Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster, has died from cancer, according to a statement from family released by CBS on Friday. He was 78. “He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten,” his wife Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel said in a statement. In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 due to what he said at the time were family health issues. Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties. In 2001, he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS, becoming the first Black announcer in the U.S. to call play-by-play of a major sports championship. David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Gumbel as breaking barriers and setting standards for others during his years as a voice for fans in sports, including in the NFL and March Madness. “A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time," said Berson. Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the network for NBC when it lost football in 1994 and returning when it regained the contract in 1998. He hosted CBS’ coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and called Major League Baseball games during its four-year run broadcasting the national pastime. In 1995, he hosted the World Figure Skating Championships and the following year hosted NBC’s daytime coverage of the Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta. But it was football and basketball where he was best known and made his biggest impact. Gumbel hosted CBS’ NFL studio show, “The NFL Today” from 1990 to 1993 and again in 2004. He also called NFL games as the network’s lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, including Super Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII. He returned to the NFL booth in 2005, leaving that role after the 2022 season. “Like all who knew and loved him, I too am saddened by his death, yet also so very grateful to have known him in my life,” Clark Kellogg, a CBS Sports college basketball game and studio analyst, said in a statement. “What a gift to be touched by such a good man and partner.” Gumbel, the older brother of sportscaster Bryant Gumbel, grew up in Chicago and graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1967 with a degree in English. He won local Emmy Awards during his long career and was the recipient of the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence in sports broadcasting. Outside of his career as a sportscaster, he was affiliated with the March of Dimes for three decades, including as a member of its board of trustees. He also was a member of the Sports Council for St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital for 16 years.
Hoya Capital Housing ETF (NYSEARCA:HOMZ) Stock Price Down 1.3% – Should You Sell?Looking for big returns for your portfolio? Then look no further, that's because analysts are tipping these buy-rated ASX shares to rise strongly from current levels. Here's what they are saying about them: ( ) Last week, Morgans upgraded this embattled fund manager's shares on the belief that has been overdone and created a buying opportunity. Particularly given that funds under management (FUM) outflows relating to its investment in the Adani Group may not be as bad as feared. It said: An assessment of some of GQG's FUM shows some outflows likely occurred directly post the Adani news. While there is some near-term outflow risk (including headline risk in the imminent FUM update given previous flow strength), based on fund performance we do not expect this to persist for an extended period. The Emerging Markets (EM) fund (>10% exposure to Adani) outperformed its benchmark by ~1% in November. Over timeframes 1-5 years, all strategies have outperformed benchmarks meaningfully (ranging ~180bp – 920bp). GQG will implement a A$100m buyback (~1.5% of shares) commencing 6-Dec. Uncertainty on the investment performance impact of the Adani news was high at the onset, but can now be assessed and has been minor to-date (Adani vehicles -11% to +14%; EM outperformance in Nov). There is some outflow risk and Adani news flow risk (if GQG remains invested), but we believe there is solid underlying business strength and value at ~9.5x FY25F PE. Morgans has put an add rating and $2.47 price target on its shares. This implies potential upside of approximately 19%. In addition, a 10% is forecast in FY 2025. ( ) Goldman Sachs thinks that this engineering company's shares could be undervalued at current levels. The broker is positive on the company's outlook due to it being "well positioned to play a role in enabling the transition from fossil fuels to a more sustainable energy mix." It also highlights that the ASX share is forecasting strong growth in FY 2025 despite economic and geopolitical uncertainty. It said: At its Nov AGM WOR reiterated expectations for low double digit FY25e EBITA growth in a period of moderating growth due to economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Despite re-iterated guidance, general uncertainty around capital expenditure plans in key end markets and timing/uncertainty around discrete major projects has seen WOR's share price lag, in our view. We have assessed earnings levels being capitalised at the current share price and believe the risk/reward remains positively skewed. Goldman has a buy rating and $18.00 price target on its shares. This suggests that upside of 35% is possible over the next 12 months.
