Category Archives: general

About That “Free” Steak Dinner…

2025 年 11 月 9 日 admin Leave a comment

“C” wrote in this week:

A friend (in Sweden, of all places!) told me they would pay a 17% bonus for my ~$580k traditional IRA + SEP + 401k and then, over the course of 10 years, convert to Roth, keeping income low enough to avoid an IRMAA increase (which becomes a concern at 63; I am currently 60).

As I understand it, my only risk is the opportunity cost of not maximizing market gains. Thanks for any insights you are willing/able to provide!

—

**C, hello!**

Reading what you’ve outlined, my radar detector is rapidly whirring to life, and I’m getting ready to sound a loud, red alert!

### First, let’s define this “lackluster tool” — what is a Fixed Indexed Annuity?

#### What is a Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA)?

A Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) is an insurance product that promises two things:

– **Principal protection:** Your initial investment can’t lose value due to market declines.
– **Some upside potential:** Returns are tied to a market index (like the S&P 500), but only partially.

Here’s how it typically works: The insurance company takes your premium and invests it conservatively (mostly in bonds). They then use some of the interest earned to buy options on a market index. If the index goes up, you get a portion of the gain (through a cap or participation rate). If the index goes down, you earn zero — but you don’t lose money, either.

It sounds nice: no downside, some upside. But I think there are **WAY** more reasons to dislike FIAs.

—

### 1. High, opaque costs

The commissions paid to salespeople are often 6–10% upfront, hidden from the investor. These costs are baked into the product’s internal mechanics, resulting in lower crediting rates and slower growth for the client.

For this FIA that **“C”** is considering, the $580,000 in principal would result in a $30,000–$60,000 commission to the salesperson. That alone should give us pause.

### 2. Complexity and confusion

The jargon behind annuities is complicated: cap rates, participation rates, spreads, reset periods, and surrender charges. The numbers and their interactions are usually more complicated than the jargon!

Every annuity uses its own verbiage in unique ways, combining confusing semantics with actuarial math. It’s nearly impossible for a layperson to fully understand what they’re getting.

Complexity hides fees and limits. I’ve worked with people looking to **“unwind”** these annuities, and I detest how complex they are.

### 3. Limited upside

The fact that an FIA is “market-linked” is a misleading promise. If the market grows 15% and your FIA has a 6% cap, you only see that 6%.

They are sold as “market-linked” to make you think you’re getting a real shot at market growth. But over time, these products lag market growth by a significant margin.

### 4. Liquidity traps

Most FIAs lock your money up for 7 to 10 years. If you want out early, you face heavy surrender penalties.

This inflexibility runs counter to sound, investor-centered financial planning.

### 5. Misaligned incentives

Annuities are often **sold**, not bought or advised. Because of the big commissions, many non-fiduciary salespeople pitch them aggressively to retirees seeking safety, sometimes overstating returns or understating the downsides.

—

### What About “Annuity + Roth Conversion?”

So, looking at “C’s” FIA offer in particular, and the idea of using it as a vehicle for a Roth conversion, I’m reaching my boiling point here.

#### Point 1: The “bonus” isn’t free money

“C” was promised a 17% bonus. It sounds amazing. It’s the headline they use to hook people.

A real 17% bonus would result in actual money in your account. But this bonus is **not** cash in your account. It’s a contract value credit that only applies to income calculations after the 10-year holding period, not to the actual account you can walk away with.

The “17% bonus” is offset by:

– Lower caps on returns (your “indexed” growth potential gets throttled)
– Longer surrender periods (10+ years is common)
– Reduced liquidity (you can’t easily access your money without penalties)

The bonus is marketing sugar, not actual juice.

#### Point 2: The “10-year Roth conversion plan” sounds smart, but it’s structured to benefit the annuity company, not you.

A gradual Roth conversion can be smart, spreading tax payments over time to avoid jumping tax brackets or triggering IRMAA.

But an FIA isn’t needed to do that. You can hold your investments in a simple, low-cost IRA and still control the pace of Roth conversions each year.

What the company is really doing is locking your funds into their product. THAT IS WHY THEY SUGGEST THE 10-YEAR TIMELINE!

