title: Tormund Giantsbane

text: After Jon's assassination by Ser Alliser and his mutineers, Tormund and the wildlings are summoned by Edd Tollett to help capture them. Jon is later resurrected by the red priestess Melisandre, and Tormund tells him that some of the wildlings believe him to be a god. Several days later, Jon's half-sister Sansa Stark arrives at the Wall fleeing her abusive husband Ramsay Bolton. Tormund is attracted to Brienne of Tarth and attempts to court her, although she doesn't seem interested in his advances. After Ramsay sends a letter to Jon threatening to kill Jon's half-brother Rickon and the wildlings if Sansa is not returned, Tormund persuades the wildlings to help Jon and Sansa defeat the Boltons. Tormund later participates in the Battle of the Bastards, killing Lord Smalljon Umber, biting off his ear in the process. Following the battle, he is amongst those who declare Jon King in the North.


title: Tormund Giantsbane

text: Jon asks Tormund and the wildlings to reinforce defenses at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, the Night Watch's fortress closest to Hardhome. Later, scouts find the Brotherhood Without Banners and Sandor Clegane attempting to pass through the Wall, and interns them in Eastwatch's ice cells.


title: Tormund Giantsbane

text: Later, Jon, Davos, Jorah Mormont and Gendry arrive, revealing that they need to capture a wight in order to convince Daenerys Targaryen and Cersei Lannister of the White Walkers' existence. Although displeased at having to ally with Jeor Mormont's son, Tormund, the Brotherhood, and the Hound join Jon's allies beyond the Wall. They successfully capture a wight but are soon surrounded by the White Walkers and their army of wights. However, Daenerys arrives with her dragons to rescue them but one of the dragons, Viserion, is killed by the Night King. As the Night King prepares to attack again, they are forced to leave Jon behind when Jon tells them to flee but he manages to return to Eastwatch. Tormund remains at Eastwatch while Jon, Daenerys, the Hound, and Jorah travel to King's Landing.


title: Tormund Giantsbane

text: Soon after, the White Walkers and their army finally march on the Wall. The Night King, which has reanimated Viserion, uses the dragon to destroy Eastwatch and the section of the Wall behind the castle, allowing the army of the dead to march on the Seven Kingdoms and seemingly trapping Tormund and Beric Dondarrion on top of the remaining part of the Wall.


title: Tormund Giantsbane

text: Tormund and Beric manage to escape the Wall and retreat to Winterfell. Along the way, they stop at Last Hearth and find it has already been overwhelmed by the White Walkers. They encounter Dolorous Edd and the Night's Watch. Tormund realises that they must reach Winterfell to warn its defenders of the dead's proximity, and arrive on the eve of the White Walkers' arrival. Tormund fights in the ensuing battle and is amongst the survivors when the Night King is finally defeated. Afterward, Tormund tells Jon that he and his people are returning to their lands beyond the Wall after the worst of winter has passed. Jon asks him to take his direwolf, Ghost, with him, saying Ghost belongs in the far North.


title: Tormund Giantsbane

text: Following Daenerys massacring King's Landing after the city surrenders to her, Jon tries but fails to dissuade her from more destruction and ultimately assassinates her, for which he is exiled to the Night's Watch. Tormund and Ghost are reunited with Jon when he arrives at Castle Black. Jon and Ghost accompany Tormund as he leads the wildlings to return to their lands beyond the Wall.


title: Tormund Giantsbane

text: Norwegian actor Kristofer Hivju has received positive reviews for his performance as Tormund Giantsbane in the television series. He and the rest of the cast were nominated for Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2014.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: The 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously "Alabama", "Bama", or "The Tide") represented the University of Alabama in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This season marked the Crimson Tide's 127th overall season, 88th as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and 30th within the SEC Western Division. They played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and were led by 15th-year head coach Nick Saban.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: Alabama entered the 2021 season as the defending consensus national champions and SEC champions and appeared in the 2022 College Football National Championship to defend their title against Georgia in a rematch from 2021 SEC Championship Game and 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship, after beating an undefeated Cincinnati in the College Football Playoff Semifinal. Alabama was defeated by Georgia in the National Championship game 33–18.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: They finished the season undefeated with a record of 13–0 (10–0 in the SEC) and as national champions. Looking to build on the successes of the 2019 campaign, Alabama entered the 2020 season as the favorite to win the Western Division and meet the Florida Gators in the 2020 SEC Championship Game. Alabama closed the regular season with a 11–0 record including five wins against Top 25-ranked teams—and met the Gators for the SEC Championship in a rematch of the 2016 contest. Alabama was victorious by a final score of 52–46 to captured their 9th SEC championship title. The following day, final College Football Playoff(CFP) standings were unveiled. No. 1 ranked Alabama would meet No. 4 ranked Notre Dame for the Rose Bowl game in a rematch of the 2013 contest, defeated the Fighting Irish 31–14 to meet No. 3 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes for the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in a rematch of their 2015 contest. In the College Football Playoff National Championship, the Crimson Tide defeated the Buckeyes, 52–24, to capture their third CFP National Championship title in seven years. The victory over Ohio State gave Alabama their 18th national championship in football (their thirteenth wire service title since the AP Poll began in 1936) and their tenth perfect season since 1925.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: The season marked the first time a wide receiver at Alabama won the Heisman Trophy, as DeVonta Smith won the award over several finalists including Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Other award winners included quarterback Mac Jones, who won the Davey O’Brien Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, running back Najee Harris who won the Doak Walker Award and offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who won the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach. Also, six players were named to various All-America Teams with Patrick Surtain II, DeVonta Smith, and Mac Jones being consensus selections and Smith and Surtain each being unanimous selections.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: The following Crimson Tide players were selected in the 2021 NFL Draft. Alabama had six players drafted in the first round, tying Miami (FL) in 2004 for most all time.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: Steve Sarkisian, former offensive coordinator of the Crimson Tide, accepted a position as head football coach of Texas. He was replaced by Bill O'Brien. Charles Huff, former Associate Head Coach/Running backs coach accepted the head coaching position at Marshall and was replaced by Todd Watson as Associate Head Coach and Robert Gillespie as Running backs coach. Former Special teams coordinator/Tight end coach Jeff Banks left to accept a position as the Assistant Coach/Special teams coordinator/Tight end coach for Texas and was replaced by Jay Graham. Former Cornerbacks coach Karl Scott left and went to fill a position as a Defensive backs coach for the Minnesota Vikings and has been replaced by Jay Valai. Former Offensive line coach Kyle Flood left to be the Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach for Texas and was replaced by Doug Marrone. On March 24, 2021, Jay Graham left the program after only two months of being with the Tide and was replaced by Drew Svoboda.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: The Crimson Tide signed a total of 26 scholarship recruits and 1 walk-ons during national signing period.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: The 2021 SEC Media days will be held in July 19–22, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham – The Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Alabama. The Preseason Polls will be released on July 23, 2021. Each team had their head coach available to talk to the media at the event. Coverage of the event was televised on SEC Network and ESPN.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: The Crimson Tide placed 16 representatives on the Preseason All-SEC Team, including eight on the first team - six on defense.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: The Crimson Tide placed 15 representatives on the Preseason All-SEC Team, including eight on the first team - six on defense.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: The Crimson Tide held spring practices in March and April with the Alabama football spring game, "A-Day", held on April 17. Due to COVID-19 and limited capacity at the stadium, tickets were sold, a change from previous years when fans could attend without paying admission. The announced attendance at the game was 47,218.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: The 2021 Crimson Tide' schedule consisted of 7 home games, 4 away games, and 1 neutral site game for the regular season. Alabama hosted four SEC conference opponents Arkansas, Ole Miss (rivalry), Tennessee (Third Saturday in October) and rival LSU (rivalry) to close out the SEC regular season at home and travelled to four SEC opponents Florida (rivalry), Mississippi State (rivalry), Texas A&M, and arch-rival Auburn for the 86th Iron Bowl to close out the SEC regular season on the road. Alabama was not scheduled to play SEC East opponents Georgia (rivalry), Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, and Vanderbilt in the 2021 regular season. The Crimson Tide's bye week was during week 9 (on October 30, 2021).


