Latest news with #GrantHughes
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nets ranked as Lottery team with the second-best future in the NBA
The Brooklyn Nets have four first-round picks in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft and they are hoping that their Lottery pick will give them a player that they can build around for the future. While the eighth overall pick in the Draft is not the outcome that Brooklyn was hoping for, they are still regarded as a team with a bright future ahead in their rebuild. In their ranking of all 14 Lottery teams in terms of their future, Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report placed the Nets second on the list, behind only the San Antonio Spurs. Per Hughes, his "analysis will include young talent (age-25 season or younger in 2025-26), future draft picks, flexibility, quality of management and everything else that goes into building a winning franchise." Advertisement What makes this ranking interesting is that Brooklyn ranks ahead of the Dallas Mavericks that had the best luck in the Lottery as they ended up with the first overall pick and the right to take Duke forward Cooper Flagg in the Draft in June. The Nets would have preferred to have the first overall pick as someone like Flagg, who is regarded as a generational prospect, could be a building block that a team like Brooklyn needs. "Cap space is often overrated, but that's not often the case when only one team has it. That's Brooklyn's major advantage as the offseason nears; nobody else comes close to the Nets' projected $45 million in spending power below the cap," Hughes wrote. Per Spotrac, the Nets lead the league in projected practical salary-cap space with $55.7 million, with the Detroit Pistons ranking second in the category at $24.6 million. Not only does Brooklyn have the cap space to find under-the-radar players or take chances on players that are restricted free-agents this summer, but they also have the Draft assets to rebuild long-term if they choose to embrace that direction. ESPN's Bobby Marks and Jeremy Woo ranked the Nets as the team with the second-best stash of Draft assets in the NBA, Lottery team or not. This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets ranked as Lottery team with the second-best future in the NBA
Medscape
21-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
West Nile Virus Found in UK Mosquitoes for the First Time
Genetic fragments of the West Nile virus (WNV) have been detected in mosquitoes in the UK for the first time during a national surveillance programme. The virus was identified in two samples of the Aedes vexans species of mosquito collected in July 2023 from wetlands on the River Idle near Gamston in Nottinghamshire. These results are part of the Vector-Borne RADAR (Real-time Arbovirus Detection And Response) programme, which uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to detect zoonotic, mosquito-borne viruses in the UK. The programme is run by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). The UKHSA said that more than 30,000 mosquitoes and 300 birds from high-risk areas of England were tested in 2023 and 2024. All other samples tested negative. Detection of WNV in mosquitoes in the UK is 'not unexpected', according to Dr Meera Chand, deputy director at the UKHSA, who explained that the virus is already widespread in Europe. 'The risk to the general public is currently assessed as very low,' she added. Migratory Birds May Have Brought WNV to UK WNV is a vector-borne disease of the Flaviviridae family, which also includes the viruses that cause dengue and yellow fever. It is usually found in birds, and typically circulates through bird-biting mosquitoes. Professor Grant Hughes, from the Department of Vector Biology at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, told the Science Media Centre: 'The virus potentially entered the UK via migratory birds.' In rare cases mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans or horses. However, there have been no cases of locally acquired WNV detected in humans or horses in the UK to date, the UKHSA noted. James Logan, professor of medical entomology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said, 'the detection of the virus in mosquitoes marks a significant step in that direction'. Most people infected with WNV are asymptomatic or present with mild influenza-like symptoms that resolve within a few days. However, a small number of cases — fewer than 1% — develop more severe illness, including encephalitis. The UKHSA has issued advice to healthcare professionals to consider WNV testing for patients with unexplained encephalitis. Testing is available through the UKHSA's Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory. Nuisance Biting Aedes vexans is native to the UK and, although uncommon, can occur at high densities in river floodplains and lakes. They are known to cause considerable nuisance biting to humans where aquatic areas are close to habitation. 'Mosquitoes breed in a range of natural wetlands, but can also be common in gardens – breeding in container habitats like water butts and buckets,' highlighted Dr Jolyon Medlock, head of medical entomology and zoonoses ecology at the UKHSA. The agency encourages the public to report unusual mosquito activity via its mosquito surveillance scheme . Climate Changes WNV is endemic in parts of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and southern Europe. Its range has expanded in recent years, reaching more northern and western parts of Europe. The UKHSA's 2023 report on climate change and health warned that climate change could lead to mosquitoes carrying dengue fever becoming established in parts of southern England by the middle of the century, as well as a rise in vector-borne diseases. 'The detection of West Nile Virus in the UK is part of a wider changing landscape where, in the wake of climate change, mosquito-borne diseases are expanding to new areas,' said Dr Arran Folly, arbovirologist at the APHA and lead of the Vector-Borne RADAR programme. Professor Matthew Baylis, chair in veterinary epidemiology at the University of Liverpool, called for increased surveillance in mosquitoes, birds, and humans. For now, the UKHSA advises that the main risk to UK residents remains travel to countries where WNV is endemic.
