Powerlifting at the 2024 Summer Paralympics

Powerlifting at the 2024 Summer Paralympics

On the men’s side, Sherif Osman is the athlete to watch. The Egyptian powerlifter has competed in four Summer Paralympic Games, winning three gold medals and one silver. In the Beijing 2008 Paralympics, Osman set a world record with a 202.5 kg lift, surpassing that mark with 205 kg at the 2010 World Championship, and again in Rio 2016 with a 211 kg lift to secure another gold. After taking silver in the men’s 59kg category in Tokyo, Osman issued a bold statement to his rivals: “Paris 2024 will be the final showdown. I promise to win gold and set a new world record.” A sport that has evolved Para powerlifting has been part of the Paralympic Games since 1984, when it debuted in New York. Initially called weightlifting, it was originally open only to male athletes with spinal cord injuries. Over time, the sport expanded to include other impairment groups. All eligible Para powerlifting athletes have impairments affecting their lower limbs or hips, but they compete in ten weight categories per gender. The sport maintains a fifty-fifty gender balance in terms of athlete participation and medals awarded. Readmore:

Read More

jacksonville jaguars vs buffalo bills match player stats

jacksonville jaguars vs buffalo bills match player stats

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – It was a rough and one-sided affair from start to finish. The Jaguars were thoroughly outplayed in their 2024 prime-time debut, as the Buffalo Bills dominated the game, scoring touchdowns on all five first-half possessions en route to a 47-10 blowout on Monday Night Football at Highmark Stadium. "We're frustrated – and honestly, a little stunned," quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. "Disappointed would be an understatement." Head Coach Doug Pederson echoed the sentiment, calling the loss "shocking" and "extremely disappointing." "The reality is this is who we are right now," Pederson admitted. "We’re not a very good football team. We need to fix it, and fast." Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw four touchdown passes—all in the first half—while Buffalo scored on their first six drives. The Jaguars never got within double digits after the first quarter. The Jaguars have now lost eight of their last nine games dating back to last season. Wide receiver Christian Kirk summed up the team's struggles: "The main thing is winning, and we’re not doing that. We're not even putting ourselves in a position to win. That’s what matters most right now." Buffalo led 13-0 after the first quarter and 34-3 at halftime, outgaining the Jaguars 140-19 in the opening quarter and 288-70 in the first half. Lawrence completed 21 of 38 passes for 178 yards, one touchdown, and one interception—his first turnover of the season, which led to a Bills score that extended their lead to 24 points late in the first half. "Players play, coaches coach—when we step on the field, it’s our job to make plays," Lawrence said. "We have to take accountability. We're just not doing that right now." Allen, meanwhile, was nearly flawless, completing 23 of 30 passes for 263 yards and four touchdowns, prompting Buffalo fans to chant "MVP" after multiple scores in the second quarter. The four-time defending AFC East champion Bills improved to 3-0, while the Jaguars fell to 0-3. They face a tough road game next Sunday against the AFC South-leading Houston Texans (2-1). The Jaguars' defense struggled, failing to register a sack or force a turnover, and they have yet to record a takeaway this season. "It’s a week-to-week league, and right now, we’re just not good," Pederson said. "No one’s going to feel sorry for us. This is who we are, and it’s not good. We need to be honest with ourselves and find answers." Game Highlights: The Bills seized control early with running back James Cook's six-yard touchdown run on their opening drive, though a blocked extra point kept the score at 6-0. Buffalo added to their lead with a 65-yard drive capped by a six-yard touchdown pass from Allen to tight end Dalton Kincaid, making it 13-0. Jaguars kicker Cam Little's 41-yard field goal early in the second quarter trimmed the deficit to 13-3, but the Bills dominated the rest of the half. Allen threw three more touchdown passes—a 24-yarder to rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman, a 27-yarder to Khalil Shakir, and a 16-yarder to running back Ty Johnson—extending Buffalo's lead to 34-3 by halftime. The Jaguars' only touchdown came on their first drive of the second half when Lawrence connected with tight end Brenton Strange for an eight-yard score, cutting the lead to 34-10. The Bills quickly responded with a field goal to go up 37-10 and sealed the game with a 43-yard field goal and a late touchdown run by Ray Davis. Injuries and Inactives: The Jaguars were without several key players, including safety Darnell Savage and tight end Evan Engram, both of whom were inactive due to injuries. Rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones sustained a shoulder injury on the first drive and did not return, while veteran linebacker Foye Oluokun and right tackle Anton Harrison left the game with foot and knee injuries, respectively. Reamore:

Read More

American football Hero Jayden Daniels

American football Hero Jayden Daniels

CINCINNATI — As Washington's backup safety and special teams player Jeremy Reaves left the lively visitors' locker room, he pointed toward quarterback Jayden Daniels, headphones on, and simply said, "He's different." Watch more: Defensive tackle Jon Allen was more blunt: "He is the answer." No one in that locker room disagreed, especially after a night where Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-33 victory over the Bengals on "Monday Night Football." He capped the performance with a game-sealing 27-yard touchdown pass to receiver Terry McLaurin, delivered while being hit by a blitzing defender. "I think he grew up tonight," McLaurin said. "I'm so excited for him because, as a rookie, when you make throws like that, your confidence skyrockets. And his confidence is through the roof right now." Washington (2-1) has now won two straight games and has scored on 14 consecutive drives that didn’t end in a kneel-down. Much of this momentum is due to Daniels’ stellar play. In three games, he's completed 80.3% of his passes, thrown for 662 yards and two touchdowns, and hasn’t thrown a single interception. "He's growing on the job," said Washington coach Dan Quinn. Daniels led a game-winning field goal drive in Week 2, and on Monday night, threw a touchdown on his final full possession. His teammates have praised him ever since they started practicing with him in the spring, and their belief in him has only grown. "The only word I can use is hope," said guard Sam Cosmi, when asked how Daniels differs from previous quarterbacks. "I believe. We believe." Daniels displayed his composure when the play clock was running down, signaling calmly to the sideline for the play call without showing any signs of panic. This level of control impressed his teammates. "It's shocking how composed he is, but at the same time, it’s not," said Washington guard Nick Allegretti. "He doesn’t panic. He just says, ‘The situation is what it is. Let’s get 11 guys in the huddle and call a play.’ He’s as composed as any rookie I’ve seen at the hardest position in football. If he's calm, everyone else stays calm." Daniels was asked to convert three fourth downs—two with his arm and one with his legs—and he succeeded each time. A fourth-and-2 pass to rookie receiver Luke McCaffrey gained 30 yards, setting up Washington’s first touchdown. A fourth-and-1 run early in the fourth quarter led to a field goal. The defining moment came late in the game. On fourth-and-4 from the Bengals' 39-yard line, with Washington up by only five, Daniels found tight end Zach Ertz for a crucial 9-yard gain. Three plays later, facing a blitz, Daniels launched a perfect 45-yard throw under pressure, hitting McLaurin for a 27-yard touchdown. McLaurin had told offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury he wanted the ball on that play, and Daniels delivered. "When we needed it most, Jayden took a hit and made the throw," McLaurin said. "Those are big-time throws for a rookie." Despite his success, Daniels may have to negotiate with a teammate to keep his first touchdown ball—it went to backup tackle Trent Scott, who caught a 1-yard touchdown pass earlier in the game. "I want to cut that ball in half," Scott joked. "I was nervous as hell—just don’t drop the ball." Though his teammates aren’t surprised—Allen said, "It’s what we see every day in practice"—Daniels admitted he’s still adjusting to the spotlight. Readmore:

Read More

What latest FBI data shows about violent crime

latest FBI data shows about violent crime. Violent crime has become a major focus in the U.S. election, with many Americans believing it is on the rise, according to recent research. However, the latest FBI data, released on Monday, reveals that violent crime actually decreased last year. The report highlights declines in several serious offenses, including rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Notably, the number of murders saw the steepest decline in two decades.

