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EDITOR'S NOTE: On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. No one wants to see any player take a vicious hit like the one that knocked Trevor Lawrence out of the game. It’s easy to agree on that point. Eliminating violent shots is the hard part. The NFL has instituted several rules to protect quarterbacks but football is a physical sport and players have to react instantly and make split-second decisions going at high speeds so injuries keep occurring. Lawrence was carted off the field in the first half of Jacksonville’s 23-20 loss to Houston on Sunday after Azeez Al-Shaair leveled the defenseless quarterback with a forearm to the facemask. The late hit put Lawrence in the fencing position — both fists clenched — and he stayed on the ground for several minutes, while a brawl ensued. Lawrence didn’t require hospitalization for his concussion but it’s unknown when he’ll return. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out/been praying for me,” Lawrence wrote on X. “I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all.” Al-Shaair was ejected from the game and faces a fine and potential suspension after his latest unsportsmanlike penalty. The Texans' linebacker was flagged and later fined $11,255 for a late hit out of bounds on Titans running back Tony Pollard last week. He was fined earlier this year after he punched Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline in Week 2. That occurred during a scuffle that started after his hard shot on quarterback Caleb Williams near the sideline that wasn’t flagged. Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides in front of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair during the first half of a game on Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla. Lawrence was injured on the play. Al-Shaair once got away with grabbing Tom Brady by the throat on a pass rush in a game between the 49ers and Buccaneers. Outraged Jaguars players called Al-Shaair’s hit “dirty” and Texans coach DeMeco Ryans made it known he didn’t condone it. “It’s not what we’re coaching,” Ryans said. “Want to be smart in everything we do and not hurt the team, get a penalty there. Have to be smarter when the quarterback is going down. Unfortunate play. Not representative of who Azeez is. He’s a smart player, really great leader for us. We felt his presence not being there. His loss really affected us on the defensive side. Just not what we’re coaching. Didn’t want to see the melee and all the aftermath. That’s not what we’re about. Not representative of us. I’ll talk to Azeez, address him personally, and we’ll move forward from it.” Fox Sports color analyst Daryl Johnston, a former fullback for the Dallas Cowboys, didn’t hold back his criticism, calling it a “cheap shot.” “It’s everything you’re not supposed to do,” Johnston said. “Everything. You’ll see this in slow motion and Azeez Al-Shaair does everything you’re trying to prevent in this situation. It’s reckless. It’s disrespectful. There’s an honor that you give to your opponent on the football field and you respect him. And there’s opportunities to be physical and give big hits and play this game in that manner. And there’s other times when there’s a respect that you grant to your opponent.” Some former NFL quarterbacks blasted Al-Shaair on social media. “There is no place in the game of football for dirty hits like this one,” Robert Griffin III wrote on X. Chase Daniel called it “one of the dirtiest hits” he’s ever seen on a quarterback. Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram, right, jumps on Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after his late hit on quarterback Trevor Lawrence, bottom, during the first half of a game on Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla. Even defensive players struggled to defend Al-Shaair. “That was uncalled for,” Hall of Fame defensive lineman Michael Strahan said on Fox’s studio show while fellow Hall of Famer Howie Long agreed. But the play also sparked debate about the quarterback slide. Lawrence slid feet first, which signals that he’s giving himself up on the play. The NFL rulebook states: “A defender must pull up when a runner begins a feet-first slide.” But defensive players aren’t automatically penalized if they make contact with a sliding quarterback if they already committed and the contact is unavoidable. The rules state it’s a foul when “the defender makes forcible contact into the head or neck area of the runner with the helmet, shoulder, or forearm, or commits some other act that is unnecessary roughness.” Al-Shaair did that so he was penalized and will face other repercussions. Still, given the hard-hitting nature of the sport, it won’t be the last time this happens. When Caleb Williams took the field for the Chicago Bears' first regular season game against