Emma Walker – News Editor

CHAMPAIGN, ‌Ill. – Four⁢ university ‌of Illinois football players – JC Davis, Hank Beatty,​ Josh gesky, and Luke Altmyer – have been recognized with All-Big Ten honors, the​ conference ⁤announced today. The ​accolades highlight a strong ⁤offensive showing for the Fighting Illini this season.

This marks‌ a meaningful achievement for​ the Illinois program, demonstrating the growth and​ talent within the team. The selections reflect individual performances that contributed to the Illini’s overall success​ and position the program⁢ for continued competitiveness within⁤ the Big⁢ Ten Conference.

Offensive lineman JC Davis ​earned ​his second Big ‍Ten nod‌ and first ‌to the first team. Fellow lineman Josh ⁢Gesky ​achieved honorable mention status for the third consecutive year. Wide ​receiver⁣ Hank Beatty was tabbed as a third-team selection ‍after also‌ receiving honorable mention recognition ⁣for his work as a punt ‌returner this season. Beatty finished the year ranking third in the Big Ten with 64 receptions for‌ 826 yards and three ⁣touchdowns.

Quarterback Luke Altmyer was selected as an honorable mention pick, the second such honor of his career. He ranked ‍among the Big Ten’s leaders in several key passing categories, including passing touchdowns (5th, 21), passing yards (6th, 2,811), completion percentage (6th, 68.1%), and passing ​efficiency (7th, 157.1).

In addition to ⁢the on-field honors, Miles Scott was awarded the Big Ten Sportsmanship ‌Award, recognizing his ⁣exemplary conduct, ethical behavior, and‌ citizenship.

German President Cites Oasis in‍ Speech ​on UK-Germany Relations

LONDON -​ In a gesture blending cultural reference⁢ with diplomatic messaging, German President ⁤Frank-Walter Steinmeier invoked​ the lyrics ⁢of Oasis’s “Don’t Look Back in Anger” to underscore ‍the improving relationship between Germany and⁤ the United Kingdom following Brexit. Speaking in the House of Parliament ​on the second day of his state visit, ⁤Steinmeier stated, “Don’t Look Back in anger, as one of the ‌most famous ⁣songs by Oasis puts it so⁢ well.”

Steinmeier’s visit, the first by a ⁣German leader in 27 years,‌ began Wednesday with a ceremonial reception ⁤hosted by King⁤ Charles III and Queen Camilla, followed by a star-studded banquet at‍ Windsor Castle. Throughout the ‍visit,the President ⁤has emphasized the pragmatic approach both ‌nations are taking to build⁤ future relations.

“I think that is ‍typically British, keep calm and carry on – ⁤look ahead pragmatically, move⁣ on,” Steinmeier remarked in Parliament’s Royal ⁣Gallery on Thursday afternoon. He​ revisited the Oasis theme at the conclusion of ‍his speech, referencing the band’s recent reunion tour after a‍ 16-year rift ⁣between Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher. “Cool Britannia is alive! Our relations may have changed, but,⁤ my dear Britons, ⁢our love remains,” he said. “So let us ‍look not to the past, but rather together to the future.”

The President ⁤and his wife, Elke ⁣Budenbender, also visited the V&A Museum’s david Bowie Center,​ acknowledging​ the musician’s strong connection to Berlin. Further engagements ⁣included a planned meeting with German footballers currently playing in the ⁣Premier League.

Earlier in the day, the couple toured Westminster Abbey, laying ⁣a wreath at the Grave of the⁤ unkown Warrior. They ⁣also viewed Queen Victoria’s winter sleigh, designed by her German-born husband,⁤ Prince Albert,​ in 1842,⁤ and attended a charity reception.

Friday’s itinerary includes a visit to the ⁢ruins of Coventry Cathedral, destroyed ​during a‌ German air raid⁢ in World War Two, as ‌a symbolic act of reconciliation ‍- mirroring King Charles’s wreath-laying in Hamburg ⁤during the UK‌ state⁤ visit to Germany. Steinmeier is also scheduled to receive an honorary degree ‍from Oxford University and learn about medical research conducted there.

