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Republican Party Convention: A look at the post-Trump era

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It is the parade of former rivals. When Nikki Haley appears on the party convention stage in Milwaukee on Tuesday evening, she is received with reserve and politeness; there are also some boos against Donald Trump’s competitor in the recent primaries. Trump himself rises from his seat and applauds.

Haley knows it is a delicate appearance. She has to be flexible. She says quietly that “President Trump” asked her to speak here – as a sign of unity. “For the good of the country” we must stand by Trump’s side, she says. Then comes the punch line: There are some Americans who do not agree 100 percent with Trump. She knows some of them, she said with a wink, looking at her voters. Her message is: They don’t have to. She doesn’t do that either. But there are more similarities than differences.

Haley is followed by Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, who also bows to Trump: The country needs a real leader. The country needs Trump. Ironic punch lines are not his thing. In the primaries, DeSantis accused Trump of collecting campaign donations to cover his legal costs. And he said that Trump was mobilizing the wrong voters, namely those of the Democrats. Haley, in turn, said that Trump was not qualified for the office. He was disturbed and could not win an election. All of that is now forgotten. The two men met in the spring and buried the hatchet. And shortly before the party convention, the former governor of South Carolina called on her delegates to vote for Trump.

Kevin McCarthy, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, had already said before Haley’s appearance that she was the most important speaker at the convention alongside Trump. The Republicans are more united than in 2016 and 2020. The latter is undeniable. But JD Vance would certainly not be the only one to dispute that Haley’s speech was more important than that of Trump’s running mate on Wednesday evening.

Collective homage

Since Monday, the future of the party has become a little clearer. Trump’s official nomination as presidential candidate has become a collective tribute. He is the party. There is no doubt about that. But it is also clear that if Trump wins the election in November, he will have to step down by January 2029 at the latest. The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which came into force during Harry Truman’s presidency, stipulates that no president may be elected for more than two terms.

In 1940, Truman’s predecessor Franklin D. Roosevelt decided to run for a third term in 1944, faced with the threat of war in Europe, in which America was not yet directly involved. Roosevelt, who died a year later, was the only president to break the tradition started by George Washington of not running for a third term. Trump is known for not taking the law too seriously. But constitutional law is clear on this issue – and even in the event of a landslide victory in November, in which the Senate and the House of Representatives also went to the Republicans, he would not have a majority to change the constitution.

The future of the “MAGA” movement

In 2028, the party will have to enter the race with another candidate. Trump’s decision to make JD Vance his running mate is more than a personal decision about the ticket for the election in November. He did indeed choose Vance because he hopes the Senator from Ohio will win votes from the white working class in the decisive states in the Midwest. But the appointment of Vance is about more than electoral calculations. It is about the future of the “MAGA” movement.

It is no secret that Vance was once a “Never Trumper”. That was a long time ago. In 2022, he wanted to be elected to the Senate on the “Make America great again” platform. To do that, he needed Trump. A year and a half earlier, he had met the former president for the first time – in his Mar-a-Lago residence. Trump accused Vance at the time of saying some very nasty things about him. Vance apologized: Unfortunately, he had previously believed the lies of the media. Trump decided to support Vance. He won the election against a Democrat who had consciously distanced himself from the party’s left. Vance was the only Senate candidate to successfully run on the “MAGA” ticket. This in turn impressed the former president. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

The influential television journalist Tucker Carlson had spoken to Trump on behalf of Vance in the Republican primaries in Ohio. Carlson, who was still at Fox News at the time, was one of those people who wanted to build a Trump 2.0. Someone who was just as populist but less erratic than Trump. Someone who would be able to deliver results. Vance’s former boss, investor Peter Thiel, thought similarly. Thiel initially backed DeSantis.

Once promoted by Trump, the governor of Florida later fell out with him. DeSantis ran against the former president in the primaries, but then quickly threw in the towel. Trump, as people like Carlson and Thiel had to acknowledge, continued to dominate the party. So they had to plan for the post-Trump era. Carlson grew more and more fond of Vance, whose national populist ideas he shared, in particular the fact that he described military aid to Ukraine as the greatest threat to national security and warned against immigration. When Trump began to narrow down his circle of VP candidates, Carlson, now fired by Fox News, called Mar-a-Lago and once again campaigned for Vance.

