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go777 app download The Constitution of India is an embodiment of the aspirations of its citizens. These aspirations were also reflected in the long and painstaking process through which the Constitution came into being. This process, however, didn’t begin on November 26, 1949, when the first session of the Constituent Assembly was gavelled into existence. Debates and discussions on what should be incorporated into the Constitution started in the 19th century itself. Social movements played a crucial role in shaping the constitutional discourse, laying down the foundations of equality, dignity, social justice, and equal opportunity for any future document to govern a yet-to-be-born republic. The movements, led by Jyotiba Phule and Dr. BR Ambedkar, respectively, in different periods of history are representative of the direct impact of social movements on the framing of the Constitution. Phule’s constitutional project took inspiration from the 13th Amendment (1865) to the American Constitution, which abolished the slavery of African Americans. In 1873, Phule wrote a seminal book, titled Gulamgiri (translated as slavery), with a dedication to “the good people of the United States as a token of admiration for their sublime disinterested and self-sacrificing devotion in the cause” of slavery. Phule also hoped that the oppressor communities in India would follow a similar track in abolishing untouchability and emancipating the oppressed castes. Gulamgiri was a sharp critique of India’s caste system and oppression. In the same year, Phule also started the Satyashodhak Samaj (the truth seekers’ society) movement to unite the oppressed castes, promote their education, and build an alternative vision of an equal society. He further advocated before the British government for free and compulsory education for all. In 1882, he submitted to the Hunter Commission a document that asked the administration to “be kind enough to sanction measures for the spread of female primary education”. Dr. Ambedkar built further on Phule’s legacy in demanding constitutional rights for the oppressed castes. Before the Southborough Committee in 1919, Dr Ambedkar insisted on universal adult franchise (voting rights) for all Indians. Rejecting the contention that “franchise should be given to those only who can be expected to make an intelligent use of it’, he argued that franchise would promote the political awakening of the marginalised communities, who had long been excluded from politics and the social mainstream. The two Mahad Satyagraha led by Dr Ambedkar in 1927 established the groundwork for the non-discrimination principle and broadened the constitutional imagination of rights. The Satyagraha was a challenge to the age-old practice of restricting Dalits from accessing water from a public source used by oppressor castes. Dr Ambedkar regarded the access to public places and water resources as a fundamental civil right. In March 1927, thousands of oppressed castes walked several kilometres, under the leadership of Dr. Ambedkar, to drink water from the Chavdar tank, which was made open to everyone by the Mahad municipality in Maharashtra. However, after the gathering drank water from the tank, it was attacked by a large crowd of people from the oppressor castes, who came with sticks and stones. Later, the oppressor castes performed purification of the water tank by chanting hymns, while taking out the water from the tank in pots. This was seen by Dr Ambedkar as an effort to demoralise the Dalits in demanding their rights. Dr Ambedkar then launched a second Satyagraha in Mahad in December 1927. During this gathering, he presented certain resolutions prepared by him beforehand. These resolutions highlighted the principles that all human beings were born equal; the use of public roads, public schools, public water sources and temples is open to all; and that the “law should be equally applicable to all”. These are the modern principles of equality before law and equal protection of laws, and non-discrimination, which were later incorporated in Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution. The second Mahad Satyagraha also rejected the authority of “Manusmriti” as Dr Ambedkar publicly burnt it. During the Round Table conferences in London in the early 1930s, Dr Ambedkar presented a clause on non-discrimination and equal access to public places, which were inspired not only by Mahad Satyagraha, but the words of the American Civil Rights Act of 1875. His negotiations at the Conference, and later with Mahatma Gandhi, led to the reservation of seats for Dalits in Parliament and state assemblies. This framework was expanded later in the Constitution by providing for the reservation of seats for backward classes, including the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, in government services and educational institutions. Around this time, Dr. Ambedkar also wrote a landmark lecture titled “Annihilation of Caste” as part of his advocacy against caste oppression, but refused to deliver it after the organisers asked him to tone down his content. Later published as a book in 1936, it conceptualised “a society based on liberty, equality and fraternity”. As he elaboarated in this treatise, fraternity was “only another name for democracy”. These ideas garnered through the anti-caste social movements were brought by Dr Ambedkar to the Constituent Assembly. Similarly, other members of the assembly carried forward the demands from anti-colonial struggle, women’s movements, Adivasi movements, and peasant movements. In effect, social movements were instrumental in deciding the fate of the final text of several constitutional provisions such as equality, free speech, freedom of conscience and social reform, universal adult franchise, constitutional remedies, and even the Preamble. The broader principles embedded in the Constitution, influenced by earlier pre-independence social movements, were invoked by subsequent movements to advocate for enhanced constitutional safeguards and rights for citizens. Post-independence social movements have led to the enactment of laws to prohibit and prevent atrocities against Dalits and Adivasis, outlaw manual scavenging, and provide adequate quotas in educational institutions for other backward classes. Several pieces of legislation, such as the law providing the right to information, have been passed due to the efforts of civil society-led movements. These vignettes hint at why the Indian Constitution is a unique document – one that lays the legal foundation of a republic but more importantly creates a just and equitable social landscape for that republic to stand and thrive on. This is why pioneering American constitutionalist Granville Austin called the Constitution primarily a social document, one that he described as the cornerstone of a nation. Anurag Bhaskar is the author of The Foresighted Ambedkar: Ideas That Shaped Indian Constitution Discourse. The views expressed are personal.

