his time here to know that ... we can get this thing offensively to where we want to get it to.” There are good pieces here, that’s for sure. Quarterback Dylan Raiola is, of course, the straw that stirs the drink, but seeing the overall rise of play from most everyone on offense the last three weeks was quite the sight. Will be interesting to see how that develops with more time. One big change that Holgorsen wanted was to bring in one of his guys — Daikeil Shorts, a receiver who played for Holgo at West Virginia and then coached receivers on his staff at Houston. But that was the only change Holgorsen requested, Rhule said. Everything else, offensively at least, is expected to stay the same — Donovan Raiola as offensive line coach, Glenn Thomas at quarterbacks, EJ Barthel at running backs and Marcus Satterfield at tight ends. Yes. As of now, Satterfield will remain on staff as the tight ends coach. “That was Dana’s call,” Rhule said. “... Satt wants to be here and he’s done a great job in recruiting and I think he’ll continue to help us.” Yes. It’s been a lot of guys. Is it frustrating seeing guys like Jimari Butler and James Williams and Mikai Gbayor and Princewill Umanmielen in the portal? Yes. But that’s the name of the game these days. I warn you, there will be more. Not trying to fearmonger or anything, but it’s a numbers game at this point. Nebraska remains over the limit. And, Nebraska will be active in the portal, too. Lots of coming and going in the weeks to come. Nebraska’s lone All-Big Ten team selection was Ty Robinson, making the third team. I feel like that was a slight. Not necessarily a snub, but a slight. Hard to imagine nine more guys at his position in this league that are better than him. But, on a positive note for Robinson, he accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl. Expect his draft stock to rise. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Who Is Dion Dawkins’ Girlfriend, Daiyaana Muhammad & What Is Her Instagram?
A Chinese film set during the Covid-19 pandemic won the top prizes in Taiwan's prestigious Golden Horse Awards, which saw the highest number of entries from China in recent years despite political tensions. Beijing banned its entertainers from joining Golden Horse -- dubbed the Chinese-language "Oscars" -- in 2019 after a Taiwanese director voiced support for the island's independence in an acceptance speech in 2018. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, which the Taipei government rejects, and Chinese A-listers and big commercial productions have largely avoided the event ever since. Despite the sensitivity of the awards, more than 200 Chinese films entered this year's competition, which Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said was the highest number in "recent years". Acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Lou Ye was awarded best director late Saturday night for his docu-drama "An Unfinished Film", which was also named best picture. Lou was absent from the ceremony but his wife Ma Yingli read his acceptance speech, describing the film set during China's lockdown of Wuhan in the earliest stages of the pandemic as "the most special directing job I have ever done". Chinese actor Zhang Zhiyong, who also did not attend the awards, won best actor for his performance in Chinese director Geng Jun's same-sex drama "Bel Ami". Hong Kong's Chung Suet-ying was named best actress for her role in "The Way We Talk", which is about the deaf community. Neither "Bel Ami" nor "An Unfinished Film" has been released in China. Ahead of the awards, MAC spokesman Liang Wen-chieh told reporters that these films "may not be able to be screened in mainland China, but they still hope to have a free platform to participate and express themselves". "We welcome (them) very much," he said. After several years absence, Chinese stars began trickling back to the awards in Taipei last year, with actress Hu Ling the first to grace the red carpet since the ban. On Saturday, Geng Jun and some of his cast were among the few Chinese entertainers to join stars and filmmakers from around the region, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, on the red carpet. While Geng missed out on best director and best picture, his film "Bel Ami" won the awards for best cinematography and best film editing. Despite political tensions, Golden Horse remained a stage for independent Chinese films that have no distribution space on the mainland, Taiwanese film critic Wonder Weng told AFP. "This spirit remains unchanged. I think the Golden Horse Awards have always insisted on being the benchmark" that is open to all subjects, said Weng, who is a board member of Taiwan Film Critics Society. Weng said "An Unfinished Film" by Lou, who has previously taken on forbidden subjects such as gay sex and the 1989 Tiananmen protests, was "a work of conscience". Lou's latest offering is about a film crew trying to resume shooting a movie during the Covid-19 pandemic in Wuhan, as the city was placed in an unprecedented lockdown. "Lou put images that are banned or blocked into his work and reminds us that there is a director who is willing to preserve historical images for us to see... and let us know there is a different voice," Weng said. aw/amj/dhcOne week into a new Syria, rebels aim for normalcy and Syrians vow not to be silent again DAMASCUS (AP) — A transformation has started to take place in the week since the unexpected overthrow of Syria’s President Bashar Assad. Suddenly in charge, the rebels have been met with a mix of excitement, grief and hope. And so far the transition has been surprisingly smooth. Reports of reprisals, revenge killings and sectarian violence are minimal, looting and destruction has been quickly contained. But there are a million ways it could go wrong. Syria is broken and isolated after five decades of Assad family rule. Families have been torn apart by war, former prisoners are traumatized, and tens of thousands of detainees remain missing. The economy is wrecked, poverty is widespread, inflation and unemployment are high. Corruption seeps through daily life. Christians in Syria mark country's transformation with tears as UN envoy urges an end to sanctions DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — In churches across long-stifled Syria, Christians have marked the first Sunday services since Bashar Assad’s ouster in an air of transformation. Some were in tears, others clasped their hands in prayer. The U.N. envoy for Syria is calling for a quick end to Western sanctions as the country’s new leaders and regional and global powers discuss the way forward. The Syrian government has been under sanctions by the United States, the European Union and others for years as a result of Assad’s brutal response to what began as peaceful anti-government protests in 2011 and spiraled into civil war. US agencies should use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones, Schumer says After weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests. The