the Tennessee Titans, the anticipation for the rookie's debut game—possibly the most ever—was on full display. Despite a tough debut for the quarterback, the Bears secured a 24-17 win, a notable feat for the rookie. The victory made Williams the first #1 overall pick with a Week 1 win in over 20 years. Going forward this season, Williams is expected to eclipse C.J. Stroud's record-breaking 2023 rookie campaign with the Houston Texans. However, Stroud's success is an anomaly. Drafting a successful quarterback, especially one who is effective right away, is difficult. When teams have a high first-round draft pick, and they're coming off an unsuccessful few seasons, it's assumed that they will use their first pick on a quarterback . That player will assume the title of "the face of the franchise" and will get the central attention, win or lose. To see which quarterbacks have faced that challenge and triumphed, ATS.io compiled a ranking of the 10 best rookie quarterbacks since 1960 using data from StatHead . Rookies were defined as players who are in their first season of professional football and have not been on the roster of another professional team. Quarterbacks were ranked according to adjusted net yards per pass attempt, which quantifies efficient passing skill. Ties were broken using passer rating. Only rookie quarterbacks with at least 10 games played and 200 total passing attempts were considered. Since 1967, 130 quarterbacks have been drafted in the first round. Of those drafted, only 61 have won a playoff game as a starter, according to The Athletic, which used data from NFL Research . The biggest reason this success rate is not guaranteed is because there are differences between college and pro offensive systems. In the collegiate game, the ball is snapped at different points on the field, passing windows are wider, and defenders and linemen are not as quick, making the adjustment to the pro level more difficult. NFL scouts and general managers are gambling on what skills can be transferable and how long those adjustments might take, which is why some teams prefer redshirt quarterbacks to ease the transition. However, just because a team may not want to use their first-round pick on a quarterback, doesn't mean they can't find a diamond in the rough later in the draft. Think about Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, and Dak Prescott, all of which were not first-round picks, but have gone on to make a name for themselves in the NFL. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.44 - Passer rating: 91.2 - Season stats: 3,271 yards, 21 touchdowns, 6 interceptions Coming out of college, Gardner Minshew was not a highly sought-after quarterback for NFL teams. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 draft—a draft that was headlined by Kyler Murray, Dwayne Haskins, and Daniel Jones. Nonetheless, Minshew's rookie season with the Jacksonville Jaguars was filled with many accomplishments. He won Rookie of the Week seven times despite not winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Minshew also had the highest passer rating of any rookie quarterback that started in 2019. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.77 - Passer rating: 93.7 - Season stats: 3,725 yards, 27 touchdowns, 14 interceptions Pressure was high for Baker Mayfield as the first overall pick in the 2018 draft. When he joined the Cleveland Browns, there was an expectation that once the team figured out the quarterback position, it could be playoff-ready. After trading for Jarvis Landry, a young wide receiver from the Miami Dolphins, in the offseason, the Browns were on their way. Mayfield's rookie season was filled with many firsts, and the Landry-Mayfield connection filled the stat sheet. Mayfield set the record for most passing touchdowns by a rookie quarterback in 2019 with 27 surpassing prior marks from Payton Manning and Russell Wilson. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.84 - Passer rating: 98.3 - Season stats: 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns, 10 interceptions Justin Herbert was the third quarterback selected in the 2020 NFL draft behind Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa. As the No. 6 overall pick, expectations were high, but there was also an assumption that it would be a few years before Herbert's development would take shape. Then, Chargers starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor was accidentally punctured in the lung by a team doctor administering a painkiller before the second game of the season, and it wasn't clear what Taylor's status would be moving forward. When Herbert was given the nod to start minutes before the game, fans didn't know what to expect. Herbert shocked viewers when he threw for over 300 yards and only one interception in that game. He continued his strong rookie showing throughout the