TAIPEI , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- VIVOTEK (3454-TW), the global leading security solution provider, has once again demonstrated its outstanding commitment to sustainability. Participating for the first time in the 17th Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Awards (TCSA), VIVOTEK emerged victorious, earning the Sustainability Report Award for the Information, Communication, and Broadcasting Industry and the Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Excellence Award. These recognitions showcase VIVOTEK's remarkable success in corporate governance, environmental protection, and social responsibility, affirming its dedication to sustainable growth. Pioneering Sustainability with Dual Recognition "For over seven years, VIVOTEK has independently published sustainability reports, actively driving and disclosing our internal sustainability initiatives." said Allen Hsieh , VIVOTEK's Spokesperson and Director of the Global Marketing Division. "These awards not only recognize our integrity and efforts in presenting operational performance, environmental data, and social impact but also serve as a strong motivation for us to continue advancing on the path of sustainable development." Driving Sustainability through AI Innovation VIVOTEK delivers advanced AI-powered security solutions built on cutting-edge AI and edge computing technologies. Beyond innovation, the company drives green initiatives, reduces its carbon footprint, and fosters a sustainable, supportive workplace. Committed to social responsibility, VIVOTEK leads the security industry's sustainability efforts through its 'Safety Map' initiative. For four years, employees have formed security teams to enhance safety in neighborhoods, care centers, and schools with on-site assessments and improvement plans. In 2024, VIVOTEK will expand its efforts to Hualien's Dacheng Village, where it will help improve local safety environments and support cultural preservation and tourism revitalization. These actions reflect its dedication to sustainability, community well-being, and lasting societal contributions. Security Sustainability as a Foundation for Social Impact VIVOTEK proudly received two prestigious honors at the Taiwan Corporate Sustainability Awards, highlighting its dedication to sustainable practices. These accolades inspire the company to deepen its internal efforts and mark the start of an exciting new chapter. Building on this achievement, VIVOTEK aims to strengthen its mission of becoming the world's most trusted smart security brand. By aligning with global market needs and fostering collaboration with customers, partners, and employees, VIVOTEK is committed to shaping a sustainable future founded on mutual trust and shared success. To learn more about VIVOTEK's sustainability initiatives, please refer to the 2023 Sustainability Report . Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2587738/VIVOTEK_Wins_Double_Honors_for_Its_Commitment_to_Sustainability.jpg View original content: https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/vivotek-wins-double-honors-for-its-commitment-to-sustainability-302339223.htmlFinding the perfect gift can be daunting. The only way to truly ensure you get it right would be to ask the recipient what they want, but that wouldn’t be much fun for either of you. Luckily, there’s another tactic to help you earn a “gift whisperer” reputation: seeking out unique, practical, game-changing gifts that will truly surprise and delight. But that’s about as easy as it sounds, which is to say it’s not easy at all. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Start making your list with this compilation of some of the most innovative, functional and fun gifts of 2024. There’s something for every budget. This image provided by FinaMill shows the FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder Set. The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Bear with me: The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Available in three colors (Sangria Red, Midnight Black and Soft Cream), the rechargeable-battery unit grinds with a light touch rather than hand-tiring twists. That’s easier for everyone and especially helpful for those experiencing hand or wrist issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. And it’s fun to use. The set includes a stackable storage tray and four pods that can be easily swapped as needed: The GT microplane grater for hard spices, nuts and chocolate; the MAX for large spices and dried herbs; the ProPlus for smaller and oily spices; and the Pepper Pod for, well, pepper. $110. This image provided by Pull Start Fire shows the matchless fire igniter in use. Made of 89% recycled materials, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Campers and backyard firepit lovers who have experienced the heartbreak of wet wood will appreciate having a three-pack of Pull Start Fire on hand. Made of 89% recycled materials, including sanding dust, wax and flint, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Just loop the attached green string around a log, incorporate it into a wood stack, and pull the attached red string to ignite. Each windproof, rainproof block burns for 30 minutes. $29.99. This image provided by Souper Cubes shows No Mess Utensils held upright on pot edges. The No Mess Utensil lives up to its name. The utensils, a serving spoon and a ladle, have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot. The No Mess Utensil Set from Souper Cubes , a company known for its portioned, silicone freezer trays, lives up to its name. The utensils — a serving spoon and a ladle — have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot, keeping them upright so they won’t slip in. The design also eliminates the need for a spoon rest or, worse, placing dirty utensils on the kitchen counter or stovetop between stirs. A silicone coating in a choice of Aqua, Charcoal, Cranberry or Blueberry keeps handles cool to the touch. $24.99. This image provided by FeatherSnap shows a female cardinal bird perched on a FeatherSnap Wi-Fi Solar Powered Camera Smart Bird Feeder. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. The FeatherSnap Wi-Fi smart bird feeder could turn anyone into an avid birdwatcher. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. An optional premium subscription ($59.99 annually or $6.99 monthly) includes unlimited photo and video storage, AI identification with species-specific details, and the opportunity to earn badges for logging new visitors. Turn on notifications to get alerts sent to your phone whenever there’s activity at the feeder. $179.99. This image provided by FUJIFILM North America Corporation and FUJIFILM Corporation Tokyo shows a smartphone printer. Fujifilm Instax's Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the printer with film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. Fujifilm's Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the 4.9-by-3.5-by-1.3-inch printer with Instax Mini instant film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or apply filters, including 3D augmented-reality effects, via the free Instax Mini Link app. It can also make collages of up to six images, or animate photos to share on social media. Available in Rose Pink, Clay White and Sage Green. $99.95. This image provided by easyplant shows a Marxii Calathea plant in a small, beige, self-watering pot. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Select a pot color, size and plant (or get recommendations based on sunlight requirements, pet friendliness and other attributes) and fill the self-watering container’s built-in reservoir roughly once a month. Moisture will permeate the soil from the bottom as needed, eliminating the often-fatal consequences of over- or under-watering. It’s also a literal lifesaver come vacation time. $49-$259. This image provided by Nama shows the M1 plant-based milk maker. If you've got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid unnecessary ingredients like sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. The Nama M1 appliance both blends and strains ingredients, converting nuts, seeds, grains or oats into velvety-smooth milk in just one minute, with zero grit. And for zero waste, the pasty leftover pulp can be used in other recipes for added nutrients. The device also makes infused oils, flavored waters and soups. And, importantly, cleanup is easy. Available in white and black. $400. This image provided by QelviQ shows a wine bottle chiller. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses "smart" technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Unlike traditional wine refrigerators, this device doesn’t take up any floor space. It also doesn’t chill wine to just one or two temperatures based on its color. Instead — paired with the free QelviQ app — the tabletop chiller relies on a database of more than 350,000 wines to bring a bottle to its specific recommended serving temperature in as little as 20 minutes. It also suggests food-wine and wine-food pairings. Plus, the appliance serves as a great icebreaker to inspire dinnertime conversation. Available in Exciting Red, Dashing Black and Dreamy White. $495. This image provided by Uncommon Goods shows a 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set. Uncommon Good's 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. Grilling food after dark — and ascertaining its doneness — can prove challenging without outdoor lighting, and it’s nearly impossible to cook while holding a flashlight. But as is often the case, the simplest of solutions can make the biggest of impacts: Uncommon Good’s 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. After use, the lights can be removed and the utensils run through the dishwasher. $40. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. With our weekly newsletter packed with the latest in everything food.

