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Oro-Medonte should expect to face budget challenges next year, council hears

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fans have been waiting five years for the sequel to finally materialize, and right at launch, Early Access servers have decided to give up on life. While PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation players who paid at least $29.99 are able to launch the title, not even the queue can currently be accessed, as the game's backend databases have been running into multiple issues. According to Steam Charts, the only platform that shares live player counts, currently has over 400,000 players trying to log in. The number should be massive across all platforms its available on. However, with the servers being down for the count, all of these players are simply waiting for simply something to let them in. Over on social media, developer Grinding Gear Games has . A few hours ago, right before the Early Access launch, it said the team is doing "some last minute database upgrades to try help handle the overwhelming amount of Exiles getting ready to LOGIN to While the studio said only a short delay was happening, the problems have continued to pile up it seems, which began with a new database update. Over an hour ago, the dev team said it has "deployed the new database configuration and are working on getting everything back up and running," offering 30 minute window for fixing things. However, once another problem had popped up soon after. "A last minute crash that would have affected a majority of users that we have now fixed and is being deployed," the studio added. While a later post said the launch was "Relatively imminent," the studio has had to restart its realms to sort out a configuration problem. The most recent update on servers at the time of writing this says the following: We've run into the same symptom again with a different problem. We are working on fixing it again but regrettably every time this happens we have to restart and wipe the databases to prevent them getting into bad or corrupted states. We'll have a fix out as soon as we can! Thank... Despite the hours of delays, it seems the studio is on the verge of getting things sorted out so that players can finally start trickling into its APRG fantasy world.The iPhone 17 is still months away from its anticipated release, but the rumor mill is already churning out exciting possibilities. The latest whispers suggest that Apple might be taking a page out of Google’s design book by adopting the Pixel 9’s distinctive camera bar for its next flagship device. This unexpected shift could mark a significant departure from Apple’s traditional camera bump design, potentially reshaping the iPhone’s iconic aesthetic. This rumor emerged from two prominent leakers in the tech world, both hinting at a Pixel-like design for the iPhone 17 series. This new design is expected to feature a large camera block running across the back of the phone, similar to the Google Pixel 9 . It’s believed that this change will primarily affect the Pro and Pro Max models, leaving the standard iPhone 17 with the familiar camera bump. This isn’t the first time this rumor has surfaced; earlier leaks also pointed towards this significant design overhaul. Why the Change? While Apple is known for its design innovations, it’s intriguing to consider why they might adopt a design element popularized by a competitor. Several reasons could be at play: A Bold Move with Potential Risks If Apple does indeed embrace the camera bar, it would be a bold departure from their established design language. This move could be met with mixed reactions from consumers. Some might welcome the fresh aesthetic and potential camera improvements, while others might criticize Apple for seemingly imitating a competitor. However, Apple has a history of taking risks and redefining industry standards. The removal of the headphone jack, the introduction of the notch, and the adoption of Face ID were initially met with skepticism but eventually became widely accepted. What We Know So Far My Thoughts Personally, I’m intrigued by this potential design change. I’ve always found the camera bump on iPhones to be a bit of an eyesore, especially when the phone is lying flat on a surface. A camera bar could offer a more elegant solution. However, I’m also curious to see how Apple will implement this design and maintain the iPhone’s distinct identity. I’ve been an iPhone user for many years, and I’ve witnessed firsthand how Apple has consistently pushed the boundaries of design and technology. While some of their choices have been controversial in the past, they often prove to be visionary in the long run. I’m excited to see what the iPhone 17 has in store and whether this rumored design change will live up to the hype. Looking Ahead As we get closer to the anticipated release of the iPhone 17, more concrete information about its design and features is likely to emerge. Until then, the possibility of Apple adopting the Pixel 9’s camera bar remains an exciting topic of speculation. Whether this rumor proves true or not, it highlights the dynamic nature of the smartphone industry and the constant pursuit of innovation and differentiation. Beyond the Camera Bar: Other Potential Features While the camera bar design is generating significant buzz, it’s important to remember that it’s just one of many potential features of the iPhone 17. Other rumored enhancements include: The Impact on the Smartphone Industry If Apple does adopt the camera bar design, it could have broader implications for the smartphone industry. Other manufacturers might follow suit, leading to a more homogenous design language across different brands. This could stifle innovation or, conversely, encourage manufacturers to explore even more radical design concepts to differentiate their products. The rumor that the iPhone 17 might inherit the Pixel 9’s camera bar design is a fascinating development in the world of smartphones. It underscores the intense competition between Apple and Google and highlights the ever-evolving nature of design trends. While this change could bring about significant aesthetic and functional improvements, it also carries the risk of alienating some consumers. Ultimately, the success of this design choice will depend on how well Apple executes it and whether it resonates with users. As we eagerly await the official unveiling of the iPhone 17, one thing is certain: Apple will continue to push the boundaries of technology and design, shaping the future of smartphones in the process.

