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This Stat Explains Exactly How Rays Won 98 Games
The Tampa Bay Rays won 98 games by dominating close situations, going 25-4 in one-run games and 61-35 in games decided by three runs or fewer. Elite pitching control, MLB's lowest strikeout rate and a versatile offense could make Tampa Bay dangerous in the MLB playoffs.
Norway parliament probes Epstein links to politicians, diplomats
Norway's parliament begins public hearings on Wednesday on ties between late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Norwegian diplomats and politicians in a scandal that has shaken the nation's elite.
Thieneman’s Pick Sets Tone In Bears’ 27-7 Eagles Win
Rookie Dillon Thieneman recorded his first NFL interception in a dominant 27-7 win over the Eagles, proving the Bears' draft class is elite.
Why Paolo Banchero is Ready to 'Dominate Every Single Night'
Armed with elite conditioning and a refined interior presence, Orlando’s cornerstone enters his third season hunting consistency and a superstar leap to lead the Magic through the East.
How elite universities got tangled up in politics and petroleum
Half a century of corporate influence set the stage for Trump's attacks, a new study argues.
How elite universities got tangled up in politics and petroleum
Half a century of corporate influence set the stage for Trump's attacks on higher education, a new study argues.
Josh Pate Thinks Florida Was Screwed Over in New Rankings
Despite a massive jump to eighth, critics argue the Gators' elite resume deserves more respect. A brutal October stretch will determine if Florida belongs in the playoff conversation.
Why Paolo Banchero Needs Massive Leap Into Superstardom
Orlando must shatter a cycle of first-round exits, demanding that their cornerstone hunter trades jump-shot settling for interior dominance and elite efficiency to join the league's elite.
New 'Pokémon Winds and Waves' Leaks Fill Major Gap Left by Game Freak's Silence
Including gameplay, maps, and Elite Four character models
U20 Elite League: Germany vs. Italy
Hannes Wolf’s Germany U20 squad will face Italy in Spain in the second matchday of the U20 Elite League. Last season's runner-up started their campaign with a narrow win over France, while Italy los...
Opinion | Trump Revealed Something Essential About Elites
There are always elites. The people get to decide which ones rule.
Arkansas defense holds the key to 2026 SEC season
If Arkansas is not playing an elite offense, it can get work done
Bengals’ Dominant Defense Disappears in Loss to Steelers
Aaron Rodgers dismantled Cincinnati’s elite unit as injuries to key starters left the secondary vulnerable, stalling a fierce pass rush and forcing a late Joe Burrow turnover.
Quansah: England Were Punished For Their Mistakes Against Spain
Jarell Quansah warns that squandered chances and missed penalties proved fatal against the world champions, emphasizing the unforgiving margins England must bridge to conquer elite international opposition.
Chelsea Join Race For RB Leipzig Centre-Back Lukeba
Europe’s elite are circling the versatile Frenchman as a high-stakes bidding war looms for the left-footed prodigy, whose tactical composure makes him the market's most coveted defender.
Oklahoma Sooners Suffer Humiliating Loss to the Georgia Bulldgos
Four first-half turnovers and a stagnant offense betrayed Oklahoma’s elite defense in Athens, allowing the Bulldogs to cruise toward a dominant victory before the fourth quarter began
Xiaomi 18 Pro vs. Xiaomi 18 Pro Max: Video shows big difference between the two Leica main cameras
There are obvious and less obvious differences between the two new Leica camera flagships based on the 2 nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipsets. The difference between their main camera sensors is far from transparent, but it makes a major difference in daily life, as a comparison video demonstrates.
3 ways the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 is actually worse than last year’s chip
The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 cuts key features found on last year's Gen 5 chip. Is Qualcomm's new flagship processor a hidden downgrade?
Best Pokémon TCG deal: 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box for below market price
Amazon somehow still has stock.
D'Aneglo Russell Could Make Sense for Trail Blazers
Fresh off his Memphis release, the veteran playmaker offers Portland low-risk backcourt depth and elite shot-creation to fortify a roster suddenly aiming for a Western Conference playoff run.
Debating Whether Phoenix Suns Should Consider Trade for Kyrie Irving
A potential Dallas departure sparks questions about pairing the mercurial star with Devin Booker. Can Irving’s elite scoring outweigh his massive contract and significant injury history?
‘Those interactions won’t always happen through a screen’: Qualcomm
Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 puts Wi-Fi 6E and twice the AI power in earbuds. Qualcomm also showed 1-bit AI glasses platforms and a health alliance.
LeBron James mocked online over viral open-run footage
headlinephotos/Depositphotos LeBron James sparks new 76ers viral debate LeBron James, a forward for the Philadelphia 76ers, became the focus of a viral video on September 22, 2026, showing him missing jumpers during an open run at Crespi Carmelite High School in Los Angeles. The footage came from a longer session also featuring NBA players DeMar…
Qualcomm’s new ‘Elite’ sound chip might finally deliver the Wi-Fi earbud dream
Also, they can power earbuds with cameras.
Stanford Legend Christian McCaffrey Joins Elite Group in NFL History
The San Francisco 49ers running back has been a scoring machine throughout his career.
Paolo Banchero Plummets in Latest NBA Player Rankings
Despite elite production and playoff heroics, efficiency concerns and inconsistent decision-making have sparked a significant slide for Orlando’s cornerstone as he faces a pivotal make-or-break season.
Microsoft’s New Surface Laptops Embody the PC-Phone Marriage Snapdragon Promised Years Ago
Qualcomm's PC chips were developed with the company's phone DNA. Two generations in, we're seeing payoffs.
Thomas Sorber Is Thunder's Forgotten First-Round Wild Card
Hidden behind injuries and draft-day hype, the physical Georgetown product offers a bruising interior presence and elite wingspan that could redefine the Thunder’s versatile frontcourt rotation.