No. 14 ASU, No. 17 Iowa State front-runners for possibly wild Big 12 finishLittler, who won the Grand Slam of Darts last week, hit checkouts of 170, 164 and 136 as he threatened to overturn an early deficit, but Humphries held his nerve to win the last three legs. “I’m really, really proud of that one to be honest,” Humphries told Sky Sports. FOR THE SECOND TIME 🏆🏆 Luke Humphries retains his 2024 Ladbrokes Players Championship Finals title, beating Luke Littler 11-7 in the final. pic.twitter.com/QUhxvSbGeu — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 24, 2024 “I didn’t feel myself this week playing-wise, I felt like I was a dart behind in a lot of the scenarios but there’s something that Luke does to you. He really drives me, makes me want to be a better player and I enjoy playing him. “He let me in really early in that first session to go 4-1 up, I never looked back and I’m proud that I didn’t take my foot off the gas. These big games are what I live for. “Luke is a special talent and he was right – I said to him I’ve got to get these (titles) early before he wins them all. “I’d love to be up here and hitting 105 averages like Luke is all the time but he’s a different calibre, he’s probably the best player in the world right now but there’s something about me that never gives up. “This is a great way to go into the worlds.” HUMPHRIES GOES BACK-TO-BACK! 🏆 Luke Humphries retains his Players Championship Finals title! Cool Hand puts on an absolute clinic to defeat Luke Littler 11-7 in an epic final! 📺 https://t.co/AmuG0PMn18 #PCF2024 | Final pic.twitter.com/nZDWPUVjWE — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 24, 2024 Littler, who lost the world championship final to Humphries last year, said: “It was tough, missed a few doubles and if you don’t take chances early on, it’s a lot to come back. “I hit the 170 and the 164 but just didn’t have enough in the end. “It’s been a good past two weeks. I just can’t wait to go home, chill out, obviously practice at home for the worlds. That’s it now, leading up to the big one.”

Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise US pricesWith more than half of the 16 teams still mathematically alive to make the conference championship game, the Big 12 will command a lot of attention in the final week of the regular season. No. 14 Arizona State and No. 17 Iowa State would play for the Big 12 title and likely College Football Playoff spot on Dec. 7 if they both win Saturday and there's a four-way tie for first place. There are seven other teams that begin this week with hopes, slim in most cases, of getting into the game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Last week it was No. 19 BYU and No. 23 Colorado that had the inside track to the championship game. Arizona State beat the Cougars and Kansas knocked off the Buffaloes, and here we are. "Everybody counted us out, I think, two weeks ago," Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said after his team beat Utah 31-28. "We didn't flinch. We didn't waver. And we just keep fighting." The Cyclones were national darlings the first half of the season as they won seven straight games to match the best start in program history. Back-to-back losses to Texas Tech and Kansas followed. Now they've won two straight heading into "Farmageddon," their rivalry game against Kansas State at home. "Right now they've got the pen and they continue to write the story," Campbell said of his players, "and I hope they will continue to write it the way they've got the ability to write it. Unwavering. Tough, mentally tough, physically tough. This group has stood for it every step of the way." Arizona State has been an even better story than the Cyclones. The Sun Devils have six more wins than they did last season, when they went 3-9. They were picked to finish last in their first year in the Big 12. They'll go for their fifth straight victory when they play at Arizona on Saturday. "These guys came off no momentum and everybody doubting them, and everybody is still doubting them. That's what makes this special," second-year coach Kenny Dillingham said. "Hopefully the expectations become higher. I don't know if there's a way we can exceed expectations more than we're exceeding them right now." Checking in on five of the Top 25: The Ducks were idle Saturday after clinching a spot in the Big Ten championship game with their win at Wisconsin on Nov. 16. Oregon can go 12-0 in the regular season for the first time since 2010 if it beats Washington at home this week. Oregon's only two losses last season came against the Huskies, both decided by three points. The first was a top-10 matchup in the regular season and the second was a top-five matchup in the Pac-12 championship game. The Ducks are 19 1/2-point favorites this time, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. The Buckeyes' showdown with upstart Indiana combined with Michigan's dropoff after winning the national championship have lowered the volume on this week's meeting with the Wolverines at the Horseshoe. If Michigan beats Ohio State a fourth straight time and it keeps the Buckeyes out of the Big Ten championship game and playoff ... well, there'll be lots of noise in Columbus then. The Lone Star Showdown returns to the gridiron for the first time since 2011, when Texas and Texas A&M were in the Big 12. The Longhorns head to No. 20 Texas A&M on a four-game win streak. The Aggies have lost two of three after Saturday's four-overtime loss at Auburn. The winner advances to the Southeastern Conference championship game against Georgia. The Broncos are tied with Notre Dame for the second-longest active win streak, at nine games, and they seem to have adopted a survive-and-advance mantra. They trailed 23-point underdog Wyoming in the fourth quarter before winning 17-13 and clinching a spot in the Mountain West championship game. They won their previous game, 42-21 against San Jose State, but didn't pull away until the fourth quarter. Two weeks ago they beat a three-win Nevada team 28-21. Just when you think Illinois is about to cash in for the season, they do what they did against Rutgers. The Illini were down 31-30 when they lined up for a 58-yard field goal with 14 seconds left. Ethan Moczulski missed. But wait. Rutgers called timeout before the snap, and Bret Bielema thought better of trying another kick and sent his offense back on the field. Luke Altmyer passed to Pat Bryant for the winning 40-yard touchdown. The Illini won't play for the Big Ten title, but they have a chance for nine wins and a nice bowl. Ohio State played in three of the five regular-season top-five matchups and won three of them. The Buckeyes lost to Oregon and beat Penn State and Indiana. ... Kansas' 37-21 win over Colorado made the Jayhawks the first FBS team with a losing record to beat three straight Top 25 opponents. The Jayhawks, who were 2-6 a month ago, will be bowl eligible if they win at Baylor. ... Nebraska ended the longest power conference bowl drought with its 44-25 win over Wisconsin. The Cornhuskers haven't played in a bowl since 2016. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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MONACO - Canadians Alex Tessier, Sophie de Goede and Laetitia Royer have been named to World Rugby’s Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year. Canada sevens captain Olivia Apps, meanwhile, was selected to World Rugby’s Women’s Sevens Dream Team. The women’s 15s world all-star squad also featured six players from top-ranked England and three from No. 2 New Zealand. The other three came from the U.S., Ireland and France. Tessier was also a finalist for the World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year award won by England fullbackEllie Kildunne.France’s Pauline Bourdon Sansus and England’s Alex Matthews were the other finalists. Tessier won her 50th cap in 2024 and, playing at inside centre alongside fly half Claire Gallagher, led the Canada women to a historic first-ever victory over New Zealand to win the 2024 Pacific Four Series in May. The 22-19 comeback victory lifted Canada into second place in the women’s world rankings, its highest position since November 2016. Tessier’s strong kicking game was also key for Canada. The 31-year-old from Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., scored 27 points in starting all six matches for Canada in 2024 to up her career total to 48 points (including five tries) in 54 appearances. Tessier plays professionally in England for the Exeter Chiefs. De Goede made the all-star team despite tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in training in June. A finalist for the Women’s Player of the Year award in 2022, the Victoria back-rower plays in England for Saracens. Royer, from Loretteville, Que., is a second-row forward who plays in France for ASM Romagnat. Top-ranked South Africa dominated the men’s 15s all-star squad with seven players represented. Ireland had four players with New Zealand three and Argentina one. —- World Rugby’s 15s Dream Teams of the Year Women 1. Hope Rogers (U.S.); 2. Georgia Ponsonby (New Zealand); 3. Maud Muir (England); 4. Zoe Aldcroft (England); 5. Laetitia Royer (Canada); 6. Aoife Wafer (Ireland)’ 7. Sophie de Goede (Canada); 8. Alex Matthews (England); 9. Pauline Bourdon Sansus (France); 10. Holly Aitchison (England); 11. Katelyn Vahaakolo (New Zealand); 12. Alex Tessier (Canada); 13. Sylvia Brunt (New Zealand); 14. Abby Dow (England); 15. Ellie Kildunne (England). Men 1. Ox Nche (South Africa); 2. Malcolm Marx (South Africa); 3. Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand); 4. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa); 5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland); 6. Pablo Matera (Argentina); 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa); 8. Caelan Doris (Ireland); 9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland); 10. Damian McKenzie (New Zealand); 11. James Lowe (Ireland); 12. Damian de Allende (South Africa); 13. Jesse Kriel (South Africa); 14. Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa); 15. Will Jordan (New Zealand). World Rugby Sevens Dreams Team of the Year Women Olivia Apps (Canada), Michaela Blyde (New Zealand), Kristi Kirshe (U.S.), Maddison Levi (Australia), Ilona Maher (U.S.), Jorja Miller (New Zealand), Séraphine Okemba (France). Men Selvyn Davids (South Africa), Antoine Dupont (France), Aaron Grandidier Nkanang (France), Terry Kennedy (Ireland), Nathan Lawson (Australia), Ponipate Loganimasi (Fiji), Matías Osadczuk (Argentina). This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2024.HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Aidan O'Connell will start at quarterback when the Las Vegas Raiders visit their AFC West rival and two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Friday. Raiders coach Antonio Pierce made the announcement Wednesday, saying O'Connell had progressed well after breaking his right thumb on Oct. 20 in a 20-15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams . “He’s been dialed in obviously throughout this time that he’s been on (injured reserve),” Pierce said. "He’s been at all the meetings. He’s been very encouraging on the sideline. He’s got that laser-eye focus right now. Great opportunity for him.” Gardner Minshew broke his left collarbone on Sunday in a game against the Denver Broncos and is out for the season . The Raiders could have gone with Desmond Ridder to replace Minshew. Las Vegas signed Ridder off Arizona’s practice squad on Oct. 21. He started 13 games for Atlanta last season, passing for 2,836 yards and 12 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. Pierce opted for O'Connell, who became the starter midway through last season and went 5-4 the rest of the way. Minshew beat him out for the job in the preseason but then struggled through five games. Pierce then put O'Connell in the starting lineup on Oct. 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. O'Connell completed 27 of 40 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown with an interception in the 32-13 loss . Then O'Connell was injured early the following week at Los Angeles and was placed on IR, sidelining him for at least four weeks. The Raiders on Monday designated him to return to practice, opening a three-week window in which O'Connell could be activated. That came this week. “He carried himself like a starter, even when he was on IR," Pierce said. "He did that when he was a backup. He did a great job of just being engaged with the players, engaged on the sideline, in meeting rooms. He’s the one speaking up, talking. You could just look at his eyes. You can look at his demeanor. "He wasn’t a guy like: ‘All right, I’m out for the season. I’m not going to play. No, I’ll be back. I’m ready to be back.’ And he worked his tail off to get back.” O'Connell has a short week to prepare, complicated further because the Raiders aren't having full practices. He was the last opposing quarterback to win at Arrowhead Stadium. Even though he didn't complete a pass after the first quarter, the Raiders walked away 20-14 winners in that Christmas Day game. Las Vegas can only play a little bit of a spoiler this week. The Raiders at 2-9 have lost seven consecutive games, and the Chiefs have their sights on becoming the first team to win three Super Bowls in a row. “Let’s call a spade a spade,” Pierce said. "The best team in football against the worst team in football. Let’s change the narrative, right? Let’s go out there and make it a dog fight. Let’s make it ugly. Let’s make it scrappy. It’s Black Friday. Let’s create a little chaos. Let’s get back to Raider football and have some fun and some personality. Let it loose.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLSpecial counsel moves to dismiss election interference case against President-elect Donald Trump