Young heir and crown prince

Vance will turn 40 in August. If he becomes Trump’s vice president in January 2025, he will be the crown prince who will one day inherit Trump’s movement. Trump is showing a certain sovereignty in this. He knows that Vance is not superior to him in terms of instinct, but he is intellectually superior. As much as Trump has made a personality cult out of his movement, he is interested in it continuing after him. When he took his seat in the box of honor at the “Fiserv Forum” on Monday evening and appeared in public for the first time since the assassination, he seemed changed. Immediately after he was shot, he had the impulse to raise his fist in a combative manner. This was followed by conciliatory tones that were certainly not without calculation. When Trump then accepted the cheers in the arena in Milwaukee, with his ear bandaged, the usual gestures of strength were missing. He seemed mild and exhausted. Later he nodded briefly. Is the shock more deeply felt in his bones?

The role of crown prince under Trump will not be an easy one for Vance. The leader of the movement must not be overshadowed. In general, Trump remains an unpredictable person who is not known for long-term strategies. Other Republicans who are looking ahead to 2028 will be watching the Trump-Vance relationship closely. It is hard to imagine that Haley and DeSantis have given up their ambitions. Glenn Youngkin, who addressed the party convention on Monday, can also be assumed to want to have a say when it comes to the future of the party. In 2021, he defeated a prominent Democratic governor in Virginia, a state that the Democrats recently believed was now part of the blue camp.

Return to the status quo ante is impossible

During the election campaign, Youngkin had shown that he too was a culture war player. He had kept Trump at a distance, but avoided open conflict with him. A year ago, the Democrats won both chambers of the Virginia state parliament. A setback for Youngking, who then decided not to run in the primaries. But it was probably not the last word.

If the “Trump/Vance ticket” fails in November, the three see their chance. Trump would then have lost two presidential elections in a row. He would certainly talk about election fraud again and possibly repeat his “Stop the Steal” campaign. But his options for turning the result around would be limited without access to the executive branch. The Republicans would soon raise the question of leadership. One argument: Trump will be 82 years old in 2028.

If Joe Biden (or another Democratic candidate) wins in November, the Republicans will reshuffle their cards and wrestle over the party’s course and leadership. There will be no return to the traditional “Grand Old Party.” Vance or DeSantis would have to prove that they can win a majority in America even without being anchored in the political center. Under Haley or Youngkin, moderate Republicans would also have a place in the party. Haley warned the convention before she left the stage: The party must not only be united. It must also expand its voter base.

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The Truth About the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 Match

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In one way or the other, almost every Nigerian has heard of the mythical match between India Vs. Nigeria that ended with 99 goals to 1 with India being victorious.

Before the advent of the internet, this story successfully thrived among Nigerians, but with the emergence of the internet and easy access to social media, the truth behind the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match was revealed.

Though there are different accounts of the match, but they all have the following in common:

  1. That the match ended with India scoring 99 goals and Nigeria scoring just one goal.
  2. That Nigerians were unable to kick the ball because the football kept turning to a lion which scared them away…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>
    1. That Indians later agreed that if Nigeria could score one goal, they would concede defeat.
    2. That Samuel Okwaraji scored the winning goal and lost his life in the process because the ball turned into stone as he was about to kick it.
    3. That FIFA banned India from soccer because they used juju (black magic) in that match.
    India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match

    Why did people believe the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match story?

    Even with the absence of the internet back then, this kind of claims should be immediately recognized as lies, the kind of lies they call “big fat lies”. But most people like to acknowledge this story as true with the fact that no one has ever seen India play in an International Football Match. Since no one actually saw India participate in most international soccer games, this gave a little credence to the story.

    Another reason this lie thrived for long was that credible information was not easily accessible in Nigeria unlike now that even a 4-year-old child can debunk false claims within minutes with the help of Google. This Nigeria Vs India match story would have been fabricated by one community elder to children during an evening gathering; that’s our take at OldNaija.

    What Actually Happened!

    On the 12th of August 1989, Nigeria lost one of her best footballers, Sam Okwaraji who died during a football match. We wrote about how he died on the pitch and you can read it here. Sam Okwaraji was the player rumoured to have lost his life in that game when in truth he died during a FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Angola in the 77th minute. He collapsed and died of cognitive heart failure. May his soul rest in peace. AMEN!

    Samuel Okwaraji and Green Eagles
    Samuel Okwaraji (circled)

    So, that is the only truthful thing about the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match story, the fact that a Nigerian player died during a football match. That is what these lies was fabricated around. The match was not against India, Nigeria did not lose the match and as you must have guessed, and there were no lions or ball turning into a stone.

