Former White House lawyer Ty Cobb has said President Donald Trump’s attacks on the judiciary seek to “weaken one of the only remaining pillars standing up to him.” Discussing the legality of strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea, Cobb-a senior administration lawyer in Trump’s first term-said Americans were concerned about the president’s “unprecedented” abuses of power. “The Constitution, really, is not adequate to deal with a president as evil as Trump is-somebody who desires to accumulate and abuse power,” Cobb said. Why It Matters Since early September, the United States has carried out strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean against alleged drug boats that have killed at least 83 people. According to the Trump administration, the attacks are legitimate, with Trump deploying his authority as commander in chief to take action against a “designated terrorist organization.” The U. S. has deployed the world’s largest aircraft carrier and its strike group to the Caribbean Sea as the military’s campaign on alleged drug smuggling vessels continues. The intensive military buildup is seen as a way to pressurize Venezuela’s authoritarian socialist leader, Nicolás Maduro. The U. S. has accused him of heading a drug cartel, which he denies. What To Know On Sunday, Cobb discussed the president’s actions on MS NOW’s The Weekend, “The main concern is always his resort to violence and authoritarianism.” He cited Trump’s deployment of the National Guard as an example, adding, “Never before in American history, I don’t think, have most Americans been as concerned about their president and his demented narcissism leading him toward revenge and violence. Trump’s abuses of power are unprecedented,” the attorney added, saying the administration was committing war crimes in Venezuela and Colombia. “There is a war, and we should be very concerned about it,” Cobb said. “Lawyers and judges-and, certainly, soldiers this week-should understand that they don’t have to follow illegal orders.” He said of the strikes on alleged drug boats: “There is no question under international law and domestic law that what’s going on in those countries is murder. There’s one standard-which is self-defense, imminent harm-that would allow you to kill civilians in a war or during peace time. “And keep in mind, none of these people, if they were in the United States with a million times the amount of drugs that are on those tiny boats-they would be arrested and detained and they would go to prison. They would not be killed.” Tommy Pigott, a spokesperson for the State Department, previously told Newsweek: “The U. S. is engaged in a counter-drug cartel operation to advance President Trump’s pledge to secure our border, combat narco-terrorists, and stop the flow of deadly drugs into our country. “Maduro is not the legitimate leader of Venezuela; he’s a fugitive of American justice who undermines regional security and poisons Americans.” What People Are Saying Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement: “Our current operations in the Caribbean are lawful under both U. S. and international law, with all actions in complete compliance with the law of armed conflict.” Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said in English during a meeting with labor unions in Caracas last month: “Yes peace, yes peace forever. Peace forever. No crazy war, please!” What Happens Next.
https://www.newsweek.com/cobb-constitution-not-adequate-trump-11096896
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Weekend rally boosts Bitcoin, altcoins face heavy losses
Bitcoin rallied over the weekend after sharp weekly losses, driven by thin market liquidity, CME futures gaps, and major geopolitical developments. Bitcoin experienced a weekend rally following a week of significant losses across cryptocurrency markets, according to market data. The digital asset had approached critical support levels earlier in the week, while numerous altcoins including Hyperliquid (HYPE) and Zcash (ZEC) recorded double-digit percentage losses over the seven-day period. The weekend price increase follows a pattern observed over recent weeks, in which Bitcoin (BTC) has gained ground on Saturdays and Sundays before resuming declines during weekdays, according to chart analysis. Market observers have attributed this phenomenon to reduced liquidity during weekend trading periods. Cryptocurrency markets brace for Bitcoin and alt-coin rally Cryptocurrency markets experience dramatically lower trading volumes at weekends, when Bitcoin exchange-traded funds on Wall Street are closed and institutional investors are not actively trading. Research published by Advances in Consumer Research in August found that trading volumes tend to be 20% to 25% lower at weekends, “creating a thinner market environment where momentum-driven trades can exert greater price impact.” The study determined that weekend momentum strategies “consistently outperform their weekday counterparts across all cryptocurrencies, with mean daily returns on weekends often doubling those on weekdays.” The effect appears more pronounced among digital assets with smaller market capitalizations, according to the research. Bitcoin futures traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange close at the end of the working week. The price movements that occur during weekend trading create what market participants refer to as the “CME gap,” with prices frequently reverting to pre-weekend levels once futures markets reopen, according to market analysts. Beyond trading volume factors, specific developments may have contributed to the weekend price movement. Ongoing negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine have progressed, with talks taking place in Switzerland between delegates from the United States and Ukraine over the weekend. Former President Donald Trump has proposed a 28-point peace plan as part of diplomatic efforts. Futures across the Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 all rose on Monday morning as investors assessed the diplomatic developments, according to market data. The Federal Reserve’s decision to leave open the possibility of an additional rate cut next month may have also influenced market sentiment. Bitcoin faces near-term challenges in attempting to breach key resistance levels. The Thanksgiving holiday week in the United States will see Wall Street closed on Thursday and operating for only a half-day on Friday, resulting in reduced trading volumes similar to weekend conditions. Bitcoin recorded its first weekly close in positive territory in four weeks, according to market data. However, the cryptocurrency remains down 23% for the current quarter, placing it on track for its worst year-end performance since 2018.
