Category: How News Today

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NFL announces international home marketing area teams and markets

Following ratification by the International Committee today, the NFL announced that 18 teams have been granted access to 26 International Home Marketing Areas (IHMA) across eight different countries. This ground-breaking, new initiative grants clubs access to international territories for marketing, fan engagement and commercialization as part of an important, long-term, strategic effort to enable clubs to build their global brands while driving NFL fan growth internationally.

“NFL fandom begins with our clubs,” said Christopher Halpin, NFL Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer. “This important initiative enables  NFL teams to develop meaningful, direct relationships with NFL fans abroad, driving fan growth and avidity globally. We were very pleased with the number, creativity and level of commitment of club proposals across the board in this initial application period and look forward to teams launching their efforts early next year.”

As part of the International HMA program, clubs will have access to international markets for at least a five-year term, during which a club will have rights to pursue activities in that international market that are consistent with what they can do in their domestic HMA. This includes in-person and digital marketing, corporate sponsorship sales, fan events and activations, youth football activities, merchandise sales and co-marketing relationships with other sports and entertainment properties in the market.

Clubs can begin to activate in their awarded market(s) on January 1, 2022.

“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone in our efforts to broaden the NFL’s global reach by building long-term relationships with these international markets that will play a large role in the continued growth and expansion of our sport for years to come,” said Joel Glazer, Tampa  Bay  Buccaneers  Owner/Co-Chairman and NFL International Committee Chairman.

“Much of our league success is rooted in the strong connection that our individual teams have built with their fans, and this initiative creates many more avenues for engaging and energizing our international fanbase.” 

Coupled with the League’s commitment to International Games – all 32 clubs will play at least one international game in the next eight seasons – the League will use its best efforts to ensure clubs play their international games in their International HMAs, where possible.

Following the launch  of this initiative, clubs may submit future proposals for International Committee review annually each spring.

Clubs Granted International Home Marketing Areas, by Market:

Australia: Los Angeles Rams

Canada: Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks

Germany: Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Mexico: Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers 

Spain: Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins

United Kingdom: Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers

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Coronavirus News Updates: 77 countries have now reported cases of Omicron, says WHO Director-General

!1 New UpdateClick here for latest updates

Wrap Up: All you need to know

  • 8 new cases of Omicron found in Maharashtra; none had history of overseas travel
  • Schools for classes 1 to 7 to reopen in Mumbai on Dec 15, in Pune on Dec 16
  • Kolkata book fair from Jan 31 amid strict COVID measures
  • Assam reports 141 new COVID-19 cases, two more deaths
  • 20 fresh COVID-19 cases, one more death in Punjab
  • Gujarat reports 55 COVID-19 cases, 1 death
  • 13 Pakistani migrants granted Indian citizenship in Jaipur
  • Nashik sees 52 COVID-19 cases, 1 death, 28 recoveries

Enforcement Directorate, probing alleged 100-crore extortion case against former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, has now summoned IPS officer G Shreedhar in connection to the case on Dec 17. Shreedhar is presently posted as superintendent of police, Akola

– ED

Kerala reports 3,377 new COVID19 cases, 4073 recoveries and 28 deaths in the last 24 hours

We need to remember that strength we have today (of vaccine development & production) won’t fulfill our needs just for today. If some other pandemic, zoonotic disease, infection comes next, I’ve appealed to them that we need all these platforms strong & resilient..