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: Alabama's out-of-conference opponents represented the ACC, C-USA, Independents, and Southern. The Crimson Tide hosted four non–conference games which were against New Mexico State from the FBS independents, Southern Miss from the Conference USA and Mercer from the SoCon to close out the regular season and hosted Miami (FL) (ACC) in Atlanta, GA in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: The Crimson Tide opened the 2021 season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia against the No. 14-ranked Miami Hurricanes. It was the programs' first meeting since the Crimson Tide's win over the Hurricanes in the 1993 Sugar Bowl. Alabama entered the contest as a 19.5-point favorite. The Tide's opening drive of 7 plays and 75 yards culminated in a 37-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Young to John Metchie III, giving Alabama a 7–0 lead. Following a punt by Miami, Alabama drove 60 yards in 11 plays for a 38-yard field goal by junior Will Reichard, putting the Tide ahead 10–0. Miami then went three-and-out. At the end of the first quarter, the Tide led 10–0. To begin the second quarter, the Tide offense continued its prowess with a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive capped by a Bryce Young pass to Cameron Latu. The Tide led 17–0. Reichard added a 51-yard field goal following a D'Eriq King fumble that was recovered by Phidarian Mathis, making the count 20–0. After a Hurricanes three-and-out, Bryce Young drove the Tide 74 yards, finished off by another touchdown reception by Latu. The score was now 27–0. After trading punts, the 'Canes drove 60 yards in 12 plays for a 37-yard Andres Borregales field goal to cut the deficit to 27–3. The Tide closed the first half with a 27–3 lead.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: To open the second half, King led the Canes 74 yards in 14 plays; however, the drive ended in a turnover on downs after King's 4th-and-1 rush was stopped by Henry To'oTo'o and Will Anderson Jr. Shortly thereafter, Bryce Young connected with junior wide receiver Jameson Williams for a 94-yard touchdown, putting Alabama ahead 34–3. On the Canes' next drive, D'Eriq King was intercepted by Malachi Moore. The Tide offense found paydirt following the turnover by means of a 20-yard touchdown run by Trey Sanders. 'Bama now led 41–3. Miami would respond with its first touchdown drive of the game - 75 yards in 7 plays concluding with a 29-yard reception by Xavier Restrepo. The count was now 41–10. The Tide committed its first turnover of the season when Chantz Williams sacked Bryce Young, leading Jordan Miller to recover at the Alabama 25. Miller's recovery would lead to a 28-yard field goal by Borregales to put the 'Canes behind 41–13. The Tide took a 41–13 lead into the fourth quarter, where the only scoring came from a 40-yard Reichard field goal en route to a 44-13 Crimson Tide victory. In his first collegiate start, Young completed 27 of 38 passes for 344 yard and 4 touchdowns. The Crimson Tide earned 510 total yards of offense, including 354 through the air.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: Alabama returned to Bryant-Denny Stadium for its first home contest of the season against the Mercer Bears of the Southern Conference of FCS. The Tide had won the most recent meeting 56–0 in 2017. In the early part of the first quarter, the teams traded punts until Chris Braswell blocked a punt by Mercer's Trey Turk. Jase McClellan returned the loose football 33 yards for a touchdown to put the Tide ahead 7–0. On the Bears' next series, Carter Peevy's pass was intercepted by Ga'Quincy McKinstry at the Alabama 46. The Tide then drove 54 yards, capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by Brian Robinson Jr., to go ahead 14–0. At the end of the first quarter the Tide led 14–0. On the first play of the second quarter, Bryce Young found Slade Bolden for an 18-yard touchdown to make the lead 21–0. Later in the quarter, the Tide took advantage of a short field and drove 29 yards ending in another touchdown by McClellan to make the score 28–0. On Alabama's next drive, Will Reichard converted on a 30-yard field goal, which allowed the Tide to take a 31–0 lead into halftime.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: In a rematch of the 2020 SEC Championship Game, the Crimson Tide traveled to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for its first SEC matchup of the season. After receiving the opening kickoff, the Tide drove 75 yards in 8 plays after a 7-yard touchdown from Bryce Young to Jase McClellan to go up 7–0. The Gators then drove 75 yards in 11 plays but were forced to settle for a 25-yard field goal by former walk-on kicker Chris Howard, making the count 7–3. The Tide then marched 75 yards in 7 plays, with Young finding tight end Jahleel Billingsley for a 26-yard touchdown. The lead was now 14–3. On the Gators' ensuing drive, Emory Jones was intercepted by Tide cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis at the Florida 42. The Tide offense utilized the short field as Young connected with Brian Robinson Jr. for a 7-yard touchdown, going up 21–3. The Crimson Tide took a 21–3 lead into the second quarter. Following the Robinson touchdown, the offenses traded punts until Mailk Davis found paydirt on a 26-yard run with 6:34 left in the half. Notably, Chris Howard's extra point was no good, making the score 21–9. The Tide took led 21–9 at the end of the first half.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: To begin the second half, Jones led the Gators 75 yards in 10 plays, culminated by a 3-yard touchdown by running back Dameon Pierce, cutting the deficit to 21–16. Young and the Tide offense answered with a 13-play, 74-yard drive cemented by a 3-yard touchdown rush by Robinson to go up 28–16. Helped out by a 30-yard run by Nay'Quan Wright, Emory Jones culminated an 11-play, 99-yard drive with a 5-yard scramble for a touchdown to make the count 28–23. At the end of the third quarter, Alabama led 28–23. Following Jones' rushing touchdown, Young led the Tide to the Florida 1. However, due to a false start penalty by Chris Owens, Alabama was forced to settle for a 23-yard field goal by Will Reichard to make the Tide lead 31–23. Thus, with 9:25 remaining in the game, the Gators still trailed by only one score. Emory Jones and the Gators' offense responded with a 12-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by a 17-yard touchdown run by Dameon Pierce. However, on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt, Malik Davis was tackled short of the goal line, leaving the Gators trailing 31–29. The Tide offense attempted to run out the clock by means of Brian Robinson Jr. and Jase McClellan. Nevertheless, on 4th-and-2 from the Alabama 43, James Burnip punted the ball back to Jones and the Gators. Punt returner Xzavier Henderson fair caught the punt at the Florida 23 with 4 seconds remaining. After dropping back to pass on 1st-and-10, Emory Jones was tackled at the line of scrimmage, allowing the Tide to hang on for a narrow 31–29 win. Bryce Young had yet another impressive performance, completing 22 of 35 passes for 233 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no interceptions. The Tide had 327 total yards of offense.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: Following a narrow win in Gainesville, the Tide returned to Bryant-Denny Stadium to face the Southern Miss Golden Eagles out of Conference USA. At the start of the first half, Jameson Williams returned Briggs Bourgeois's kickoff 100 yards for a Crimson Tide touchdown and a 7–0 lead. On the Tide's first offensive series, Bryce Young found Jahleel Billingsley for a 16-yard touchdown to go up 14–0. After the Golden Eagles had driven to the Alabama 30, Ty Keyes was intercepted by DeMarcco Hellams. The Tide would proceed to drive 77 yards, culminated in a pass from Bryce Young to Jameson Williams, a fumble by the latter, and a recovery in the end zone by Cameron Latu for a touchdown, giving the Tide a 21–0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Following a 55-yard run by Roydell Williams to the Southern Miss 1, the sophomore running back converted with a 1-yard touchdown to put the Tide up 28–0. On the Tide's next offensive series, Bryce Young found Jameson Williams for an 81-yard touchdown to grab a 35–0 lead. With 5:26 remaining in the first half, Ty Keyes found Chandler Pittman for a 14-yard touchdown, cutting the margin to 35–7. The Tide would wrap up the first half with a 10-play, 97-yard drive capped by a 9-yard touchdown from Young to Jase McClellan. The Tide led 42–7 at the end of the first half.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: For the first home SEC contest of the season, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who was offensive coordinator under Saban's Tide from 2014 to 2016, returned to Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Rebels received the opening kickoff and drove to the Alabama 6. However, a 4th-and-1 rush by Jerrion Ealy came up short of the line-to-gain. The Crimson Tide offense answered by driving 94 yards in 13 plays. Bryce Young completed a 16-yard touchdown pass to John Metchie III to put Alabama ahead 7–0. On the Rebels' second drive, Kiffin elected to attempt another fourth-down conversion. Matt Corral failed to connect with Braylon Sanders, allowing Alabama to take over in Ole Miss territory. At the end of the first quarter Alabama led 7–0. With 12:14 left in the half, Brian Robinson Jr. scored on a 1-yard run to put the Tide ahead 14–0. Ole Miss's next drive stalled and resulted in a Mac Brown punt. Alabama's next drive stalled as well. On their next drive, the Rebels offense attempted their third 4th-down conversion of the first half. On 4th-and-1 from the Rebels' own 31, Jerrion Ealy was stopped by the Tide defense for a 4-yard loss. Alabama's offense reached paydirt 6 plays later, with Bryce Young connecting with Cameron Latu for a 3-yard touchdown; Alabama led 21–0. On the Rebels' next offensive play, Phidarian Mathis sacked Matt Corral and forced the quarterback to fumble. Defensive end Justin Eboigbe recovered the fumble at the Ole Miss 14. 4 plays later, Robinson scored his second touchdown of the game off a 1-yard run. The Tide led 28–0, and it took that lead into the locker room.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: To begin the second half, the Tide offense drove 77 yards in 6 plays. Brian Robinson scored another 1-yard touchdown, his third score of the game. The Tide led 35–0. Ole Miss responded with an 11-play, 75-yard drive, culminating with a 10-yard touchdown run by Corral. The Tide lead was now 35–7. On its following series, the Tide offense drove to the Ole Miss 15. However, Ole Miss regained possession after Bryce Young was picked off by Keidron Smith. The Rebels went three-and-out after the interception. At the end of the third quarter, Alabama led 35–7. The Tide then drove 66 yards in 9 plays as Brian Robinson scored his fourth touchdown of the day from 2 yards out. The Tide lead was now 42–7 with 10:47 remaining. The Rebels' offense then drove 85 yards in 7 plays; Snoop Conner scored from 1 yard out. The 'Bama lead was reduced to 42–14. After Brian Robinson failed to convert on a 4th-and-1 from midfield, Ole Miss regained possession with 4:17 to go. The Rebels drove 50 yards in 10 plays as Corral connected with tight end Chase Rogers for a 2-yard touchdown. The Tide lead was now 42–21. The Tide got the ball back and ran out the clock. The final score was 42–21. Matt Corral completed 21 of 29 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown. Bryce Young went 20 of 26 for 241 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception. Brian Robinson Jr. ran for 171 yards on 36 carries, earning 4 touchdowns along the way. The Crimson Tide offense compiled 451 total yards, including 210 on the ground.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: For its third SEC contest of the season, the Tide traveled to Kyle Field to face the Texas A&M Aggies. After receiving the opening kickoff, the Aggies drove to the Alabama 21 but had to settle for a 38-yard field goal by Seth Small, putting A&M ahead 3–0. The Tide offense responded with a 20-yard touchdown from Bryce Young to Roydell Williams, making the score 7-3 Alabama. A&M found the end zone three plays later as Zach Calzada connected with Jalen Wydermyer for a 27-yard touchdown. A&M now lead 10–7. After Brian Robinson Jr. fumbled at the Alabama 45, Calzada found Ainias Smith for a 6-yard touchdown to give the Aggies a 17–7 lead. At the end of the first quarter Texas A&M led 17–7. Early in the second quarter the Tide had a 3rd-and-goal at the A&M 1. However, Young was intercepted by Demani Richardson. Later in the quarter Calzada was picked off by DeMarcco Hellams, leading to a 38-yard field goal by Will Reichard. The Tide now trailed 17–10. Following the field goal, the Aggies drove 75 yards in 7 plays, culminating in a 15-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Spiller. The Aggies would take a 24–10 lead into the locker room.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: To open the second half the Tide offense reached the Texas A&M 31, but the drive stalled and ended with a James Burnip punt. However Alabama's special teams came through on the next series when Ja'Corey Brooks blocked Nik Constantinou's punt deep in Aggie territory. Junior linebacker King Mwikuta recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 24–17. The Aggies' special teams had an answer of their own as Devon Achane returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown, putting the Aggies ahead 31–17. The Tide offense found the end zone six plays later when Young found Jameson Williams for a 29-yard touchdown. The Aggies' lead was now 31–24. After the defense got a stop, the Tide got the ball back at the Alabama 43. The Aggies took a 31–24 lead into the fourth quarter. After failing to convert on a 3rd-and-13 from the A&M 20, the Tide had to settle for a 26-yard Reichard field goal. The Aggies' lead was now 31–27. After earning another defensive stop, the Tide offense once again drove deep into A&M territory. After having a 1st-and-goal from the 3, however, 'Bama had to settle for a 22-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 31–30. After the Aggies' offense went three-and-out, Young led the Tide offense 82 yards in 9 plays, connecting with Jameson Williams for a 7-yard touchdown. Young connected with Williams again on the ensuing two-point conversion, putting the Tide ahead 38–31, the team's first lead since the first quarter. Six plays later Calzada connected again with Ainias Smith for a 25-yard score, tying the game 38-38. Alabama took possession at its own 25 with 2:54 remaining but punted three plays later. Calzada then led the Aggies 54 yards in 8 plays, leading to a 28-yard Seth Small field goal as time expired. The Aggies won the game 41–38, their first win over the Tide since the 2012 season.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: After falling to Texas A&M in College Station, the Tide went on the road for the second week in a row against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. On the Bulldogs' opening series quarterback Will Rogers was intercepted by Josh Jobe. Six plays later Bryce Young found John Metchie III for a 46-yard touchdown to put the Tide ahead 7–0. The Bulldogs responded with a 44-yard Brandon Ruiz field goal to make the count 7–3. On State's next series Rogers was intercepted again by Jordan Battle, who returned it 40 yards for a Crimson Tide touchdown, putting the Tide ahead 14–3. The Tide led 14–3 at the end of the first quarter. After getting the ball at their own 7 with 10:25 left in the half, Bryce Young led the Tide 93 yards to paydirt after Brian Robinson Jr. scored from 1 yard out. With 3:15 remaining the Tide led 21–3. The Bulldogs responded by driving to the Alabama 10, but they were forced to settle for a 37-yard field goal by Ruiz, cutting the deficit to 21–6. The Tide took a 21–6 lead into the locker room.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: After a convincing win in Starkville, the Tide returned to Tuscaloosa to face its longtime rival, the Tennessee Volunteers. Alabama had won the previous fourteen meetings. After a Tennessee three-and-out, the Tide offense drove 85 yards in 12 plays as Brian Robinson Jr. scored from 8 yards out. The Tide led 7–0 with 8:05 to go. Hendon Hooker then took the Vols 75 yards in 8 plays, connecting with Velus Jones Jr. for an 8-yard touchdown. With 6:15 remaining the score was tied 7-7. On its next series Alabama drove to the Tennessee 33, but Will Reichard failed to convert on a 54-yard field goal. Hooker then connected with JaVonta Payton for a 57-yard touchdown, putting the Vols ahead 14–7 with 26 seconds remaining in the quarter. On its ensuing series Alabama quickly drove into Volunteer territory. On 1st-and-10 from the Vols 25, Young hit Jameson Williams at the 9. Cornerback Kamal Hadden then forced Williams to fumble, and Kenneth George Jr. recovered with 14:13 to go. After a punt by Paxton Brooks, the Tide took over at the Tennessee 44. Seven plays later, Bryce Young found the end zone on a 5-yard touchdown run. With 9:27 to go the score was tied 14-14. After a Vols three-and-out, the Tide drove 79 yards in 12 plays as Young found John Metchie III for a 6-yard touchdown. With 2:34 to go, the Tide led 21–14. The Tide took a 21–14 lead into halftime.