“The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few metres from where we were — and the runway were damaged,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on the social media platform X. He added that he and UN colleagues were safe. “We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave,” he said. UN spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay later said the injured person was with the UN Humanitarian Air Service. Our mission to negotiate the release of @UN staff detainees and to assess the health and humanitarian situation in #Yemen concluded today. We continue to call for the detainees' immediate release. As we were about to board our flight from Sana’a, about two hours ago, the airport... pic.twitter.com/riZayWHkvf — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) December 26, 2024 Israel’s army later told The Associated Press it was not aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. The Israeli strikes followed several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel. The Israeli military in a statement said it attacked infrastructure used by the Iran-backed Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports in Hodeida, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib, along with power stations, asserting they were used to smuggle in Iranian weapons and for the entry of senior Iranian officials. Israel’s military added it had “capabilities to strike very far from Israel’s territory — precisely, powerfully, and repetitively”. The strikes, carried out over 1,000 miles from Jerusalem, came a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad’s regime and others learned” as his military has battled those more powerful proxies of Iran. The Houthi-controlled satellite channel al-Masirah reported multiple deaths and showed broken windows, collapsed ceilings and a bloodstained floor and vehicle. Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the strikes. The US military has also targeted the Houthis in recent days. The UN has said the targeted ports are important entry points for humanitarian aid for Yemen, the poorest Arab nation that plunged into a civil war in 2014. Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, while other missiles and drones have been shot down. Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeida, killing nine people, calling it a response to previous Houthi attacks. The Houthis also have been targeting shipping on the Red Sea corridor in what it says is an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The UN Security Council has an emergency meeting on Monday in response to an Israeli request that it condemn the Houthi attacks and Iran for supplying them with weapons.On Thursday, Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman became the first Senate Democrat to meet with Pete Hegseth , Donald Trump’s problematic pick to lead the Department of Defense. Oddly, Fetterman hasn’t ruled out supporting Hegseth, whose own mother once wrote him an angry email calling him an abuser of women. (She now says she doesn’t hold the same view of her son.) “He could theoretically become the head of the Defense Department,” Fetterman told Politico in explaining his logic. “I've discovered in my time in D.C. that that’s important. And, ‘Are you having a conversation with someone?’ I don’t know why that’s shocking.” Fetterman also said he’s aware of “ some ” allegations against Hegseth. Those include, but are not limited to, Hegseth allegedly raping a woman in 2017—Hegseth said the sex was consensual —and supposedly drinking on the job . But that hasn’t stopped the Pennsylvania senator from being open to joining Republicans in confirming the Fox News host. Fetterman said he’s not sure why it’d be “ controversial ” to meet with Hegseth—and even suggested the two might find common ground on some issues. And on its own, meeting with the likely next defense secretary may not be a strange thing. But that’s not the only eyebrow-raising action Fetterman has taken recently. On Wednesday, Fetterman apparently became the first Democratic senator to join Truth Social, Trump’s social media platform. And in his debut post, he made the surprising call to pardon Trump in his New York hush money case. Fetterman also said he was a “hard YES” on confirming Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York as the next ambassador to the United Nations. x Always was a hard YES for @EliseStefanik but it was a pleasure to have a conversation. I support defunding UNRWA for its documented Hamas infiltration and fully look forward to her holding the @UN accountable for its endemic antisemitism and blatant anti-Israel views. https://t.co/DvyYIYCd0h — John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) December 11, 2024 Stefanik isn’t the first Trump Cabinet pick that Fetterman has voiced his support for. In November, he said he would vote to confirm Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida as the next secretary of state. x Unsurprisingly, the other team’s pick will have political differences than my own. That being said, my colleague @SenMarcoRubio is a strong choice and I look forward to voting for his confirmation. pic.twitter.com/OUIDx5KK4J — U.S. Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) November 12, 2024 Once a self-described progressive , Fetterman has pivoted to the right since winning his 2022 Senate election. But backing Trump’s Cabinet picks isn’t the first time the senator has found himself on the outs with the progressive movement. He’s one of many Democrats to make stringently pro-Israel statements during its ongoing war in Gaza. In that, he found allies in the Democratic Party, such as New York Rep. Ritchie Torres. However, Fetterman is making the case that he hasn’t abandoned progressivism—but that the movement dumped him. “I didn’t leave the label, it left me on that,” Fetterman said in a June interview with comedian Bill Maher. But a review of his history with the label makes his change appear more cynical in nature. After all, the senator happily embraced the label for years and courted the endorsement of independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist , when Fetterman successfully