season and went on to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.93 - Passer rating: 98.1 - Season stats: 2,621 yards, 17 touchdowns, 11 interceptions Ben Roethlisberger was the third quarterback selected in his draft class behind the likes of Eli Manning and Philip Rivers—though fans wouldn't have been able to tell. From the moment Roethlisberger was called up by the Pittsburgh Steelers to play in his first game—Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens—it was clear he had a special arm, gaining the nickname "Golden Arm." While the next several games were bumpy for Steelers fans, it was clear that Roethlisberger was the future of the franchise. The Steelers had a solid running game and its receiving core, led by Hines Ward, was one of the best in the league . Once Roethlisberger gained his footing a few games in, he was unstoppable. He led Pittsburgh to its best record ever: 15-1. He also started the season on an eight-game winning streak, becoming the first rookie to do so. Additionally, Roethlisberger became the first quarterback to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.01 - Passer rating: 87.7 - Season stats: 3,440 yards, 16 touchdowns, 11 interceptions As the No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft, there were high expectations on Matt Ryan's shoulders heading to the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons were coming off back-to-back losing seasons and off-the-field legal troubles with its starting quarterback Michael Vick overshadowing the team's play. Ryan was expected to pick up the pieces. He did that immediately, leading the Falcons to an 11-5 record in his rookie season and becoming the clear favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year halfway through the season, which he went on to win. The tag team of Ryan and running back Michael Turner was one of the best offensive forces in the sport that season. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.01 - Passer rating: 100 - Season stats: 3,118 yards, 26 touchdowns, 10 interceptions Russell Wilson was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Considering Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck headlined the NFL Draft that year, it was not believed that Wilson would be a starter come Week 1, but that quickly changed. Going into the 2012 NFL Draft, Tarvaris Jackson was the Seattle Seahawks' starting quarterback, and the team signed NFL veteran quarterback Matt Flynn as an insurance policy on the injury-prone Jackson . It was assumed in the short term that either Jackson or Flynn would lead the franchise. Once training camp arrived, however, the Seahawks' quarterback position was uncertain. Jackson was traded to the Buffalo Bills, and Flynn was underwhelming at camp, forcing Head Coach Pete Carroll to take a gamble on his rookie quarterback, Wilson, in Week 1. Carroll, nor Wilson, ever looked back. Wilson was one of the best passing quarterbacks that season. He led the Seahawks to an 11-5 record and went on to win NFL Rookie of the Year. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.39 - Passer rating: 96 - Season stats: 2,210 yards, 20 touchdowns, 6 interceptions When Dan Marino was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1983, the NFL looked very different. Running the ball was the name of the game. The quarterback would either run the football himself at the line of scrimmage or hand it off to the running back, and the offensive linemen would claw and push the pile forward as the runner powered his legs. It was not a pretty sight. However, Marino took a different approach, throwing the ball with a unique quick release for that era. He led the Dolphins to a 9-1 record after replacing David Woodley midway through his rookie season, ending with a 12-4 record. He went on to win Rookie of the Year and was the first rookie to start a Pro Bowl. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.47 - Passer rating: 100.8 - Season stats: 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, 5 interceptions When C.J. Stroud was drafted No. 2 by the Houston Texans last year, there were a lot of questions, not about his ability, but about the organization that he would be playing for. The Texans were coming off of a 3-13-1 season in 2022, finishing with the worst record in the league, and a lot of volatility in its front office. The team fired its head coach and a top executive before the draft. Weeks later, the team hired former Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans as its next head coach. While Ryans is a defensive-minded coach, Stroud was seen as a key ingredient to the team's success since Ryans hired his coaching staff around the quarterback. Stroud led the NFL in yards and TD-to-interception ratio during his rookie season, which is an efficiency statistic considering he didn't get his first interception until his sixth regular-season game against the New Orleans Saints. While Stroud was a part of the league MVP conversation for most of the season, he didn't ultimately win the title. However, he was named 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and his rookie season is seen as one of the best in NFL history. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.47 - Passer rating: 102.4 - Season stats: 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns, 5 interceptions Leading into the 2012 draft, it wasn't a matter of whether Washington would pick a quarterback, it was a matter of who. After several seasons of mediocre quarterback play and losing seasons from the likes of Jason Campbell, Donovan McNabb, and Rex Grossman, it was time for a new face to lead the offense. At No. 2, Washington selected Robert Griffin III making him the second quarterback selected in the 2012 NFL draft behind Andrew Luck. Griffin started his rookie year campaign with one of the best performances football fans have ever seen. He completed 19 of his 26 pass attempts for 320 yards and 2 touchdowns, beating the New Orleans Saints. That game earned him the highest passer rating by a rookie ever, 158.3. He now shares that record with Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota. Griffin III went on to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012. - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.86 - Passer rating: 104.9 - Season stats: 3,667 yards, 23 touchdowns, 4 interceptions Dak Prescott is statistically the best rookie quarterback ever, racking up the best passer rating as a rookie. After losing his first game, he led the Cowboys on an 11-game winning streak. That season, he led the team to its fourth-best season ever with a 13-3 record. Prescott was the 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and became the first NFL quarterback to be drafted in the fourth round or later to start all 16 regular season games. Data reporting by Karim Noorani. Story editing by Shanna Kelly. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on ATS.io and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

WAVERLY − Professor emeriti Gloria Campbell and Lynn Olson will receive the Wartburg Medal during the college's commencement ceremony on Dec. 15. The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. in Neumann Auditorium and will be livestreamed at wartburgknightvision.com . Gloria Campbell Wartburg Medal recipient The Wartburg Medal recognizes individuals who have provided significant service to the college over a sustained period, and recipients have a personal commitment to the college's mission, quality and character. Lynn Olson Wartburg Medal recipient Campbell, who joined Wartburg College in 1979, was known as a forward-thinking leader in the Department of Business Administration, Accounting & Economics and across campus. She was an early adopter of teaching technologies and a leader in cultivating alumni engagement. Olson served Wartburg for 33 years from 1978 to 2011. He was department chairperson from 1994 to 2009 and was fundamental in forming what is now the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science & Physics. Waterloo and Cedar Falls speaks up: Letters to the editor for the week of Dec. 6, 2024 Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Courier. (c)2024 Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (Waterloo, Iowa) Visit Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (Waterloo, Iowa) at www.wcfcourier.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Oxford crowned ‘brain rot’ as 2024’s word of the year. Here’s how to make it sparser in your ... [+] vocabulary come 2025. The term “brain rot” has taken social media and cultural discourse by storm, describing the erosion of our intellectual and emotional well-being due to endless consumption of low-quality online content. Coined as far back as 1854 by Henry David Thoreau in Walden , the idea of mental deterioration from trivial distractions has never been more relevant. With a 230% surge in usage between 2023 and 2024, this uptick signals a collective awakening to the negative impacts of our increasingly virtual lives. However, it’s not just a critique of technology—it’s a call for intentional living . While digital content isn’t inherently bad, unchecked consumption can lead to a passive, reactive state of mind that Thoreau himself cautioned against. As our engagement with digital media skyrockets, so do its effects on our mental and emotional health. The consequences of brain rot extend far beyond mere distraction. Here are four key ways it impacts us: Recognizing these impacts is key to reclaiming mental clarity and emotional balance in a digital-first world. But how do we reclaim our mental clarity and restore balance in a world designed to captivate—and often overwhelm—our minds? Here