title: 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

text: After a bye week, the No. 3-ranked Crimson Tide hosted the LSU Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium, facing the Tigers' lame-duck head coach Ed Orgeron. It was a rematch of the Game of the Century between the rivals two years prior. After receiving the opening kickoff, the Tide offense drove to the LSU 32. However, placekicker Will Reichard missed a 49-yard field goal. LSU responded with by driving 68 yards in 8 plays for a touchdown as Max Johnson connected with Brian Thomas Jr. With 8:33 left in the opening quarter, the Tigers led 7–0. After the two teams traded punts, the Tide drove to the LSU 33. However, a delay of game penalty, sack, and illegal formation penalty led to a 4th-and-31 and a James Burnip punt. On its next series, Alabama drove to the LSU 39 but turned the ball over on downs after Bryce Young failed to connect with John Metchie III on 4th-and-2. The Tigers took over with 11:45 remaining in the half but punted six plays later. Young then led the Tide offense 77 yards in 12 plays, capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Brian Robinson Jr. With 2:52 left in the half the score was tied 7-7. On the Tigers' ensuing series, Max Johnson was picked off by Jalyn Armour-Davis, allowing the Tide to take over at the LSU 39. On 3rd-and-goal at the 8, Young connected with Metchie for an 8-yard touchdown, giving the Tide a 14–7 lead with 48 seconds remaining in the half. After Max Johnson was sacked by Will Anderson Jr., the teams went into halftime with the Tide ahead 14–7.


title: Tom Carper

text: Thomas Richard Carper (born January 23, 1947) is an American politician and former military officer serving as the senior United States senator from Delaware, having held the seat since 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, Carper served in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 1993 and was the 71st governor of Delaware from 1993 to 2001.