The video clips have been constant. A couple of months ago, head coach Kevin O’Connell joined “The Pat McAfee Show” and spoke about the pivotal role a team must play in developing a young quarterback. The clip was heavily circulated on the internet. Several weeks later, O’Connell found Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson on the field after a game and provided an uplifting message. Microphones caught the soundbite, and it, too, went viral. . @Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell had some words of encouragement for @GVOaant ❤️ pic.twitter.com/TaXW9dFaMx — NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2024 These might seem like one-offs, a couple of flattering snapshots of O’Connell at the right time. They’re not. These moments capture O’Connell’s perspective on coaching the position he once played. If you aren’t empathizing and you aren’t uplifting — if you aren’t doing everything you can to give your quarterback and team the best chance — then what are you really doing? Advertisement O’Connell’s approach is not fake, either. He is self-aware enough to have admitted his perspective was shaped by his journey, his unfulfilled promise as a player. His path made him who he is as a coach, which has shaped who the Vikings have become as an organization. With a great deal of intentionality, Minnesota has built and maintained an exceptional infrastructure at quarterback, and because of that, available players with options — like Daniel Jones — see it as the optimal destination. On Wednesday, the Vikings signed Jones, 27, to their practice squad . O’Connell spoke with the four current Vikings quarterbacks ( Sam Darnold , Nick Mullens , Brett Rypien and J.J. McCarthy ) before making the move. Jones is expected to arrive in Minnesota on Friday before the team’s Week 13 game Sunday at home against the Arizona Cardinals . GO DEEPER Ex-Giants QB Daniel Jones to sign with Vikings “I got a chance to talk to (Daniel) Monday night,” O’Connell said Wednesday. “He had a lot of interest and rightly so.” Because the New York Giants released Jones last week, and because he cleared waivers, the Vikings will only have to pay Jones a smidge over $100,000. Signing with the practice squad, as opposed to the 53-man roster, also means another team could sign Jones in the event of an injury to its starter. If he is added to the Vikings’ active roster, his price tag could increase. For now, it feels like a sensible move for both sides because there are short- and long-term benefits for both Jones and the team. Jones struggled this season for the 2-9 Giants. And rather than being thrust back into action in a new system and with different skill players, Jones, who is 22-44-1 as a starter, will have something that’s rare in today’s NFL : time. Jones will acclimate to an upbeat and experienced quarterback room in the coming days and weeks. Quarterbacks coach Josh McCown and assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski will assist with Jones’ transition, a process Udinski is familiar with having played a part in last year’s introduction of Josh Dobbs. Advertisement Darnold will obviously remain the starter. As for the backup spot, the Vikings believe in Mullens. He started three games last year. He has entered games and completed meaningful third downs twice already this season. Jones might be an option in the most dire situation, a serious injury to Darnold. It would be wrong to view this signing as an indication of anything in the present other than an opportunity for Jones to add insights to the quarterback room and build relationships with coaches and players. GO DEEPER Vikings hoping they have team in place to successfully draft, develop rookie quarterback “The player development side and the quarterback development side are huge passions of mine,” O’Connell said. “I just love getting opportunities to work with guys. ... Hopefully our system is built to help guys realize their truest potential. It’s as simple as that.” But there may be larger ramifications, as well. Of the Vikings quarterbacks, only McCarthy is under contract for 2025. He is still recovering from surgery this fall to repair a torn meniscus. The Vikings have reiterated McCarthy’s timeline is still on track and that he should be ready to pick up where he left off this spring and summer. That doesn’t change the fact that Minnesota is still going to need another quarterback (or two) for 2025. Signing Jones to the practice squad does not mean Darnold won’t return. That possibility (or the lack thereof) will depend on Darnold’s value, which has increased by the week. Only Josh Allen and Justin Herbert have a higher big-time throw rate this season than Darnold, according to Pro Football Focus. He is also completing a career-high 67.6 percent of his passes. His 10 interceptions might raise a red flag for some teams, but his combination of toughness and athleticism should put him in position to receive a sizable pay increase. The primary reason the Vikings transitioned from Kirk Cousins to Darnold (and McCarthy) was the flexibility it provided from a roster-building perspective. That team-building approach remains, potentially pricing Darnold out for 2025. Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox. document.querySelectorAll(".in-content-module[data-module-id='scoop-city-newsletter'] .in-content-module-img img ").forEach((el) => { el.setAttribute("style", "pointer-events: none;");}) Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox. This is purely speculative, but Darnold’s departure would leave a void, and that’s where Jones presents another option. If Jones fits in seamlessly over the next couple of months, Darnold continues to excel before leaving this offseason for a massive payday and the Vikings need a quarterback for 2025, they’ll have already built a relationship with Jones who will be one of the better available options. Conversely, if Jones doesn’t fit, or if Darnold decides to come back, Jones can sign elsewhere, strengthening the Vikings’ formula for a compensatory pick. Advertisement It takes some gymnastics to find a downside here, which is why other respected teams were said to have reached out to Jones, too. The Vikings’ pitch was not filled with PowerPoints or talking points, but it was full of examples. Privately, Cousins’ exit from Minnesota was difficult because of how much O’Connell empowered him. This spring, the Vikings were committed enough to build an infrastructure that allowed for patience for McCarthy, so they forked over $10 million for Darnold. O’Connell often shares how important it is to build genuine relationships with players, and this opportunity made that possible with Jones. The Vikings’ offer verified that the discussion point is real. Squint and you’ll see a move emblematic of what O’Connell has established in Minnesota: a franchise focused on maximizing the most important position in the sport not for one season but for the long haul. (Photo of Daniel Jones and Kevin O’Connell: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)With more than half of the 16 teams still mathematically alive to make the conference championship game, the Big 12 will command a lot of attention in the final week of the regular season. No. 14 Arizona State and No. 17 Iowa State would play for the Big 