What does the new FBI data reveal? The FBI defines violent crime as offenses such as homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault that are reported to the police. According to the FBI's most recent report, violent crime dropped by an estimated 3% between 2022 and 2023. The largest decrease occurred in murder and non-negligent manslaughter, which fell by 12%, marking the biggest decline in 20 years. The report also highlights reductions in: Rape by 9% Robbery by 0.3% Aggravated assault by 3% In 2023, the FBI recorded 363.8 violent crimes per 100,000 people, down from 377.1 per 100,000 in 2022. Violent crime has been steadily declining year-over-year since 2020. However, while violent crime has decreased, certain non-violent crimes have risen. Motor vehicle theft, for example, saw a 13% increase in 2023. It's important to note that submitting crime data to the FBI is voluntary. In recent years, some police departments have opted out, which affected the overall data collection. In 2021, only about two-thirds of agencies participated in the FBI's new reporting system, with major cities like New York and Los Angeles not submitting data. Former President Donald Trump has frequently criticized these gaps, claiming the FBI’s data lacks input from key violent cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. However, participation has improved, and by 2023, more than 85% of agencies were contributing data to the FBI’s system. The FBI confirmed that every police department in cities with populations over one million submitted 12 months of data in 2023. Daniel Flannery, a professor of violence prevention, notes that smaller agencies, often in suburban or rural areas, are typically the ones not submitting data due to resource limitations. Are there alternative ways to measure violent crime? Another way to assess U.S. violent crime rates is through the National Crime Victimization Survey, which polls about a quarter-million people. This survey asks respondents if they have been victims of crime and whether they reported the incidents to the police. Unlike the FBI data, this survey includes rape or sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault but does not count murder. Donald Trump has pointed to this survey as evidence that "violent crime nationwide is up 40%" since 2020. The figure is accurate based on the survey's findings, which show a 40% increase in violent crime between 2020 and 2023. However, Prof. Flannery cautions that comparing a year like 2020, when violent crime was lower due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to a more typical year like 2023 can distort the trends. A comparison to pre-COVID years, such as 2019, would provide a more accurate picture. In fact, the survey notes that while the 2023 crime rate was higher than in 2020 and 2021, it was not statistically different from 2019. What do long-term crime trends show? Both primary data sources, the FBI and the National Crime Victimization Survey, indicate that violent crime has declined significantly over the past 30 years. FBI data shows a 49% reduction in violent crime rates between 1993 and 2022, with notable decreases in robbery (down 74%) and murder (down 34%), according to Pew Research Center analysis. Similarly, the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ victimization survey reveals a 71% decline in the same period. Prof. Flannery attributes this decline to improved understanding of what drives violent crime, often involving a small group of repeat offenders within communities. Targeted policing strategies and interventions have also contributed. Marc Levin, Chief Policy Counsel at the Council on Criminal Justice, adds that demographic changes, such as an aging population, as well as environmental factors like better street lighting, have likely played a role in reducing crime. These measures help deter offenses like robbery and auto theft by increasing the perception that perpetrators will be caught. Readmore:

Read More

After Apple Cup win, could WSU make the College Football Playoff?

After Apple Cup win, could WSU make the College Football Playoff?