https://crypto.news/weekend-rally-boosts-bitcoin-altcoins-face-heavy-losses/
Grayscale Dogecoin, XRP Trusts Go Live, Cleanspark Earnings: Crypto Week Ahead
Grayscale’s Dogecoin Trust ETF (GDOG) and XRP Trust ETF (GXRP) are set to debut later Monday, with the underlying tokens on course for their worst months since February, alongside the rest of the crypto market. The CoinDesk 20 Index (CD20) has lost 23% since the start of November. ETF flows in the month reflect the underlying assets’ performance. Spot bitcoin BTC$87,267. 39 ETFs in the U. S. have posted net outflows of $3. 55 billion since the beginning of the month. Any more might take the figure back above February’s record $3. 56 billion. Bitcoin miner CleanSpark (CLSK) reports fiscal fourth-quarter earnings on Tuesday. Rival Riot Platforms (RIOT) posted unexpected profit and record revenue and Iren (IREN) reported record profit and revenue as it moves into artificial intelligence. What to Watch Crypto Nov. 24: Monad’s public mainnet to start up with native token MON. Nov. 24: Two new spot crypto ETFs Grayscale Dogecoin Trust ETF (GDOG) and Grayscale XRP Trust ETF (GXRP) are expected to go live on NYSE Arca. Nov. 25: Digital asset treasury firm KR1 Plc to commence trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange under ticker 0A9X, migrating from the Aquis Stock Exchange. Nov. 26: CTC-1, the first satellite constellation running the Spacecoin (SPACE) protocol, will launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Macro Nov. 25, 7 a. m.: Mexico Sept. Retail Sales YoY (Prev. 2. 4%), MoM (Prev. 0. 6%). Nov. 25, 8: 15 a. m.: ADP Employment Change Weekly (Prev. -2. 5K). Nov. 25, 8: 30 a. m.: U. S. Sept. PPI. Headline YoY Est. 2. 7%, MoM Est. 0. 3%. Core YoY (Prev. 2. 8%), MoM (Prev. -0. 1%). Nov. 25, 8: 30 a. m.: U. S. Sept. Retail Sales YoY (Prev. 5%), MoM Est. 0. 4%. Nov. 26, 8: 30 a. m.: U. S. Sept. Durable Goods Orders MoM Est. 0. 3%. Nov. 26, 8: 30 a. m.: U. S. Initial Jobless Claims for week ended Nov. 22 (Prev. 220K), Continuing Jobless Claims for week ended Nov. 15 (Prev. 1974K). Nov. 28, 7 a. m.: Brazil Oct. Unemployment Rate (Prev. 5. 6%). Nov. 28, 7 a. m.: Mexico Oct. Unemployment Rate (Prev. 3%). Nov. 28, 8: 30 a. m.: Canada Q3 GDP Growth Rate. Annualized (Prev.-1. 6%), QoQ (Prev. -0. 4%). Earnings (Estimates based on FactSet data) Nov. 25: Cleanspark (CLSK), post-market. Token Events Governance votes & calls Moonwell DAO is voting to remediate ~$5. 25M in bad debt on its Base deployment by utilizing excess reserves (specifically USDC and cbBTC) and redirecting all future protocol revenue toward repayment, with priority given to the cbXRP and VIRTUAL markets. Voting ends Nov. 24. ZKsync DAO is voting to streamline token program proposals (TPPs) by reducing the voting delay from seven days to trhee days and the late quorum vote extension from seven days to two days. Voting ends Nov. 24. Aave DAO is voting on its November funding update, which seeks to consolidate treasury assets on Ethereum and acquire 8 million GHO from the market to fund operations, service providers and security audits. Voting ends Nov. 24. CoW DAO is voting to boost partner incentives by granting a share of Price Improvement, raising the revenue cap to 5%, and increasing the partner fee split to 75%. Voting ends Nov. 26. Arbitrum DAO is voting to reconfirm John Kennedy and Tim Chang for the 2026 AGV Council to preserve institutional knowledge. Voting ends Nov. 27. Lightchain. AI is voting on a proposal to potentially delay its mainnet launch by up to six months following the sudden departure of a key developer who allegedly left the consensus layer incomplete. Voting ends Nov. 27. The Graph Council is voting to implement a Rewards Eligibility Oracle (REO) that restricts indexing rewards to Indexers meeting minimum uptime and service quality standards to better align incentives with network performance. Voting ends Nov. 30. Unlocks Nov. 24: Plasma XPL$0. 