– Dr VK Paul

The current strategy and effective strategy is to ensure that the adult population of India is covered with the two vaccines that are in our program-Covishield & Covaxin, & now a DNA vaccine may also be added to an extent

– Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog, in Bhubaneswar(Odisha)

Congress issues whip to its Rajya Sabha members to be present in the House tomorrow

We won 11 seats, we’ve asked for recounting in Mysuru. We had expected to win 13-14 seats. We’ll discuss the results in our party meet. We’re happy with results. We had 6 seats last time, compared to that, we got 5 more seats this time

– Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai on MLC results

Evidence suggests small decline in vaccine efficacy – WHO

Haryana logs 23 COVID-19 cases, 2 more deaths

WHO is concerned that such programmes will repeat the COVID19 vaccine hoarding we saw this year, & exacerbate inequity. It’s clear that as we move forward, boosters could play an important role, esp for those at highest risk of severe disease death

– Tedros A Ghebreyesus, DG, WHO

77 countries have now reported cases of Omicron & the reality is that Omicron is probably in most countries, even if it hasn’t been detected yet. Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant

– Tedros A Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO

Farmer organisations had sought an appointment for a meeting. So, 20th December has been fixed for this purpose. We will have a meeting with the farmer organisations on the 20th, regarding farm loans and other issues. A decision will be taken

– Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi

Punjab Government has taken a major decision. A General Caste Commission is being set up in the state. The decision will be passed by the State Cabinet day after tomorrow

– Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi

JPMorgan tells unvaccinated Manhattan staff to work from home

JPMorgan Chase & Co on Tuesday instructed unvaccinated staff in Manhattan to work from home, a further sign that banks and other financial firms are tightening protocols as COVID-19 infections rise and the Omicron coronavirus variant spreads. The U.S. bank, one of the most aggressive in bringing employees back to the office, had previously allowed unvaccinated staff to work in its Manhattan offices provided they were tested twice a week.

Limited Iran access giving ‘blurred image,’ says UN nuclear chief

Speaking in a wide-ranging interview to The Associated Press, Rafael Mariano Grossi said he wanted to tell Iran that there was “no way around” his inspectors at the International Atomic Energy Agency if the Islamic Republic wanted to be “a respected country in the community of nations.”

PM asks BJP CMs to carve a niche for their govts in some or other sector of governance, seeks top priority for ‘ease of living’: Statement

At meeting of BJP CMs, PM Narendra Modi calls for governance to be data driven to ensure last mile delivery, speed and transparency

Tamil Nadu reports 649 new COVID19 cases, 695 recoveries and 09 deaths in the last 24 hours

Delhi reports 45 fresh coronavirus cases, zero deaths

Delhi | The Omicron patient discharged today came from Zimbabwe on Dec 2 & had a slight throat discomfort & weakness initially, but returned completely healthy after 10 days

Omicron patients have mild symptoms, stable oxygen rates, & no need for ICU: LNJP-MD, Dr. Suresh Kumar

Amazon tells India antitrust body revoking 2019 Future Group deal would send negative message to foreign investors

Amazon tells India regulator — Future deal with Reliance “will further restrict competition in the Indian retail market”

Reports Reuters

State Cabinet has decided to provide 25,000 newly constructed houses in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Mohali, to Economically Weaker Section (EWS)

– Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi, in Chandigarh

Three fresh COVID-19 cases in Nagaland, 1 more fatality

Punjab Lok Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh today warned Punjab Police officials against intimidating his party workers at behest of some local Congress leaders, saying he’d take all necessary measures to come down heavily on such hooligans in uniforms

– Amarinder Singh’s office

Rajasthan Government announces an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore for the family of Squadron Leader Kuldeep Singh

He lost his life in the Tamil Nadu Chopper Crash on December 8th.

Over 6 crore people inoculated with both doses of COVID-19 vaccine in UP

Reports PTI

Our main agenda was Opposition unity in a state-wise manner. This was the first meeting, we’ll meet again tomorrow, Sharad Pawar will be there

– Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, after meeting Congress chief Sonia Gandhi in Delhi

Maharashtra reports eight new Omicron cases

Pfizer says that clinical trials confirmed its anti-Covid pill reduced hospitalisations and deaths among at-risk people by almost 90{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} when it was taken in the first few days after symptoms appear

In the context of emerging pandemics, our platforms have to be resilient and quick to be able to respond to new types of requirements of vaccines

– Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog, at CII Partnership Summit

Lok Sabha adjourned till tomorrow, 15th December

November trade deficit at $22.91 bn

China detects 2nd case of omicron variant

International travel is completely dependent on the spread of the Omicron variant. Prior to covid, our highest capacity was close to 4.2 lakh passengers daily, now we are ranging between 3.7 lakh to 3.95 lakh

– Jyotiraditya Scindia, Civil Aviation Minister

Nov exports up 27.64{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} on yr, imports rise 57.17{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809}

During the visit, the President will also hold a delegation-level meeting with Bangladesh President. PM Sheikh Hasina will call on President Kovind. Bangladesh Foreign Min Dr AK Abdul Momen will also call on the President

– Foreign Secy HV Shringla on President’s Bangladesh visit

Beginning tomorrow, President Kovind will be paying a state visit to Bangladesh. Visit will be from 15-17 Dec. This visit is in context of 50th Victory Day celebrations in Dhaka at which Bangladesh Pres has invited Pres Kovind to represent India as guest of honour

– Foreign Secy

Axis Bank names Ashish Kotecha Additional Non-Executive Director

Reports ET Now

No matter how much BJP tries, they are going to get a big zero in the Punjab elections. Congress is going to fail in Punjab, he (Charanjit Singh Channi) is more of a ‘drama minister’ than the Chief Minister

– Harshimrar Kaur Badal, MP Shiromani Akali Dal

COVID-19 pandemic combined with short-sighted policy decisions of this govt has ushered in period of uncertainty for economic revival of country

– Congress leader Shashi Tharoor in Lok Sabha

Serum Institute working to develop COVID vaccine booster shot which is more effective against Omicron

– Adar Poonawala

UK PM Johnson warns ministers of ‘huge spike’ in Omicron COVID cases

4th EU-India Competition Week

4th EU-India Competition Week took place online on 13-14 Dec. This annual discussion showcased the commitment of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition & Competition Commission of India to step up their cooperation and technical exchanges on competition policy and law: EU

Tamil Nadu Chopper Crash : Group Captain Varun Singh’s medical condition continues to be critical but he is stable

He is on life support system in Bengaluru Command Hospital: IAF officials

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao meets Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin at the latter’s residence in Chennai.

CBI apprehends Deputy Chief Electrical Engineer of Northeast Frontier Rly Ranjeet Kumar Borah in Rs 15-lakh alleged bribery case: Officials

Compulsory pre-booking of RT-PCR

Starting Dec 20th, all international travelers from ‘at-risk’ countries, arriving at airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad will have to compulsorily prebook an RT-PCR test.

Zero budget natural farming should become mass movement and people should be made aware of its benefits: PM Narendra Modi

There has been an 83{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} surge in new cases on the continent this week compared to the previous week. This is the fastest surge recorded since May last year.

– Dr Moeti Tshidi

Fourth Wave in Africa

National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested an Afghan National from Delhi in connection with the seizure of 3,000 kg of heroin from Gujarat’s Mundra Port. The Afghan National was arrested on December 12: NIA

Parliament passes bill to extend up to five years tenure of Enforcement Directorate chief

Everyone knows that Congress & BJP have an internal understanding to finish the JDS party. They’ve somewhat succeeded in coordinating with each other in all of the 6 constituencies we had contested in.

– Former Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy, on Karnataka MLC election results

PM will address farmers during valedictory session of National Summit on Agro & Food Processing on De 16 in Anand, Gujarat via video conferencing. Summit brings in focus on natural farming. Farmers will be provided all requisite info detailing the benefits of natural farming methods

Fake news reports allegedly quoting an audio message in the name of Controller of Exam, CBSE are being circulated claiming that due to an error in class 12 Accountancy Term 1 paper, “upto 6 grace marks” will be given. Contents in news reports published are baseless & false: CBSE

Number of tourists to Varanasi in 2019-20 doubled compared to 2014-15: PM Narendra Modi as he highlights development works in the city

The search action has resulted in seizure of unaccounted cash of more than Rs 4 crores. Further investigations are in progress: CBDT

UK High Court begins hearing fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi’s appeal against extradition to India

Kashi’s energy is intact and it also keeps expanding. Yesterday, Kashi dedicated the grand Vishwanath Dham to Mahadev.