The "Go Cougs" crowd might soon be adopting a phrase once unthinkable: "Go Dawgs." In a season marked by intense rivalry, Washington State University (WSU) fans find themselves in the unusual position of rooting for their cross-state foes, the University of Washington (UW) Huskies. Wazzu's recent 24-19 victory over Washington was one of their most satisfying wins in program history, momentarily soothing the sting of the Pac-12's dissolution. But now, something bigger is at stake: a potential College Football Playoff (CFP) berth — with a little help from UW. Sorry for jinxing it by looking ahead, but Washington State, currently 3-0, may have already faced their toughest opponent in the Huskies. This has more to do with the Cougars' remaining schedule than their own strength. Their upcoming games feature San Jose State, Boise State, Fresno State, Hawaii, San Diego State, Utah State, New Mexico, Oregon State, and Wyoming—none of which are ranked in the AP Top 25. Boise State is close, receiving enough votes to land at 27th, while WSU comes in at 31st. Some fans might argue that beating Washington makes the season a success, no matter what happens next. Others would be satisfied with a rivalry win and a bowl appearance. But what if the Cougs go undefeated and secure a CFP spot? Or even finish 11-1 and sneak into the playoff? As of now, ESPN’s playoff predictor gives WSU a 24% chance to make the 12-team playoff, tied for 16th among all FBS teams. Ironically, they're tied with Boise State, whom the predictor currently favors in their upcoming game on September 28. Even with one loss, WSU would still have a shot at the CFP, with a better-than-50% chance if that loss comes against Boise State, Oregon State, or Fresno State. Here’s where UW (and Texas Tech) comes into play. Wazzu fans need both these Power Four teams to have strong seasons to help bolster WSU’s résumé. Can Texas Tech, whom WSU beat 37-16 in Week 1, make noise in the new-look Big 12? And can UW pull off an upset against Big Ten heavyweights like Michigan, Oregon, or USC? The Huskies have been a mystery this season, with significant roster turnover and seven NFL draft picks departing. It’s tough to predict how they'll fare, but WSU’s win might have exposed a mediocre UW team — or maybe the Huskies are a solid squad that simply lost to a strong opponent. Few WSU fans are happy about the collapse of the Pac-12, with its deep traditions and financial benefits, but the current landscape might actually give the Cougars a better shot at the CFP than the old Pac-12 ever could. And if they make it that far, they’ll have the nation rooting for them. It’s still unclear how good WSU truly is, despite their perfect record and high offensive output. But averaging nearly 44 points per game and securing wins against two major conference teams is about as promising a start as they could have hoped for. WSU could become the new rallying point for Pacific Northwest sports, just as UW was last year. Meaningful games in late November? Few in Pullman would turn that down. Of course, it’s easy to get excited in September, before the schedule reveals any weaknesses. Colorado experienced this last year, starting 3-0 before finishing 4-8. But this feels a little different. No one — not even the most optimistic Coug fans — expects WSU to compete for a national title. However, they do have a chance to become a national darling. For that to happen, a lot will need to go right, including success from the Huskies. A small price to pay, perhaps, for a potential dream season. Regardless of where Washington ends up, WSU’s bragging rights are secure.

Read More

Luke Altmyer throws 4 TD passes, leads No. 24 Illinois to 31-24 OT win over No. 22 Nebraska