    Meme
    Meme by Campus Bro

    Nevertheless, one cannot deny that this kind of story made one’s childhood as a Nigerian. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

    Before we go,

    Why was India Banned by FIFA?

    India was never banned by FIFA. It was India that withdrew from the tournament themselves. Here is how it happened.

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) made it clear to India that they would not be allowed to play in the 1950 FIFA World Cup without footwear.

    Then something happened. You see, when determining the make-up of the 1950 World Cup, FIFA determined that obviously the two defending finalists, Brazil and Italy, would be guaranteed slots. That left fourteen slots that needed to be filled.

    FIFA decided that seven of those slots would come from Europe, six would come from the Americas and one would come from Asia.

    The problem was that of the four Asian teams that were invited to the World Cup, three of them (the Philippines, Indonesia and Burma) withdrew from the tournament before the qualification round.

    Therefore, India earned an automatic slot within the World Cup. It would be India’s first time appearing in the World Cup but India, too, withdrew from the tournament because FIFA would not allow them to compete barefoot.

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SAD|| 10 Players Who Lost Everything After Divorce, Number 5 Will Shôck You

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The Hidden Financial Struggles of Footballers: Divorce’s Costly Toll

The glamorous image of professional footballers, with their luxurious lifestyles and multimillion-dollar contracts, often obscures a harsh reality: the financial devastation many endure through divorce. Behind the fame and fortune, several high-profile players have seen their wealth significantly depleted after parting ways with their spouses, a stark reminder that no amount of money can fully shield one of the financial pitfalls of personal relationships gone awry…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

One of the most shocking examples is that of former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué, who lost not only his properties in England but also custody of his children following a bitter divorce. Despite earning millions during his career, Eboué found himself stripped of almost everything. His situation became a cautionary tale, underscoring that even the wealthiest footballers can fall victim to the financial ruin that divorce can bring.

Eboué is not alone. Football legends such as Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs have also experienced significant financial losses due to divorce. Henry reportedly paid £10 million to his ex-wife, while Giggs parted with an astonishing £40 million after his marriage ended. Louis Saha and Wes Brown, both former Manchester United players, also suffered substantial financial hits, with Brown declaring bankruptcy despite earning £50,000 per week during his time at the club. His case highlights how even vast earnings can quickly evaporate when faced with legal settlements and financial mismanagement.

David James, the former England goalkeeper, faced a particularly dire situation, losing much of his fortune after divorce and being forced to auction his personal belongings to make ends meet. Similarly, Ray Parlour, another Arsenal great, saw his ex-wife receive half of his £10 million fortune, including a £2.5 million house. Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool star, also faced a hefty settlement, parting with half of his estimated £15 million fortune after his marriage ended.

These are just a few of the many footballers who have faced financial disaster due to divorce. Keith Gillespie, once a key figure in the Premier League, lost over £7 million, leading to his bankruptcy in 2010. Despite earning significant wages during his career, his divorce and poor financial decisions left him in financial ruin. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Perhaps the most shocking case is that of Tendai Ndoro, a Zimbabwean striker who lost everything after registering all his properties in his wife’s name. Following their breakup, she kicked him out of the house, leaving him with nothing. Ndoro’s story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of not protecting one’s assets, even in relationships where trust is implicit.

For footballers, whose careers often peak early, these financial setbacks can be devastating. While their salaries are among the highest in professional sports, the combination of short career spans, legal fees, and divorce settlements can quickly erode their fortunes. Many players also face additional challenges in managing their finances due to a lack of financial education or oversight during their playing years.

These stories underscore the importance of safeguarding personal wealth, especially for high-earning individuals like footballers, who may be more vulnerable to financial upheaval. Proper financial planning, asset protection strategies, and prenups are increasingly necessary tools for protecting one’s earnings and securing a stable future.

In conclusion, while the public sees footballers as insulated by their wealth, the reality is that they are just as susceptible to the financial hardships of divorce as anyone else. The personal struggles behind the scenes reveal that their lives, though glamorous on the surface, are often fraught with the same vulnerabilities and challenges faced by ordinary individuals. These cases serve as sobering reminders that financial security is never guaranteed, even for those at the pinnacle of success.

 

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NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

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In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.


Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

PHOTO MIKE STOBE, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

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