Latest news with #UpFront
Al Jazeera
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Omar El Akkad: Gaza genocide and the failure of US liberalism
How will history judge the West's complicity in the Gaza genocide? With Israel's assault nearing its second year, the divide between those condemning the violence and those remaining silent continues to widen. This week on UpFront, Marc Lamont Hill speaks with author and journalist Omar Al Akkad on his book One day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, exploring the failures of Western liberalism and the moral cost of looking away from war.
Forbes
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
2025 NFL Draft: A Success In Attendance, Economics, And Safety
This past weekend, thousands of fans gathered for the 90th annual NFL Draft, an event that has become immensely popular among football enthusiasts in the United States. Over the years, the NFL Draft has evolved into a celebration of city pride and passionate fandom. Highly identified NFL fans, who share a strong psychological connection to their favorite teams, gather from across the nation to partake in the draft festivities. Aside from seven rounds of player selection, the three-day event also features interactive games, photo opportunities with NFL legends, and live entertainment. Recent data indicates a growing interest among fans in the NFL Draft. A Seton Hall Poll conducted prior to the 2024 NFL Draft, which surveyed 1,528 adult participants from the U.S., revealed that 40 percent of casual sports fans and 55 percent of individuals identifying as NFL fans expressed interest in watching at least part of the draft. This momentum seems to have been established before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the event took place in Nashville, Tennessee, attracting a then record 47 million television viewers and over 600,000 attendees. Further evidence of its growing popularity, the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit set a new all-time attendance record, drawing over 775,000 attendees over the course of three days, according to Visit Detroit and the Detroit Sports Commission. This year's NFL Draft, held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, continued to attract significant interest among sports fans, drawing a crowd of 600,000 attendees for the three days, which ties Nashville for the second-largest attendance in the event's history. Earlier this month, more than 250,000 out-of-town visitors were expected to arrive in Green Bay last weekend, which was predicted to inject millions of dollars into the local economy. On April 20, Visit Milwaukee President and CEO Peggy Williams-Smith was a guest on ISN 12's 'UpFront,' produced in partnership with WisPolitics/State Affairs Pro-Wisconsin, pointed out that Green Bay's location is within a six-hour drive of one-third of the U.S. population. Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy also appeared on the program and highlighted the significance of holding the draft in the NFL's smallest market, particularly regarding its economic impact and legacy. Green Bay did not disappoint, offering a unique setting for the draft due to its small community and the fact that the Packers are one of the league's original franchises. The Packers are the only publicly owned team in the NFL. Plus, Lambeau Field is a historic and iconic sports venue. In a statement on the Monday following the draft, Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich declared, 'Green Bay might be the NFL's smallest city, but we've got the biggest heart, and we have room in it for 600,000 fans!' Aside from the impressive attendance, the Associated Press reported that the 2025 NFL Draft averaged 13.6 million viewers across television and digital platforms, according to the league and Nielsen ratings. This figure represents an 11 percent increase over the previous year and is second only to the 2020 NFL Draft, which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The anticipated economic impact of the 2025 NFL Draft was projected to be around $94 million in state of Wisconsin and $20 million in the local region. Prior to the event, there was an increase in hotel prices that reflected the anticipated influx of out-of-town visitors. Just three days before the first-round picks were announced, a single room with a queen-size bed at the Motel 6 in Green Bay, WI, near Lambeau Field, was priced at $377 for Thursday night. In contrast, several four-star hotel options in the general area were either fully booked or costed over $1,000 per night. Although the final figures have not yet been released, the greater Green Bay area and its surrounding communities are anticipated to experience a substantial economic impact due to increased spending on hotels, transportation, restaurants, and local businesses by out-of-town visitors. Discover Green Bay has garnered significant interest, as evidenced by their social media metrics. Brad Toll, president of the tourist information center, noted that their brand generated approximately 4.25 billion impressions, a figure that would have cost them $40 million in advertising expenses. Discover Green Bay is expected to release data on the economic impact of the 2025 NFL Draft in June. In addition, risk management should be a priority for community leaders when hosting large-scale events such as the NFL Draft. Earlier in April, lawmakers in Green Bay requested $1.25 million from the state of Wisconsin to help cover public safety costs. On Monday, the city of Green Bay shared there were over 100 officers on-site, 15 ambulance transports, 71 emergency medical service incidents, 529 public assistance calls, and first aid was provided to 172 visitors. Despite the large crowds and increased traffic, there was only one arrest, eight ejections, and minimal car accidents, according to the Green Bay Police Department. Therefore, the 2025 NFL Draft was successful on many fronts.
Al Jazeera
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Could Canada really become the US's 51st state?
Canada's relationship with the United States is back in the spotlight after US President Donald Trump suggested that Canada could be annexed as the 51st American state. The comment has sparked political backlash and heightened tensions on both sides of the border. So is this threat of annexation credible? This week in UpFront, Redi Tlhabi speaks with Canada's ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae.
Al Jazeera
18-04-2025
- Business
- Al Jazeera
China 'will not enter another century of humiliation': Vijay Prashad
Amid escalating global instability and a fractured Western alliance, nations in the Global South are reassessing their geopolitical alignments and economic strategies. The BRICS bloc, which includes Russia, Brazil, India, China, South Africa and other emerging economies, has emerged as a counterweight to the US-dominated financial order. So, can BRICS countries fulfil its potential as a significant force in a multipolar world? This week on UpFront, Redi Tlhabi speaks with historian and journalist Vijay Prashad.
Al Jazeera
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
‘Psychological terrorism': The war against reproductive rights in the US
As Donald Trump begins his second term as president, headlines focus on immigration, trade and free speech. But advocates warn of another front, a quieter campaign targeting reproductive rights and abortion. Just years after the fall of Roe v Wade, critics say new policies signal a renewed push to erode reproductive freedom, especially for women of colour. Is the Trump administration waging a quiet war on reproductive rights in the United States? This week on UpFront, Redi Tlhabi speaks with Michele Goodwin, professor of constitutional law and global health policy at Georgetown University and author of Policing The Womb: Invisible Women and the Criminalization of Motherhood.