12 title and likely College Football Playoff spot on Dec. 7 if they both win Saturday and there's a four-way tie for first place. There are seven other teams that begin this week with hopes, slim in most cases, of getting into the game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Last week it was No. 19 BYU and No. 23 Colorado that had the inside track to the championship game. Arizona State beat the Cougars and Kansas knocked off the Buffaloes, and here we are. "Everybody counted us out, I think, two weeks ago," Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said after his team beat Utah 31-28. "We didn't flinch. We didn't waver. And we just keep fighting." The Cyclones were national darlings the first half of the season as they won seven straight games to match the best start in program history. Back-to-back losses to Texas Tech and Kansas followed. Now they've won two straight heading into "Farmageddon," their rivalry game against Kansas State at home. "Right now they've got the pen and they continue to write the story," Campbell said of his players, "and I hope they will continue to write it the way they've got the ability to write it. Unwavering. Tough, mentally tough, physically tough. This group has stood for it every step of the way." Arizona State has been an even better story than the Cyclones. The Sun Devils have six more wins than they did last season, when they went 3-9. They were picked to finish last in their first year in the Big 12. They'll go for their fifth straight victory when they play at Arizona on Saturday. "These guys came off no momentum and everybody doubting them, and everybody is still doubting them. That's what makes this special," second-year coach Kenny Dillingham said. "Hopefully the expectations become higher. I don't know if there's a way we can exceed expectations more than we're exceeding them right now." Checking in on five of the Top 25: The Ducks were idle Saturday after clinching a spot in the Big Ten championship game with their win at Wisconsin on Nov. 16. Oregon can go 12-0 in the regular season for the first time since 2010 if it beats Washington at home this week. Oregon's only two losses last season came against the Huskies, both decided by three points. The first was a top-10 matchup in the regular season and the second was a top-five matchup in the Pac-12 championship game. The Ducks are 19 1/2-point favorites this time, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. The Buckeyes' showdown with upstart Indiana combined with Michigan's dropoff after winning the national championship have lowered the volume on this week's meeting with the Wolverines at the Horseshoe. If Michigan beats Ohio State a fourth straight time and it keeps the Buckeyes out of the Big Ten championship game and playoff ... well, there'll be lots of noise in Columbus then. The Lone Star Showdown returns to the gridiron for the first time since 2011, when Texas and Texas A&M were in the Big 12. The Longhorns head to No. 20 Texas A&M on a four-game win streak. The Aggies have lost two of three after Saturday's four-overtime loss at Auburn. The winner advances to the Southeastern Conference championship game against Georgia. The Broncos are tied with Notre Dame for the second-longest active win streak, at nine games, and they seem to have adopted a survive-and-advance mantra. They trailed 23-point underdog Wyoming in the fourth quarter before winning 17-13 and clinching a spot in the Mountain West championship game. They won their previous game, 42-21 against San Jose State, but didn't pull away until the fourth quarter. Two weeks ago they beat a three-win Nevada team 28-21. Just when you think Illinois is about to cash in for the season, they do what they did against Rutgers. The Illini were down 31-30 when they lined up for a 58-yard field goal with 14 seconds left. Ethan Moczulski missed. But wait. Rutgers called timeout before the snap, and Bret Bielema thought better of trying another kick and sent his offense back on the field. Luke Altmyer passed to Pat Bryant for the winning 40-yard touchdown. The Illini won't play for the Big Ten title, but they have a chance for nine wins and a nice bowl. Ohio State played in three of the five regular-season top-five matchups and won three of them. The Buckeyes lost to Oregon and beat Penn State and Indiana. ... Kansas' 37-21 win over Colorado made the Jayhawks the first FBS team with a losing record to beat three straight Top 25 opponents. The Jayhawks, who were 2-6 a month ago, will be bowl eligible if they win at Baylor. ... Nebraska ended the longest power conference bowl drought with its 44-25 win over Wisconsin. The Cornhuskers haven't played in a bowl since 2016. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Published 12:11 pm Thursday, December 26, 2024 By Bartow Houston Today’s offering, friends, might, just might, encourage a bit of thinking on the part of at least a few readers. And just a few readers are probably what I have. The following thoughts put into words have been gleaned from a diversity of sources. They might (that seems to be the “operative” word for this column endeavor) even engender a bit of thoughtful analysis. The thoughts: President John F. Kennedy addressing a dinner honoring Nobel Prize winners, April 29, 1962: “I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.” “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room in heaven.” (Muhammad Ali; formerly Cassius Marcellus Clay) “I shall be telling this ages hence, with a sigh, two roads diverged in a wood and I, I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” (Robert Frost) “Count where man’s (one’s) glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was, I had such friends.” (G. B. Shaw) A friend advised me once to avoid discussion about political matters with those who have no books in their home, and do not avail themselves of a library. Good advice. “There are three kinds of people in the world: those who know, those who don’t know, and those who don’t know that which they don’t know.” (Anon) In a December issue of the “Daily News,” Al Klem laid out, cogently so, the best analysis of our current elections system’s genuine problems, and offered practical, common sense measures to make it better. Not that it will ever achieve perfection, but ways to shorten the process, and save untold amounts of money. Please check out what he wrote. I’ve seen nothing better, or more needed. Changing pace a bit. “When the one great scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes not that you won or lost, but how you played the game.” (Grantland Rice). A Fond Farewell – Longtime Brown Library’s children’s librarian Terry Rollins retired. The young lives he touched in living, informative, interesting ways are a testament to a very special man. Those children so blessed will carry “Mr. Terry” in their lifelong memories. And with that, I’ll close this sharing of bits and pieces of wisdom. PeaceRevlon Signs Lease to Relocate its New Jersey-based Science and Innovation Lab to The Northeast Science & Technology (NEST) Center