1898 to unlock 4. 74% of its circulating supply worth $17. 81 million. Nov. 28: JUP$0. 2351 to unlock 1. 69% of its circulating supply worth $12. 39 million. Nov. 29: HYPE$31. 31 to unlock 2. 68% of its circulating supply worth $318. 92 million. Nov. 30: KMNO$0. 05357 to unlock 5. 65% of its circulating supply worth $10. 59 million. Token Launches.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/crypto/grayscale-dogecoin-xrp-trusts-go-live-cleanspark-earnings-crypto-week-ahead/
„Злосторница: Част 2“ оглави боксофиса на Северна Америка с приход от 150 милиона долара
Само година след като първата част завоюва хиляди зрители, „Злосторница: Част 2“ направи впечатляващо стъпване, генерирайки 150 милиона долара в кината в Северна Америка и общо 226 милиона долара по света, според новини от Асошиейтед прес. Това е нов рекорд, който надминава 112 милиона долара от първия филм, и е второто най-добро начало за годината след „Майнкрафт: Филмът”, който събра 162 милиона долара през дебютния си уикенд. „Юнивърсъл“ започна прожекциите на „Злосторница: Част 2“ в кината по-рано през седмицата, като предварителните сеances донесоха 6, 1 милиона долара в понеделник от 1050 киносалона и 6, 5 милиона долара в сряда от 2300 киносалона. До петък филмът се излъчваше в 4115 киносалона в Северна Америка и постигна 68, 6 милиона долара. IMAX прожекциите добавиха 15, 5 милиона долара, което представлява 11% от приходите в САЩ най-добрият резултат за ноември за компанията. Както и при първия филм, женската аудитория преобладава през дебютния уикенд, съставлявайки около 71% от зрителите, според наредени анкети на PostTrak. Отзивите от критиците са смесени, докато публиката е категорична 83% от зрителите биха препоръчали филма на своите приятели. Режисьор на двата филма „Злосторница“ е Джон М. Чу, а в тях участват Синтия Ериво и Ариана Гранде. Първата част спечели над 758, 7 милиона долара по целия свят и беше номинирана за 10 „Оскара“ (от които спечели два в категориите за костюми и дизайн). Въпросът остава докъде ще стигне „Злосторница: Част 2“. Общите разходи за производството на двата филма се оценяват на около 300 милиона долара, без включени разходи за реклама и маркетинг. Два други филма също излязоха на екран този уикенд, но с по-слаби резултати. Филмът с Брендан Фрейзър „Семейство под наем“ (Rental Family) стартира в 1925 киносалона и спечели 3, 3 милиона долара. Финландският екшън Sisu: Road to Revenge, разпространяван от „Сони“, беше представен в 2222 киносалона и спечели около 2, 6 милиона долара. На второ място се нареди „Зрителна измама 3“ (Now You See Me: Now You Don’t) с 9, 1 милиона долара през своя втори уикенд, последван от „Хищникът: Опасна зона“ (Predator: Badlands) с 6, 3 милиона долара през третия уикенд. „Бягащият човек“ (The Running Man) остана на четвърто място с 5, 8 милиона долара, което е спад от 65% спрямо дебюта му от предходната седмица. Успехът на „Злосторница: Част 2“ е от изключително значение за индустрията, която навлиза в края на годината. „Това поставя основите за силен завършек на годината“, коментира Пол Дергарабедиан, ръководител на пазарните тенденции в Comscore.