title: Tom Carper

text: A native of Beckley, West Virginia, Carper graduated from Ohio State University. Serving as a naval flight officer in the U.S. Navy from 1968 until 1973, he flew the P-3 Orion as a tactical coordinator and mission commander and saw active duty in the Vietnam War. After leaving the active duty Navy, he remained in the U.S. Naval Reserve for another 18 years and eventually retired with the rank of Captain (O-6). Upon receiving his MBA from the University of Delaware in 1975, Carper went to work for the state of Delaware in its economic development office. He was elected state treasurer, serving from 1977 to 1983 and leading the development of Delaware's first cash management system.


title: Tom Carper

text: Encouraged by local politicians, Carper successfully ran for Delaware's only seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982. He served five terms in the House, where he chaired the Subcommittee on Economic Stabilization. In 1992 he arranged a swap with term-limited Republican Governor Mike Castle, and the two were easily elected to each other's seats. Carper governed for two terms as a moderate, business-oriented New Democrat, following the lead of the two previous Republican governors.


title: Tom Carper

text: Carper was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000, defeating Republican incumbent William Roth. He was reelected by landslides in 2006, 2012, and 2018. He serves as one of four deputy Democratic whips, the chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the Finance Committee. Carper is the senior senator in Delaware's congressional delegation and the dean of the delegation. He is the last Vietnam War veteran to serve in the Senate.


title: Tom Carper

text: Carper was born in Beckley, West Virginia, the son of Mary Jean (née Patton) and Wallace Richard Carper. He grew up in Danville, Virginia, and graduated from Whetstone High School in Columbus, Ohio. He then graduated from the Ohio State University in 1968, where he was a midshipman in the Naval ROTC and earned a degree in economics. At Ohio State, Carper became a member of the Beta Phi Chapter of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Carper earned an MBA from the University of Delaware in 1975.


title: Tom Carper

text: Serving as a Naval Flight Officer in the U.S. Navy from 1968 until 1973, he served three tours of duty in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. He remained in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a P-3 aircraft mission commander for another 18 years and retired with the rank of Captain (O-6).


title: Tom Carper

text: While in college at the Ohio State University, Carper worked on the presidential campaign of U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy. In Delaware, he worked as the campaign treasurer for University of Delaware professor James R. Soles in his unsuccessful 1974 bid for the U.S. House of Representatives.


title: Tom Carper

text: After receiving his MBA degree in 1975, Carper went to work for the State of Delaware's economic development office. In 1976, after developing good relationships with members of the state party leadership, he took out a $5,000 personal loan to fund his campaign for the Treasurer of Delaware. After convincing the party leaders, and later the voters, that he was the right person to be Delaware State Treasurer, he defeated the favored Republican Party candidate, Theodore Jones. He served three terms, from January 18, 1977, through January 3, 1983, during which time he oversaw the development of Delaware's first cash management system.


title: Tom Carper

text: It took a considerable amount of persuasion on the part of U.S. Senator Joe Biden and others to convince Carper to leave his obscure, but safe, position as Treasurer and compete for Delaware's only seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982. Thomas B. Evans Jr., the incumbent Republican, was running again, and although he had been caught in a compromising "association" on a golfing trip with the young lobbyist Paula Parkinson, he was still a formidable and well-connected politician.


title: Tom Carper

text: The campaign was going well for Carper until three weeks before Election Day, when the "New York Post" published an article claiming that the "dirtiest campaign in the country is being waged in tiny Delaware." Retelling the well-known story of Evans' golfing trip, it went on to accuse Carper of abusing his wife and stepchildren. But the story actually ended up working to Carper's political advantage when suspicions spread that the allegations had been planted by an Evans supporter and when public opinion seemed to conclude that the allegations were inappropriately exploiting a private issue. Carper and his wife, Diane, both denied the allegations in 1982, but he later admitted to having slapped her. On Election Day, Carper defeated Evans and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.


title: Tom Carper

text: Carper went on to serve five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. He won his second term in 1984, by defeating Elise R. W. du Pont, the wife of retiring Governor Pete du Pont. He then enjoyed easy victories over Republicans Thomas S. Neuberger in 1986, James P. Krapf in 1988 and Ralph O. Williams in 1990. A U.S. Representative, he was a member of the U.S. House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs and the U.S House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. He chaired the House Subcommittee on Economic Stabilization. In these positions he worked to allow banks into the securities business and to discourage the dumping of sludge into the ocean.


title: Tom Carper

text: During his years in the U.S. House of Representatives Carper sought to gain better control of the Democratic Party organization in Delaware in hopes of someday becoming governor. Heavily Democratic and with over half of the population of the state, New Castle County was the key. Its Democratic organization was controlled by Eugene T. Reed, a former ironworker, and an old-time political party boss who was then among several politicians in both parties implicated in illegal money raising practices. To address this corruption and rescue the reputation of the Democratic Party, Carper recruited Joseph E. Reardon, a DuPont Company chemist, as a candidate for New Castle County Democratic Party chairman. By early 1989, he had succeeded in getting Reardon elected, and Reardon replaced Reed at the head of a newly reformed party organization. In 1990 Carper faced a primary challenge from a Reed ally, Daniel D. Rappa, after winning, he went on to win election to his fifth term as U.S. Representative.


title: Tom Carper

text: In the small and intimate political community of Delaware, important decisions are often made by a consensus of leaders from both parties. So it was in 1992, when popular incumbent (Republican) Governor Michael Castle was forced to retire owing to term limits. The result was what became known as "the Swap." Castle ran for Carper's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and Carper ran for Governor. Neither faced any significant opposition and Delaware retained the services of two very popular office holders representing both major parties.


title: Tom Carper

text: Thus, in 1992, Carper was elected Governor of Delaware, defeating the Republican candidate, B. Gary Scott. He ended up serving two terms. As a moderate, business-oriented Democrat who followed two very competent and popular Republican administrations, those of Pete du Pont and Castle, Carper chose to govern in much the same way they had over their combined 16 years in office, adding to the mix his special interest in and talent for economic development and business recruitment. Two particular successes were his prevention of the closure of the General Motors automobile operation near Newport, Delaware, and the state's victory in the competition with Pennsylvania for the location of the headquarters of the pharmaceutical giant, AstraZeneca.


title: Tom Carper

text: Continuing du Pont's tax cutting policies, Carper led an ongoing effort to reduce income tax rates, eliminate the marriage penalty and estate tax, cut the public utility tax, and eliminate the gross receipts tax for many small businesses. By doing so, his administration improved the state's credit rating from among the worst in the nation to an excellent "AAA". He also retained Castle's standards-based education programs, raising standards, testing students, and pushing through a teacher accountability bill. Other programs included a fully funded Head Start program and the creation of a prescription-drug benefit for seniors.


title: Tom Carper

text: Carper's independent, New Democrat approach made him popular among voters, but caused grumbling among old line Democrats, particularly union leaders, who complained that not enough of them were being awarded patronage jobs after the many years of Republican control. In an era of increasingly bitter, partisan politics, Carper's actions and policies placed him at the political center, in keeping with Delaware's consensus style of governing. One atypical example of Carper's bipartisan cooperation occurred in 1995, when Carper's former House colleague Bob Dornan was running as a candidate in the 1996 Republican primary for the Presidential nomination. At a stop in Wilmington, Delaware, for a train on which Dornan was traveling, Carper was waiting on the platform, dressed as a pregnant woman, carrying a sign that said "Dornan Is the One". Dornan recognized Carper, and went along with the joke, which Carper had coordinated with the Republican State Committee of Delaware.


title: Tom Carper

text: The most poignant event during this period was the murder of Carper's personal scheduler, Anne Marie Fahey, and the eventual conviction of Thomas J. Capano for the crime. Capano was a wealthy, well-connected lawyer, known to nearly everyone in Delaware's political community. Fahey, a 30-year-old member of another well-known family, was attempting to end a romantic relationship with the married Capano, when he murdered her and dumped her body in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Attorney Colm F. Connolly built the case against Capano, who was tried and convicted, then sentenced by Delaware Superior Court Judge William Swain Lee.


title: Tom Carper

text: As a tribute to Fahey, who had been a youth mentor, then-Governor Carper also became a mentor, and began actively promoting mentoring programs throughout Delaware's business community. As a result, by the end of his last term, Delaware held the highest per-capita ratio of youth mentors in the country. Carper also established the Delaware Mentoring Council to help sustain this important legacy.