The orca who swam with her dead calf for 17 days in an apparent act of grieving recently gave birth to a new baby, according to Michael Weiss, research director of the Center for Whale Research. The calf born to Tahlequah, known to researchers as J35, was first spotted on Dec. 20 swimming along with J pod in the Puget Sound area for the past several days. Initially, the researchers could not confirm the identity of the calf with certainty. On Monday, however, scientists and researchers observing the calf “confidently” assigned Tahlequah as the mother and the baby as alpha-numeric J61, Weiss said to CNN. On Friday, a nature enthusiast and photographer who captured the calf — without first realizing it — told CNN, “My first reaction to seeing the calf was complete shock. I was just looking through my photos to see who the whales were that passed close to the port side of the ferry I was on and noticed a much smaller dorsal on one of the photos. As I scrolled through the series I realized it was very tiny calf, much smaller than any of the known young ones in the group. Based on the size and color of the calf, I realized it was a new calf and traveling with J35, my spark whale, the whale that started my obsession.” The Center for Whale Research said in a post on Facebook that they were able to photograph the calf’s underside, “confirming that the calf is a female.” The mother first made headlines in 2018 when she swam about 1,000 miles of ocean with the body of her calf, which died a few hours after birth, preventing it from sinking for more than two weeks. She had her first known baby since that incident, J57, two years later in 2020. She is also a mother to another orca, J47. While the new baby news is joyous and hopeful, researchers are still concerned about the Southern Resident killer whale population. They are listed as endangered in Canada and are “one of the most critically endangered populations of marine mammals in the USA,” according to researchers . “The team, including multiple experienced killer whale researchers, have expressed concern about the calf’s health based on the behavior of both J35 and J61,” the Center for Whale Research said in a post on Facebook Tuesday. “Early life is always dangerous for new calves, with a very high mortality rate in the first year. J35 is an experienced mother, and we hope that she is able to keep J61 alive through these difficult early days,” the post read. According to Orca Conservancy on X, worrying behavior had been observed concerning the calf. “The calf had also been observed being pushed around on J35’s head and was not looking lively, which is a concern, but also added calf behavior is not fully understood,” the post read . “All of this serves as a reminder that in order for new calves, salmon stocks need to be recovered to levels that will help support population growth.” According to researchers , the Southern Resident population grew during the late 1970s to mid-1990s, peaking at 98 animals. This year, the population census counted 73 whales. The Center for Whale Research said in a post on Facebook “The Southern Resident killer whale population needs ample access to their food supply, mainly salmon, to survive and thrive. Every single birth counts and these whales need enough fish to be able to support themselves and their calves.”4 reasons to add this unique BC lodge to your bucket listEdifier Scoops 5 Honours At Prestigious Visual Grand Prix 2025

The first indicator was the sudden appearance of a farmers’ market a few years ago. But when Pilates studios and small free libraries started popping up in my suburb of Beaconsfield recently, I knew the gentrification was well under way. You know where you live is upscaling when hipster husbands happily fill crocheted shopping bags with overpriced organic produce while munching on homemade kale cookies. My working-class hamlet’s upward trajectory was assured once designer dogs started to replace the marauding mutts. Fremantle Farmers’ Market, set up at Bruce Lee Reserve in the heart of Beaconsfield, is packed every Sunday. Credit: Fremantle Farmers' Market Beaconsfield is only a short bike ride to the South Fremantle cafe strip, South Beach and the port city, so it was just a matter of time before it shed its blue-collar charm. When we first moved into the 6162 postcode more than 16 years ago, there wasn’t a single McMansion in the street. Now our quaint, ramshackle 1960s cottage has slowly been dwarfed by shiny, two-storey, white boxes. Thankfully several lush gum trees, home to quirky birdlife, have avoided the chop. While some of the new abodes are architecturally uninspiring, the revamp has brought something wonderfully unexpected: a tranquillity and quietness that is oddly comforting. However, lurking just beneath this harmonious narrative of urban life is the dangerous new weapon of surveillance technology. Home owners want their gentrified space kept safe, so every house appears to be fitted with CCTV cameras and “smart” video doorbells. I’m reluctant to stroll to the letterbox in my elephant undies or mix up my recyclables with household waste, fearing some upbeat digital native will expose me on TikTok as a biosphere-destroying boomer. Sometimes when a place goes through a dramatic spruce-up there can be a beige homogeneity. But there are still shops run by several European families that migrated to the area post World War II. The local independent grocer, the Grocer and the Chef, serves up the most scrumptious continental rolls anywhere in WA. Whatever apocalypse befalls humanity, this eatery will be the first place raided. The newly opened Beaconsfield Wine Bar has further elevated the rundown shopping strip. The community was clearly craving a boutique watering hole with a tantalising selection of vino, beer and cocktails, combined with zesty, tapas-sized portions of Parisian-inspired delicacies, because the joint is always packed. Beaconsfield Wine Bar manager Jackson Gwynne. The new addition to the suburb is always packed. Credit: Brendan Foster It wasn’t that long ago the suburb was dubbed “Beacy Bronx” because of the ongoing antisocial behaviour in one of WA’s last remaining public housing precincts, Davis Park, but there are many places a good deal more terrifying and nasty and anyway, the public housing estate has since been bulldozed to make way for affordable homes and a retail hub. Ironically, Davis Park will form part of the Heart of Beaconsfield masterplan, along with the former South Fremantle TAFE site and Lefroy Road quarry. It will undoubtedly follow the script of urban intensification and send house prices through the roof. Not that the suburb needs a leg up after recently joining the $1 million club. The author enjoying one of the famous rolls from Grocer and the Chef. Credit: Brendan Foster Although given the median house price in Perth is now just a tick under $900,000, according to Domain , Beaconsfield isn’t part of some selective sorority. Sadly, the musicians, artists and colourful characters who gave the area