ran to be Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor. Now, though, Fetterman seems more keen to taunt progressivism than to embrace it. It’s a convenient scapegoat for Fetterman to blame the left for his shift to the right. It keeps his name in the limelight while making him seem to be some sort of brave truth-teller who isn’t afraid to stand up to his own party. However, he might find it hard to have it both ways, with both parties, especially during a time when center-left and establishment Democrats are coming under fire for frequently losing elections and major policy fights . At least for now, Fetterman hasn’t made clear what his end goal is in fighting his own party’s interests. But in the short-term, he is apparently trying to fill the void of the non-Republican rabble-rouser now that independent Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema are leaving .A new round of Israeli air strikes in Yemen have targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital and multiple ports while the World Health Organisation’s director-general said the bombardment occurred nearby as he prepared to board a flight. “The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few metres from where we were — and the runway were damaged,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on the social media platform X. He added that he and UN colleagues were safe. “We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave,” he said. UN spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay later said the injured person was with the UN Humanitarian Air Service. Our mission to negotiate the release of staff detainees and to assess the health and humanitarian situation in concluded today. We continue to call for the detainees' immediate release. As we were about to board our flight from Sana’a, about two hours ago, the airport... — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) Israel’s army later told The Associated Press it was not aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. The Israeli strikes followed several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel. The Israeli military in a statement said it attacked infrastructure used by the Iran-backed Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports in Hodeida, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib, along with power stations, asserting they were used to smuggle in Iranian weapons and for the entry of senior Iranian officials. Israel’s military added it had “capabilities to strike very far from Israel’s territory — precisely, powerfully, and repetitively”. The strikes, carried out over 1,000 miles from Jerusalem, came a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad’s regime and others learned” as his military has battled those more powerful proxies of Iran. The Houthi-controlled satellite channel al-Masirah reported multiple deaths and showed broken windows, collapsed ceilings and a bloodstained floor and vehicle. Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the strikes. The US military has also targeted the Houthis in recent days. The UN has said the targeted ports are important entry points for humanitarian aid for Yemen, the poorest Arab nation that plunged into a civil war in 2014. Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, while other missiles and drones have been shot down. Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeida, killing nine people, calling it a response to previous Houthi attacks. The Houthis also have been targeting shipping on the Red Sea corridor in what it says is an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The UN Security Council has an emergency meeting on Monday in response to an Israeli request that it condemn the Houthi attacks and Iran for supplying them with weapons.AI is a game changer for students with disabilities

SCO quietly removes grand chief’s photos, information on website after fight, hospitalization in Ottawa3E EOS, a leader in electro-optic systems, has announced a significant expansion of its additive manufacturing capabilities through a major investment in Stratasys technology. This enhancement includes the addition of multiple Stratasys FDM 3D printers, increasing their fleet to 15 large-scale systems. The new capabilities will enable 3E EOS to produce critical aerospace components more efficiently, reducing lead times and production costs significantly. Key Takeaways Investment Details The investment in Stratasys technology includes various models such as the F3300, Neo800, F900, F770, and Origin One, along with SAF technologies. This diverse range of printers allows 3E EOS to address multiple manufacturing needs, from rapid prototyping to the production of end-use parts. Enhanced Production Capabilities With the expanded fleet, 3E EOS aims to produce critical components like air ducts and fuel adapters for aircraft. The anticipated benefits include: Strategic Focus on Innovation Emir Ozdemir, Head of Market Development at 3E EOS, emphasized the importance of staying ahead in a rapidly evolving market. The partnership with Stratasys is seen as a crucial step in delivering innovative solutions that meet and exceed market demands. This strategic move not only enhances production efficiency but also empowers the team to drive excellence in manufacturing. Commitment to Sustainability 3E EOS is also focused on promoting sustainability through this investment. By minimizing material waste and energy consumption, the company aligns with global environmental standards, fostering a more resource-efficient manufacturing process. This commitment to sustainability is increasingly important in today’s manufacturing landscape. Industry Impact The expansion of 3E EOS’s additive manufacturing capabilities is expected to have a significant impact on the aerospace, defense, and automotive sectors. By integrating advanced additive manufacturing technologies, 3E EOS is positioned to enhance its operational efficiency and innovation potential. The establishment of a dedicated additive manufacturing center further underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging these technologies for long-term success. Conclusion The expansion of 3E EOS’s additive manufacturing capabilities with Stratasys technology marks a pivotal moment for the company. With reduced lead times and production costs, along with a focus on sustainability, 3E EOS is set to redefine its manufacturing processes and strengthen its position in the competitive landscape of aerospace and defense. Sources