https://ekipnews.com/%d0%b7%d0%bb%d0%be%d1%81%d1%82%d0%be%d1%80%d0%bd%d0%b8%d1%86%d0%b0-%d1%87%d0%b0%d1%81%d1%82-2-%d0%be%d0%b3%d0%bb%d0%b0%d0%b2%d0%b8-%d0%b1%d0%be%d0%ba%d1%81%d0%be%d1%84%d0%b8%d1%81/
Amiri Opens First European Store – in Milan
MILAN Amiri is opening its first European flagship store, in Milan. The store follows the opening of the brand’s European headquarters in Milan earlier this year, marking the brand’s increased focus on the country and the continent. The interior design is evocative of classic luxury hotels, or private residences in the Hollywood Hills also evoking a movie set. The unit juxtaposes natural textures of wood and travertine and limestone on a checkered quartz floor, reminiscent of 1920’s architecture. Amiri footwear is displayed against pale green-toned onyx walls and shelves, tactile banquette seating in draped velvet in the background. Wallpaper and soft, pre-loved fabrics in muted hues contrast with sleek limestone and travertine shelving. A bespoke beveled glass bar and tapestry artworks woven into wooden boiserie feature on the lower floor. Vintage furniture and art objects Art Deco lamps, Terrazza sofas, vintage tables dot the flagship. This is the 30th store for the L. A.-based brand since debuting with its first flagship on Rodeo Drive in 2020. In 2019, Italian fashion group OTB founded by Renzo Rosso, took a minority stake in Amiri, founded by the designer in 2014. The brand has garnered a who’s who of celebrity fans including Justin Bieber, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys and Post Malone, to name a few. Amiri seasonally shows at Paris Fashion Week. Here, exclusively with WWD, the designer elaborates on the opening and the future of his brand. WWD: What are your thoughts on Milan? Why did you choose this city to open your first boutique in Europe, and what do you think of this specific location? Mike Amiri: Milan is a key fashion destination not just for us, but for the world. Opening this space here, for me, is a clear statement of where Amiri stands in the global luxury landscape. Italy is one of the central hubs of our manufacturing, and Milan is where we established our European office earlier this year, so opening our first European flagship here was in complete alignment. The energy of Milan has always connected with my idea of Amiri craftsmanship, a tailoring tradition, a sense of dynamic modernity. It’s an amazing space, that enables us the scope to create a retail environment that really expresses the Amiri universe. It offers visitors a sense of openness, but also discovery. WWD: How would you describe the interior design and how does this boutique differs from other Amiri stores? M. A.: Including this new Milan flagship, our retail network now comprises 31 standalone boutiques globally and these are for us, a fundamental opportunity for storytelling through an entire immersive environment. A lot of people speak about the “experiential,” and that is important for us coming from Hollywood, for me there’s a sense of these spaces as almost like set pieces, or stages to help us convey our brand narrative. They are a key context for the clothes, to help bring a visitor into our world. This retail space has a number of distinct identities, for different facets of our product offering but also different expressions of creativity. It’s also a melding of worlds references to America’s West Coast, our birthplace, our home and our adopted home here of Milan. So there are nods to the 1920s, a sleek elegance of design, combinations and juxtapositions of different tactile surfaces like limestone, marble, velvet, wood boiseries and custom tapestries, that create panoramas for our clients to explore. In all our retail spaces, we try to have some kind of response to the local community, to create something unique and tailored to that space, that culture. I love that this space feels like it could be either an Italian palazzo, or a private home, or a luxurious hotel in the Hollywood Hills. It’s transporting. WWD: Where would you like to open new stores in the near future? Are there any projects already underway? M. A: For me, it’s less about rapid expansion and more about placing boutiques where the culture feels aligned. I want every opening to be intentional, a space that contributes to the local creative dialogue rather than simply occupying a name on a map. We have been expanding around the world across the past 12 months and while we have plans to continue expanding next year, for now, our focus is on this milestone of our Milan flagship, and this new footprint in Europe. WWD: How many wholesale points of sale currently carry Amiri? M. A.: Our wholesale network comprises approximately 150 luxury accounts, operating across nearly 400 points of sale worldwide. It’s a true reflection of Amiri’s global reach and resonance with cultures and communities. WWD: What are the brand’s bestsellers? M. A.: Our bestsellers truly span categories total looks resonate with our clients, which is something satisfying, that they want to buy into the entirety of our Amiri vision, and feel a true part of our world. Tailoring is also one of our strongest segments, for both men and women, day and evening our clients respond to the craftsmanship Inherent to that, and it’s become a hallmark of Amiri, and one of our signifiers. Additionally, accessories are experiencing particularly rapid growth, especially footwear and women’s bags, which are a key category for us. Alongside the innovation we showcase in our runway shows, we’re building on enduring signatures, season after season, and our clients are responding. WWD: What are your personal dreams or long-term ambitions?.