Walker Kessler's ESPN Rise Sends Clear Message to Utah Jazz
A 25-spot rankings surge for the Lakers’ newest center exposes a harsh reality: elite production often stays hidden until paired with superstars and the national spotlight.
Qualcomm announces Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 for AI ‘hearables,’ even ones with cameras
Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 as a substantial chipset for upcoming audio devices, with a massive focus...
UCF Ready To Prove Doubters Wrong in Big 12 Opener
The Knights face a pivotal showdown against TCU’s elite run defense to shed their underdog status.
Xiaomi 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max arrive with latest Snapdragon chips, privacy displays and more useful rear screens
They also get larger batteries and identical triple cameras. It only took a couple of hours for the first phones with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen...
Xiaomi 18 Pro series goes official with ‘privacy screen,’ 8,500 mAh battery, and Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6
Xiaomi has just launched its new Xiaomi 18 Pro and Xiaomi 18 Pro Max in China with flagship specs, massive...
These 3 Major Upgrades Could Be Heading to Your Next Flagship Android Phone
Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chip will be in the top phones of 2026 and 2027. Here's what it can do.
Alicia Keys, Gigi Hadid and Jennifer Lopez bring star power to Vogue World in Milan
Italy's fashion elite has gathered for Vogue's annual fashion event at the historic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II | KCBS All News 106.9FM and 740AM
De Paula’s Early Success Threatens Hernández’s Dodgers Future
As top prospect Josue De Paula’s historic offensive surge ignites the Los Angeles Dodgers, his elite plate discipline and sudden emergence could force Teoscar Hernández out of town.
Kudos to Motorola for This Actually Refreshing Phone Design
The Motorola Signature 27 is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Exteme Gen 6, and that pretty much guarantees it won’t be cheap.
Phoenix Suns 2026-27 Player Profile: Haywood Highsmith
After a savvy salary cap maneuver, the versatile sharpshooter battles for a roster spot, offering elite defensive length and lethal floor spacing for a deep Phoenix rotation.
Qualcomm launches two new smartphone chips with emphasis on AI
Qualcomm said that its new top chip can run 30B mixture-of-expert model locally
Motorola's New Signature 27 Is Among The First Smartphone To Use The Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 Processor
Not bad for a quick refresh.
Comments Reveal A Striking Truth About Trae Young’s Hawks Era
Trae Young accomplished plenty during his time with the Atlanta Hawks, but one thing consistently appeared to be missing around the former franchise superstar. Atlanta surrounded Young with several quality players throughout his tenure, yet the organization never truly found another elite offensive threat capable of consistently forcing defenses to shift their attention away from …
Mike McCarthy’s pass-first obsession is failing the Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy is leaning heavily on a pass-first scheme that exposes the offense's lack of elite skill players.
The B-teams making elite look ordinary
The fact that Arsenal are not invincible has clearly come as a bit of a surprise to some people. Both Brighton and Brentford will sit in the top four for the three weeks of the international break, with Bournemouth finding their feet under a new manager. In the last four seasons Brighton have averaged an eighth-place league finish - astonishing for a smaller provincial club outwith the major cities.
Jiang Feng: The Unravelling of German & European Politics
A state election in eastern Germany has become a revealing test of the changing political landscapes of Germany and Europe, writes Jiang Feng, Professor and Chairman of the Council of the Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Area Studies (SAGGAS) at Shanghai International Studies University. His analysis follows the decisive victory of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) (which has been classified as right-wing extremist by German authorities)in the state of Saxony-Anhalt on 6 September, in which it finished far ahead of its mainstream rivals. Jiang previously served as Minister-Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Berlin. The following article was published on 8 September 2026 on huanqiu.com, the online platform of the Global Times. On 6 September, the results of the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, were announced. The Alternative for Germany (AfD), classified as far-right by German authorities, made history by becoming the largest party in the state parliament, winning 43.8 per cent of the vote — twice its share in the previous election. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which had governed the state continuously for 24 years, won just 17.2 per cent, its worst result ever in Saxony-Anhalt. On the night the results were announced, the atmosphere at the CDU gathering was unusually calm. There was neither shock nor argument, as if the defeat had long been expected. Several veteran party members who had spent years working in the state government said: “Defeat is not a bad thing. It is time to make changes.” This state election has not only upended Saxony-Anhalt’s political landscape, but also laid bare the deep tensions between Germany’s traditional party structure and model of governance, on the one hand, and an increasingly polarised society on the other. Its repercussions are already being felt at the federal level, making Saxony-Anhalt a useful case study of the broader trend towards political polarisation and realignment in Europe. Governing Difficulties after Electoral Victory The most immediate consequence of the election is a historic setback for the mainstream party order that took shape in post-war Germany. In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD has leapt from a peripheral party to the largest political force in the state. Its electoral base has expanded beyond the traditional category of “marginal protest voters” to take on the characteristics of a cross-class coalition. The party has not only consolidated its support in rural areas, but also attracted many middle-class voters and even members of the social elite with stable jobs, their own homes, and substantial incomes. It has thus evolved from a “protest party” into one with the potential to govern. Despite its commanding lead in the vote, however, the AfD faces an institutional obstacle to governing the state: the mainstream parties’ long-standing “firewall” against it. Neither of the two potential routes to forming a government appears likely to break the current political deadlock. The first would be a coalition of establishment parties, led by the CDU and bringing together the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens, the Left Party (Die Linke) and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) in a cross-camp government. In terms of parliamentary arithmetic, such a coalition could prevent the AfD from forming a government and preserve the outward stability of the traditional political order. Yet these parties are fundamentally divided over key issues including immigration, the energy transition, economic management, and cultural and education policy. Coalition negotiations would therefore be extremely difficult, and even if a government could be formed, it would most likely prove short-lived. More importantly, an alliance of establishment parties aimed at keeping the largest party out of government would play directly into the AfD’s narrative that “political elites are suppressing public opinion”. It could deepen perceptions of political unfairness, further strengthening the AfD’s political capital, and creating a dynamic in which “the more it is suppressed, the more people vote for it”. Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s candidate for state premier, has said that if efforts to form a government fail because other parties refuse to cooperate, the AfD will push for a fresh election, which he believes could deliver the party an absolute majority of seats. This points to more intense political battles ahead. The second option would be a coalition between the AfD and the BSW. Together, the two parties would command a simple majority in parliament, making this, on paper, the quickest route to forming a government. The BSW is the only elected party that has not ruled out cooperation with the AfD, and the two parties share some common ground, including on policy towards Russia. There is therefore a degree of political basis for cooperation. Were such a coalition to materialise, Germany would see its first state government jointly formed by a party defined as far-right and one with a far-left background, creating what might be called a “bipolar anti-establishment alliance”. Such an outcome would fundamentally break with the ideological boundaries of post-war German party politics. It is worth noting that even if the AfD ultimately fails to enter the state government, its roughly 47 per cent share of parliamentary seats would give it a powerful blocking minority. Without its consent, major decisions requiring a two-thirds majority — including constitutional amendments, significant budgetary adjustments, and state-level institutional reforms — would be extremely difficult to pass. Therefore, whoever ultimately forms the government, the AfD will be an unavoidable force in Saxony-Anhalt politics, with a direct influence on the state’s legislative process. Systemic Failures in Germany’s Governance Model The Saxony-Anhalt election result reflects a systemic failure of Germany’s post-war mainstream-party model of governance to adapt to rapidly changing socioeconomic conditions. It stems from multiple, mutually reinforcing structural tensions and highlights the existing political system’s difficulty in adapting to “an increasingly polarised society First, collective anxiety has replaced individual material hardship as a central driver of political mobilisation. The rise of the AfD can no longer be explained simply by poverty or social marginalisation. Its increasingly cross-class electoral base suggests that what is driving voters towards the party is, above all, concern about the broader direction of society. This anxiety about the future of the political community goes beyond individual gains and losses. In political discourse, economic anxiety has become closely intertwined with immigration, while immigration and refugee issues are, in essence, questions of social fairness. This perception turns conflicts over the distribution of social resources into negative assessments of governing parties, providing a broad social basis for far-right political narratives. Second, regional disparities and East German identity have undermined the strategy of addressing eastern Germany’s structural challenges at the regional level. More than three decades after German reunification, eastern states such as Saxony-Anhalt have experienced periods of economic growth, but their underlying economic structures remain weak, and household incomes and wealth remain significantly below those in western Germany. At the same time, they continue to face population outflow, an ageing population, labour shortages, and other structural challenges. At a deeper level, historical experiences — including the collapse of the former East German economic system, mass unemployment during the transition, and the westward shift of decision-making power over major issues — have left some residents with a sense of being “second-class citizens” and of being excluded. For years, the German government treated the “syndrome” of reunification as a regional problem to be gradually addressed at the local level. That approach is becoming increasingly unsustainable, as regional development disparities emerge as a core structural factor shaping national politics. Third, the erosion of institutional trust is perhaps the most decisive factor. AfD supporters tend to distrust establishment institutions, including parliament, government, and the mainstream media. Their concerns about economic security, pensions, and social fairness are significantly greater than the social average. Increasingly, their support for the AfD reflects not an expectation that the existing system can be improved, but a search for an alternative to the current political order. Such a systemic deficit of trust will be extremely difficult for the traditional parties to repair in the short term. Fourth, a generational shift in political mobilisation has amplified political polarisation. Unlike traditional parties, which rely heavily on offline rallies and mainstream media coverage, the AfD has developed a social-media mobilisation strategy built around “raising an issue — identifying who is responsible — offering a simplified solution — building a shared identity”. It turns complex social tensions into concise political narratives, rapidly channelling public sentiment into political support. The contrast on the eve of the election was particularly telling. The establishment parties, together with trade unions and churches, organised an offline march attended by more than 10,000 people, but its reach was largely confined to those present and to traditional media coverage. The AfD held a much smaller indoor event, yet livestreaming on TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms, combined with the involvement of online influencers, gave it a reach and mobilising capacity far beyond that of the march. The contrast illustrates how the traditional parties’ methods of political mobilisation are increasingly struggling to keep pace with a political environment transformed by changes in media technology. A Microcosm of Structural Political Change in Europe The shockwaves from the Saxony-Anhalt election quickly travelled beyond the state to the federal level. Calls for political accountability followed immediately after the results were announced. The governing CDU and SPD are now under enormous pressure, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil face an unprecedented test. Political polarisation in Germany is no longer simply a regional phenomenon. The post-war model of multiparty government by establishment parties is breaking down and being reshaped. Viewed in a broader European context, the Saxony-Anhalt election is part of a continent-wide wave of party polarisation, mainstream-party decline, and rising right-wing forces. Far from an isolated phenomenon, it is a microcosm of the structural political changes unfolding across Europe. Weak economic growth, cultural tensions over immigration, and declining trust in institutions are fuelling the rise of right-wing forces in several countries, challenging the liberal internationalist order established in post-war Europe. As a core member state of the European Union, Germany’s ability to adapt its political system and the direction of its politics will have profound implications for both European integration and the evolution of the international order. Subscribe [ Pekingnology China’s Germany watchers take stock of Berlin’s uneasy turn On 7 December 2025, nearly 50 Chinese scholars and policy researchers gathered in Beijing for the 2025年德国形势年终研讨会 “2025 Year-End Seminar on the Situation in Germany… Read more 9 months ago · 31 likes · 1 comment · YIRUI LI and Yuxuan JIA ](https://www.pekingnology.com/p/chinas-germany-watchers-take-stock?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=web&embedding_publication_id=1151841) [ Jiang Feng on Germany's 2025 and beyond: no easy exit ](https://www.eastisread.com/p/jiang-feng-on-germanys-2025-and-beyond) Yirui LI and Yuxuan JIA · Jan 24 The following is an op-ed by Jiang Feng, published on 29 December 2025 at Shanghai Observer 上观新闻, the digital platform of Jiefang Daily, the official newspaper of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). [ Read full story ](https://www.eastisread.com/p/jiang-feng-on-germanys-2025-and-beyond)
Putin’s ‘war heroes’ form new political elite in Russian parliament
Many of the men served in units that Kyiv has accused of war crimes
UCF’s Guidance Earned Daunte Culpepper’s Commitment in 1995
While elite programs vanished as his grades plummeted, a lone coach’s academic roadmap inspired the future NFL star to choose loyalty over prestige and rewrite record books.