Between now and April 2, the folks on Oro-Medonte Township council will wade through thousands of bytes of information as they try to pull together a budget that will meet residents’ needs without breaking the bank. It’s not going to be a cakewalk. At the township’s most recent council meeting, Shawn Binns, chief administrative officer, and Shannon Johnson, chief financial officer, shared with council a long list of challenges the township is facing as it heads into budget preparation for 2025-2026, including the growth of the township’s neighbours, Barrie and Orillia, and growth throughout the township, in Craighurst, Horseshoe Valley, Eagle’s Rest, Eagle’s Landing and Warminster. The township is also dealing with the challenges of appropriate staffing levels, staff compensation, Information Technology adoption and connectivity, updates to fees and charges, legacy legal issues (cannabis, STRs), the impacts of climate change and uncertain economic conditions. “Not surprisingly, probably the biggest part of our budget is salaries and benefits,” Binns said during his budget preparation presentation last week. “Our people are the critical ingredient in delivering quality service. “We will continue to build on recruitment, development and retention,” Binns added. According to Binns, the township’s collective agreement with its unionized employees ends in 2025 and that will be a major area of focus for management. He said staff will provide township council with an overview of the salary compensation policy and market review that is currently underway. Binns noted he had a particular concern with the township’s fire and emergency services. “Another significant challenge, particularly for community services and fire and emergency services, is the continuity and sustainability of our volunteer service model that’s heavily reliant on dedicated volunteers to provide service on behalf of the municipality,” he said. While it was a hot topic for a couple of weeks, the proposed increase from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) for 2025 has been reduced from $659,000 — a 23 per cent increase — to $151,000, a modest-by-comparison increase of five per cent. (According to the presentation document, the province plans to review the OPP billing model and despite the relief, base service costs will rise in 2026, adding budget pressure. The OPP billing model does not provide a mechanism to reconcile paid duty and calls for service reporting which is resulting in duplication of cost, and costs borne by the township related to large scale special events like those held at Burl’s Creek. The township continues to advocate for changes to the billing model to address this and sustainability of policing costs.) One area where the township is looking to make gains is in IT. According to Binns, the township has placed a lot of emphasis on technology over the past couple of years. “Technology really is core to improving our service,” Binns said. “We’ve invested quite heavily over the last number of years to be able to get systems to be able to help us be able to do our jobs more efficiently and effectively.” He ran through a list of IT initiatives and improvements: Binns and Johnson’s presentation wasn’t all about the challenges — there were a couple of bright lights, particularly when it comes to insurance, township revenue, user fees and grants. According to the presentation: Here is the timeline for Oro-Medonte Township’s 2025-2026 budget process:

East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., a potential first-round pick, declared for the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday. Revel, who sustained a torn left ACL in practice in September, had one season of eligibility remaining. "After an incredible journey at East Carolina, I am officially declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft," the senior posted on social media. "... Pirates nation, thank you for your unwavering energy and support every game. Representing ECU is an honor, and I look forward to continuing to do so on Sundays!" Revel recorded two interceptions in three games this season, returning one 50 yards for a touchdown on Sept. 14 against Appalachian State. Over three seasons with the Pirates, Revel had three interceptions, 15 passes defensed and 70 tackles in 24 games. He was a second-team All-American Athletic Conference selection last season. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Revel as the No. 2 cornerback and No. 23 overall prospect in the 2025 draft class. --Field Level MediaReport: Institutional neutrality favored at Carolina, Wake, Duke

Qatar tribune Motasem A Dalloul Days before thousands of Syrians took to the streets of Damascus and across Syria to celebrate living in a country free of the authoritarian regime of Bashar Al-Assad as the rebels had announced the overthrow of his regime of 24 years. Opposition fighters entered the capital Damascus around 5am local time without any resistance, quickly capturing the headquarters of main government institutions following the reported withdrawal of Assad regime forces and government personnel. Russia claimed that Al-Assad left Syria after meeting a number of opposition representatives, but did not reveal details about the nature of meetings or where they were held. It later revealed that Al-Assad had been granted asylum in Moscow on “humanitarian grounds”. In a recorded video, Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jalali said that he remained at his home, was ready to support continuity of governance and ready for a smooth transition to anybody chosen by the people of Syria. Rebel leader Ahmad Al-Sharaa, commonly known as Abu Mohammad Al-Julani, ordered his men to protect public institutions, which would remain under Al-Jalali’s supervision until they are officially handed over to the new rulers. At the same time, the