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Where does Wisconsin's 'Jump Around' rank among top college football gameday traditions?
Where does Wisconsin's 'Jump Around' rank among top college football gameday traditions? Pinpointing a Power 4 athletic program's belief in tradition, pageantry and pregame antics isn't tough to accomplish. Few programs, however, possess the firepower of University of Wisconsin's football program's most well-known tradition. In 247Sports' latest ranking of college football's top 10 gameday traditions, the Badgers' famous "Jump Around" landed at No. 2, falling behind only Virginia Tech's "Enter Sandman" entrance theme. Past that top duo, Chief Osceola's spear plant at Florida State secured the No. 3 spot, Ohio State's "dotting the 'I'" secured the No. 4 position and Auburn's practice of rolling the oak trees at Toomer's Corner took the No. 5 ranking. Here's what 247Sports contributor Grant Hughes had to say about Wisconsin's earthquake-registering tradition: "Several college athletics programs integrate the 1992 House of Pain song "Jump Around" into their game routine, but none do it as well as Wisconsin. The tradition began on October 10, 1998, during a homecoming game against Purdue. Ryan Sondrup, a tight end and marketing intern sidelined by injury, was tasked with creating a playlist to energize the crowd. With teammate Erik Waisanen, he selected "Jump Around" after testing songs at Wando's Bar in Madison. Since then, "Jump Around" has been played at every home game except one in 2003, and the pandemonium that ensues often registers on seismic scales." Interestingly enough, only three of 247Sports' top 10 college football traditions involve a music-related celebration. Those are Alabama's "Sweet Home Alabama," Wisconsin's "Jump Around," and Virginia Tech's "Enter Sandman." Meanwhile, Iowa's "Hawkeye Wave" to the UI Stead Family Children's Hospital, Clemson's "Howard's Rock" rub walking out the tunnel and Notre Dame's "Play like a Champion Today" sign involve the stadium and its atmosphere. While Wisconsin's on-field product over the last two seasons is unlikely to have satisfied the fans in attendance, the opening notes of "Jump Around" during the commercial break at the end of the third quarter remain a staple. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Zawya
26-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Converge Africa 2025 preliminary agenda reveal: Charting the future of digital commerce
With excitement building, the retail team at Vuka Group have just revealed the highly anticipated preliminary agenda for Converge Africa 2025, taking place at the CTICC in Cape Town from 6-8 May 2025. As the leading platform for Africa's digital commerce ecosystem, this year's event will bring together industry leaders in e-commerce, digital marketing, fintech and payments, digital security, and fulfilment, to explore the future of connected commerce. Under the theme " Building Africa's Digital Commerce Ecosystem: The Connected Journey," attendees can expect insightful keynotes, hands-on workshops, and expert-led panel discussions focused on driving efficiency, security, and customer engagement in the digital landscape. Attendees can look forward to a preliminary agenda that is a diverse and dynamic program outlining sessions that tackle paramount industry challenges. These topics will be discussed by expert speakers from leading brands, offering insights and expertise to help attendees tackle Africa's evolving digital commerce ecosystem. This preliminary reveal is not just about what's to come but about laying the groundwork for collaboration and innovation for the very future of e-Commerce in Africa. Attendees will gain early insights into the directions the conference will take, allowing them to prepare for a transformative experience