HP Stock Drops After PC Maker Forecasts Industry Sales Decline
HPQ stock fell Monday after HP forecast industrywide personal computer sales will decline by mid-single digits next year.
Whether you like it or not, celebrities have an impact on politics
The global groundswell of support for Macklemore’s pro-Palestinian advocacy serves to remind us that maybe celebrity activism really is that deep after all, writes Cheek’s Varsha Yajman. Subscribe In the last week, publications, podcasts, and influencers that have either rarely or never spoken about Israel’s genocide in Palestine have flooded my social feed. And it was all because singer Ed Sheeran and his team dropped Macklemore as his opener for saying “Free Palestine” on stage. Millions raised, millions speaking up in support of Palestine - all of this confirming my view that, whether I like it or not, celebrities do have an impact on political outcomes. And this is interesting when much of the time celebrity activism can induce an eye roll - I love to see Charli XCX pointing out a Palestinian flag in the crowd, but it’s hardly the bold symbol of allyship that some fans would make it out to be. But there’s a line between healthy scepticism and outright dismissal - and I’d argue that the latter lets the rich and powerful off far too easily. For instance, actress Jennifer Lawrence, once outspoken about her political views, last year told The Times she no longer believes celebrities have a role to play: “Celebrities do not make a difference whatsoever on who people vote for. So then what am I doing? I’m just sharing my opinion on something that’s going to add fuel to a fire that’s ripping the country apart.” While it’s a narrative she might find comfort in, it simply is not true. Grassroots movements often garner worldwide attention when celebrities and other high-profile spokespeople bring a mainstream platform to their causes. And this frustrates me. We have had three years of a live-streamed genocide. Macklemore himself has been calling for a Free Palestine long before he booked the Sheeran concert. Yet it’s the high-profile fallout of the last week that finally seems to have made saying “Free Palestine” socially acceptable in the mainstream. It feels like the collective mood has shifted, where calling out censorship is now the obvious response - not just the business of ‘radical’ activists. To recap, Sheeran’s decision followed an ultimatum from billionaire Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, one of the venues Sheeran was scheduled to perform at: either drop Macklemore as your opener after only two of the eight scheduled shows, or you do not play at any stadiums. Sheeran’s disappointing decision to stand on the side of billionaire-led censorship has ultimately seen a surge in support for Free Palestine. It began when all his openers and his backing band pulled out of Sheeran’s tour, in solidarity with Macklemore and with the Palestinian cause. It was met with an uproar of support from those who had never or barely touched politics before: influencers lip-syncing to Macklemore’s music, singers like Jack Antonoff singing “Free Palestine,” and publications and podcasts standing with Macklemore. And finally, we saw material support: Macklemore donated $1 million in profits from his two nights opening for Sheeran’s tour to several Palestinian aid groups and called for Sheeran and Kraft to match it, which they have since promised to do. We’ve also seen children’s entertainer Ms Rachel follow suit with a $1 million donation to Palestinian aid, and publication PopBase has donated $10,000. Anera, a humanitarian aid group working in Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan, said donations since Macklemore’s announcement were more than triple this month’s daily average. The group’s Instagram page has also gained 8,000 followers. Macklemore far from the first celebrity to speak and participate in politics in the Western World. In 1924, singer Al Jolson supported Republican candidate Warren G. Harding for president, and decades later, celebrities such as Harry Belafonte, Lena Horne, and Aretha Franklin voiced their public support for the Civil Rights movement. More recently, in the lead-up to the 2024 US election, ‘The Daily Show with Trevor Noah partnered with the organisation Power the Polls to recruit poll workers to address shortages- a problem disproportionately affecting voters of colour. The campaign saw 170,000 new sign-ups - 35,000 of which came directly through the TV show’s link - resulting in the recruitment of 713,000 total poll workers that year, an almost three-fold increase on the organisation’s goal. Alongside recruiting workers, celebrities in the US (where voting in elections is not compulsory) have made a huge difference by calling for people to register to vote. Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris in 2024 saw over 400,000 visitors on the voter registration site within 24 hours of her Instagram post. In 2023, Swift had urged her fans to register, resulting in 35,000 new voter registrations. Similarly, Ariana Grande promoted voter registration in 2019 by setting up booths at concerts on the American leg of her tour, resulting in over 33,000 voters registering. And the same thing is happening closer to home. This year, musician Jack River successfully called for government action to ensure creatives in Australia do not have their work scraped by generative AI companies. Celebrity as the mediator between the punter and the politician Celebrity activism isn’t just a feel-good news story - research tells us it actually makes a difference. By directing attention to issues affecting the average person, like voting inaccessibility or a lack of action on a genocide, researchers Alfred Archer and Amanda Cawston state that “celebrities can play a useful bridging role between political elites and the people they represent”. Alternatively, in a world where talking about politics is “not cool,” or where people lack exposure or knowledge to engage with politics, celebrities can act as an educational resource or an entry point into the political world - when they speak up about an issue, their audience gets exposed to it. Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields festival is a perfect example. Rodrigo partnered with twelve organisations focused on women’s issues, such as reproductive rights. These organisations had stalls at the festival for people to meet them and were also featured heavily on social media, giving their issues global attention and raising $20 million for the organisations. We have also seen celebrities at award shows such as the Emmys wearing F*CK ICE pins, referring to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s treatment and detainment of people - generally people of colour. When celebrities speak up about political issues in public forums, they put the issue at the forefront of mainstream media, rally their supporters, and make it clear that, however much they disagree, the government cannot simply ignore it. Our over-reliance on celebrities versus our politicians As much as I love seeing my favourite celebrity use their platform for a good cause, there is an important question to ask: not whether celebrity activism is good or bad, but whether we should have to rely on celebrities. And the answer would, in an ideal world, be no. In an ideal world, or merely a just world, action on Palestine would’ve happened decades ago, climate change would be taken seriously, and most importantly, people would understand their democratic rights. However, that is not our reality. Only around 28 per cent of Australian Year 10 students reach proficiency in civics and citizenship. In the US, almost two-thirds of people under 30 say high school civics education didn’t prepare them to understand voting deadlines, how to research candidates, or how to vote by mail. When civics education is weak, our trust in these institutions and our understanding of change-making processes also decline. This is where celebrity steps in and becomes our main source of reliance. As Mary R. Connelly notes in _The Tartan, “_Celebrities will always be involved in campaigns in one form or another, but their presence is not what causes people to vote blindly. The lack of political engagement and literacy is what allows celebrities to wield their influence on the political sphere so impactfully.” About the author Varsha Yajman is the Digital Content Producer at Cheek Media. She is a youth advocate and lawyer with a background in climate litigation and is passionate about looking at the intersection between race, climate justice, and mental health. Thanks for reading Cheek Media Co. ! This post is public so feel free to share it. Share
Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6’s Engineering Prototype Video Surfaces Before Official Launch, Showing A New Packaging, Improved Benchmark Scores & More
An engineering prototype of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 has leaked ahead of launch, revealing a new SoC packaging design, higher benchmark scores, and key hardware upgrades
The science on trans athletes is inconclusive. Cricket’s prejudice isn’t
Cricket Australia cleared Anaya Bangar to play elite women’s cricket. The ICC’s ban on trans athletes says the science is settled. It isn’t.
Lionel Messi joins Denis Bouanga in elite MLS club
By Jonathan SigalStop us if you've heard this one before: Lionel Messi has rewritten the MLS record books.The Argentine superstar netted his 20th goal of the season during Inter Miami CF's 2-2 draw wi...
Christian McCaffrey joins elite company with his 100th career touchdown
Christian McCaffrey put himself in some elite company with two short touchdown runs. McCaffrey's two 1-yard TDs in a 35-13 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday made him the fourth-fastest player in the Super Bowl era to reach 100 career touchdowns and the third player ever with at least 50 TDs with two franchises. “It means a lot,” McCaffrey said.
Devin Booker Reaffirms Long-Term Commitment to Phoenix Suns
Amid rising league-wide volatility, the four-time All-Star embraces a dual role as franchise lifer and veteran mentor, intent on recruiting elite talent to spark a championship resurgence.
Week 3 Sun Belt Reaction
Week 3 of the college football season has concluded, and it’s becoming more and more clear which teams can realistically compete for the Sun Belt championship. The conference is looking deeper than expected, but against the elite teams in the nation, they aren’t quite at that level yet. Take a look to see how some …
‘People are pissed off’: anger at the elite and the establishment is fueling this year’s midterms
Coming midterm elections are starting to be framed not as right versus left but instead the ‘well-fed versus the fed-up’
🗞️ Front pages: King Raphinha reigns on derby Sunday
Sunday’s front pages are split between an immeasurable Brazilian and an elite derby.Raphinha scored a hat-trick in Seville, taking his tally to twelve goals in seven matchdays, and Barça head into ...
Tight end Baron Naone unlocking Washington offense early in season
Washington Huskies tight end Baron Naone had 103 yards on Saturday against Eastern Washington, flashing his potential as an elite contributor.
Cleveland Guardians' Cade Smith in Elite Company
Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith is an elite pitcher but still isn't getting the recognition he deserves.
Closer Look At OKC's Young Players: Bennett Stirtz
Sam Presti traded up to secure this high-IQ playmaker, betting on elite offensive processing and lethal range to overcome defensive questions in a loaded Oklahoma City rotation.
Reds’ Emilio Pagan Could Decline $10 Million Option for Contender
Dominating since his return from injury, the veteran closer may swap Cincinnati’s rebuild for a title chase as his elite late-inning production commands attention from the league's elite.
Dan Lanning Joins Oregon Legends with Elite Statistic
Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning has joined an elite list after the win over the Portland State Vikings.
ESPN Is Asking the Wrong Question About Scoot Henderson
Instead of weighing the rookie down as a franchise savior, Portland must craft a role that harnesses his elite athleticism and playmaking within a newly balanced roster.
Nike Formally Announces UM Partnership – Extra Details Upon Agreed Deal
The Swoosh returns to Coral Gables in 2027, bringing exclusive Blue Ribbon Elite benefits, NIL opportunities, and heritage-inspired throwback collections to a surging Miami Hurricanes athletic department.