are four effective strategies to protect your brain from the rot of digital overconsumption. FBI Warns iPhone And Android Users—Stop Sending Texts FBI Warns Smartphone Users—Hang Up And Create A Secret Word Now Gmail Takeover Hack Attack—Google Warns You Have Just 7 Days To Act 1. Curate A ‘Mental Diet’ For Intentional Content Consumption Just as your body depends on a balanced diet for physical health, your mind thrives on the quality of the information you consume. Curate your "mental diet" with the intention to take control of your digital habits. Here’s where you can start: 2. Practice Digital Hygiene for Sustainable Tech Use Practicing digital hygiene means setting boundaries that allow you to use technology as a tool for productivity and connection without letting it dominate your life. Here’s how you can draw them: 3. Reconnect With Analog Experiences For Mental Clarity Analog activities not only ground us in the present but also counteract the mental fatigue that comes with constant digital engagement. Some points to consider here: 4. Elevate Your Cognitive Fitness With ‘Cross-Training For The Brain’ Think of your brain as a high-performance tool that thrives on diverse challenges. Keep it sharp by balancing intellectual tasks in ways that demand both focus and creativity. Next time you feel the pull of mindless scrolling, pause and ask yourself—is this feeding my growth or contributing to brain rot? That simple question might be the first step toward a healthier, more intentional relationship with technology. Wondering if your social media habits are unhealthy? Take the science-based Doomscrolling Scale Test to see if you might have a “doomscrolling” issue.Quarterback Brock Purdy threw without pain Monday and 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan will wait until midweek to evaluate the progress of edge rusher Nick Bosa and left tackle Trent Williams as the team determines whether they’ll play next weekend in Buffalo. It remains to be seen who will and won’t be available when the 49ers embark on a cross-country trip to face the AFC East-leading Bills, currently 9-2 and the No, 2 seed in the conference. The 49ers are expected to get a practice lift with the activation of linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who will begin his 21-day window off injured reserve after offseason Achilles surgery after being injured in the Super Bowl. Cornerback Charvarius Ward, who worked with the scout team last week as he works through his grief following the loss of his 23-month-old daughter, may also begin getting work again with the first team. Are things actually looking up for the 49ers? One thing for sure is that the 49ers are looking up at everybody else in the AFC West but are still only a game out of first place with Seattle and Arizona at 6-5 and the 49ers and Rams at 5-6. It’s clear to Shanahan that any pathway to the playoffs would be as a division title rather than as a wild card, where Washington holds the final spot at 7-5. “You look at the whole NFC picture and if you don’t win the division, 10-7 is not guaranteed to get in as a wild card by any means this year,” Shanahan told reporters during his weekly conference call. “That is why the Seattle game was so tough, and that’s why last night was even worse. “We know exactly what the playoff situation is, but really all that matters is this week when you do need to go on a run and put a lot of wins to even think of that, then you’d better be thinking of only one thing – and that’s Buffalo.” Should Purdy be unable to go, Shanahan said Brandon Allen would get a second start at quarterback after he played Sunday in Green Bay. SNAP JUDGEMENTS 72: Safeties Ji’Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha and middle linebacker Fred Warner played every defensive snap. 49: When Allen at quarterback and Jaylon Moore at left tackle play every snap (along with Colton McKivitz, Dominick Puni and Jake Brendel) then you know there’s a problem with injuries. And Allen and Moore were the least of their problems. 44: Leonard Floyd played 61 percent — about his usual number — even without Nick Bosa in the lineup. With 3 1/2 sacks in his last two games, he’s a half-sack behind Bosa for the team lead. 33: Rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr. played 67 percent of the snaps — the same as Deebo Samuel — and did not have a pass thrown his way. 21: Robert Beal Jr. played a season-high number of snaps in Bosa’s absence at defensive end and did not appear on the stat sheet for having a tackle or an assist. 9: Running back Jordan Mason has played 14 snaps in three games since McCaffrey’s return and has six carries for 26 yards. 4: Tashaun Gipson was promoted to the 53-man roster but still hasn’t played on defense in three games at safety. He had four special teams snaps against Green Bay. More to come on this breaking story . . .