It’s a trap!

– It pays the agent a very large commission.
– It keeps you from easily changing course once you realize how limiting the contract is.

#### Point 3: “Only risk is opportunity cost” — That’s the sales line.

But it’s misleading. Your real risks include:

– **Liquidity risk:** You can’t access your money freely.
– **Complexity risk:** You may not understand how the product (e.g., index crediting) works until it’s too late.
– **Return risk:** FIA returns often lag simple portfolios (e.g., 60/40 indexing) by several percentage points per year.
– **Inflation risk:** Returns may not keep up with the rising cost of living.

#### Point 4: The Roth angle is a smokescreen

The sales pitch uses “Roth conversions” to sound like they’re doing careful tax planning. But the FIA company isn’t optimizing your taxes — they’re selling a contract.

A true tax planner could help you do the same Roth conversions without all the added costs or restrictions.

—

### Bottom Line

You can absolutely do a 10-year Roth conversion strategy. You just don’t need a Fixed Indexed Annuity to do it, and adding one often makes things **worse**, not better.

Annuities are sold. They aren’t bought.

For some people, that dinner you attended might have been the most expensive free dinner of their lives.

I know this sounds like scary fearmongering, and I apologize for that. But it would be scarier if you said **“yes.”**

Thank you for reading!

—

### A few quick notes for you:

**First:**
If you enjoyed this article, join thousands of subscribers who read Jesse’s free weekly email, where he sends links to the smartest financial content he finds online every week. It’s 100% free and you can unsubscribe anytime.

**Second:**
Jesse’s podcast, *Personal Finance for Long-Term Investors*, has grown ~10x over the past couple of years and now helps ~10,000 people per month. Tune in and check it out!

**Last:**
Jesse works full-time for a fiduciary wealth management firm in Upstate NY. Jesse and his colleagues help families solve the expensive problems he writes and podcasts about. Schedule a free call with Jesse to see if you’re a good fit for his practice.

We’ll talk to you soon!
https://bestinterest.blog/about-that-free-steak-dinner/

general

Butler basketball scores 112 points to beat IU Indy, but still has plenty to improve: Likes, dislikes

2025 年 11 月 9 日 admin Leave a comment

**Butler Insider: Akeem Glaspie on Butler’s Season-Opening Win Over IU Indy**

Butler improved to 2-0 on the season with a commanding 112-80 victory over IU Indianapolis. Michael Ajayi led the Dawgs with 11 points and 14 rebounds, marking his second double-double in as many games since transferring from Gonzaga. Jalen Jackson contributed 17 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.

Here’s a breakdown of what stood out, what needs improvement, and what this win means for Butler moving forward.

—

### What I Liked in Butler’s Win vs. IU Indy

IU Indy is known for their frenetic pace, pushing the tempo relentlessly and applying full-court pressure after made baskets. Butler navigated the press effectively, often finding open looks on the secondary break. A highlight came when Azavier “Stink” Robinson hit a jumper in transition, breaking the press in the first half.

Jalen Jackson utilized his speed to break the press and deliver lob passes to the big men inside. Butler also introduced a clever defensive tactic by putting Drayton Jones on the inbound passer in the first half. Standing 6-foot-11, Jones used his active hands and imposing presence to disrupt IU Indy’s smaller inbounder, Micah Davis (6-foot-2), resulting in a forced turnover.

Jackson’s on-ball defense was another plus. The Fort Wayne transfer racked up four steals in the first half, including a memorable play where he snatched the ball away, dribbled between a defender’s legs to maintain possession, and finished with an easy layup. Similarly, Jackson Keith showcased his strength and length to lock down opponents on defense. Five Butler players recorded blocks in the first half, highlighting strong team rim protection.

Rebounding from guards also stood out. Jackson and Robinson grabbed six and five rebounds respectively in the first half, complementing Ajayi’s nine boards. Guards who rebound well help elevate the entire team by enabling quick outlet passes and immediate transition opportunities.

Off the bench, Yohan Traore continued to provide energy and excitement. He scored 11 points, with eight coming in the second half on explosive dunks. His ability to dribble through multiple defenders and finish with authority injected life into Butler’s second-half performance.