UCF Basketball Hosting 4-Star F K’Nard Callendar
Johnny Dawkins targets a versatile Overtime Elite standout to anchor the Knights' future, eyeing the high-scoring hybrid forward as a potential cornerstone for the 2027 recruiting class.
ASUS launches first Snapdragon X2 Elite mini PC, Ascent QN10 costs $1,350
ASUS has launched its Ascent QN10 mini PC with an 18-core Snapdragon X2 Elite and 80 TOPS Hexagon NPU. The 16GB/512GB model is listed for $1,349.99 in the US.
Southern California University of Health Sciences Earns 2026 Great Colleges to Work For Honor Roll Distinction for Fourth Consecutive Year
/PRNewswire/ -- Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) has been named a 2026 Great College to Work For® and earned elite Honor Roll...
Best Pokémon TCG deal: Shop 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box for under market price
There's an extra step involved, but it's worth it.
Texas A&M Golf Faces Elite Field At Fighting Illini Invitational
No. 16 Texas A&M heads to Olympia Fields for the Fighting Illini Invitational, where Aaron Pounds and Wheaton Ennis lead a loaded Aggies lineup.
Small Gym September: Meet Thunder Elite
Learn more about Thunder Elite from Bryan, TX! Thunder Elite is proud to have brought home its first-ever D2 Summit win this past season!
Arkansas Basketball: 2 Elite Freshmen Ready to Make an Impact
Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari has once again put together one of the NCAA's youngest, yet talented, rosters. Arkansas basketball enters the 2026–27 season with a highly touted freshman class that could play a major role right away. The Razorbacks have plenty of talent, but SEC competition demands more than potential. With several young …
Closer Look At OKC's Young Players: Aday Mara
Towering over the paint with elite rim protection and surprising playmaking vision, this lottery pick offers a unique defensive anchor for Oklahoma City’s championship-caliber rotation.
Oregon defensive line is dramatically underachieving before USC game
Oregon's defensive line was supposed to be elite, but the Ducks have been surprisingly impotent up front. USC hopes that continues
Kenny Minchey’s mindset excites Will Stein amid offensive struggles
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Shape of Dreams now available for PS5, Xbox Series, and Switch 2 alongside ‘Starless Path’ update
Publisher NEOWIZ and developer Lizard Smoothie have released roguelite action video game Shape of Dreams for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and PC via Microsoft Store at a launch discount pr…
Solo Leveling: KARMA ‘Game Overview’ and ‘Cinematic’ trailers
Publisher Netmarble and developer Netmarble Neo have released a gameplay and cinematic trailers for roguelite action RPG Solo Leveling: KARMA as part of Tokyo Game Show 2026.
Yamamoto’s Adaptability Fuels His Success With Dodgers
After stifling the Reds with seven dominant innings, the Japanese ace proves that elite composure and mid-game adjustments are the true hallmarks of his Cy Young-caliber dominance.
Jaguars Rookie G Pregnon Impresses in NFL Debut
Rookie OG Emmanuel Pregnon impressed in his Jacksonville Jaguars debut. But, how will he fare against the Denver Broncos and their elite defensive line?
Limeliters will bring folk harmony and humor to the Latchis
BRATTLEBORO — The legendary Limeliters will perform at the Latchis Theatre on Friday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m., bringing their signature folk vocal sound to the Main Theatre.
Michigan State Sets Official Visit With Top-60 Center
Tom Izzo targets another elite anchor for the Spartans' future as New Jersey’s top-ranked prospect brings his recruitment to East Lansing following visits to UConn and Florida.
Houston Texans Star Will Anderson Jr. Poised For DPOY Breakthrough
After narrowly missing the trophy in 2025, Houston’s elite edge rusher enters his fourth season anchored by a loaded front four and primed to dominate the league.
Giants’ Devers Named as Potential Yankees Trade Target
Buster Olney suggests a blockbuster move to the Bronx, allowing Rafael Devers to focus on his elite power stroke while solving the San Francisco Giants’ complex financial future.
Scout Believes Miles Bridges Gives Suns Key Advantage
By injecting elite size and athleticism into the perimeter, the versatile forward allows Phoenix to switch defensive sets and physically overwhelm opponents through sheer brute force.
UCF Defense Focused on Stacking Good Days After Pitt Loss
Despite stifling yardage, the Knights are fixing critical third-down lapses. Senior leader Ken Talley targets a bounce-back performance against Georgia State to solidify UCF’s elite defensive standing.
WTA Finals Moving to an NBA Arena Next Year as Tennis Tour Seeks 'Super Bowl for Women’s Sports'
The WTA Finals, the elite season-ending event in women’s tennis, will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the next three years in a move that organizers hope will create “the Super Bowl for women’s sports.” The tournament will be played at the Spectrum Center, home of the NBA’s Charlotte ...
Jazz’s Defensive Overhaul Should Save Brice Sensabaugh, Not Bench Him
Utah’s newfound defensive depth provides the perfect safety net for Brice Sensabaugh. Instead of benching the sophomore scorer, Will Hardy can finally unleash his elite bucket-getting potential.
Elite 2028 DL Prince Che trims list of top schools
Contenders are coming into focus for Thomasville (Ga.) Thomas County Central four-star defensive lineman Prince Che, one of the nation’s best in the 2028 cycle. The elite junior is now down to seven schools. Che tells Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett that he’s down to seven schools, six of which are in the SEC. Texas A&M, LSU, […]
One Foot Down Reacts: Where Are We Elite?
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Notre Dame fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys: We’ve passed the second week of Notre Dame football, and it’s time to ask our […]
Will Netflix’s Latest Horror Film Save Its Summer? And Introducing a New Data Source...