has sent a cease-and-desist letter regarding the recent documentary The Honorable Shyne, which chronicles the life and controversies of his former protege, , now known as . However, sources close to told Page Six that the letter was not meant to halt the release of the film, which premiered on Hulu on November 18, but rather to ensure factual accuracy about the infamous 1999 Manhattan nightclub shooting that involved both men. The documentary highlights 's claim that he was made the "fall guy" for the events at the nightclub, where a shooting left three people injured. was convicted on charges including assault and reckless endangerment and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, serving almost nine before his release in 2009. , on the other hand, was acquitted of weapons and bribery charges connected to the case. Witnesses had alleged that he fired a weapon, but the claims were not substantiated in court. In the film, Shyne alleges that Diddy orchestrated witness testimony against him, claiming this betrayal has only recently gained public recognition. "Because when I said it [at the time], everyone was partying and having a great time with Diddy while I was left to rot in prison," Shyne states in the documentary. Shyne, now a politician serving as the Leader of the Opposition in Belize, has opened up about his decision not to implicate , citing "integrity about character" as the reason he kept silent. "I thought I was protecting him," Shyne said, but now feels differently about Diddy's role in the trial. Diddy's denial and legal team response 's legal team has strongly denied Shyne's allegations. "Mr. Combs categorically denies Mr. Barrow's allegations... These claims are unequivocally false," a representative told Page Six. He also expressed his appreciation for Shyne's political career but lamented his revisiting of these accusations.Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking at the Greek Investment Conference in London, emphasized Greece’s progress but noted it lags behind countries like Ireland and Portugal due to historical political challenges. He outlined a vision for Greece to become a modern European leader in areas where it has a natural advantage, citing successful projects like the Thessaloniki metro as symbols of future progress. Mitsotakis stressed the need for fiscal stability, productive investments and technological advancements, particularly in AI, while ensuring public engagement and shared benefits from growth. He acknowledged inflation’s impact on wages and tax relief but expressed optimism for the coming years. Mitsotakis highlighted Greece’s ambition to be one of Europe’s seven “AI factories.” The country aims to attract AI scientists, foster startups and benefit from centralized data management for AI applications in healthcare and climate. Greece is developing its first supercomputer and positioning itself as a hub for data centers powered by renewable energy, said the prime minister. On environmental policy, Greece has reduced emissions by 45% since 2005 and produces over half its electricity from renewable sources. Mitsotakis emphasized balancing green initiatives with industrial competitiveness, urging the EU to lower energy costs for businesses and consumers. Mitsotakis advocated for stricter action against human trafficking networks and a controlled approach to legal migration. He also stressed Greece’s role as a stabilizing force in a turbulent region, pointing to its geopolitical partnerships, including strong ties with the US. The prime minister celebrated 2024 as a record-breaking year for tourism, reinforcing optimism about Greece’s economic trajectory.The Conservatives stalled debate on an NDP opposition day motion in the House of Commons on Friday, a day after the New Democrats intervened in the Tories’ own opposition day. The NDP was set to begin debate on a motion calling on the government to expand the upcoming GST break to cover what the party calls essentials. This includes things like prepared foods at grocery stores, home heating, and cellphone and internet bills. The motion also calls on the government to expand the proposed $250 “working Canadians rebate” to include fully retired seniors, people who rely on disability benefits and others who did not have an employment income in 2023, a key criteria for the Liberal rebate. Instead, Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman raised a point of privilege about a protest that happened earlier this week, saying three NDP members voiced support for protesters who blocked MPs from doing their work. On Tuesday, about 100 protesters held a sit-in at the Confederation Building, which houses MP offices, calling for an arms embargo against Israel. Most of Friday’s debate time was eaten up by Lantsman’s privilege motion and a series of points of order raised by MPs who seemed bent on stalling NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh’s opposition motion. It was just the latest procedural hijinks among the opposition parties, after the NDP had delayed debate on a Conservative non-confidence motion on Thursday by forcing a debate on abortion instead. The House adjourned for the week just before 2 p.m. on Friday, with deputy speaker Chris d'Entremont saying the debate on the privilege motion will resume on Monday. The votes on both the NDP GST motion and the Conservative non-confidence motion were scheduled to take place that day. The House of Commons has been in gridlock since late September, when the Conservatives began a filibuster on a separate privilege debate. That centres on the Liberals’ refusal to provide unredacted documents about a now-defunct green technology fund to Parliament and to the RCMP. The government has provided redacted copies of the documents, citing privacy concerns, and has said it would not be appropriate for Parliament to provide documents to the police. For its part, the RCMP says it is investigating the fund and that it likely could not use documents obtained through Parliament in an investigation. Still, the Tories say they will force the debate to continue until the Liberals hand over the documents or until the NDP agrees to bring down the government. Because questions of privilege take precedence over nearly all other House business, the government has not been able to advance legislation. Parliament was heading toward an unprecedented situation of being unable to vote on a request from the government for more than $21 billion in spending. Earlier this week, House Speaker Greg Fergus intervened to pause the filibuster, scheduling the four remaining days for opposition business and the vote on supplementary spending. Singh has said he will not vote in favour of the latest Conservative non-confidence motion. The NDP and Bloc Québécois have voted down the Conservatives’ two previous attempts to bring down the government this fall.