Jack McCaffery also impressed at the five position, especially against a smaller IU Indy frontcourt. At 6-foot-9, McCaffery displayed excellent footwork and touch around the basket, regularly finishing through contact despite his lean frame. This adds a new dimension to Butler’s frontcourt rotation beyond Ajayi and Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor.

—

### What I Disliked in Butler’s Win vs. IU Indy

Butler’s fast-paced style occasionally spun out of control, particularly in the first half which featured 24 fouls and 30 free throw attempts. IU Indy resorted to fouling once Butler broke their press, but the result was an ugly game flow. Butler’s poor free-throw shooting made fouling an effective strategy for the opposition, though it’s not an exciting approach to watch.

Jackson attacked the basket well but did not receive consistent support from teammates when looking to dish. Butler’s big men struggled to finish lobs cleanly, bobbling passes and allowing IU Indy’s defense to reset. Reliable hands in the paint are a valuable asset, and currently, lob plays do not seem like a dependable part of Butler’s offense.

Despite holding a 13-point lead at halftime, Butler shot very poorly, missing eight consecutive free throws at one point and going just 2-for-12 (16.7%) from three-point range in the first half. Missing that many free throws is difficult to excuse; Butler cannot afford to be this unreliable from the charity stripe in closer contests.

Turnovers also continued to plague Butler, losing the turnover battle for the second consecutive game. IU Indy capitalized on 17 Butler giveaways, turning them into 26 points. Reducing turnovers is critical for sustained success this season.

—

### What Butler’s Win vs. IU Indy Means

Butler showed it can handle teams it is favored over — the Dawgs were heavy favorites against Southern Indiana and IU Indy, and they avoided any major hiccups. However, the performance raises as many questions as it answers regarding the team’s longer-term outlook.

Butler’s ability to beat the press should be viewed in context; IU Indy lacks the length and athleticism that higher-level opponents will bring. Slow starts and poor shooting might have derailed past Butler squads, so the team deserves credit for regrouping and closing out strongly.

Overall, this win is a positive step, but consistency in execution — especially from the free-throw line and in limiting turnovers — will be necessary for Butler to thrive against tougher competition.

—

*Stay tuned for more Butler basketball insights and coverage throughout the season.*
https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/butler/2025/11/08/butler-basketball-score-today-iu-indy-game-stats-likes-dislikes-points-michael-ajayi-jalen-jackson/87166843007/

general

The First Descendant: Best Harris build guide (3-hit combo)

2025 年 11 月 9 日 admin Leave a comment

If you enjoy close-combat melee action and love punching enemies in **The First Descendant**, then Harris is a character you’ll definitely enjoy playing. Harris excels at jumping from one group of enemies to another while dealing heavy melee damage. At the same time, she provides valuable support by granting overshields to herself and other party members, helping keep everyone safe from potentially fatal hits. When you include Harris in your squad, you’re likely fielding one of the safest teams in the game.

To maximize her effectiveness, having a solid build is essential. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best way to mod Harris, including the ideal Reactor, External Components, and Arche Tuning setups.

—

## Best Harris Build in The First Descendant

Harris is unique among Descendants because she **does not require MP to use her skills**. Instead, her first and second abilities operate on cooldowns—the shorter the cooldown, the more frequently you can use these powerful moves. Both abilities generate **Toxin**, a crucial resource needed to activate her third and fourth skills.

### Harris’s Abilities Overview

– **First Ability:** A barrage of heavy punches delivered with her unique mechanical arms called NOVA. The combo consists of three hits: the first two deal standard damage, while the third hit delivers double damage to finish off remaining enemies.

– **Crowd Control:** Each punch applies the *Towed* debuff, pulling enemies together and grouping them for easier targeting.

– **Toxin Generation:** Each hit generates Toxin, which fuels her other abilities.

With the right build, each hit from her first ability can reach **millions of damage**, making Harris especially effective across the Axion Plains and against the Void Intercept boss fights.