(Welcome to my weekly streaming ratings report, the single best guide to what’s popular in streaming TV and what isn’t. I’m the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a former streaming executive who now analyzes business strategy in the entertainment industry. If you were forwarded this email, please subscribe to get these insights each week.) All month, I’ve been polling you, my readers, on how we think the summer’s biggest blockbusters will do when they eventually land on streaming, and I wanted to share the results. First up, how readers think The Odyssey will perform when it comes to Peacock... People are pretty bullish that The Odyssey will smash it for Peacock. I don’t know that it will have as much rewatchability as Wicked did for kids, but we’ll see. It is now Universal’s highest-grossing film of all time. One note: almost half of Christopher Nolan’s films weren’t available for streaming the week The Odyssey came to theaters, including some of his biggest films like Inception, Dunkirk, Tenet, Oppenheimer and Insomnia. If you did want to watch the others, Prime Video had Memento and The Dark Knight trilogy, HBO Max only had The Dark Knight trilogy (even though Warner Bros. produced most of Nolan’s films), Hulu had The Prestige and Interstellar, and Paramount+ had Interstellar. So you needed at least two streaming subscriptions to catch the rest. Warner Bros. whiffed right here. I know they have long term licensing deals, but they should have tried to get as many Nolan films on HBO Max for launch as possible. Here are the results for Spider-Man: Brand New Day: The audience is a bit more mixed on this one, with everyone agreeing Spider-Man will swing to a big opening, but not necessarily elite or best all time. On to this week’s issue. Netflix continues searching for a hit straight-to-streaming summer film and Lioness and Ted Lasso allow me to look at the difference between a “hit” and a ‘hit for them”. All that, plus new YA/teen melodramas on Prime Video and Netflix, the House of the Dragon finale, USA Network claims a big opening, more big NFL ratings, all the flops, bombs and misses, and a whole lot more. But we start with a fun new data announcement. Let’s dive right in! (Reminder: The streaming ratings report focuses on the U.S. market and compiles data from Nielsen’s weekly top ten viewership ranks, Luminate’s Top Ten Data, JustWatch and Reelgood interest data, Samba TV household viewership, company datecdotes, Netflix hours viewed data, Google Trends, and IMDb to determine the most popular content. While most data points are current, Nielsen’s data covers the weeks of August 3rd to August 9th, 2026. You can find a link to my terminology here.) Subscribe A New Data Source: Reelgood’s Data on Content Libraries Here’s a fun new treat for you. Reelgood—an online service and app that lets users track where shows or films are streaming—is providing data every month for the Streaming Ratings Report on the size of each streamer’s catalogue, along with the new shows and films for each streamer. Yay! Previously, I had pulled “new shows on streamers premiering on the first of the month”: While I liked that data cut, it was a big wonky since it didn’t show all of the new shows or movies that came to a streamer each month. Instead, I would have preferred something like this from Reelgood’s annual report: And now we have it! I’m going to feature Reelgood’s data monthly, showing both total catalogue size and new shows and films appearing on the charts. That’s going to make these two cool new charts. First, here’s the size of various streamers’ film catalogues… (By the way, Reelgood offered to make the charts for me, but I like doing that task by hand to understand the data better.) They also provided data back to last year. Here’s the number of films timeline: And here are the new films on each streamer for the month prior to Aug: As I get used to this data, I plan to keep tinkering with how I display it, but I’m excited to feature it monthly. Today, I’m sharing the film charts; next issue, I’m going to feature TV shows by streamer. Now, in full disclosure, Reelgood is a sponsor of this little-newsletter-that-could. But in my constant quest to figure out what streamer various shows and films are on, I was already a Reelgood user before this sponsorship. I go to their website all the time, and their data is very accurate on where shows are (or have been). Plus, I’ve been sharing their weekly top ten lists for years now, pre-sponsorship. For me, this is a great win-win, since I get to amplify a service I love, and I get a cool new data source to play with. Now, normally folks don’t usually mention their sponsors directly, but as I wrote before, as I start featuring ads in my newsletter, I plan to be extremely open about who is sponsoring my writing so you can trust what I write. Television - Two Big Returning Shows Look Set to Take Over The Charts One key question when it comes to judging streaming shows is whether a show is a “hit” or a “hit for them”. To be clear, the former means a show that’s one of the top shows on streaming, no questions asked. The latter means a show is one of the biggest, for a given streamer. That distinction makes a big difference! It’s really good to be one of the biggest shows on a streamer; it’s much better to be the biggest on streaming, despite the size of a streamer. Because, as we’ve seen now, nearly every streamer—while lacking the number of subscribers or usage of Netflix—can make hit TV shows: Paramount released Landman, whose first and second seasons were among the top two TV shows the year they came out. HBO Max’s The Pitt’s second season is the biggest show of the year so far. Love Island USA was the top show in 2025 for Peacock. And, crucially for today’s discussion: Wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy back in 2023, Ted Lasso was actually the top streaming show of the year according to Nielsen! So even Apple TV (formerly +) can make hit shows. It just doesn’t make them that often. And looking at the Nielsen charts this week, we have two prime candidates for this discussion: That’s right: Ted Lasso returned to Apple TV for its fourth season. Did it return in all its expected glory? Sure, though right now it’s still just a “hit for Apple TV”, but we’ll see how long it lasts on the charts. Its ten episodes are coming out weekly. (Smart choice, Apple!) Ted Lasso started out strong, actually making the Nielsen charts the week before new episodes dropped, which is a rare feat. (Shows like Stranger Things or Bridgerton have pulled that off. That’s terrific company to join!) On Nielsen, it opened to 