grittiness and style are being displaced because of the skyrocketing prices. I am not advocating some proletarian uprising against the gentrifiers who have no hankering to rip the heart and soul out of the place. I understand the pull of the suburb for young families given the array of parks, schools and shops. Although any Millennials who giddily tell me which Hogwarts house they belong to will get poked in the eye with their Harry Potter wands. Loading Beaconsfield hasn’t totally shaken its shabbiness. You can still hire a truck, get a tattoo, and risk toxic shock syndrome via a two-day-old pie from one of the local delis. Despite the urban renewal, there is a strong egalitarian sensibility about the suburb, which I find appealing. You get the sense people would have your back. A few years ago, the NAB Charitable Giving Index named Beaconsfield WA’s most charitable postcode, even though the weekly wage was seven per cent below the state’s average, and noted the strong community spirit in the area. This is very admirable considering our household members dive under the couch when we hear the rattling of a collection tin. Not everyone benefits from gentrification, but I have no desire to be trapped in a neighbourhood frozen in time, where the only cup of coffee I can get is from the local servo. And the glacial rebirth of Beacy has morphed it into a walkable suburb. Coffee, food and booze are only a stroll away. Surely, that’s the Holy Trinity of a village life. Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Places of Perth Opinion Perth Brendan Foster is a Fremantle local, former Fairfax journalist and communication professional, with work published in Guardian Australia, The New York Daily, The New York Times, Crikey, WAtoday, News.com.au, The Irish Times and The Sunday Times. Most Viewed in National Loading

VIDEO: Stolen pickup truck sparks police chase in downtown VictoriaVictoria Police are investigating an incident in the downtown core on Christmas Eve, involving a stolen vehicle that evaded officers before being recovered. Around 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 24, officers received a call from the owners of a stolen vehicle that it had been spotted being driven downtown, Vic PD confirmed in an email to Victoria News. Officers located the vehicle and moved into position behind it. However, the driver ran a red light, which caused officers to end their pursuit for public safety reasons. Police located the stolen vehicle again, a few moments later, immobile. In an attempt to prevent the individual from fleeing further, officers executed a manoeuvre which resulted in the stolen vehicle losing one of its tires. Despite the damage, the vehicle managed to flee the scene on three wheels. The pursuit resumed as the stolen vehicle sped down some of Victoria's busiest arteries. Many social media users commented on the event and posted videos of the sighting. “Holy there is a guy driving a three-wheeled 4x4 down Douglas sparks flying with two dozen cops chasing them they almost hit us,” said Facebook user Takuma Valcourt. VicPD confirmed that the stolen vehicle was later recovered, and the investigation remains ongoing.Meta Platforms ( META -0.70% ) is without doubt a leader in the technology and internet industries. It has been a monster success story and a business that has done a great job rewarding its longtime shareholders, something that holds true in more recent times. As of this writing, this social media stock has soared almost 400% in the past two years. This means that a $10,000 investment made 24 months ago would be worth nearly $50,000 today. That gain is hard to beat. But should you buy Meta shares right now? Getting back on solid ground Meta stock took a hit in 2022 as did the rest of the market. That year, the company posted a surprise 1% year-over-year revenue drop, which occurred after years of tremendous double-digit sales gains. As the Federal Reserve started to aggressively hike interest rates to combat soaring inflation, advertisers pulled back their spending, negatively impacting Meta. That same year, the company's operating margin came in at 25%. This was down from 40% in 2021. Meta's costs had soared 23% as it focused on restructuring efforts. Shareholders clearly weren't pleased at the time, as shares fell 64% in 2022. But nowadays, the business is on a much better footing. Revenue jumped 16% before rising 22% through the first nine months of this year. Additionally, profitability has improved, with Meta reporting a stellar 43% operating margin in the third quarter of 2024. The management team feels so optimistic about the position the business is in that they finally authorized dividend payments in May of this year. Meta had its first-ever quarterly payout of $0.50 per share in June. Given that the company generated $15.5 billion in free cash flow in the latest three-month period, there is plenty of capital for dividends as well as sizable share buybacks. Meta's AI push There hasn't been a hotter topic in the corporate and investing worlds than that of artificial intelligence (AI). In the past couple of years, we've seen executives shift their strategies -- sometimes radically -- to focus more on AI initiatives. What's more, investors have gravitated to stocks that have exposure to this technological trend. As a massive company with a $1.4 trillion market cap and nearly 3.3 billion daily active users among its various social media platforms, it makes sense that Meta is already a top player in the AI boom. The business's Meta AI assistant already has 500 million monthly active users. And with AI-powered recommendations, users are spending more time on Facebook and Instagram. This makes things more attractive to advertisers looking to target a captive audience. "More than a million advertisers used our GenAI tools to create more than 15 million ads in the last month," said CEO Mark Zuckerberg on the Q3 2024 earnings call. Meta plans to invest $38 billion to $40 billion on capital expenditures this year to bolster its network infrastructure. And that figure is set to grow meaningfully in 2025. Look at the stock's valuation Exactly two years ago, shares of Meta traded at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 10.6. With the benefit of hindsight, that valuation made buying the stock look like an absolute no-brainer opportunity. Of course, that happened to be true given just how much the share price has climbed since then. Investors looking to buy this dominant enterprise right now should be comfortable paying a steeper valuation. The stock trades at a P/E multiple of 26.2. The S&P 500 trades for a P/E ratio of 25.7, so Meta is in the same ballpark as the average stock. However, anyone could easily argue that this is a superior business that deserves at least that type of valuation. To be clear, shares aren't as cheap as they were a couple of years ago. But for investors who want to add a dominant internet company to their portfolios, perhaps it's smart to pay up to own Meta.Lille say 2 fans stabbed before Bologna UCL game