rebels freed thousands of political prisoners from Al-Assad’s prison, including the notorious Sednaya Prison. Palestinians, including members of Hamas and its military wing Al-Qassam Brigades, are among them. However, hundreds if not thousands more prisoners are seen on CCTV in the prison but cannot be reached. Now, in addition to the existence of US troops and Russian bases, Syria is dominated by several parties, some of them backed by the US such as the Democratic Union Party (PYD), which is the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), designated as a terrorist entity by Turkiye. It has been a candid ally of the Assad regime since 2017. The Free Syrian Army (FSA) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are also backed by the US. The SDF controls large swathes of northeast Syria. Meanwhile, Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham – Organisation for the Liberation of the Levant – commonly referred to as HTS is currently the largest opposition body. It toppled the Assad regime and dominated most of the country, including cities such as Al-Quneitra, which includes a buffer zone and shared borders with the Israel occupied Golan Heights. How do the changes in Syria affect the Palestinians? Some monitors, who believed that Al-Assad was part of a resistance axis, which included Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon and Gaza, expect that the overthrow of Al-Assad will choke the Palestinians. Others, on the other hand, believe that the Assad regime was no more than a guardian for the Israeli occupation, which is troubled by his overthrow and the rise of HTS as a dominant force in Syria. As a Palestinian, I see Al-Assad as not just a guardian of Israel, but its defender. The Assad family, which comes from the Alewite minority, exploited the alleged hostility with the Israeli occupation to reinforce its authoritarian rule which was basically based on the oppression of the Syrians, suppressing their freedoms and deterring any real attempts to fight the Israeli occupation. In fact, this was part of a disengagement agreement signed between the regime and Israel in 1974, ending all the attritions that had existed for months after the Six Day War. A UN Disengagement Observer Force buffer zone was created under the terms of the deal. For its part, the Assad regime complied with this US-brokered agreement. However, since I was born, I have witnessed repeated Israeli violations of this agreement. The Assad regime’s reaction has always been to complain to the international community and pledge to respond at the appropriate time and place, which it has never done. This peace agreement, which was the first of its kind between Israel and the Arab regimes, lasted for more than 45 years. During this time, the Assad regime turned Syria into a buffer zone between Israel and the Arab and Muslim nations, using its relationship with Iran as a pretext to pound any resistance attempt against Israel. The Assad regime even took no action in response to the Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights in the early 1980s. Not only did the Syrians suffer during the reign of the Assad family, but so did the five million Palestinian refugees. During the regime’s brutal crackdown on the Syrian revolution, which erupted in 2011, the regime killed, detained, forcibly disappeared and displaced hundreds of Palestinians. Following the overthrow of the regime, more than 600 Palestinians were released from prisons, including operatives from Hamas’ military wing Al-Qassam Brigades. Hamas fighters never acted against the Israeli occupation from within Syria, in spite of this, the Assad regime detained them as part of its duty to protect Israel. Though many highlight that the Assad regime hosted the Hamas leadership and training bases, but that was to reinforce the so-called “resistance axis”, which allowed Israel a pretext to play the victim and fight against an “existential threat” from Iran and its proxies. Now that the Syrian regime has gone and Hezbollah has been pounded harshly and beyond repair following the collapse of its lifeline corridor, the Sunni Muslims, under the leadership of revolutionary Abu Mohammad Al Julani, will emerge as a major power in the area and work for the liberation of Palestine. Many have claimed that Al-Julani is an extremist and with him leading the Syrian rebels chaos and instability would prevail in Syria, along with extremist misinterpretions of Sharia Law. The reality is the opposite as Al-Julani, who quit the US-backed Al-Qaeda, has united most of the moderate and effective rebel factions and established a stable semi-state in Idlib where minorities were respected, Sharia Law was implemented in the areas where people accepted it and not implemented where people rejected it, giving Christians freedom of worship at churches. Al-Julani developed a successful governance system that covered all sectors including the successful military industry. He produced advanced reconnaissance and attack drones, missiles with large warheads and other important equipment that most of the independent Arab and Muslim countries have not produced. Now, he must concentrate on stabilising Syria and work on a peaceful transition, rebuild state institutions, implement social reconciliations among the different sects and ethnicities, lay down a new constitution and repair Syria’s international relations. Once he achieves this, he can turn his sights of Israel. No unstable country with fragile political and social systems can engage in a war with any country, even if it was the weakest one on earth. Al-Julani, a native of the Golan Heights, will never forget his homeland. Meanwhile, Israel announced yesterday that it was stepping away from its peace deal with Syria, claiming that it has “collapsed” and ordered its occupation army to take over the buffer zone in the occupied Golan Heights, Mount Hermon and several areas in Al-Quneitra Province. This gives Al-Julani the leverage to start from scratch with Israel. If this happens, America and other international powers are expected to interfere, at least by spreading chaos in Syria. The situation in Syria is one which Israel and all its allies have