Reno Omokri said he does not agree with the claim that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has 'Yorubacentric' agenda for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the financial sector Omokri, in a post on Sunday, December 29, fumed at critics who alleged that President Tinubu is 'Yorubacentric' in his appointments at the NNPCL Omokri, a former social media aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, argued that the majority of those in the lower cadre of the NNPCL were "filled by" former Nigerian leader, Muhammadu Buhari CHECK OUT: Don't let unemployment hold you back. Start your digital marketing journey today. Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 4 years of experience in public affairs and governance. FCT, Abuja - Reno Omokri, a popular social media personality, has described as baseless the notion that Yoruba people head consequential agencies in Nigeria . According to Omokri, this claim "is capable of causing the type of market ripples that negatively affect the All Share Index of the Nigerian Stock Exchange". Read also El-Rufai reacts as Kperogi accuses Tinubu of appointing Yoruba people to major positions in NNPCL Legit.ng recalls that Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state, weighed in on Professor Farooq Kperogi’s recent criticism of alleged ethnic favouritism in President Bola Tinubu's appointments. PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! In an article titled " Tinubu 's Buharisation of the NNPC," Kperogi accused Tinubu of appointing "Yoruba people" to key positions at the NNPC. He said an anonymous source informed him that one Bayo Ojulari is “being proposed as group managing director (GMD) after Mele Kyari’s term expires” in early 2024. US-based Kperogi drew parallels between Tinubu's alleged "Yorubacentric" appointments in the NNPC and the "Arewacentricity" he criticised during former President Muhammadu Buhari 's tenure. Reacting to Kperogi's latest column, El-Rufai tweeted tersely: "DECEMBER MESSAGE: Two wrongs do not make a right. Sensible inclusion always trumps arrogant exclusion." 'Tinubu has no Yorubanisation agenda' - Omokri But in a counter-post on Sunday afternoon, December 29, Omokri, a known supporter of the Tinubu government, wrote : Read also Reno Omokri tells Northerners what to do about Niger Republic allegations "In Nigeria, other than the NNPCL, the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, the Nigerian Communication Commission, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, and the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation are the top five revenue earners for the Federal Government. Only two of these six agencies (when you add NNPCL) are headed by people from the Southwest. "The CEO of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, is from the Northeast. The CEO of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Abubakar Dantsoho, is from the Northeast. The MD of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs. Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku, is from the Southwest. The CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, is from the Northwest. "The CEO of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dayo Mobereola, is from the Southwest. The CEO of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, Bello Hassan, is from the Northwest "Flowing from the above, where is the Yorubanisation or Yorubacentricity?" Read also “I have no regret”: Wike speaks ahead of 2027, gives reason he’ll support Tinubu’s re-election Read Omokri's post in full below: Kperogi's allegations: NNPCL reacts Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the NNPCL debunked allegations of ethnic bias in its leadership structure, stating that employment decisions are based solely on merit. Olufemi Soneye, chief corporate communications officer of the NNPCL, addressed concerns raised in Kperogi's article. Soneye clarified that the NNPC's leadership structure is guided by business requirements, expertise, and merit rather than ethnicity, tribe, religion, or political affiliation. PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: Legit.ngTrump’s Republican Party is increasingly winning union voters. It’s a shift seen in his labor pick
Welcome to the Week 17 grades! There's always a lot of drama in the NFL over the final two weeks of the season, and that was definitely the case in Week 17. The biggest surprise came in New York, where the Giants pulled off a stunner with a 45-33 win over the Indianapolis Colts . It was the shocker of the day for multiple reasons: For one, the Colts needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, but they're now eliminated after losing. On the Giants' end, the victory was a shocker because it likely cost them any shot at the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft . Going into Week 17, the Giants were in control of the top pick and all they had to do was lose out, but they couldn't even do that. With that in mind, here are our Week 17 grades for every game that has been played so far, starting with the Giants' shocking win: N.Y. Giants 45-33 over Indianapolis Philadelphia 41-7 over Dallas Buffalo 40-14 over N.Y. Jets Las Vegas 25-10 over New Orleans Tampa Bay 48-14 over Carolina Jacksonville 20-13 over Tennessee L.A. Rams 13-9 over Arizona (Saturday) Cincinnati 30-24 in OT over Denver (Saturday) L.A. Chargers 40-7 over New England (Saturday) Seattle 6-3 over Chicago (Thursday) Kansas City 29-10 over Pittsburgh (Wednesday) Baltimore 31-2 over Houston (Wednesday)Jimmy Carter: president, global mediator, Nobel laureate