title: Tom Carper

text: The elections of 2000 promised to bring a change in Delaware's political lineup. For 16 years, the same four people had held the four major statewide positions — Governor Carper and fellow Democratic Senator Joe Biden, and Republicans U.S. Representative Michael Castle and Senator William Roth. Because of gubernatorial term limits, Carper had to retire from the post. He wanted to run for the Senate against the incumbent Roth. Roth would not retire voluntarily and fellow Republican Castle would not force him into a primary. Carper declared his candidacy in September 1999. In a contest between two popular and respected politicians, the issue seemed to be Roth's age: Roth was 79, versus Carper's relative youth. Although Roth started the campaign with a 2-to-1 spending advantage, Carper went into the final month with more than $1 million on hand. Carper defeated Roth by twelve points, 56% to 44%. Roth received more votes than Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush, suggesting that the strength of the Democratic turnout for the presidential election was a key factor in Carper's victory. Some commentators attributed Roth's defeat to his age and health, as he collapsed twice during the campaign, once in the middle of a television interview and once during a campaign event.


title: Tom Carper

text: Carper sought re-election to a second term in 2006. He was unopposed in the Democratic primary and faced off against Republican candidate Jan C. Ting. Ting was a professor of law who had narrowly beaten airline pilot Michael D. Protack in the Republican primary. Carper was easily re-elected in a landslide win, beating Ting 67% to 27%.


title: Tom Carper

text: As the 2012 election cycle began, a Super PAC was created to oppose Carper's re-election campaign. "The Hill" quoted Patrick Davis, the custodian of records and agent for Renew Delaware as saying: "Tom Carper has served in the United States Senate for a long time and has been part of the downturn in our economy." "Delaware Politics" noted that the election would be costly for the Republican candidate and that the popular Carper was heavily favored to win a third term in office. A Carper spokesperson, Emily Spain, was quoted in "The Hill" saying that Carper was successful in his previous campaigns "because he works hard, takes nothing for granted, and puts the needs and interests of Delaware first." Carper won the Democratic primary with 88% of the vote and faced off against the only Republican candidate who filed for the race, businessman Kevin Wade. Carper was re-elected in another landslide, beating Wade 66% to 29%.


title: Tom Carper

text: In August 2018, Carper was seeking his fourth six-year term in the United States Senate. His campaign contributors included DuPont, with DuPont being his third largest contributor since 2013. Between 2013 and 2018, he received $2.1 million from political action committees. Carper was challenged from the left by Kerri Evelyn Harris, a US Air Force Veteran. She contrasts with Carper in that she advocates a single payer healthcare system, and Carper wants to keep working on the Affordable Health Care Act. Carper defeated Harris in the primary election with roughly 65% of the vote. It was Carper's most competitive primary in his recent political history. In the general election, Carper defeated Republican opponent Rob Arlett by a landslide margin of 22.2 points, 60.0% to 37.8%.


title: Tom Carper

text: He served with the Democratic minority in the 108th and 109th Congresses, and was part of the Democratic majority in the 110th Congress. At the beginning of the 107th Congress, the Democratic Party was in the minority, but later held the majority. Carper is a member of the moderate Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), of which he currently serves as Vice-Chairman. In December 2004, Carper became a part of the Senate Democratic Leadership. As a member of a four-person "Executive Committee", he is one of four deputy whips. David Broder of "The Washington Post" has called Carper "a notably effective and non-partisan leader, admired and trusted on both sides of the aisle."


title: Tom Carper

text: During the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, Carper said he did not support invoking the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution nor impeachment of Trump. But hours later, he called on Trump to resign. He also called the attackers "domestic terrorists." That evening, he voted in support of certifying the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count.


title: Tom Carper

text: "Vox" has called Carper a moderate Democrat. He has a 13% conservative rating from the American Conservative Union. Carper voted for the Budget Control Act, against cut, cap and balance, for debt increase, for debt ceiling increase, for debt limit increase, for the stimulus, for TARP, for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, for SCHIP, for DREAM, and for the Immigration Reform Act of 2006.


title: Tom Carper

text: Carper has a mixed record on abortion issues. In 2003, he was one of 17 Democrats who broke with the majority of their party by voting to ban partial-birth abortion. He also voted against banning abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy, but voted to ban the use of federal funds for abortion. In 2018, he opposed President Trump's proposal to defund Planned Parenthood. Carper was given a 50% rating by NARAL Pro-Choice America, indicating a mixed record on abortion, according to their scoring, and a 25% rating from the anti-abortion National Right to Life Committee. After "Roe v. Wade" was overturned in June 2022, he said the decision was "unconscionably cruel and wrong" and that it was a "dark day for our country and our Constitution."


title: Tom Carper

text: In April 2019, Carper was one of thirty-four senators to sign a letter to President Trump encouraging him "to listen to members of your own Administration and reverse a decision that will damage our national security and aggravate conditions inside Central America", asserting that Trump had "consistently expressed a flawed understanding of U.S. foreign assistance" since becoming president and that he was "personally undermining efforts to promote U.S. national security and economic prosperity" through preventing the use of Fiscal Year 2018 national security funding. The senators argued that foreign assistance to Central American countries created less migration to the U.S., citing the funding's helping to improve conditions in those countries.


title: Tom Carper

text: Carper joined 23 other Senate Democrats in signing a letter supporting Obama taking executive action to reduce gun violence. In 2013, he voted to ban high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets. In 2016, Carper participated in the Chris Murphy gun control filibuster. In response to the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, Carper called for more gun laws, specifically background checks and mental health screenings.


title: Tom Carper

text: In January 2019, Carper was one of forty senators to introduce the Background Check Expansion Act, a bill that would require background checks for either the sale or transfer of all firearms including all unlicensed sellers. Exceptions to the bill's background check requirement included transfers between members of law enforcement, loaning firearms for either hunting or sporting events on a temporary basis, providing firearms as gifts to members of one's immediate family, firearms being transferred as part of an inheritance, or giving a firearm to another person temporarily for immediate self-defense.


title: Tom Carper

text: He joined in the unsuccessful attempt to tie the Bush administration tax cuts to deficit reduction and has supported additional funding for school choice programs and charter schools. He has also sought additional funding for railroad projects and for rail security. He strongly supported legislation to limit class action lawsuits and to restrict personal bankruptcy. In addition, he is a strong proponent of free trade. In 2012, Carper sponsored a bill, eventually passed and signed into law, that required government agencies to identify $125 billion in expected waste and fraud.


title: Tom Carper

text: Carper and George Voinovich of Ohio proposed a 25-cent raise in the federal gasoline tax; 10 cents would go to pay down the debt and the rest toward improving the nation's infrastructure. The measure was proposed in November 2010. The measure did not pass.


title: Tom Carper

text: On May 14, 2011, "The Wall Street Journal" criticized a postal-bailout bill co-sponsored by Carper and Susan Collins (R-Maine). The bill would give $50–$75 billion to USPS, and would underwrite pension obligations for retired postal workers. The bailout would cost three times the savings of the 2011 federal budget.


title: Tom Carper

text: On August 1, 2019, the Senate passed a bipartisan budget deal that raised spending over current levels by $320 billion and lifted the debt ceiling for the following two years in addition to forming a course for funding the government without the perceived fiscal brinkmanship of recent years. Carper joined Joe Manchin and Republicans Mitt Romney and Rick Scott in issuing a statement asserting that "as former Governors, we were responsible for setting a budget each year that was fiscally responsible to fund our priorities. That's why today, we, as U.S. Senators, cannot bring ourselves to vote for this budget deal that does not put our country on a fiscally sustainable path."


title: Tom Carper

text: Carper proposed the creation of a National Park in Delaware, the Coastal Heritage Park, in four locations along the Delaware River and Delaware Bay. In January 2009, Carper briefly chaired a Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing on the Tennessee Valley Authority's coal ash spill in Kingston, Tennessee. However, he did vote for Keystone XL Pipeline, but has since expressed disappointment in that vote.


title: Tom Carper

text: Carper supports the EPA and Clean Air Act and blames states to the west of Delaware for its air pollution, calling them "America's tailpipe".


title: Tom Carper

text: In April 2019, Carper was one of forty-one senators to sign a bipartisan letter to the housing subcommittee praising the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 4 Capacity Building program as authorizing "HUD to partner with national nonprofit community development organizations to provide education, training, and financial support to local community development corporations (CDCs) across the country" and expressing disappointment that President Trump's budget "has slated this program for elimination after decades of successful economic and community development." The senators wrote of their hope that the subcommittee would support continued funding for Section 4 in Fiscal Year 2020.