Luke Altmyer throws 4 TD passes, leads No. 24 Illinois to 31-24 OT win over No. 22 Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. — Luke Altmyer threw four touchdown passes, including a game-winning toss to Pat Bryant in overtime, as No. 24 Illinois secured a 31-24 victory over No. 22 Nebraska on Friday night. The Illini (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) have now defeated two ranked teams in the same season for the first time since 2007, marking their best start since 2011. Illinois has also beaten Nebraska in Lincoln for the third consecutive time, spoiling the celebration of the Cornhuskers’ 400th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium. “I told our players that they control the energy in the stadium,” said Illinois head coach Bret Bielema. “We felt that if we could take it to the fourth quarter, it would work in our favor. I didn’t plan on overtime, but I wasn’t upset when it came.” Nebraska (3-1, 0-1) has now lost 25 consecutive games against Top 25 opponents since 2016, and they are 8-31 in one-possession games since 2018. After trading touchdowns in the second half, Illinois marched 75 yards in nine plays to tie the game 24-24. Altmyer’s 6-yard touchdown pass to offensive tackle Brandon Henderson on a fourth-and-2 play with 10:36 remaining sent the game to overtime. It was Henderson’s first career catch. “We practiced that pass this week, and our staff agreed it would work,” Bielema said. “We just didn’t expect it to come down to a fourth-down call to help us win. Credit to our coaches and players for making it happen.” Nebraska missed a field goal on its final possession of regulation when backup kicker John Hohl, filling in for the injured Tristan Alvano, missed from 39 yards out with 2:59 left. Illinois fumbled and then punted, leading to Nebraska quarterback Raiola taking a knee to force overtime. Illinois’ Kaden Feagin opened overtime with a 21-yard run, setting up Altmyer’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Bryant. “That was a classic Big Ten game,” said Nebraska defensive lineman Ty Robinson. “It hurts because we beat ourselves, especially on defense. But we’ll come back next week to fix our mistakes.” Nebraska’s overtime possession unraveled as quarterback Raiola was sacked three times, including on fourth down, ending the game. Altmyer finished with 215 passing yards and four touchdowns, while Bryant had five receptions for 74 yards and two scores. Altmyer completed 21 of 27 passes and is now 75 of 102 for the season (74%) with 10 touchdowns and no interceptions. “The best is yet to come for him,” Bielema added. Nebraska’s Raiola threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns, but also had one interception. Jahmal Banks caught eight passes for 94 yards, while Isaiah Neyor added four receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns. “As I told the team, the talk is about winning all these games,” said Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule. “My message is to take it one game at a time. There’s a lot to learn from this.”

Key Takeaways: Illinois: The Illini remain perfect in the red zone this season, converting all 16 opportunities. A concern is the status of wide receiver Zakhari Franklin, who leads the team with 21 catches but left the game with a leg injury. Nebraska: Discipline continues to be an issue, with nine penalties, including three personal fouls and a facemask. The Cornhuskers have been flagged 28 times in just four games. Poll Implications: Illinois should rise in the rankings after this win, while Nebraska’s brief stay in the Top 25—their first appearance since 2019—may come to an end. Nebraska’s Sellout Streak: Nebraska's ongoing NCAA record sellout streak, which began in 1962, reached 400 games. While local businesses and boosters have occasionally purchased unsold tickets to preserve the streak, the Huskers' record during this stretch is 324-76.

Read More

Washington and the West struggle for a way forward with Putin’s Russia

Washington and the West struggle for a way forward with Putin’s Russia Moments after welcoming Americans recently released from Russian prisons, President Joe Biden was asked if he had a message for Vladimir Putin. His response was brief: "Stop." But whether Biden's directive referred to imprisoning innocent foreigners, persecuting Russian dissidents, invading Ukraine, violating international law, or undermining the U.S.-led global order, Putin has shown no signs of retreat. This presents a pressing dilemma for Western leaders, including Biden and his potential successor, regarding how to address Putin's ongoing aggression.

Across the Atlantic, uncertainty lingers over how to counter Putin's provocations without igniting direct conflict with the leader of the world's largest nuclear arsenal. This concern, combined with the lack of a clear strategy from even the most seasoned Western diplomats, has prompted renewed calls for a Cold War-style approach to containment. This strategy involves limiting engagement with Moscow to only essential matters while bolstering military capabilities in Europe and Ukraine in preparation for potential conflict. Current U.S. policy, according to Fiona Hill, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and former top Russia adviser under President Trump, is more reactive than proactive. "We haven’t had a holistic approach," Hill noted, highlighting the absence of a comprehensive, long-term strategy for dealing with Russia. As Putin transforms Russian society into a militarized state primed to confront the West for years to come—overhauling the education system, monopolizing cultural narratives, redefining gender roles, and indoctrinating youth—he continues to frame a potential victory in Ukraine as a broader defeat for American global dominance. Read more visit the link: While Washington has supplied military aid and financial support to Ukraine, it has yet to outline a clear, long-term approach for managing a resurgent Russia. For over two decades, U.S. presidents have oscillated between attempts to foster friendship with Russia and writing off the nation, but Putin’s actions suggest that a more definitive strategy is needed moving forward.

Read More