14.4 million hours in its first week, and 16.6 million the week of 10-Aug. Here’s how that compares to previous seasons: Apple put out that this is their biggest TV launch through two days ever, and looking at the chart and Apple TV’s viewership history, I’d believe it. Here’s Apple’s top shows for season two and beyond: Other data tells a (mostly) similar story. Ted Lasso made Samba TV and it has elite IMDb scores, an insane 8.7 on 465K reviews. The only outlier is Luminate, where the latest season only had 7.4 million hours, and no other seasons made the top ten. As you’ll see below, that’s well below some other solid, but not spectacular shows like Sterling Point, Ride or Die or Furious. I’d be surprised if Ted Lasso isn’t bigger than those other shows, but it’s fine for different data sources to occasionally disagree. And while it’s sucky to bring this up, given that Warner Bros. produced this show, I do wonder how the streaming wars may have been different if Ted Lasso landed on HBO Max initially instead of Apple. I don’t think one show can make or break a streamer, but given HBO’s brand, it could have helped bring people to that streamer much earlier in its lifespan. (Though yeah, I don’t love calling out executives for passing on hit shows, since that’s just the nature of the job. Even the absolute best execs will pass on lots of successful shows. The key is not greenlighting the under-performers/misses.) The other show I’m thinking about in the “hit or hit for them” category is Lioness from Paramount+. Like Ted Lasso, its first season missed the charts, but it’s grown its audience since then. Here’s how season three opened: We’re just getting started with this issue, but the rest is for paid subscribers of the Entertainment Strategy Guy, so if you’d like to find out… How Lioness did on streaming... Two new melodramas for Netflix and Prime Video... Whether Netflix’s latest horror film saved its summer... Hulu’s Furious and Prime Video’s Ride or Die continuing their strong runs... The latest high profile showrunner to flop on streaming... All the flops, bombs and misses... And a whole lot more... ...please subscribe! We can only keep doing this great work with your support. Next week, we’ve got a double issue—since the week of 17-Aug had very few notable new shows or films—so I’ll look at HBO’s Lanterns, Prime Video’s Reacher, Netflix’s Tires, Outer Banks (which posted up huge numbers four years ago), an Aussie romance, and another baseball event (that didn’t resonate). And a bunch of movies like the latest dramedy from an Adam Sandler daughter, Don’t Say Good Luck, Camp Rock 3 on Disney Channel and Disney+, Michael on Starz, and more. Later this month, we’ve got a ton of shows and films to analyze! Movies will be the big story, featuring a box office bomb (Supergirl on HBO Max) and an “underperformer” (The Mandalorian and Grogu on Disney+) contending with a bunch of star-studded straight-to-streaming films like Netflix’s The Whisper Man (Adam Scott, Michelle Monaghan and De Niro!), Mayday on Apple TV+ (Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh!), The Runner (Gal Gadot) and The Last Sunrise (Eva Longoria and Maia Reficco) on Prime Video. Plus, a ton of TV shows have sophomore seasons coming out. Will The Gentleman put up big numbers on Netflix or suffer from a sophomore slump? Leanne and Beauty in Black on Netflix seem small, but they both might be bigger than you think. Hulu has a bunch of shows: a new season of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (the first after all the controversy last year) and the second season of Chad Powers (from Peyton Manning’s production company and starring Glen Powell). This one flopped last year; can it score a touchdown this year? Same goes for FX’s Adults, which I didn’t track last year; will it hit this year? Peacock’s The Office spinoff, The Paper and Apple TV’s Dark Matter also return for second seasons. And Netflix has more Untold specials featuring Vince Young, Raygun (that horrible breakdancer) and Mr. T. Long term, Paramount+ is rebooting yet another franchise, Clueless, and I’m somewhat bullish on this new show. The talent attached (Alicia Silverstone) and creative Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (of The O.C. and Gossip Girl) also feel solid...if they make it funny like the original.
Marcus Freeman Pleased With The Development Of Notre Dame Underclassman
Freshman standout Jonaz Walton and a wave of emerging underclassmen are seizing their opportunities, blending elite speed with refined technique to bolster the Irish depth chart.
BYU basketball to face Arizona on ESPN's Big Monday
Kevin Young’s squad returns to the national spotlight as star guard Rob Wright III leads the Cougars against the elite Wildcats.
A Gold Medal and a Breakthrough for Leipzig’s Young Stars
Elite prospects Mirja Kropp and Marie Kleemann secure landmark Fritz Walter Medals, cementing their status as the future of German football following a dominant U17 European Championship triumph.
UCF's Defense Graded Among Nation's Best Through Week 2
Alex Grinch’s unit has stifled opponents with a ferocious run defense and elite pressure, surrendering only two touchdowns while cementing several Knights among the Big 12’s statistical leaders.
Two Students Named 2026 Astronaut Scholarship Recipients
Victoria Little and Avery C. Love have been selected as 2026 Astronaut Scholars, an elite scholarship awarded annually to the nation’s most academically accomplished students pursuing STEM degrees.
Rip City's History of The Backcourt
From Terry Porter’s gritty playmaking to the electrifying arrival of Ja Morant, trace the elite guard pairings that have fueled Portland’s championship dreams and iconic postseason runs.
Kaima Taira uses data and science in pursuit of pitching perfection
The Seibu Lions ace has combined elite velocity with a deep understanding of biomechanics to become one of NPB’s best pitchers.
Eagles Become Only Team in NFL to Accomplish Major Statistic
The Philadelphia Eagles became the only team in the league to earn an elite statistic with their win over the Washington Commanders.
Why Orlando Magic Should Consider Trading for Superstar
Sacrificing Jalen Suggs for Kyrie Irving’s elite scoring could shatter Orlando’s defensive identity, yet the veteran’s championship experience offers a high-risk, high-reward path to immediate title contention.
Key Takeaways From Notre Dame's Offense Against The Rice Owls
CJ Carr’s aerial clinic sparked a dominant shutout victory, showcasing elite receiver depth while exposing unexpected rushing struggles that Marcus Freeman must address before tougher matchups.