—

### Recommended Mod Setup for Harris’s 3-Hit Combo Build

– Safety Training (Transcendent module)
– Stim Accelerant
– Increased HP
– Nimble Fingers
– MP Conversion
– Skill Expansion
– Shield Charge
– Skill Extension
– Toxic Amplification
– Power Increase
– Pioneer’s Resolution (Ancestor module)
– Steel Vanguard (Trigger module)

Since Harris’s overshield scales with her HP, boosting your health pool significantly increases survivability. Her straightforward skill rotation focuses on constantly generating and spending Toxin. Use her first and second abilities to fill all three resource bars, then spend them immediately to maintain pressure.

Every time Harris’s Toxin level crosses certain thresholds—whether increasing or decreasing—she gains passive buffs. These buffs enhance cooldown recovery, duration, HP, defense, melee weapon attack, and skill power. Your objective is to keep these buffs active by continuously cycling your Toxin levels.

—

### Ancestor Module Details

The ideal Ancestor module for Harris is **Pioneer’s Resolution**, which allows stacking multiple stats and delivers a substantial damage boost to her abilities. If you don’t have one yet, **Skill Amplification** is a reasonable alternative.

When aiming to optimize your Pioneer’s Resolution mod, prioritize these stats:

– Skill Cooldown
– Fusion Skill Power
– HP
– MP

Keep in mind that re-rolling stats on Ancestor modules can be costly, so it’s okay to use whatever stats you currently have until you can further refine your gear.

—

## Best Reactor, External Components, and Arche Tuning for Harris

### Reactor

For Harris, the best Reactors are **Toxic Fusion** or **Toxin Tech**.

– Using a **Tech** Reactor maximizes the damage output of her punches.
– Choosing a **Fusion** Reactor boosts the damage of her laser beam ability.

For sub-stats, combining **Skill Cooldown** with either **Toxin** or **Fusion Power Boost** provides the most effective results.

### External Components

The **Plague set** is the top choice for Harris’s External Components. Although this set severely penalizes Firearm Critical Hit and Damage, equipping four Plague pieces boosts:

– Tech Power by 5%
– Toxic Skill Power by a massive 43%

Since Harris’s playstyle revolves around generating and using toxins, this substantial Toxic Skill Power boost greatly enhances her damage potential. Additionally, a custom resource generated for Harris (toxins) grants another 21% boost.

### Arche Tuning

Harris’s Arche Tuning board relies on two ultimate nodes, similar to the setup used in Hailey’s *Cold Heart* build.

– Prioritize the gold nodes **Enhanced Skill Power** for increased ability damage.
– To spam her first ability more frequently, invest in the **Enhanced Skill Cooldown** node.
– You may swap nodes based on your preference, such as exchanging **Enhanced Additional Skill ATK** or **Colossus** for **Skill Range** or more HP.

For the **Mutant Cell**, equip **Toxin Chain Catalyst** to reduce enemy resistance each time you hit them with a skill, further amplifying your damage output.

—

With these mods, components, and tuning choices, Harris becomes a powerhouse close-combat melee fighter with excellent survivability and team support. This build is well-suited for tackling all in-game content, ensuring you get the most out of her abilities in **The First Descendant**.

For more strategies and character guides, be sure to check out our other related articles!
https://www.sportskeeda.com/mmo/the-first-descendant-tfd-best-harris-build-guide

general

Dodgers Front Office Gets Clear Message From Shohei Ohtani

2025 年 11 月 9 日 admin Leave a comment

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani made his feelings clear regarding the team’s offseason ambitions.

The Dodgers won the World Series in dramatic fashion, beating the Toronto Blue Jays in seven games. Down 3-2 with two road games left, Los Angeles was on the verge of failing to defend their 2024 title.

Then, manager Dave Roberts got his team refocused and rallied them, pulling off a tough string of back-to-back wins.

In Game 7, the Dodgers were down 4-3 in the top of the ninth inning. With one out on the board, nine-hole hitter Miguel Rojas came up to bat. After battling with Blue Jays closer Trevor Hoffman, Rojas eventually got a hold of one and drove it over the wall, hitting the game-tying home run that kept the Dodgers in the game.