that could shape their strategies for years to come. Explore the preliminary agenda: Below we feature a sneak-peak at some topics, along with expert speakers: Human-centric cybersecurity: Designing systems with user experience in mind Speakers: - Grant Hughes, founding president, ISC2 Cape Town Chapter - Samantha Rule, head of information and Cyber Security, Ninety - Jade Kieswetter, IT risk and security manager, RFG Foods - Asterico Adams, head of information technology operations, DirectAxis - Dylan Adriaans, head office of CIO, Astron Energy Striking the right chord: Building a winning omnichannel strategy Speakers: - Bunmi Cynthia Adeleye, chief strategy officer, Retail Supermarkets Nigeria - Adebayo Adedeji, group chief executive office, Wakanow The future of influencer marketing: Authentic voices and the rise of nano-influencers Speakers: - Janine George, chief product and marketing officer, Carrol Boyes - Khensani Nobanda, group executive: marketing and corporate affairs, Nedbank - Jessy Severins, group director: AdTech & MarTech, Jumia Group Vision 2025: P2P payment innovations Speakers: - Tendai Tizirai, head of expansion, Mukuru - Simon Just, head of payments, Standard Bank - Chris Zietsman, merchant commerce head, Capitec Bank Sustainability: Delivering clean and green Speakers: - Charles Brewer, group chief executive officer, Pos Malaysia Berhad - Gautam Kumar, CEO and co-founder, FarEye Explore the preliminary agenda:
USA Today
25-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bleacher Report on Rockets' burning question entering 2025 playoffs: ‘Clutch scoring'
Bleacher Report on Rockets' burning question entering 2025 playoffs: 'Clutch scoring' Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes: The Rockets have been lucky to win as many games as they have, and their inability to generate good looks in the moments that matter most is a red flag.' After trailing the Denver Nuggets by 19 points late in Sunday's third period, the Houston Rockets cut into that lead significantly in the fourth quarter. They couldn't, however, get over the final hump — with players such as Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, and Alperen Sengun all misfiring on open shots or free-throw attempts in the closing minutes. It's part of a broader trend. In a new column at Bleacher Report listing one major question for each NBA team as the 2024-25 regular season winds down and the 2025 playoffs approach, Grant Hughes lists "clutch scoring" as the burning question in Houston. Regarding the Rockets, Hughes writes: Houston's clutch record comes with a negative net rating and some of the worst late-game offensive numbers in the league. The Rockets have been lucky to win as many games as they have, and their inability to generate good looks in the moments that matter most is a red flag. If Houston can't get buckets against dialed-in defenses down the stretch of regular-season games, it's a good indicator it'll have a hard time in the playoffs. This isn't news to anyone who's watched Houston this year and/or paid attention to the numbers. For the Rockets to be taken seriously, they need to see Fred VanVleet, Alperen Sengün, Jalen Green, and even Amen Thompson prove they can produce offensively when the stakes are highest. Even with the subpar efficiency numbers, it's not all bad. In fact, the Rockets have won an NBA-high 23 games this season featuring 'close and late' circumstances, defined by the league as the score being within five points in the final five minutes. The record is hard to deny, and Houston (46-26) currently ranks No. 2 in the Western Conference standings for a reason. But it could be even better, and more reliable clutch scoring is the easiest way to reach that next tier. More: Nuggets end Houston's winning streak at nine as Jamal Murray erupts with 39 points