– PM Narendra Modi addresses the 98th anniversary celebrations of Sadguru Sadafaldeo Vihangam Yog Sansthan, in Umraha

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Chris Wallace leaving Fox News, joining CNN+ streaming service

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Tornado death toll surpasses 60, more fatalities expected

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See what news made this brother’s jaw drop in surprise

It’s beginning to look a lot like … holiday stress! But for a few minutes, let’s focus on some wonderful, funny, and life-affirming moments from the past week.

Ever wonder what the Elf on the Shelf is thinking?

Colorado-based comedian and writer Taylor Wolfe had us laughing this week with her viral impersonations of the Elf on the Shelf.

“Since December first, I’ve seen so many parents post about their elf duties, whether they love it or hate it, and I noticed there’s a lot of passion there,” Wolfe told TODAY Parents. “It made we wonder what the elf’s point of view might be.”

In the short clip, titled “Interview With Elf On The Shelf,” Wolfe touches on her elf origins, as well as the more intense parts of the job, and the results are hilarious.

This woman’s post-delivery food order was all too relatable

Anyone who has given birth knows there are few truly joyful moments in life that compare to that very first meal after the delivery: You can breathe again, you can eat anything you want, and you have, quite literally, an empty belly.

That’s why we’re not surprised TikTok user @ali_hardwick’s video of herself eating a salami submarine sandwich — itself the size of a newborn baby — in the hospital with her infant by her side has garnered more than 10 million views.

“After 9 long months… I was finally able to eat my salami sandwich,” Alexandria wrote in the caption of the video, which is set to the song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” from the movie “Dirty Dancing.”

“And the tears of joy poured,” she concluded, as the video showed her blissed-out postpartum smile.

We felt every bit of that bite, and we understand, Alexandria.

A teacher’s dance moves bring his students — and the internet — much joy

Fresno, California, middle school teacher Austin LeMay calls himself a one-trick pony because he has a signature dance move, the ’90s sensation “The Jerk.” But his students, and now all of social media, believes he is much more.

LeMay, who began dancing every Friday with other faculty, staff and students in the school’s quad during lunch a few years ago, became a viral sensation this week for his rendition of the dance.

After being caught on camera and posted to TikTok, more than 30 million people have now benefited from seeing the 30-year-old teacher let go with the kids.

A baby girl’s look of love for her daddy will warm your heart

TikTok user @lewplustwo’s baby girl really, really loves her daddy. Need proof?

Look at that face! That’s a lucky man.

Try not to melt when this baby boy tells his college brother goodbye

They might be 20 years apart in age, but these brothers have a whole lot of love between them.

Hand over the spoon, baby boy. We could just eat you up!

… and this brother had the sweetest reaction to his sister’s big news

TikTok user Skylar Patrick recently shared a video of when she told her brother, Hunter, that she is pregnant. Patrick told her brother to close his eyes and guess what she put in his hand for a TikTok video, then handed him her pregnancy test.

She was surprised when her brother sensed what the object was almost immediately. But his sweet reaction made our hearts swell and gave us hope for siblings who will be there for each other as adults.

“WE STAN A SUPPORTING LOVING BROTHER,” wrote one of the video’s 3,700+ commenters.

Patrick was also quick to clarify in the comments that the pregnancy test cap was definitely on before she gave it to her brother, reassuring anyone who was worried about potential hygiene issues.