The Dodgers ended up winning the game on the back of Will Smith’s 11th-inning homer, cementing Rojas as a hero in the eyes of fans.

Dodgers supporters were not the only ones grateful for Rojas’ heroics. Shohei Ohtani was also appreciative of Rojas’s efforts and made an effort to send a message about his future.

“I think one of the coolest things that happened in my life, so far. I hit the homer, right? And everybody’s kind of like on top of me, right there in front of the dugout,” Rojas told Chris Rose Sports.

“But then, Shohei, he’s hitting next, right? He popped it up to left, to make it two outs in the inning. Came back to the dugout, and I’m by the back rack, like laying my helmet, and Shohei came to me and he say, ‘Miggy, you can’t retire next year. You’re playing with me for 10 more years.’

“And I got a picture of him kind of like holding me, and telling me that I can’t retire next year, that I have to play 10 more years. And I say, ‘Shohei, I’m old, and I don’t know if I can play for 10 more years, but I’ll play with you next year, for sure.’”

Rojas should end up staying with the Dodgers. The organization tends to reward players who are fan-favorites and locker room leaders. He can also still field at a high level and has positional versatility, both of which will be valuable to the team.
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/mlb/dodgers-front-office-gets-clear-message-from-shohei-ohtani-11016546

general

Pin Up Casino – Azrbaycanda Onlayn Kazino Rsmi Giri.2332

2025 年 11 月 9 日 admin Leave a comment

Pin Up Casino Azərbaycanda Onlayn Kazino Rəsmi Giriş ▶️ OYNA

Pin Up Casino haqqında məlumatlar

Pin Up Casino, Azərbaycanda populyarlaşan onlayn kazinolardan biridir. Bu kazino, pin-up stilində qurulmuş və geniş oyun seçimi ilə tanınır. Pin Up Casino rəsmi veb-saytından pin up giriş yolu ilə müraciət edə bilərsiniz və müxtəlif onlayn oyunları oynaya bilərsiniz.

Pinup, pin-up casino, Pinap və pin-up adları da bu platforma tərəfindən istifadə olunur. Azərbaycanda bu platforma pinup az kimi tanınır və milyonlarla oyunçunun sevimli onlayn kazinosudur.

Pin Up Casino Azərbaycanda daxil olmaq üçün rəsmi pin up giriş saytından istifadə edə bilərsiniz. Həmçinin rəsmi veb-saytındakı pinup və pin-up casino giriş səhifələrindən də asanlıqla müraciət mümkündür.

Pin Up Casino-da oyun oynayın

Pin Up Casino-da ən yaxşı və təhlükəsiz şans oyunları ilə əylənə bilərsiniz. Azərbaycandakı pinup az veb saytından rahatlıqla platformaya daxil olaraq, pin up casino giriş səhifəsinə yönləndiriləcəksiniz.

Pinap və pinup az platformalarından birini seçərək Pin Up Casino-da qeydiyyatdan keçə və müxtəlif oyunları sınaya bilərsiniz. Burada slotlar, karta oyunları, canlı kazino və daha çox oyun növləri mövcuddur.

Pin Up Casino-da oyun oynayaraq həm əylənə, həm də qazanc əldə edə bilərsiniz. Ödəniş üsulları təhlükəsiz və istifadəçi dostudur, əməkdaşlıq proqramları ilə dostlarınızı da buraya dəvət edə bilərsiniz.

Pin Up Casino-da rəsmi rəy və təkliflər

Pin Up Casino, rəsmi veb-sayt və mobil tətbiq vasitəsilə istifadəçilərə çoxsaylı bonuslar və təqdimatlar təqdim edir. Yeni müştərilər üçün mövcud olan bonuslar arasında:

100% qazanma bonusu,
1000 AZN məbləğində 200% qazanma bonusu,
10000 AZN məbləğində 300% qazanma bonusu.

Bu təkliflər, istifadəçilərin qazanma şanslarını artırmaqla yanaşı, oyun təcrübəsini daha maraqlı və gəlirli edir.