been working to undermine or delay. One reason could be because the ouster of Al-Assad and the collapse of the “resistance axis” is better for the Palestinians than the contrary. (Motasem A Dalloul, is MEMO’s correspondent in the Gaza Strip.) Copy 13/12/2024 10This had been an uncharacteristically boring winter on the coaching carousel ... until last Thursday, when I got this text: “Be ready for BB to UNC.” When that popped up on my phone from a source who is usually very accurate, I was perplexed. BB??? The only “BB” I could think of in coaching circles was Bill Belichick, but that didn’t seem to make any sense . His close friend Nick Saban had just walked away from college coaching frustrated, beaten down by a seismic shift in the sport in the wake of the transfer portal and NIL era. Advertisement Belichick is 72, a year younger than Saban, and he’d never spent a day working in the college ranks. And at North Carolina? The Tar Heels were really replacing one 70-plus year-old with another? The source of that text, of course, was right. GO DEEPER Mandel: North Carolina is going to regret hiring Bill Belichick Belichick to North Carolina still seemed far-fetched until last Sunday afternoon, when other college football and NFL sources said they heard it was trending in Belichick’s direction. On Monday, he went on “The Pat McAfee Show” and made his case (sort of) to any doubters (perhaps specifically to those in the North Carolina administration) of why this will work. On Wednesday, he was hired. But what about the NFL ? What about his attempts to break Don Shula’s all-time NFL wins record ? A source close to Belichick told me earlier this week: “He wants to coach football and he doesn’t think he’s gonna get hired anywhere (in the NFL).” That seemed wild, too, but here we are. There feels like there is some precedent for this move — Bill Walsh, Herm Edwards, Deion Sanders — but there isn’t. Belichick is one of the best NFL coaches of all time. But he has never coached college football before, and that definitely is reason to have some doubts, even if, on Tuesday at his introductory news conference , he said he “always wanted to coach” in the ranks. GO DEEPER Belichick introduced at UNC, says he 'always wanted to coach' in CFB He has spent considerable time around a college program recently, though. At Washington, where one of his proteges, former Patriots assistant Jedd Fisch, runs a model with much of it based on his decade-plus as an NFL coach. Fisch’s defensive coordinator is Steve Belichick, Bill’s son. The elder Belichick has been to a lot of the Huskies’ practices, sat in on coaches meetings and spent time around the team. He has seen how his defensive system is being run at the college level, and now has some proof that college players can make it work. Under Steve Belichick, Washington, despite having to replace nine of 11 starters from last year’s defense, ranks No. 27 in the nation in yards per play allowed — up from No. 79 last year. Advertisement But the elder Belichick has not been around for recruiting weekends or for official visits and a lot of the elements that are integral to what make up a modern college football program outside of the actual football. Saban, one of college football’s best coaches, used to work with Belichick on his staff when Belichick was the head man of the Cleveland Browns. Saban had been in the college coaching world before his time on the Browns, and he would return to it, coming as close to mastering it as anyone in the modern college football world has. The two coaches — 70-something, defensive minded guys — are lumped together for good reason because of their unprecedented success, but they are hardly interchangeable, even if both left the sidelines last winter to become TV stars talking about the game they know better than anyone. Both proved to be wizards getting the most out of their players. That model of developing young men into NFL players that Belichick spoke about earlier this week on McAfee’s show is something Saban created and carried out for over a decade in Tuscaloosa. It was often an uncompromising and unforgiving standard that he held players and his assistants to. GO DEEPER Bill Belichick's Day 1 to-do list: What a new college coach must consider Saban thrived at Alabama in spite of constant turnover on his coaching staff because he had a critical core group of staffers in support roles. That piece of it, I’ve been told by former players, has been one of the most significant but overlooked aspects of the Tide’s success. Saban practically collected sports psychologists and deep-thinkers to figure out the best ways to reach, keep and support young athletes. He also cultivated other staffers, like former Tide players, who could bridge the gap between the culture and mindset Saban had established and the culture and mindset of the 18- and 19-year-olds trying to acclimate to his program. Advertisement Saban, of course, left coaching, making his decision not long after he’d conducted some 40-plus exit interviews and came away disappointed and reeling by a lot of what he had heard from players: How can I get more money? What’s in it for me? That is the world Belichick is jumping into. Not the one that Saban came back to from the NFL in 2007. The one in 2024, with revenue sharing and a fluid transfer portal. Belichick is considered by his coaching colleagues as the brightest football mind of his generation, a brilliant teacher who just sees the game — in all phases — at a different level than everyone else, one NFL coach told me over text a few hours after the UNC news broke. People who have worked with him describe him as a guy who loves to develop players and is the best at fundamental football. Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, a native New Englander who returned to college football from the NFL, became UCLA ’s head coach in the pre-NIL/portal era but ended up constantly trying to swim upstream in the transition. He tried to employ the model he told The Athletic that Belichick had won big with in New England. “When you talk to (Belichick), he values intelligence, character and toughness,” Kelly told me a few years back. “Those are the three big things that he’s always looking for in a player. He wants to be able to count on you every day, to think, ‘If he has a work ethic, and a toughness and is smart, this guy will fit for what we’re gonna do because it’s grind.’” Those are all important attributes and helped his teams go 25-13 in his last three seasons in Westwood, but without an NIL war chest or a frenetic recruiting machine staying in the chase after blue-chip talent, Kelly’s Bruins didn’t look anything like the teams he had at Oregon, where he went 46-7 from 2009-12. Advertisement Belichick protege Bill O’Brien has done well, both in his two-year stint taking over a reeling Penn State program a decade again, and now at Boston College , where the Eagles went 7-5 in his debut season, employing many of the principles he had learned under Belichick. He even hired Belichick’s long-time right-hand man Berj Najarian to be his chief of staff at Boston College. But those men aren’t Belichick. No one is. Kids will want to play for him, but how many and which ones? “The issue is he can stand there and say he’s won six Super Bowls,” said a Power 4 head coach. “That’ll work until they say, ‘Well, how much are you gonna pay me?’ Is he gonna give out his cell phone to 200 16-year-old recruits?” Belichick may have gotten used to dealing with agents and developed those relationships, but those were certified NFL agents. The reps of most college players are often not licensed but will be calling Belichick and his staff to say they’re acting on behalf of players. It might make him want to puke after hearing what some of those demands will be. An NFL defensive coach who had worked in the Patriots system wondered if younger recruits will care about who he is. “Selling them on the idea of preparing them for the NFL sounds good when they needed to get to the NFL to make money,” the coach said, “but now, the big names can make enough for a lifetime without even getting to the NFL.” The second coach, who has worked in college football, also wondered about how Belichick’s NFL organizational model will work at UNC of letting the coaches coach and the personnel staff just handle recruiting. “That sounds like a great idea, but they still have the 20-hour rule, right? So they still have that limitation.” The hardest part for NFL coaches adapting to the college calendar is that it’s more of a marathon than a sprint, even though the NFL season is much longer. The offseason for college football coaches is more demanding and time-intensive. As one former NFL coach who transitioned to life as a college staffer explained, “There’s not a big summer break like you get in the NFL, when coaches can truly unwind. Phone is off. ‘No one call me, I won’t call anyone, leave me alone.’ College isn’t as hard of a season (not even close) but it’s much more year-round.” Advertisement North Carolina stepped up to double its salary offer to Belichick from earlier in the week, going from $5 million to $10 million a year. That bodes well for the commitment UNC seems willing to make to compete on the financial side of things. He’s already hired a veteran NFL general manager in Mike Lombardi. I would expect his son Steve to join him in Chapel Hill and bring an assistant or two from Washington with him. It also wouldn’t be surprising if Joe Judge, who spent three seasons on Saban’s staff at Alabama before working for almost a decade under Belichick in New England, ends up in Chapel Hill. He’s now an analyst on Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss staff. It will be fascinating to see who else Belichick hires. So will he be successful? I think first we need to define what success is there. The Tar Heels have finished in the Top 25 only two times since Mack Brown left for the first time in 1997. But they have had 10 seasons in that stretch where they won at least eight games. My hunch is that Belichick will get the Tar Heels back into the Top 25 within the first two seasons. The ACC ain’t the SEC. It’s no meat grinder, especially regarding talent. Belichick no doubt saw SMU come into the league in its first season and play for the conference championship and make it to the Playoff. The Mustangs’ average recruiting ranking over the past five classes was 70th. Also in the ACC: Manny Diaz led Duke to a 9-3 record in his first year. Fran Brown just got Syracuse to nine wins in his first season too. If you look at it from that standpoint, Belichick doesn’t even need to find his new Tom Brady to get the Tar Heels into the Playoff — he just needs to be better than the other guys at the small detail stuff and things he’s always been better than everyone else at. But I’d be stunned if Belichick stays for more than three years. Though his contract is for $50 million over five years , only the first three years are guaranteed (and his buyout to leave drops from $10 million to $1 million next June, according to the proposed deal released Thursday). I just think that the existence as a college football head coach now will ultimately drive him away. It’s like dog years — three years feels like 21. There’s just too much chaos, too much dysfunction, too many clowns he’ll have to deal with. At some point, Bill Belichick will realize, much like his old friend Nick Saban did, “I just don’t need all of this. Not at this age. Not after all I’ve accomplished.” Advertisement (Photo: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images) More on Belichick’s unprecedented hire Why Bill Belichick abandoned hope of landing NFL job, pursuit of wins record Why is Bill Belichick heading to North Carolina? It’s all about control Has Bill Belichick closed the door on NFL victories record? There’s still time to evaluateCowboys shutting down CeeDee Lamb with 2 games to go over receiver's shoulder issue