We regularly answer frequently asked questions about life in the era of COVID-19. If you have a question you’d like us to consider for a future post, email us at goatsandsoda@npr.org with the subject line: “Coronavirus Questions.” See an archive of our FAQs here. I just never got the latest COVID booster. Should I go for it? And when should I get it for maximum holiday protection when traveling and partying? If you’re among those who haven’t rolled up a sleeve for the latest version of the vaccine — which rolled out in September — you’ve got plenty of company. A Dec. 2 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that in the U.S., for example, just under 20% of eligible people have gotten the updated vaccine, which was formulated to include a strain of the original virus and one from recently circulating variants. “That uptake is nowhere near where it should be,” says Dr. Robert Hopkins, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. And who’s eligible? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection, everyone 6 months and older. You may be wondering: Do I really need it if I’m in good health? Data shows that COVID vaccines are protective against severe disease and long COVID, reducing the risk of an emergency room or clinic visit — and the risk of death. Plus, “potentially preventing any COVID infection keeps you from being sick, getting long COVID and making someone sick who could really be at risk,” says Jeffrey Townsend, a professor of evolutionary biology and head of a lab at the Yale School of Public Health that has been studying COVID throughout the pandemic. But maybe you’ve just had COVID...And you’re wondering. Isn’t that giving me enough protection? Just as protection from the COVID-19 vaccine decreases with time, so does immunity after an infection.. Philadelphia-area health experts see shift in attitudes on vaccination in ‘post-COVID’ era Misinformation, distrust in medical providers, politics and experiences during the height of COVID are playing into people’s views of vaccination, experts say. 3 months ago If you’re ready to go for a jab, you might have a few questions. Like: Which of the three available vaccines to go for? There are MRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna and a non- MRNA version from Novavax. (mRNA vaccines use mRNA created in a laboratory to teach our cells how to make a protein — or even just a piece of a protein — that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. The Novavax vaccine is based on an older technology. “Between the two mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer, there is no reason to get one over the other,” says Andrew Pekosz, vice chair of the Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “The [MRNA vaccines] target the same variant, are similarly effective and elicit similar side effects.” Pekosz adds that the Novavax protein-based vaccine will also “generate immune responses that recognize current variants,” noting adding that people who have had a particularly adverse response to a previous mRNA vaccine might consider the Novavax vaccine as an alternative, as protein-based vaccines generally don’t induce as strong side effects. As for timing, if you’d like maximum protection for end-of-year travel and partying, keep in mind that it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to be fully effective. And while COVID isn’t surging at the moment in the U.S. and other places, Dr. Hopkins says winter outbreaks are expected — a winter surge has always been part of COVID’s timetable. Meanwhile, if you’ve had a recent COVID infection you have a different vaccine timeline. Because you develop antibodies to the virus after a COVID infection, the CDC says people “may wait” three months after an infection to get the vaccine. That’s because the immune response to the new dose will be strongest if your antibodies are waning. There’s a new study that looks at vaccine timing. The study is geared toward a future time when COVID has a clear season where it regularly peaks (as flu does), but it does contain relevant info on so-called “breakthrough” infections — when you catch COVID soon after being vaccinated. In the study, published in Clinical Infectious Diseases , study author Jeffrey Townsend and his team recommend a timetable: for someone who got a booster in September, then caught COVID between October and April. The optimal time for the next dose is the following mid-to-late September. For breakthrough infections between mid-May and early September, the wait time before the next booster falls to six months because of the likelihood of a winter outbreak. Townsend says the study’s recommendations are different than the CDC’s because the agency looked at when antibodies begin to fall, and the study looked at when antibodies fall to the level where you’d be vulnerable to reinfection. But the study does not offer official guidance so a conversation with your doctor might be in order. “Many of my colleagues have discussed that timing of vaccination relative to infection is something we need to be taking into account more,” says Dr. Abraar Karan, an infectious disease researcher at Stanford Medical School. He advises people to test if they have COVID symptoms in part so they can fine tune their vaccine schedule. “Doctors have to take into consideration what’s unique to the patient in front of them,” says Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health For example, people who are immunocompromised may be advised to boost more frequently since their antibodies can wane faster. And people who are 65 and older have been advised by the CDC to get a second dose of the new booster six months after the first. Montgomery County faith leaders and independent pharmacists bring vaccines to people’s homes with new program The vaccine program is open to all county residents and offers shots for COVID, flu, RSV and other diseases. 