Həmçinin, Pin Up Casino-da hər ay yeni kampaniyalar keçirilir. Bu kampaniyalar istifadəçilərə əlavə imkanlar verir və onların onlayn kazino təcrübəsini zənginləşdirir.

Mobil tətbiq vasitəsilə də bonuslar və kampaniyalardan faydalanmaq mümkündür. Mobil cihazlarda oyun oynayarkən də Pin Up Casino-nun təqdim etdiyi təkliflərdən yararlanaraq qazanma şansınızı artıra bilərsiniz.

Nəticə

Pin Up Casino Azərbaycanda etibarlı və populyar onlayn kazino platformasıdır. Geniş oyun çeşidi, təhlükəsiz ödəniş üsulları və cazibədar bonusları ilə oyunçular arasında çox sevilir. Rəsmi sayt və mobil tətbiq vasitəsilə daxil olaraq, ən yaxşı kazino təcrübəsini yaşaya bilərsiniz.

https://cryptoverze.com/pin-up-casino-azrbaycanda-onlayn-kazino-rsmi-giri-200/

general

Wallbox N.V. 2025 Q3 – Results – Earnings Call Presentation

2025 年 11 月 9 日 admin Leave a comment

Wallbox N.V. 2025 Q3 Results – Earnings Call Presentation

SA Transcripts | 156.63K Followers

The following slide deck was published by Wallbox N.V. in conjunction with their Q3 2025 earnings call.

This article has been prepared by Seeking Alpha’s Transcripts team, who are responsible for developing all of our transcript-related projects. We currently publish thousands of quarterly earnings calls each quarter on our site and continue to grow and expand our coverage.

The purpose of this profile is to provide our readers with updates on new transcript-related developments.

Thank you for reading,
SA Transcripts Team

general

Little Gifts for Coworkers at Christmas (That Won’t Break Your Budget)

2025 年 11 月 8 日 admin Leave a comment

Finding the perfect Christmas gift for coworkers doesn’t have to cost much. Here are creative, inexpensive ideas that say “I care” while keeping your holiday budget intact.

Many of us spend a significant amount of time with our coworkers. Over time, those daily check-ins, shared laughs, and coffee breaks can turn into genuine friendships. So, showing appreciation with a thoughtful gift can brighten their holiday season without breaking the bank.

general

Texans Add Versatile Veteran to Roster Ahead of Showdown Against Jaguars

2025 年 11 月 8 日 admin Leave a comment

The Houston Texans continued their roster shuffle ahead of their Week 10 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, focusing primarily on their injury-depleted secondary. To bolster their defensive backfield, the Texans will rely on veteran Myles Bryant, a versatile player with six NFL seasons under his belt.

### Texans Elevate Myles Bryant From Practice Squad for Jaguars Game

Bryant, now in his second season with the Texans, has been elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for the third time this season, according to league sources. KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on November 8 that Bryant’s versatility makes him a valuable asset, as he has experience playing nickel, safety, and outside corner positions.

With starting nickel corner Jalen Pitre sidelined due to a concussion, Bryant is expected to see significant playing time. The Texans plan to deploy their base 4-3 defense frequently, with Bryant stepping in during nickel situations.

In addition to this move, the Texans placed rookie third-round pick Jaylin Smith on injured reserve, adding to the challenges faced by the team’s secondary.

### Bryant’s Career and Contribution

Myles Bryant entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots in 2020. Over his career, he has compiled 214 total tackles, four interceptions, three forced fumbles, two sacks, and one recovery. His experience and versatility make him a valuable depth piece for the Texans as they navigate multiple injuries.

Meanwhile, the Texans have already made changes to their safety group this season. They released offseason trade acquisition C.J. Gardner-Johnson and brought in former Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-round pick M.J. Stewart (2018) as his replacement. Since Gardner-Johnson’s departure, the Texans’ defense has performed well, but injuries to Bryant and Stewart could test their depth moving forward.

### Texans Bring Back UDFA Cornerback Alijah Huzzie

Earlier in the week, the Texans made additional moves in the secondary. Rookie cornerback Alijah Huzzie was initially cut to make room for former Las Vegas Raiders first-round pick Damon Arnette on the 53-man roster. However, Huzzie was quickly re-signed to the practice squad after clearing waivers.