title: Tom Carper

text: Carper co-wrote the "Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010" introduced on June 19, 2010, by Senator Joe Lieberman (Senator Susan Collins is the third co-author of this bill). If signed into law, this controversial bill, which the American media dubbed the ""Kill switch bill"", would grant the President emergency powers over the Internet. All three co-authors of the bill, however, issued a statement claiming that instead, the bill "[narrowed] existing broad Presidential authority to take over telecommunications networks". Carper was quoted as saying that the bill "would create a National Center for Cybersecurity and Communications in the Department of Homeland Security, with a Senate-confirmed director to oversee security of the federal government's computer networks. The center would also identify vulnerabilities and help secure key private networks – like utilities and communications systems – that, if attacked or commandeered by a foreign power or cyberterrorists, could result in the crippling of our economy."


title: Tom Carper

text: In May 2010, Carper introduced an amendment to limit state regulators from enforcing consumer regulations on national banks and their subsidiaries. It would also remove a Senate legislative measure requiring the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to find a "substantive standard" on regulation, before the office could move to preempt. The White House opposed Carper's amendment. The amendment passed by a vote of 80–18.


title: Tom Carper

text: On September 21, 2011, "The Wall Street Journal" noted that President Obama's job-creation plans were drawing resistance from Senate Democrats. The article quoted Carper as saying, "I think the best jobs bill that can be passed is a comprehensive long-term deficit-reduction plan. That's better than everything else the president is talking about combined."


title: Tom Carper

text: In April 2014, the United States Senate debated the Minimum Wage Fairness Act (S. 1737; 113th Congress). The bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to increase the federal minimum wage for employees to $10.10 per hour over the course of a two-year period. The bill was strongly supported by President Barack Obama and many of the Democratic Senators, but strongly opposed by Republicans in the Senate and House. Carper said that he preferred legislation that would have a greater chance of becoming law, such as an increase to only $9 an hour.


title: Tom Carper

text: On March 5, 2021, Carper voted against Bernie Sanders's amendment to include a $15/hour minimum wage in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.


title: Tom Carper

text: Carper signed a law as Governor defining "marriage as between a man and a woman," but he also voted as a Senator against the Federal Marriage Amendment, a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. He also voted against banning gay marriage again in 2006. In 2013, Carper announced that he now supports same-sex marriage.


title: Tom Carper

text: Carper married Martha Ann Stacy in 1985. They have two children. The family are members of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware.


title: Tom Carper

text: Unlike most senators, who maintain residences in both Washington, D.C., and in their home state, Carper commutes more than 100 miles by Amtrak train from his home in Wilmington to the United States Capitol. Carper says this arrangement has helped his family live a normal life despite his demanding, high-profile job. On May 12, 2015, he narrowly escaped injury when the train he took home derailed and crashed in Philadelphia shortly after he deboarded.


title: Tom Carper

text: Carper has been married twice, first in 1978, to Diane Beverly Isaacs, a former Miss Delaware, who had two children by a previous marriage. They divorced in 1983. In a 1998 interview, Carper admitted, "I slapped my then-wife, Diane, during a heated argument," describing it as a mistake. A New York Post article in 1982 stated that Carper hit Isaacs "so hard he gave her a black eye" and that his wife's two children from a previous relationship "were slapped around and bruised by Carper for doing such things as leaving the family dog on the bed." Carper denied these claims.


title: Tom Carper

text: Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. The Governor and State Treasurer take office the third Tuesday of January. The Governor has a four-year term and the State Treasurer had a two-year term at this time. U.S. Representatives take office January 3 and have a two-year term. U.S. Senators also take office January 3, but have a six-year term.


title: Virtual particle

text: A virtual particle is a theoretical transient particle that exhibits some of the characteristics of an ordinary particle, while having its existence limited by the uncertainty principle. The concept of virtual particles arises in the perturbation theory of quantum field theory where interactions between ordinary particles are described in terms of exchanges of virtual particles. A process involving virtual particles can be described by a schematic representation known as a Feynman diagram, in which virtual particles are represented by internal lines.


title: Virtual particle

text: Virtual particles do not necessarily carry the same mass as the corresponding real particle, although they always conserve energy and momentum. The closer its characteristics come to those of ordinary particles, the longer the virtual particle exists. They are important in the physics of many processes, including particle scattering and Casimir forces. In quantum field theory, forces—such as the electromagnetic repulsion or attraction between two charges—can be thought of as due to the exchange of virtual photons between the charges. Virtual photons are the exchange particle for the electromagnetic interaction.


title: Virtual particle

text: The term is somewhat loose and vaguely defined, in that it refers to the view that the world is made up of "real particles". "Real particles" are better understood to be excitations of the underlying quantum fields. Virtual particles are also excitations of the underlying fields, but are "temporary" in the sense that they appear in calculations of interactions, but never as asymptotic states or indices to the scattering matrix. The accuracy and use of virtual particles in calculations is firmly established, but as they cannot be detected in experiments, deciding how to precisely describe them is a topic of debate. Although widely used, they are by no means a necessary feature of QFT, but rather are mathematical conveniences - as demonstrated by lattice field theory, which avoids using the concept altogether.


title: Virtual particle

text: The concept of virtual particles arises in the perturbation theory of quantum field theory, an approximation scheme in which interactions (in essence, forces) between actual particles are calculated in terms of exchanges of virtual particles. Such calculations are often performed using schematic representations known as Feynman diagrams, in which virtual particles appear as internal lines. By expressing the interaction in terms of the exchange of a virtual particle with four-momentum , where is given by the difference between the four-momenta of the particles entering and leaving the interaction vertex, "both momentum and energy are conserved at the interaction vertices" of the Feynman diagram.


title: Virtual particle

text: A virtual particle "does not precisely obey the energy–momentum relation" . Its kinetic energy may not have the usual relationship to velocity. It can be negative. This is expressed by the phrase "off mass shell". The probability amplitude for a virtual particle to exist tends to be canceled out by destructive interference over longer distances and times. As a consequence, a real photon is massless and thus has only two polarization states, whereas a virtual one, being effectively massive, has three polarization states.


title: Virtual particle

text: Quantum tunnelling may be considered a manifestation of virtual particle exchanges. The range of forces carried by virtual particles is limited by the uncertainty principle, which regards energy and time as conjugate variables; thus, virtual particles of larger mass have more limited range.


title: Virtual particle

text: Written in the usual mathematical notations, in the equations of physics, there is no mark of the distinction between virtual and actual particles. The amplitudes of processes with a virtual particle interfere with the amplitudes of processes without it, whereas for an actual particle the cases of existence and non-existence cease to be coherent with each other and do not interfere any more. In the quantum field theory view, actual particles are viewed as being detectable excitations of underlying quantum fields. Virtual particles are also viewed as excitations of the underlying fields, but appear only as forces, not as detectable particles. They are "temporary" in the sense that they appear in some calculations, but are not detected as single particles. Thus, in mathematical terms, they never appear as indices to the scattering matrix, which is to say, they never appear as the observable inputs and outputs of the physical process being modelled.


title: Virtual particle

text: There are two principal ways in which the notion of virtual particles appears in modern physics. They appear as intermediate terms in Feynman diagrams; that is, as terms in a perturbative calculation. They also appear as an infinite set of states to be summed or integrated over in the calculation of a semi-non-perturbative effect. In the latter case, it is sometimes said that virtual particles contribute to a mechanism that mediates the effect, or that the effect occurs through the virtual particles.


title: Virtual particle

text: There are many observable physical phenomena that arise in interactions involving virtual particles. For bosonic particles that exhibit rest mass when they are free and actual, virtual interactions are characterized by the relatively short range of the force interaction produced by particle exchange. Confinement can lead to a short range, too. Examples of such short-range interactions are the strong and weak forces, and their associated field bosons.


title: Virtual particle

text: For the gravitational and electromagnetic forces, the zero rest-mass of the associated boson particle permits long-range forces to be mediated by virtual particles. However, in the case of photons, power and information transfer by virtual particles is a relatively short-range phenomenon (existing only within a few wavelengths of the field-disturbance, which carries information or transferred power), as for example seen in the characteristically short range of inductive and capacitative effects in the near field zone of coils and antennas.


title: Virtual particle

text: Most of these have analogous effects in solid-state physics; indeed, one can often gain a better intuitive understanding by examining these cases. In semiconductors, the roles of electrons, positrons and photons in field theory are replaced by electrons in the conduction band, holes in the valence band, and phonons or vibrations of the crystal lattice. A virtual particle is in a virtual state where the probability amplitude is not conserved. Examples of macroscopic virtual phonons, photons, and electrons in the case of the tunneling process were presented by Günter Nimtz and Alfons A. Stahlhofen.