2 months ago Of course, even having a debate over whether to get an updated vaccine is a rich world problem. Rachel Weintraub, an associate professor of global health and social medicine at Harvard Medical School says that while most countries haven’t reported their uptake of booster doses, the educated guess is that boosters are not widely available in low- or middle-income countries. For one thing, COVAX, the program that deployed vaccines in lower- and middle-income countries, closed up shop at the end of 2023. “In many countries,” says Weintraub, the COVID vaccine shifted into the regular immunization program with some countries choosing to prioritize vaccines for other conditions.” Weintraub says that when COVAX closed, only 57% of eligible folks had received two doses in low- and middle-income countries, compared to a global average of 67%. And even in the U.S. there’s no guarantee that the supply of boosters or messaging to promote them will continue. Jennifer Kates, senior vice president and director of the Global Health & HIV Policy Program at health research group KFF, says the next administration “has significant authority to affect both the availability of COVID vaccines and messaging about their importance, authority that will undoubtedly influence individual behavior and state and local decisions.” Kates says the FDA Commissioner has the authority to approve and authorize new formulations of COVID vaccines and the CDC Director has the authority to set recommendations for the public. “Messaging around vaccines is an important [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services] function, and the frequency, cadence, content, and channels of such messaging will set the scene for how vaccines are received by the public.” And while doctors’ offices often no longer stock COVID vaccines, says Rebecca Weintraub, many pharmacies do, and you can often schedule an appointment on line. If you are insured, your insurance will cover the cost so long as the pharmacy or doctor is in network. No insurance? Call your local health department to ask about free or low-cost options. (Without insurance the cost is over $200 — the federal government no longer covers the cost for everyone as it did at the height of the pandemic.) Fran Kritz is a health policy reporter based in Washington, D.C., and a regular contributor to NPR. She also reports for the Washington Post and Verywell Health . Find her on Twitter: @fkritz Never miss a moment with the WHYY Listen App! Play, pause, and rewind the live radio stream, access on-demand audio features, and dive into podcasts from both local and national sources. WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Mac Jones threw two touchdown passes, including one to standout rookie Brian Thomas Jr., and the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Tennessee Titans 20-13 in the rain Sunday to sweep the season series for the fourth time in 30 years. Jones completed 15 of 22 passes for 174 yards, with most of them going to Thomas. The first-round draft pick from LSU finished with seven receptions for 91 yards. His 11-yard TD catch with 7:05 remaining gave him his eighth game with at least 60 yards and a score, tying him with Hall of Famer Randy Moss for the most by a rookie in NFL history. Thomas, who has five TD catches in his past four games, also became the fifth player in Jaguars history with double-digit TD receptions in a single season. He joined Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Marcedes Lewis and Reggie Williams. The Titans (3-13) improved their position for the 2025 NFL draft — a potential chance to land a franchise quarterback — and secured last place in the AFC South. The Jaguars (4-12) guaranteed themselves third in the division. There was little else at stake in this Week 17 matchup. Jacksonville looked as if it might make it a blowout, but coach Doug Pederson’s team settled for field goals while building a 13-0 lead early. The Titans got back in it with an 85-yard drive to start the second half, which ended with Mason Rudolph’s 8-yard TD pass to a wide-open Nick Vannett. Tennessee kicked a field goal late to make it a seven-point game and got the ball back with 1:29 remaining. Rudolph drove the Titans to the Jacksonville 26, but safety Antonio Johnson knocked down his fourth down pass at the goal line to end it. Jacksonville’s Josh Hines-Allen moved a step closer to the franchise sack record. Hines-Allen sacked Rudolph in the third quarter, giving him 53 for his career and leaving him two shy of tying Tony Brackens’ team mark. Boris Cheek became the NFL’s all-time leader in games officiated when he took the field for the Titans-Jaguars game. Cheek officiated his 461st game over 29 seasons, passing Walt Coleman for the top spot. Coleman officiated 460 games over 30 seasons until his retirement in 2018. Titans running back Tyjae Spears was evaluated for a concussion late in the third quarter. Spears, who wears a protective “guardian cap” over his helmet to help prevent head injuries, ran 20 times for 95 yards. Tennessee had to turn to third-string right tackle John Ojukwu after backup Jaelyn Duncan left in the first half with a shoulder injury. Duncan started in place of Nicholas Petit-Frere, who was benched last week and inactive against Jacksonville. Jaguars right guard Brandon Scherff (shoulder) left in the second quarter but returned on the next series. Titans finish the season next weekend against division champion Houston. Jaguars play at Indianapolis next weekend to close out another year with double-digit losses. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Philadelphia (8-2) at Los Angeles Rams (5-5) Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EST, NBC/Peacock BetMGM NFL odds: Eagles by 3. Against the spread: Eagles 6-4; Rams 4-6. Series record: Eagles lead 23-20-1. Last meeting: Eagles beat Rams 23-14 in Inglewood, Calif. on Oct. 8, 2023. Last week: Eagles beat Washington 26-18; Rams beat New England 28-22. Eagles offense: overall (5), rush (1), pass (22), scoring (7). Eagles defense: overall (1), rush (7), pass (2), scoring (6). Rams offense: overall (17), rush (26), pass (T-7), scoring (21). Rams defense: overall (23), rush (18), pass (22), scoring (22). Turnover differential: Eagles plus-2; Rams plus-4. Eagles player to watch RB Saquon Barkley. Barkley combined for 198 scrimmage yards and two scores, rushing 26 times for 146 yards (5.6 average) while adding two receptions for 52 yards against Washington. With 1,137 rushing yards through 10 games, Barkley only trails Baltimore’s Derrick Henry for the NFL lead. He had his sixth 100-plus yard rushing game this season, which is the most in the NFL. Rams player to watch S Kam Kinchens. The rookie third-round pick from Miami had eight tackles, one tackle for loss, an interception and a forced fumble against the Patriots as he continues to come on strong. Kinchens has three picks in the past three games. Key matchup Eagles QB Jalen Hurts vs. Rams’ defensive line. Hurts shredded Los Angeles for 303 yards passing and 72 yards rushing last season despite the presence of superstar DT Aaron Donald. After Donald retired, the Rams turned to a committee approach to get after the passer, and it has worked with rookie OLB Jared Verse and DT Braden Fiske fitting in well next to second-year OLB Byron Young and DT Kobie Turner. But they can only unleash their excellent pass rush skills by limiting Philadelphia on early downs. Hurts has been at his dual-threat best over the past five games, accounting for 15 total touchdowns (six passing, nine rushing) against two turnovers. Key injuries Eagles defensive end Bryce Huff had surgery on his left wrist on Thursday, a move that could allow him to return toward the end of the season. ... WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) was ruled out on Friday. ... Rams RT Rob Havenstein (ankle) got in two limited practices this week but is doubtful to play. Havenstein sat out the previous two games because of the ailment. Series notes The Eagles have won all three games in Los Angeles since the Rams moved back in 2016. ... Overall, Philadelphia has won seven of the past eight. The only setback came in Week 2 of the 2020 pandemic season. Stats and stuff Barkley has passed 100-plus scrimmage yards in eight of 10 games. That is tied with LeSean McCoy (2011) and Brian Westbrook (2007) for the most by an Eagle through 10 games. His 198 yards were his second most as an Eagle (199 in Week 9). ... The Eagles have allowed two passing touchdowns during their winning streak. Only one opponent has topped 200 passing yards against them in this stretch, with Cincinnati throwing for 222 in Week 8. ... Hurts leads all NFL quarterbacks with 11 touchdown runs and is second only to Henry's 13 scores for the Ravens. ... WR A.J. Brown leads the league in receptions of 30 yards or longer. He is averaging 18.7 yards per catch, the best mark of any player with at least 30 grabs. ... Even before he hurt his wrist, Huff struggled in his first season in Philadelphia with just 2 1/2 sacks and four quarterback hits. His snap count has dipped since he was injured ahead of a game earlier this month against Jacksonville. Huff had 17 1/2 sacks in four seasons with the Jets before he signed a three-year, $51 million free-agent deal with the Eagles. ... Philadelphia has run for at least 150 yards and two touchdowns in five straight games, something it hadn't accomplished since 1949. ... Rams WR Puka Nacua caught his first touchdown of the season in New England. He has at least seven receptions and 98 yards in three of his past four games, with only a second-quarter ejection in Seattle having limited Nacua since he returned from a knee injury. ... WR Cooper Kupp has 614 receptions through his first 98 games, which is fourth most in NFL history through 100 games. Julio Jones (619) is third. ... RB Kyren Williams averaged a season-high 5.7 yards per carry, finishing with 86 yards on 15 attempts versus the Patriots. ... Verse has 11 tackles for loss and 4 1/2 sacks through his first 10 games. Verse is pressuring the quarterback on 20.2% of pass rush snaps, which ranks second in the league overall. ... The Rams were 2 of 8 (25%) on third down against New England, their third straight game converting 25% or worse. ... QB Matthew Stafford has not been sacked in each of Los Angeles’ past three wins. Fantasy tip Don’t be discouraged using Stafford, Kupp and Nacua against Philadelphia's pass defense. All three put up solid fantasy numbers in last season’s meeting, even as the Eagles sat on the ball for nearly 38 minutes. Stafford had 222 yards and two scores, finding Kupp eight times for 118 yards and Nacua seven times for 71 yards and a touchdown, so they'll find ways to produce. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL The Associated PressBlood on Their Hands: Leftist Rhetoric on Palestinian 'Genocide' Prompted CA School ShootingCheck out more of the year's best tech in our PC Gamer Hardware Awards 2024 coverage. I've looked at a lot of new PC gaming tech this year. Looking at my Steam Replay listing, far more than I've consistently played new games, that's for sure. From the RTX 40-series refresh in January, to the first proper modular gaming laptop, weird handhelds, ace gaming CPUs, and funky laptops, I've dabbled in every facet of the industry. Which is why I'm still doing this twenty years after I took my first faltering steps as a PC technology journalist; there's always some new toy to play with. But when it actually came to sitting down and thinking about what's been my pick of all the gear I've had my hands on this year, what's been the thing that either surprised or pleased me the most, well, that's been tougher than I really expected. Somewhat strangely, what I've landed on is not the thing which I've scored the highest, and yet it's the thing I've had the most lingering affection for. The Asus TUF A14 continues my trend of getting all excited about wee 14-inch gaming laptops, but it also leans into my frugal nature, too, being part of the Taiwanese giant's more affordable brand. It's a 14-inch gaming laptop I was expecting to be fine but mostly unexciting. Sure, the AMD Strix Point spec is grand—the same as in our overall pick as the current best gaming laptop—but the TUF lappies have long been the frumpy cousins to the supermodel stylings of the ROG Zephyrus machines. We've been giddy over the gorgeous ROG Zephyrus G14 and Zephyrus G16 designs launched at CES way back at the start of this year, and I wasn't expecting to see the same design notes being present when I pulled the TUF A14 out of its unassuming box and protective sleeving. But it's a delightfully slim little laptop, and one that is far more restrained than I've ever seen from the traditionally very 'gamer' TUF range of laptops. That, admittedly, is still evident when you flip open the lid and are greeted by the angular Asus font on the keyboard. That's something I still find pretty damned ugly, but is really the only nod to that more aggressive styling we've become used to from standard Asus gear. Though that is obviously changing. This is very much a proper gaming laptop—it has a 100 W RTX 4060 inside that slimline chassis after all—but one that also isn't going to look out of place in a seminar, workshop, or team meeting. There is naught but a faded 'TUF' logo in one corner of the lid and that's it for outward adornments. The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals Keep up to date with the most important stories and the best deals, as picked by the PC Gamer team. The super slim bezel of the 1600p screen makes the display a joy, too, and at 165 Hz it's plenty fast enough for any gaming enterprise. The RTX 4060 might be a tough match for that full resolution, however, but with the tight pixel pitch of a high-res 14-inch panel, knocking games back down to 1200p or flipping the upscaling switcheroo, you're not going to experience the slight blurring you can get on larger screens. For me, it's going to be a tough call on which laptop I take with me on my travels to CES in January, because the Ryzen AI HX 370 is a great, efficient chip in its own right—and capable of decent gaming performance away from the plug, which the RTX 4060 kinda isn't. But the other contender is the first Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite machine I've ever used in anger, the Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge. That's something else which has impressed me this year, especially having spent six months using it as my work lappy. I've not experienced any real compatibility issues and haven't modified what I do because it's not an x86 machine. It's coped with everything but a severely tab-heavy Chrome load, at which point it falls to its knees and cries 'uncle!' I've also loved the Ryzen 7 9800X3D , but really it's more iterative than innovative considering AMD's 3D V-cache passim, so I would struggle to give that my pick of the year. Especially as I would have given the CPU nod to the Ryzen 7 7800X3D on my last go around the fiery orb. But still, it's this lovely little slab of affordable, unassuming gaming tech that has my heart in 2024. I am, however, hoping that I get to give the 2025 edition of this award to one fantastic graphics card from the slew of new GPUs set to land in our desktops from Nvidia, Intel, and AMD throughout the new year. C'mon, graphics peops, wow me. I'm done with mostly iterative, just a bit better, just a bit more expensive graphics silicon. I want something really new and exciting. If you want to find out who won the PC Gamer Hardware Awards, we'll be publishing the winners on New Year's Day.