Kirk Comments on Marriage, ⁤Family Spark‍ Debate Amid Declining ⁣Birth Rates

New York, NY – Remarks made ‍by Erika ⁤Kirk, responding to⁢ questions about New York City Mayor-elect⁤ Mamdani‌ in The New York Times, ‍have ignited‌ a discussion about the factors contributing to declining birth rates ⁢and the⁢ challenges facing⁣ young women considering marriage‌ and parenthood.⁤ Kirk suggested ‍that⁣ young women relocating to cities like New ⁤York ⁤should not rely⁢ on government support‌ as a replacement for traditional family structures.

“What I don’t want ⁤to have happen is women,⁣ young women in⁢ the city, look to the government as⁣ a solution to put⁢ off having a family or​ a ‌marriage, as you’re relying on the government to support⁣ you rather ​of being united with a husband…” Kirk stated in the interview. The comments drew swift reaction,⁤ especially from Reshma Saujani, who argued that the declining birth rate isn’t ​due to government ⁤generosity, but rather economic ‌realities.

Saujani countered⁢ that women are increasingly delaying or forgoing marriage and parenthood due to financial constraints. She asserts that for many women, marriage often translates ‌to increased workload, reduced earnings, and a⁢ lack of adequate ​support. “women‌ aren’t rejecting marriage or motherhood because they don’t value family ‍- they’re ‍doing the math,” ‌Saujani explained.

The debate highlights a growing concern about the economic barriers to ‌starting a ⁣family, with advocates calling for policies like paid‍ leave and⁢ affordable childcare to‍ address the issue. Saujani⁢ emphasizes that until these systemic challenges are resolved, discussions about personal choices distract from the ‌core problem: the need for substantial support for‍ families.

WASHINGTON -‍ The Government ​accountability Office ⁢(GAO) has launched an ⁢investigation ​into Federal Housing Finance⁤ Agency (FHFA) Director⁣ Bill Pulte, a ⁤close‍ ally ⁤of former ‍President Donald⁣ Trump, NBC News reported Monday. The ⁤probe will examine Pulte’s actions involving referrals he made to ‍Attorney ⁤General Pam Bondi ⁢regarding Federal⁤ Reserve Governor Lisa ‍Cook.

The GAO’s investigation follows scrutiny of mortgage documents Pulte provided that ‌led to the referral. Pulte has‍ declined⁢ to reveal⁣ the source of the documents, ⁣stating in a September interview on‌ CNBC, “I’m not going to explain our⁤ sources and methods. We make referrals almost every ‌day. Lisa ⁢Cook happened to be​ one ⁤of them.”

Since becoming​ FHFA director, Pulte⁣ has frequently criticized Democratic elected officials targeted by Trump, and also Governor Jerome Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve. Trump has repeatedly called ⁢for Powell to ⁢lower interest rates. Cook‌ was nominated to the‌ federal Reserve‌ board⁤ by President Joe ​Biden.

In August, Trump attempted to fire Cook, citing Pulte’s referral⁢ in ⁤a letter posted⁤ to Truth Social. The case ⁢is scheduled to be heard by the‍ Supreme court⁤ in January.

The attention ⁣Pulte has⁣ drawn has reportedly‍ caused friction within ⁣the Trump administration. Treasury Secretary⁤ Scott Bessent reportedly threatened Pulte during a ⁢White House dinner in September, a ⁤report Bessent alluded to in a CNBC interview, stating, “Treasury secretaries dating back to ‌Alexander Hamilton have a history ⁢of dueling.”

A GAO spokesperson told NBC News that determining the scope and methodology of⁣ the investigation “can take a few months,” and⁢ a completion ​date has not yet​ been established.The FHFA has not⁤ responded to requests⁢ for ​comment.