You know what you need? A tiny, yawning puppy

You’re welcome.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Related:

Allison Slater Tate is a freelance writer and editor in Florida specializing in parenting and college admissions. She is a proud Gen Xer, ENFP, Leo, Diet Coke enthusiast, and champion of the Oxford Comma. She mortifies her four children by knowing all the trending songs on TikTok. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

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The effect of wind speed

Leaves blowing in the wind as the sun setsShare on Pinterest
Wind speed may play a role in outdoor transmission rates. crisserbug/Getty Images
  • A recent study investigated the role of wind speed in SARS-CoV-2 transmission in outdoor spaces.
  • Reduced wind speed had associations with transmission rates during warmer spells.
  • However, above a certain temperature, wind speed made little difference to transmission rates, possibly because people were more likely to socialize indoors.

New research, which appears in BMC Infectious Diseases, suggests certain weather conditions may pose less risk of transmission than others.

To investigate, researchers analyzed 96,057 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Suffolk County, NY, that occurred between March and December in 2020.

Combining data from the Suffolk County Department of Health with daily weather reports by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the authors “[h]ypothesized that slower outdoor wind speed is associated with increased risk of transmission when individuals socialize outside.”

Higher outdoor wind speeds on warmer days were associated with up to a 45{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in social gatherings.

Wind speeds of less than 5.5 miles per hour (mph) seemed to be associated with greater transmission than faster speeds. As SARS-CoV-2 is airborne, scientists believe that higher wind speeds disperse viral particles and reduce infection risk.

Since cooler outdoor temperatures are less conducive to social gatherings, they may have indirectly increased infection rates — people may have been more inclined to move inside.

Evidence now shows that transmission rates are highest indoors, which means airflow and quality will also help mitigate the risk of infection.

Infection rates were highest in March through May but significantly dropped when officials implemented stay-at-home orders.

New infections in Suffolk County were very low throughout the summer months of 2020 but started to rise again after October.

While low wind speeds under 5 mph may reduce the protective effect of warmer temperatures, the study authors noted that this does not prove that higher wind speeds protected any individuals in outdoor social gatherings from infection.

Medical News Today spoke with Sean Clouston, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Family, Population, and Preventive Medicine at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, NY.

He pointed out that while temperature and wind speed appear to play a role, they are not the only factors, and protection against COVID-19 involves personal responsibility. This includes mask wearing and vaccinations.

“It is generally safer to be outside than inside,” he told MNT. “The danger with outside gatherings, of course, is that if the weather turns, people often shelter indoors. I think the science on mask wearing is improving a lot, and it looks like mask usage drastically cuts transmission even indoors.”

“The problem is that when people relax gathering limits,” he continued, “they often do not provide guidelines and many people do not adhere to them. In general, I would agree that it’s okay to have gatherings outdoors where masks were required for any indoor spaces, including bathrooms.”

“But mask wearing has to be done appropriately, and vaccinations should be required. Also, any larger gatherings should probably not include dining unless adequate measures are taken to ensure that it’s done safely.”

Study co-author Jaymie R. Meliker, Ph.D., a professor in the Program in Public Health and Faculty Member in Consortium for Inter-Disciplinary Environmental Research at Stony Brook University, echoed his colleague.

He reiterated that transmission is multifactorial and that proactive efforts are necessary to curtail the spread of the virus. He told MNT:

“We know that many cases of COVID-19 transmission remain unexplained. The analysis presented in this article suggests that some of those cases may be transmitted in outdoor settings when wind speed is low — in other words, when air is more stagnant.”

“Transmission is higher outdoors when wind speed is low and people are spending time outdoors,” Prof. Meliker continued, “When temperatures get too cold or too hot, people are spending less time outdoors, and we no longer see an association between low wind speed and COVID-19 incidence.”

“These data are consistent with current guidance for reducing transmission: adopt a multifaceted approach that includes vaccinations, mask wearing, and increased air turnover (indoors or outdoors),” he concluded.