https://wwd.com/business-news/retail/amiri-first-store-milan-1238358580/
Lionel Messi reacts on social media after beating FC Cincinnati who ‘cost’ Inter Miami a lot in the past
Lionel Messi has shared his reaction on social media after leading his Inter Miami side to victory against FC Cincinnati.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-lionel-messi-reacts-social-media-beating-fc-cincinnati-cost-inter-miami-lot-past
8 Best Crypto Staking Platforms for Smart Investors in 2025
Among the best investment opportunities in the market today, crypto staking stands out as one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to grow digital assets without actively trading. But what is crypto staking exactly? Staking involves locking up your crypto assets to support blockchain operations, such as validating transactions, in exchange for rewards. It works similarly to earning interest in a savings account, but with significantly higher yields. With networks like Ethereum and Solana rapidly expanding, more investors are exploring staking Ethereum and Solana staking as ways to build long-term wealth. And with the market shaping up for a bullish trend, choosing the right staking platform can make all the difference in maximizing your returns. Below is a list of the 8 best crypto staking platforms that smart investors should consider in 2025. 1. HashStaking If you’re looking for a trusted, efficient, and profit-driven crypto staking platform, HashStaking is a platform worth considering. Built to simplify staking for beginners while offering high-performance tools for advanced investors, HashStaking has established itself as one of the most user-friendly platforms in 2025. Why HashStaking Stands Out Simple interface ideal for both new and experienced investors Highly competitive rewards for staking Ethereum, Solana staking, and several other top assets Automated compounding features that maximize long-term earnings Reliable uptime and fast staking processes Transparent performance reporting for full control of your assets How to Get Started on HashStaking Getting started on HashStaking is quick and beginner-friendly. Follow these simple steps to start earning passive crypto rewards: 1. Create Your Account Visit the official HashStaking website and sign up using your email. Verify your account to unlock full access. 2. Deposit Your Crypto Choose the asset you want to stake, such as Ethereum, Solana, or other supported coins, and deposit it into your HashStaking wallet. 3. Select Your Staking Plan HashStaking offers flexible and high-yield options. Pick the staking plan that matches your income goals and staking duration. 4. Start Earning Rewards Once you activate your staking plan, HashStaking automatically starts generating daily rewards. Returns are credited to your dashboard in real time. 5. Compound or Withdraw You can reinvest your rewards to boost long-term earnings or withdraw them at any time, depending on your chosen plan. HashStaking is one of the best platforms for Ethereum staking, providing stable returns backed by cutting-edge blockchain infrastructure. Whether you’re staking for short-term gains or long-term growth, HashStaking offers an optimal experience. 2. Binance Earn A global platform, Binance is one of the best choices for investors seeking variety and stability. With dozens of cryptocurrencies available for staking, including ETH, SOL, ADA, DOT, and more, Binance offers a comprehensive earning ecosystem. Key Features of Binance Earn Flexible and locked staking options Robust support for staking Ethereum High liquidity and fast redemption Ideal for medium to large portfolios 3. Coinbase Staking For those just getting started with staking or those asking, “What is crypto staking?”, Coinbase offers the simplest introduction. Its intuitive interface and bite-sized educational content make staking feel effortless. Key Features of Coinbase Staking Beginner-friendly staking setup Supports major assets, including Ethereum and Solana Reputable U. S.-based platform New users earn rewards with minimal setup 4. Kraken Kraken has consistently been praised for its security and regulated environment, making it a strong choice for long-term crypto holders. Key Features of Kraken Solid support for Ethereum staking and Solana staking Strong reputation for security and investor safety Simple staking and unstaking processes Real-time performance tracking 5. OKX Earn OKX has solidified its place among the best staking platforms thanks to its impressive rewards, flexible staking options, and powerful investor tools. Key Features of OKX Earn Wide selection of staking pools High-yield opportunities Helpful analytics dashboard 6. Lido Finance Investors interested in decentralized finance (DeFi) will find Lido’s liquid staking model for Ethereum more appealing. Key Features of Lido Finance Users receive stETH tokens while staking You can use staked assets across multiple DeFi platforms Perfect for long-term holders who still want liquidity 7. Rocket Pool Rocket Pool is a favorite among decentralization advocates. It allows investors to participate in Ethereum staking through community-powered validators. Key Features of Rocket Pool Low minimum staking requirements Non-custodial