Wilson reported on November 7 that the Texans re-signed Huzzie, who had been activated from the Reserve/Non-Football Injury (NFI) list on November 5. The undrafted rookie out of North Carolina has yet to appear in a game this season but remains part of the team’s depth chart.

### Texans Navigating Significant Injury Concerns

The Texans face several notable injuries as they prepare for the Jaguars. Besides Jalen Pitre’s concussion, the team is dealing with injuries to offensive linemen Ed Ingram and Tytus Howard, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, and starting quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Davis Mills is set to start in place of Stroud, while Blake Fisher and Juice Scruggs will fill in for Howard and Ingram, respectively. To fill the kicker position left vacant by Fairbairn, the Texans signed veteran and former Jaguars kicker Matthew Wright.

With these roster adjustments, the Texans aim to maintain competitive depth to overcome their injury challenges and secure a win in Week 10 against Jacksonville.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/houston-texans/bryant-huzzie-roster-injuries-jaguars-ryans/

general

How one athlete changed the story for Indian cricket

2025 年 11 月 8 日 admin Leave a comment

Audio will be available later today.

India’s new heroine is a comeback kid who led her cricket team to a world victory. Her remarkable journey and leadership have captured the hearts of fans across the nation.

However, she has also become a target for Hindu extremists due to her open display of her Christian faith. Despite the challenges, she continues to inspire many with her resilience and commitment both on and off the field.
https://www.npr.org/2025/11/08/nx-s1-5595640/how-one-athlete-changed-the-story-for-indian-cricket

general

Our Best Stuff From the Week Trump’s Tariffs Had Their Day in Court

2025 年 11 月 8 日 admin Leave a comment

On Wednesday, Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation, sat onstage with three other members of the executive team at the conservative think tank’s headquarters for an all-hands meeting. Only six days earlier, he had posted a short video defending Tucker Carlson after the former Fox News host conducted a lengthy and friendly interview with a prominent online neo-Nazi, Nick Fuentes.

Roberts was there to explain himself and hear from staffers who were angry and hurt by their leader’s embrace of Carlson. In the Fuentes interview, Carlson had elevated the most vile sort of bigotry, described Christian public figures who support the state of Israel as detestable people infected with a “brain virus,” and said he “dislikes more than anybody” people he called “Christian Zionists.”

There are eras and epochs of antisemitism, with various styles that blend and compound in the antisemitic heart. Redneckery, surely, will not be the final form. Antisemitism of a kind existed in the classical era, as the Zionist essayist Ahad Ha’am noted in 1897:

“History teaches us that in the days of the Herodian house Palestine was indeed a Jewish State, but the national culture was despised and persecuted, and the ruling house did everything in its power to implant Roman culture in the country.”

The theme of Jewish separateness, distinctiveness, and immunity to assimilation—already present in the ancient world—would form the basis of most antisemitism throughout history. The Christian era added a new religious dimension to antisemitism, which was closely intertwined with cultural prejudices in the minds of Catholic thinkers such as Belloc, for whom “the faith is Europe and Europe is the faith.”

In the disenchanted modern world, antisemitism became a matter of pseudoscience, a subgenre of biological racism.

Our current president isn’t antisemitic—not in the way Fuentes is, anyway—but he is as amoral a creature as ever crawled from the sea, caring little for classical liberalism as an ideology or an American political tradition. The idea of banishing anyone, including Tucker Carlson, from Donald Trump’s party for being “offensive” is comically ridiculous.

It is no longer the Buckleyites who supply the right’s intellectual energy, such as it is. Instead, it’s postliberals like Adrian Vermeule, Curtis Yarvin, and Patrick Deneen. Carl Schmitt—not Antonin Scalia—is in vogue among new right legal thinkers.

That’s what I meant when I said Roberts’ quote is preposterous for more than one reason: when he calls on the conservative movement to have hard conversations about its direction, he’s implying that a “conservative” movement still meaningfully exists and that it retains the power to cancel postliberals if it so chooses.
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/weekly/supreme-court-tariffs-antisemitism-heritage-foundation/