Bowen Yang Ponders TikTok Exit Over Asian Jokes: 'I Hate The Internet Because Of It'Supermarket giant Carrefour’s support for French farmers’ protests against a trade agreement between the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur has sparked a strong reaction in Brazil, including a refusal to supply beef to Carrefour stores in Brazil. Carrefour CEO Alexandre Bompard announced in social media posts last week that the French company would stop buying beef from all Mercosur countries, which also include Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Bompard wrote that he agrees with French producers' arguments that Mercosur beef is an unfair competitor due to lower production costs resulting from fewer environmental and sanitary requirements. The executive encouraged other retailers to follow suit. Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture called Bompard's move protectionist, saying it was made “without any technical criteria.” The decision also angered Brazil's meatpackers. Though France makes up just a tiny sliver of Brazil’s beef exports, meatpackers worried that Carrefour’s decision would hurt its reputation in other markets. Beef giants JBS and Marfrig halted supplies last Friday to Carrefour's extensive supermarket chain in Brazil, including the food warehouse giant Atacadao. Both companies refused to comment on the boycott to The Associated Press, but Minister of Agriculture Carlos Fávaro confirmed it. “We support the reaction of the meatpackers. If Brazil ́s beef isn’t good enough for Carrefour’s shelves in France, it isn’t good enough for Carrefour’s shelves in Brazil either,” Faváro told Folha de S.Paulo newspaper on Monday. Carrefour Group in Brazil acknowledged the boycott in a statement, though it said there's not yet a shortage of beef in stores. It said it has “esteem and confidence in the Brazilian agricultural sector, with which it maintains a solid relationship and partnership.” “Unfortunately, the decision to suspend the meat supply has an impact on customers, especially those who rely on the company to supply their homes with quality and responsible products,” the statement said. “It is in constant dialogue in search of solutions that will make it possible to resume the supply of meat to its stores as quickly as possible, respecting the commitments it has to its more than 130,000 Brazilian employees and millions of Brazilian customers countrywide.” The backdrop for the conflict is the EU-Mercosur trade deal, which would increase agricultural imports to EU countries from South America. French farmers fear it will affect their livelihoods. An initial agreement was reached in 2019, but negotiations have faltered since then due to opposition that also includes some European governments. Brazil’s agribusiness sector also fears that the pending European Union Deforestation Regulation will outlaw the sale of forest-derived products within the EU’s 27-nation bloc if companies can’t prove their goods are not linked to deforestation. Its scope includes soy and cattle, Brazil’s top agricultural exports. Almost half of the country’s cattle is raised in the Amazon region, where 90% of deforested land since 1985 has turned into pasture, according to MapBiomas, a nonprofit network. The date of its implementation remains uncertain. ___ The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.The three days of Parliament which concluded on Friday, were thought-provoking and significant, especially given the many challenges facing the Government, such as the ongoing rice crisis, discussions on the PTA Act and issues related to floods and disaster management. It is commendable that the Government successfully asserted its presence in Parliament with 149 new MPs over these three days. No room for racism In the context of the heightened tensions surrounding the Maaveerar Naal celebrations in Jaffna, fuelled by social media and certain private media organisations, Premier Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa speeches were particularly significant. They said that under no circumstances will there be room for racism in the country again and added that the divisive political system which seeks to create racial strife between the North and the South will not be permitted to resurface in the country. Sri Lanka’s history has been marred by periods of intense ethnic conflict and violence that have significantly hindered the nation’s progress, pulling it behind in crucial areas such as economic development, social cohesion and overall stability. The deep-seated divisions fostered by past political machinations have not only devastated communities but have also obstructed avenues for collaboration and mutual understanding among different ethnic groups. As a result, the nation has often found itself trapped in a cycle of mistrust and discord, diverting attention and resources away from pressing national issues. This history of racial rift has led to missed opportunities for growth and unity, ultimately impeding the country’s potential to stand as a harmonious, thriving society. In light of this context, the NPP Government’s commitment to prevent the re-emergence of such divisive politics is crucial. Their messages serve as a clarion call for reconciliation and healing, urging the nation to learn from its past and work towards a future where all Sri