design for maximum control Great APR for staking Ethereum Highly trusted and widely recommended in the ETH ecosystem 8. Bybit Earn Bybit has continued improving its staking ecosystem, offering attractive yields and a variety of supported coins. Some of the key features include: High APY for ETH, SOL, and other major tokens Intuitive user experience Flexible staking with low barriers to entry Conclusion The rising popularity of crypto staking platforms shows that investors are moving toward sustainable, reliable ways to grow their portfolios. Platforms like HashStaking allow you to secure steady returns with minimal effort. The key is choosing a platform that balances security, profitability, and ease of use so you can enjoy steady passive income while staying ahead of market trends. HashStaking offers a free $100 trial bonus before staking higher amounts with high returns.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/crypto/8-best-crypto-staking-platforms-for-smart-investors-in-2025/
Pzena Mid Cap Focused Value Q3 2025 Commentary
Pzena Mid Cap Focused Value Q3 2025 Commentary Pzena Investment Management 19 Follower s Comments Summary Equity markets continued to push higher in the third quarter, as momentum and AI enthusiasm carried the day. Our Pzena Mid Cap Focused Value strategy rose but underperformed the Russell Midcap Value Index. Telecommunications, health care, and industrials were the largest detracting sectors in the quarter. The consumer discretionary, financials, and energy sectors were the top contributors. We added Solventum, a medical device company, and initiated a position in Sensata, a sensor supplier. Equity markets continued to push higher in the third quarter, as momentum and AI enthusiasm carried the day. Within the mid-cap space, value outperformed growth. Our Pzena Mid Cap Focused Value strategy rose but underperformed the Russell Midcap Value This article was written by 19 Follower s Pzena Investment Management’s investment philosophy is simple: it seeks to buy good businesses at low prices. Pzena focuses exclusively on companies that are underperforming their historically demonstrated earnings power, performing fundamental, bottom-up research on these companies in an effort to determine whether the problems that caused the earnings shortfall are temporary or permanent. For inquiries or communication, please use Pzena’s official channels. Comments Recommended For You.
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4847022-pzena-mid-cap-focused-value-q3-2025-commentary?source=feed_all_articles
Most Hyped Cricket Series In Decades Set For Anti-Climax After England’s Humiliation
Unless you’re an absolute diehard Australian supporter, those so enraged over England’s cavalier style dubbed ‘Bazball’, there was a hollow feeling waking up on Sunday on what should have been day three of the most anticipated Ashes series in two decades. English revellers, totalling around 20, 000 fans with many part of the merry supporter group affectionately known as the ‘Barmy Army’, were sighted in and around Perth’s watering holes late on Saturday night looking rather worse for wear, as they grappled with England’s utter capitulation. No doubt many slumbered out of bed the next day rather gingerly, their heads in a knot, but their spirits lifted by the prospect of exploring the vast state of Western Australia considerably longer than expected. Perhaps feeling the pinch from England wilting inside two days the most was Cricket Australia, ironically, who will reportedly lose $3 million from ticket venue on days three and four. Two days of exhilarating cricket wasn’t quite enough to dull that anti-climactic feeling after such a long and hyped build-up. Fuelling such a frenzy, other than the usual name calling and nonsense, was the genuine belief that the Ashes would be utterly competitive in Australia, edge of your seats type stuff that is usually reserved for tussles in the U. K, something that hasn’t happened since the 1980s. But England were humiliated in the span of five madcap hours on a whirlwind Saturday afternoon, letting slip a position of strength before getting a taste of their own medicine when Travis Head flayed them with the type of swagger their ham-fisted batters could only dream of. It means this five-match series is now staring down the barrel of being a one-sided bore, another calamity to add to the long list for England in their nightmare surrounds of the harsh Australian setting. England have often unravelled quickly Down Under and there is a feeling of another swift implosion after they were not able to capitalize against a weakened and aging Australia side. At lunch on day two, back when things felt relatively normal at Perth Stadium, England were on the brink of shutting the door on Australia’s attack already without stars Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood whose veteran quicks had to back up so quickly. Offspinner Nathan Lyon was seen grimacing in the field having taken a stinging blow on the hip while batting to add to the mounting injury crisis. There was also controversy swirling over opener Usman Khawaja, nearing 39 and under pressure to hold his spot, who suffered back spasms on day one having prepared for