title: Virtual particle

text: The calculation of scattering amplitudes in theoretical particle physics requires the use of some rather large and complicated integrals over a large number of variables. These integrals do, however, have a regular structure, and may be represented as Feynman diagrams. The appeal of the Feynman diagrams is strong, as it allows for a simple visual presentation of what would otherwise be a rather arcane and abstract formula. In particular, part of the appeal is that the outgoing legs of a Feynman diagram can be associated with actual, on-shell particles. Thus, it is natural to associate the other lines in the diagram with particles as well, called the "virtual particles". In mathematical terms, they correspond to the propagators appearing in the diagram.


title: Virtual particle

text: In the adjacent image, the solid lines correspond to actual particles (of momentum p and so on), while the dotted line corresponds to a virtual particle carrying momentum "k". For example, if the solid lines were to correspond to electrons interacting by means of the electromagnetic interaction, the dotted line would correspond to the exchange of a virtual photon. In the case of interacting nucleons, the dotted line would be a virtual pion. In the case of quarks interacting by means of the strong force, the dotted line would be a virtual gluon, and so on.


title: Virtual particle

text: Virtual particles may be mesons or vector bosons, as in the example above; they may also be fermions. However, in order to preserve quantum numbers, most simple diagrams involving fermion exchange are prohibited. The image to the right shows an allowed diagram, a one-loop diagram. The solid lines correspond to a fermion propagator, the wavy lines to bosons.


title: Virtual particle

text: In formal terms, a particle is considered to be an eigenstate of the particle number operator "a""a", where "a" is the particle annihilation operator and "a" the particle creation operator (sometimes collectively called ladder operators). In many cases, the particle number operator does not commute with the Hamiltonian for the system. This implies the number of particles in an area of space is not a well-defined quantity but, like other quantum observables, is represented by a probability distribution. Since these particles are not certain to exist, they are called "virtual particles" or "vacuum fluctuations" of vacuum energy. In a certain sense, they can be understood to be a manifestation of the time-energy uncertainty principle in a vacuum.


title: Virtual particle

text: An important example of the "presence" of virtual particles in a vacuum is the Casimir effect. Here, the explanation of the effect requires that the total energy of all of the virtual particles in a vacuum can be added together. Thus, although the virtual particles themselves are not directly observable in the laboratory, they do leave an observable effect: Their zero-point energy results in forces acting on suitably arranged metal plates or dielectrics. On the other hand, the Casimir effect can be interpreted as the relativistic van der Waals force.


title: Virtual particle

text: Virtual particles are often popularly described as coming in pairs, a particle and antiparticle which can be of any kind. These pairs exist for an extremely short time, and then mutually annihilate, or in some cases, the pair may be boosted apart using external energy so that they avoid annihilation and become actual particles, as described below.


title: Virtual particle

text: This may occur in one of two ways. In an accelerating frame of reference, the virtual particles may appear to be actual to the accelerating observer; this is known as the Unruh effect. In short, the vacuum of a stationary frame appears, to the accelerated observer, to be a warm gas of actual particles in thermodynamic equilibrium.


title: Virtual particle

text: Another example is pair production in very strong electric fields, sometimes called vacuum decay. If, for example, a pair of atomic nuclei are merged to very briefly form a nucleus with a charge greater than about 140, (that is, larger than about the inverse of the fine-structure constant, which is a dimensionless quantity), the strength of the electric field will be such that it will be energetically favorable to create positron–electron pairs out of the vacuum or Dirac sea, with the electron attracted to the nucleus to annihilate the positive charge. This pair-creation amplitude was first calculated by Julian Schwinger in 1951.


title: Virtual particle

text: As a consequence of quantum mechanical uncertainty, any object or process that exists for a limited time or in a limited volume cannot have a precisely defined energy or momentum. For this reason, virtual particles – which exist only temporarily as they are exchanged between ordinary particles – do not typically obey the mass-shell relation; the longer a virtual particle exists, the more the energy and momentum approach the mass-shell relation.


title: Virtual particle

text: The lifetime of real particles is typically vastly longer than the lifetime of the virtual particles. Electromagnetic radiation consists of real photons which may travel light years between the emitter and absorber, but (Coulombic) electrostatic attraction and repulsion is a relatively short-range force that is a consequence of the exchange of virtual photons .


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a valvular heart disease characterized by the displacement of an abnormally thickened mitral valve leaflet into the left atrium during systole. It is the primary form of myxomatous degeneration of the valve. There are various types of MVP, broadly classified as classic and nonclassic. In severe cases of classic MVP, complications include mitral regurgitation, infective endocarditis, congestive heart failure, and, in rare circumstances, cardiac arrest.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: The diagnosis of MVP depends upon echocardiography, which uses ultrasound to visualize the mitral valve.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: MVP is the most common valvular abnormality and is estimated to affect 2–3% of the population and 1 in 40 people might have it.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: The condition was first described by John Brereton Barlow in 1966. It was subsequently termed "mitral valve prolapse" by J. Michael Criley. Although mid-systolic click (sound of prolapsing mitral leaflet) and systolic murmur have been noticed earlier with stethoscope in 1887 by physicians M. Cuffer and M. Barbillon.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Upon auscultation of an individual with mitral valve prolapse, a mid-systolic click, followed by a late systolic murmur heard best at the apex, is common. The length of the murmur signifies the time period over which blood is leaking back into the left atrium, known as regurgitation. A murmur that lasts throughout the whole of systole is known as a holo-systolic murmur. A murmur that is mid to late systolic, although typically associated with less regurgitation, can still be associated with significant hemodynamic consequences.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: In contrast to most other heart murmurs, the murmur of mitral valve prolapse is accentuated by standing and Valsalva maneuver (earlier systolic click and longer murmur) and diminished with squatting (later systolic click and shorter murmur). The only other heart murmur that follows this pattern is the murmur of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. An MVP murmur can be distinguished from a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy murmur by the presence of a mid-systolic click which is virtually diagnostic of MVP. The handgrip maneuver diminishes the murmur of an MVP and the murmur of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The handgrip maneuver also diminishes the duration of the murmur and delays the timing of the mid-systolic click.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Both Valsalva maneuver and standing decrease venous return to the heart thereby decreasing left ventricular diastolic filling (preload) and causing more laxity on the chordae tendineae. This allows the mitral valve to prolapse earlier in systole, leading to an earlier systolic click (i.e. closer to S), and a longer murmur.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Historically, the term mitral valve prolapse syndrome has been applied to MVP associated with palpitations, atypical precordial pain, dyspnea on exertion, low body mass index, and electrocardiogram abnormalities (ventricular tachycardia), syncope, low blood pressure, headaches, lightheadedness, exercise intolerance, gastrointestinal disturbances, cold extremities and other signs suggestive of autonomic nervous system dysfunction (dysautonomia).


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Mitral valve prolapse is frequently associated with mild mitral regurgitation, where blood aberrantly flows from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole. In the United States, MVP is the most common cause of severe, non-ischemic mitral regurgitation. This is occasionally due to rupture of the chordae tendineae that support the mitral valve.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: People with mitral valve prolapse might have arrhythmic mitral valve prolapse which includes higher incidence of ventricular contraction disorders and tachycardia compared to the normal population, although the relationship between both phenomena is not entirely clear. Prolapse of both mitral leaflets and the presence of mitral regurgitation further increases the risk of severe ventricular arrhythmias during exertion, which may not be resolved with surgery. The most common rhythm disorder is ventricular extrasystole, followed by paroxysmal atrial tachycardia.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Severe mitral valve prolapse and moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction is associated with arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation that can progress to cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Because there is no evidence that prolapse has contributed to these arrhythmias, these complications may be due to mitral regurgitation or congestive heart failure. The incidence of life threatening arrhythmias in the general population with MVP remain low. Sudden cardiac death results in 0.2% to 0.4% patients per year.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: MVP may occur with greater frequency in individuals with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome or polycystic kidney disease. Other risk factors include Graves disease and chest wall deformities such as pectus excavatum. For unknown reasons, MVP patients tend to have a low body mass index (BMI) and are typically leaner than individuals without MVP. Also women tend to have joint hypermobility.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Rheumatic fever is common worldwide and responsible for many cases of damaged heart valves. Chronic rheumatic heart disease is characterized by repeated inflammation with fibrinous resolution. The cardinal anatomic changes of the valve include leaflet thickening, commissural fusion, and shortening and thickening of the tendinous cords. The recurrence of rheumatic fever is relatively common in the absence of maintenance of low dose antibiotics, especially during the first three to five years after the first episode. Heart complications may be long-term and severe, particularly if valves are involved. Rheumatic fever, since the advent of routine penicillin administration for Strep throat, has become less common in developed countries. In the older generation and in much of the less-developed world, valvular disease (including mitral valve prolapse, reinfection in the form of valvular endocarditis, and valve rupture) from undertreated rheumatic fever continues to be a problem.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: In an Indian hospital between 2004 and 2005, 4 of 24 endocarditis patients failed to demonstrate classic vegetations. All had rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and presented with prolonged fever. All had severe eccentric mitral regurgitation (MR). (One had severe aortic regurgitation (AR) also.) One had flail posterior mitral leaflet (PML).