New York Democrat is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy advanced technology to identify and track drones back to their landing spots. That is according to briefings from his office. Federal authorities have said that the drones do not appear to be linked to foreign governments. After a 15-year pause in executions, Indiana prepares to put to death a man who killed 4 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana officials are preparing to execute the state’s first death row inmate in 15 years. Joseph Corcoran was convicted in 1999 in the fatal shootings of his brother and three other men, including his sister’s fiancé. If Corcoran is put to death as scheduled Wednesday it will be the state’s first execution since 2009. Corcoran's attorneys have asked a federal court to stay his execution, arguing it would be unconstitutional because he has a serious mental illness. Indiana officials have refused to discuss how they obtained the sedative used for lethal injection. No media witnesses will be permitted under state law. Storms across US bring heavy snow, dangerous ice and a tornado in California OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Inclement weather has plagued areas of the U.S. in the first half of the weekend, with dangerous conditions including heavy snow, a major ice storm and unusual tornado activity. An ice storm beginning Friday created treacherous driving conditions across Iowa and eastern Nebraska. More than 33 inches of snow was reported near Orchard Park, New York, which is often a landing point for lake-effect snow. On Saturday, a tornado touched down in Scotts Valley, California, causing damage and several injuries. In San Francisco, a storm damaged trees and roofs and prompted a tornado warning, which was a first for a city that has not experienced a tornado since 2005. Israel will close its Ireland embassy over Gaza tensions as Palestinian death toll nears 45,000 DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel says it will close its embassy in Ireland as relations deteriorate over the war in Gaza, where Palestinian medical officials say new Israeli airstrikes have killed over 46 people including children. Israel's decision to close the embassy came in response to what Israel’s foreign minister has described as Ireland's “extreme anti-Israel policies.” Ireland earlier announced that it would recognize a Palestinian state. And the Irish cabinet last week decided to formally intervene in South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The Palestinian death toll in the war is approaching 45,000. The GOP stoked fears of noncitizens voting. Cases in Ohio show how rhetoric and reality diverge AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Ohio's Republican secretary of state and attorney general sought to reassure voters before the November election that the state's elections were being vigorously protected against the possibility of immigrants voting illegally. That push coincided with a national Republican messaging strategy warning that potentially thousands of ineligible voters would be voting. The officials' efforts in Ohio led to charges against just six noncitizens in a state with 8 million registered voters. That outcome and the stories of some of those now facing charges show the gap both in Ohio and across the United States between the rhetoric about noncitizen voting and the reality that it's rare and not part of a coordinated scheme to throw elections. South Korean leaders seek calm after Yoon is impeached SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s opposition leader has offered to work with the government to ease the political tumult, a day after the opposition-controlled parliament voted to impeach conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol over a short-lived attempt to impose martial law. Liberal Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, whose party holds a majority in the National Assembly, urged the Constitutional Court to rule swiftly on Yoon’s impeachment and proposed a special council for policy cooperation between the government and parliament. Yoon’s powers have been suspended until the court decides whether to remove him from office or reinstate him. If Yoon is dismissed, a national election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days. Small businesses say cautious shoppers are seeking 'cozy' and 'festive' this holiday season With a late Thanksgiving, the holiday shopping season is five days shorter than last year, and owners of small retail shops say that people have been quick to snap up holiday décor early, along with gifts for others and themselves. Cozy items like sweaters are popular so far. Businesses are also holding special events to get shoppers in the door. But there’s little sense of the freewheeling spending that occurred during the pandemic. Overall, The National Retail Federation predicts retail sales in November and December will rise between 2.5% and 3.5% compared with same period a year ago. Pope Francis makes 1st papal visit to France's Corsica awash in expressions of popular piety AJACCIO, Corsica (AP) — Pope Francis on the first papal visit ever to the French island of Corsica on Sunday called for a dynamic form of laicism, promoting the kind of popular piety that distinguishes the Mediterranean island from secular France as a bridge between religious and civic society. The one-day visit to Corsica’s capital Ajaccio, birthplace of Napoleon, on Sunday is one of the briefest of his papacy beyond Italy’s borders, just about nine hours on the ground, including a 40-minute visit with French President Emmanuel Macron. It is the first papal visit ever to the island, which Genoa ceded to France in 1768 and is located closer to the Italian mainland than France.What To Know About Brian Thompson, The Health Care CEO Shot To Death In New York
Angel Reese, the WNBA rising star, is laying down some rules for her fans—her love life is officially off-limits. The 22-year-old, who exploded onto the scene after a stellar college career at LSU and a standout rookie season, is making it clear she’s not here for the relationship speculation. Earlier this week, Reese clapped back on social media at followers prying into her personal life, and she’s not backing down. On her podcast Unapologetically Angel, Reese told guest Mikey Williams, a college basketball star, that sharing her relationship status online isn’t her vibe. “I would never post my relationship ever on social media,” she said, keeping it real about the pitfalls of online oversharing. “People be too invested in your relationship,” Reese explained. “They be trying to follow stuff. It's just.” Williams chimed in, totally feeling her take: “Bro, I be feeling the same way. That's why.. Oh my god. Social media, bro.” For context, Reese had been linked to Florida State forward Cam'Ron Fletcher, but she confirmed their split back in March. Now? She’s keeping things private—and unbothered.