the game by playing golf. The optics were bad as the Australian press and so too the gleeful British tabloids started to sharpen the knives with the match playing out in eerie fashion to India’s big victory in the corresponding Test a year ago on the same ground. It felt like an Australian era was coming to a screeching halt. Remarkably, perhaps the swiftest transformation ever seen on a Test cricket field, the match was turned on its Head pardon the pun -by the time the shadows started to creep onto the ground. Head, replacing an ailed Khawaja in the role, properly executed Bazball better than any England batter ever has. By the end of such a pummelling, England had basically given up and no one could really make sense of it all. Everyone was left stunned by the carnage and pure speed of this match the seventh quickest in Test cricket’s near 150-year history. Seasoned journalists in the press box, even British scribes who have witnessed many of England’s infamous wreckages, looked perplexed. Australia captain Steve Smith was also visibly coming to grips with it all in his press conference. In a notable contrast, England skipper Ben Stokes usually measured and pragmatic looked forlorn, staring into the distance like he had seen a ghost. It was as if Stokes was seeing apparitions of horror shows from previous Australian tours as he finds himself facing the biggest challenge of his captaincy. Bazball, of course, hovers over all of this. If the wheels come off, like it has for so many England touring teams over the years, then this might be the end of this Bazball experiment which has become something of a way of life for the England team that was spawned for the main purpose of winning the Ashes in Australia. There is time. India just five years ago did famously recover from being bundled out for 36 in their series-opener in Adelaide, while England did mount an inspired comeback from 2-0 down to square the 2023 Ashes. For it to be salvaged, however, England will need to play smarter and curb their instincts but tweaking their approach appears too late by this juncture. As coach Brendon McCullum stated in the immediate aftermath, expect England to double down amid the avalanche. It feels like an inevitable inglorious end for Bazball. But at least their loyal supporters, used to watching such grim performances under the harsh Australian sun, will get more time to scope out the sights of this sprawling country during their extra down time.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/finance/most-hyped-cricket-series-in-decades-set-for-anti-climax-after-englands-humiliation/
Raising the Bar: Ridge Athletics Center Redefines Recreation Across the Region
There isn’t another facility like it in the country, period. The 200, 000 SF Ridge Athletics Center broke ground in April 2025, and with plans for 12 basketball courts, a 50, 000 SF natatorium and an outdoor water park, it’s shaping up to be a game changer. “We have spent a significant amount of time receiving expert advice and community engagement to ensure it is the best it can be for the next several decades,” said Jerry Morgan, chair of the Jonesboro Advertising & Promotion Commission, which will oversee the operation of the RAC. Regional draw One of the key functional design aspects of the RAC is the division of the facility’s 12 basketball courts or, in other configurations, 24 volleyball courts across two separate gyms. “The RAC was designed with two different court areas to provide programming flexibility. The eight-court and four-court gyms can be utilized together for a large tournament, or they can function separately, allowing for concurrent events,” said Mark Owings, senior vice president of architecture at Crafton Tull, which designed the facility with Hastings & Chivetta Architects. The four-court gym will double as an events center capable of hosting formal events and trade expos. The RAC’s crown jewel is the 1, 250-seat natatorium. The 50-meter, dual-movable bulkhead competition pool can be set up in multiple configurations, including with diving competition capacity. What really sets the RAC’s natatorium apart, though, is its 25-meter warm-up pool, which will allow athletes to prepare for their races without using space in the competition pool, eliminating any need for breaks in racing. It also provides space for community programming, like swim and exercise classes and swim parties. The RAC will also be a hub of summer fun. An outdoor water park, complete with large slides and a zero-entry pool, is scheduled to be the final piece of the project. Investing in community The City of Jonesboro appropriated $3. 2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to the project. It also wouldn’t be possible without the 2% “hamburger tax” approved in 2021 by the Jonesboro City Council, which is expected to generate $6. 6 million in 2025 alone. “The Ridge Athletic Center is a bold investment in Jonesboro’s future a place where opportunity will grow, talent will shine and our community will continue to thrive,” said Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver.
https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/raising-the-bar-ridge-athletics-center-redefines-recreation-across-the-region/