Lankans, regardless of ethnicity can come together to foster peace, prosperity and a shared national identity. Clean Sri Lanka Parliamentary approval for the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ program marked a significant achievement, with Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi introducing this initiative during his inaugural speech. He initiated the Clean Sri Lanka project as a means to build ‘a Cultural Man,’ a concept that had been neglected by previous Governments and had unfortunately faltered. It is crucial not only to build the economy but also to cultivate individuals who are responsible and accountable for their actions. This ethical, empathetic, and spiritual dimension of life can only be nurtured through rich art and culture. The methods to develop such a cultured individual are indeed a complex discussion, yet it is imperative to initiate this dialogue if the country is to progress in both material and spiritual development. World Bank Executive Director, Parameswaran Iyer extended his support for the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka program during a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Wednesday at the President’s Office. Baseless attacks In the first two days of debate on President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka’s inaugural address during the 10th Parliament session, the Opposition struggled to present any substantial, logical objections, resorting instead to baseless attacks. MP Nalin Bandara’s comments regarding the suspension of Standing Orders—which had already been agreed upon in a party meeting—did little to advance the discussion. MP Rohini Kaviratne’s speech, which strayed far from the President’s address, included accusations against the JVP for the 1988-89 riots, an event largely instigated by the then-UNP Government’s brutal suppression of a youth uprising that ultimately left the country in disarray due to misguided political decisions. She implicated the JVP in the killing of former MP Athukorala during the May 9 Aragalaya, neglecting to acknowledge that this incident stemmed from an organised attack by ruling party supporters on the peaceful protest at Galle Face. However, the electorate has responded to these unfounded assertions by granting the NPP Government a two-thirds majority, indicating a desire for constructive governance. It is high time for the Opposition to either formulate well-founded objections or collaborate with the Government in enacting progressive changes for the nation’s betterment. COPA and COPE Committees During the Parliamentary session on December 6, Leader of the House Minister Bimal Ratnayake said that the Opposition would be granted chairmanship of the Government Accounts Committee (COPA Committee). This decision came in response to questions regarding the Committee on Parliamentary Affairs and the Party Leaders’ Meeting, demonstrating a commitment to collaboration. Minister Ratnayake elaborated on the matter, indicating that the chairmanship of the State Accountants Council would be assigned to the opposition, and added that this was not what had been requested. He said that the number of members on the State Accountants Council had been increased beyond the Standing Orders. His emphasis on the ruling party’s need to retain leadership of the COPE Committee (Committee on Public Enterprises) was particularly significant, highlighting the necessity to review the actions of the previous Government during this initial phase. He expressed concern over appointing a minister from that administration as president of the Committee, deeming it unethical. At the outset of the proceedings, Minister Ratnayake said that the deadline to appoint the Sectoral Committee will be January 31. He said that 24 Ministerial Advisory Committees would be set up, including the Ministries of Defence, Financial Planning and Economic Development, and Digital Economy. This proactive approach signals an essential step towards ensuring accountability and effective governance going forward. Constructive dialogue During the three days of parliamentary debate, Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake made commendable efforts to maintain a sensible dialogue amidst the Opposition’s disruptive tactics to undermine the new Government. Several maiden speeches stood out, particularly that of Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne. Her concise address focused on the contribution of working-class women across various sectors, highlighting the marginalisation they have faced under previous administrations and detailing the practical plans the NPP Government intends to implement for their benefit. Despite the Opposition’s shouting and disruption, Dr. Ariyarathne’s informative and contemporary presentation on women’s involvement in the economy silenced the House, compelling even the most unruly members to listen. This positive dynamic in the current Parliament, bolstered by a significant number of millennial representatives, offers hope to foster a space conducive to thoughtful discussions and meaningful debates, free from senseless accusations and irresponsible behavior. It is essential for all members to uphold decorum, prioritise constructive dialogue and work collaboratively for the nation’s progress.

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