Fernanda Galan | (TNS) The Sacramento Bee Is your Thanksgiving turkey safe to eat? As poultry farms and dairies across California continue to battle bird flu outbreaks, residents may be worried about food safety this holiday season. Related Articles Health | Are you tracking your health with a device? Here’s what could happen with the data Health | Political stress: Can you stay engaged without sacrificing your mental health? Health | Trump chooses controversial Stanford professor Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead NIH Health | Abortion bans could reverse decline in teen births, experts warn Health | After institutions for people with disabilities close, graves are at risk of being forgotten Highly pathogenic avian influenza surfaced in the United States in January 2022, the virus has been detected in wild birds and domestic poultry, according to the Fresno Bee’s previous reporting. As of Nov. 18, a total of 294 dairies in California were under quarantine due to the avian flu, state agriculture officials confirmed. More than 4 million turkeys and chickens have been killed at poultry ranches across the state in an attempt to stop the virus from spreading. Meanwhile, the bird flu virus was detected in a batch of raw milk from Raw Farm in Fresno County, the California Department of Public Health reported. The Fresno Bee talked to María Soledad, a food safety inspection service spokeswoman at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to learn more about the virus and how it affects food safety. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, highly pathogenic avian influenza — also known as bird flu or H5N1 — is a highly contagious and often deadly disease primarily found in poultry. It is “caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5) and A (H7) viruses,” the agency said on its website. HPAI can spread from wild birds to domestic poultry and other animals. The virus can also infect humans in rare cases. “It is important to note that ‘highly pathogenic’ refers to severe impact in birds, not necessarily in humans,” the agency said. Unlike seasonal influenza viruses, which are typically contracted through human-to-human transmission, avian influenza viruses are spread by infected birds through saliva, mucus and feces, according to the CDC. The virus can also be present in the respiratory secretions, organs, blood, or body fluids of other infected animals — including milk. Human infections occur when the virus enters the eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled through airborne droplets, aerosol particles or dust. It can also be transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face. “Illness in humans from avian influenza virus infections have ranged in severity from no symptoms or mild illness to severe disease that resulted in death,” the CDC said. “Consumers can safely enjoy turkey this holiday season,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration wrote in an email to The Bee, noting that food safety inspectors examine turkeys for disease “before and after slaughter.” That includes your Thanksgiving bird. “The turkeys from farms with confirmed avian influenza don’t even get sent to slaughter,” Soledad said. “They are destroyed on premises.” During an avian flu outbreak, “The chance of infected poultry or eggs entering the food chain is low,” the FDA said on its website in April, “because of the rapid onset of symptoms in poultry as well as the safeguards in place, which include testing of flocks and federal inspection programs.” “When food is properly prepared and stored, the risk of consumers becoming infected with HPAI is reduced even further,” the FDA said. UC Davis professor Linda J. Harris, who focuses on microbial food safety, says you should prepare your Thanksgiving turkey using four essential steps: clean, cook, chill and separate. You can watch the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Holiday Food Safety video for tips on how to prepare a turkey the safe way, or check out the turkey recipe developed by the Partnership for Food Safety Education, a nonprofit organization that works to reduce food-borne illness risks. According to the USDA, any traces of highly pathogenic avian influenza in your turkey are inactivated when food reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. The USDA recommends following this rule anytime you’re preparing raw poultry, including chicken. On its Thanksgiving food safety website , the USDA has videos and information including calculators that help you determine the appropriate amount of time to thaw and cook your turkey. “Simply select your turkey’s weight, along with your preferred thawing and cooking methods, and you’ll immediately receive guidance on how to safely prepare your turkey this Thanksgiving!’ USDA congressional public affairs specialist Maria Machuca wrote in an email to The Bee. “There is no evidence that the virus can be transmitted to humans through properly prepared food,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on its website. Pasteurized milk and other dairy products are safe to consume and cook with, according to Hebah Ghanem, infectious disease specialist at University of California San Francisco, Fresno. “The most important thing that it has to be pasteurized, because the virus is killed with heat,” Ghanem told The Bee. “Pasteurization of milk was adopted decades ago as a basic public health measure to kill dangerous bacteria and largely eliminate the risk of getting sick,” the FDA said on its website. All egg products are pasteurized as required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “This means that they have been rapidly heated and held at a minimum required temperature for a specified time to destroy bacteria,” the agency said. However, eggs that are still in their shells aren’t required to be pasteurized, leading to potential health risks if eaten raw or uncooked. According to the CDC, avian flu symptoms in humans may include: California dairy workers infected with avian flu have experienced mild flu-like symptoms, The Bee previously reported. “All the cases that we have here in California are very mild,” Ghanem told the Fresno Bee in October. “They haven’t needed hospitalization.” To prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, people should avoid exposure to dead animals, Ghanem said in October. That includes wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds and cows. People should also avoid exposure to animal feces as well as fluids. Here are other tips from Ghanem: ©2024 The Sacramento Bee. Visit at sacbee.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.