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: The mitral valve, so named because of its resemblance to a bishop's mitre, is the heart valve that prevents the backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium of the heart. It is composed of two leaflets, one anterior and one posterior, that close when the left ventricle contracts.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Each leaflet is composed of three layers of tissue: the "atrialis", "fibrosa", and "spongiosa". Patients with classic mitral valve prolapse have excess connective tissue that thickens the spongiosa and separates collagen bundles in the fibrosa. This is due to an excess of dermatan sulfate, a glycosaminoglycan. This weakens the leaflets and adjacent tissue, resulting in increased leaflet area and elongation of the chordae tendineae. Elongation of the chordae tendineae often causes rupture, commonly to the chordae attached to the posterior leaflet. Advanced lesions—also commonly involving the posterior leaflet—lead to leaflet folding, inversion, and displacement toward the left atrium.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Mitral valve prolapse is a genetically heterogeneous autosomal dominant trait, which can be passed down from one parent to child, who will have a 50% chance to inherit the mutated gene.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: An association with primary cilia defects has been reported. The mutations were found in the Zinc finger protein DZIP1 gene which regulates ciliogenesis; the same problem was found in mice who also developed MVP with this gene. It was found that primary cilia loss during development results in progressive myxomatous degeneration and profound mitral valve pathology.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Echocardiography is the most useful method of diagnosing a prolapsed mitral valve. Two- and three-dimensional echocardiography is particularly valuable as they allow visualization of the mitral leaflets relative to the mitral annulus. This allows measurement of the leaflet thickness and their displacement relative to the annulus. Thickening of the mitral leaflets >5 mm and leaflet displacement >2 mm above the annular plane in parasternal long-axis view indicates classic mitral valve prolapse.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Prolapsed mitral valves are classified into several subtypes, based on leaflet thickness, type of connection to the mitral annulus, and concavity. Subtypes can be described as classic, nonclassic, symmetric, asymmetric, flail, or non-flail.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Prolapse occurs when the mitral valve leaflets are displaced more than 2 mm above the mitral annulus high points. The condition can be further divided into classic and nonclassic subtypes based on the thickness of the mitral valve leaflets: up to 5 mm is considered nonclassic, while anything beyond 5 mm is considered classic MVP.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Classical prolapse may be subdivided into symmetric and asymmetric, referring to the point at which leaflet tips join the mitral annulus. In symmetric coaptation, leaflet tips meet at a common point on the annulus. Asymmetric coaptation is marked by one leaflet displaced toward the atrium with respect to the other. Patients with asymmetric prolapse are susceptible to severe deterioration of the mitral valve, with the possible rupture of the chordae tendineae and the development of a flail leaflet.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Asymmetric prolapse is further subdivided into flail and non-flail. Flail prolapse occurs when a leaflet tip turns outward, becoming concave toward the left atrium, causing the deterioration of the mitral valve. The severity of flail leaflet varies, ranging from tip eversion to chordal rupture. Dissociation of leaflet and chordae tendineae provides for unrestricted motion of the leaflet (hence "flail leaflet"). Thus patients with flail leaflets have a higher prevalence of mitral regurgitation than those with the non-flail subtype.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Individuals with mitral valve prolapse, particularly those without symptoms, often require no treatment. Those with mitral valve prolapse and symptoms of dysautonomia (palpitations, chest pain) may benefit from beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol, metoprolol, bisoprolol). People with prior stroke or atrial fibrillation may require blood thinners, such as aspirin or warfarin. In rare instances when mitral valve prolapse is associated with severe mitral regurgitation, surgical repair or replacement of the mitral valve may be necessary. Mitral valve repair is generally considered preferable to replacement. Current ACC/AHA guidelines promote repair of mitral valve in people before symptoms of heart failure develop. Symptomatic people, those with evidence of diminished left ventricular function, or those with left ventricular dilatation need urgent attention.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Individuals with MVP are at higher risk of bacterial infection of the heart, called infective endocarditis. This risk is approximately three-to eightfold the risk of infective endocarditis in the general population. Until 2007, the American Heart Association recommended prescribing antibiotics before invasive procedures, including those in dental surgery. Thereafter, they concluded that "prophylaxis for dental procedures should be recommended only for patients with underlying cardiac conditions associated with the highest risk of adverse outcome from infective endocarditis."


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Many organisms responsible for endocarditis are slow-growing and may not be easily identified on routine blood cultures (these fastidious organisms require special culture media to grow). These include the HACEK organisms, which are part of the normal oropharyngeal flora and are responsible for perhaps 5 to 10% of infective endocarditis affecting native valves. It is important when considering endocarditis to keep these organisms in mind.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Generally, MVP is benign. However, MVP patients with a murmur, not just an isolated click, have an increased mortality rate of 15-20%. The major predictors of mortality are the severity of mitral regurgitation and reduction in ejection fraction.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: The consensus is that mitral valve prolapse is a non-preventable condition, although some of its complications may occur. Because symptoms rarely appear, the productivity of the patient's life is not affected. The worsening of the disorder can be delayed by avoiding smoking, the use of contraceptives (because they have the risk of clotting) and regulating the amount and type of exercise and nutrition under the supervision of a health professional.  The risk of infective endocarditis is considered high in patients with prosthetic heart valves, moderate in those with mitral prolapse concomitant with mitral regurgitation and low in patients with mitral prolapse without other valve disease.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Those with mitral prolapse are at increased risk of infective endocarditis, a bacterial infection of the heart tissue, as a result of certain routine non-sterile procedures, such as brushing the teeth. However, in April 2007, a study by the American Heart Association had determined that the risks of prescribing antibiotics outweigh the prophylactic antibiotics before invasive surgery, such as dental surgery or biopsy by colonoscopy or bronchoscopy.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Prior to the strict criteria for the diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse, as described above, the incidence of mitral valve prolapse in the general population varied greatly. Some studies estimated the incidence of mitral valve prolapse at 5 to 15 percent or even higher. One 1985 study suggested MVP in up to 35% of healthy teenagers.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: Recent elucidation of mitral valve anatomy and the development of three-dimensional echocardiography have resulted in improved diagnostic criteria, and the true prevalence of MVP based on these criteria is estimated at 2-3%. As a part of the Framingham Heart Study, for example, the prevalence of mitral valve prolapse in Framingham, MA was estimated at 2.4%. There was a near-even split between classic and nonclassic MVP, with no significant age or sex discrimination. MVP is observed in 7% of autopsies in the United States.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: In a Taiwanese CHIEF heart study of Asian adult military personnel, it was estimated that out of 2442 people in Hualien aged 18 to 39, mitral valve prolapse occurred in 3.36%. People with MVP had lower body mass index, somatic symptoms related to exercise (chest pain, dyspnea, palpitations during exercise) and systolic click in auscultation. 7 out of 82 participants with MVP had mild pectus excavatum.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: In a human and mice study of MVP, a relationship was found between MVP and progressive fibrosis effects on left ventricular structure, which suggests the cause of molecular and cellular changes are a response of papillary and inferobasal myocardium to increased chordal tension from prolapsing mitral valve leaflets.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: In 2019 an experimental adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy method developed by Rejuvenate Bio which was successfully and effectively used on mice that reversed multiple age-related diseases: heart failure, kidney failure, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Mice experienced a 58% increase in heart function and 75% reduction in kidney degeneration. Rejuvenate Bio in collaboration with Tufts University later used the same method on Cavalier King Charles spaniel to stop the progression of mitral valve disease by stopping the accumulation of scar tissue in the heart.


title: Mitral valve prolapse

text: The term "mitral valve prolapse" was coined by J. Michael Criley in 1966 and gained acceptance over the other descriptor of "billowing" of the mitral valve, as described by John Brereton Barlow.


title: K. A. Paul

text: Kilari Anand Paul (born September 25, 1963) is an Indian evangelist, "peacemaker" and "humanitarian". He is the founder of the US-based organizations Global Peace Initiative (GPI) and Gospel to the Unreached Millions (GUM) and has operated orphanages, including Charity City in Hyderabad. He founded the Indian political party Praja Shanti.


title: K. A. Paul

text: Kilari Anand Paul was born to a family in the village of Chittivalasa, Andhra Pradesh, India. His parents were Barnabas and Santhosamma. His parents converted to Christianity in 1966, and Paul became a Christian in March 1971, at age eight. Paul stated that he traveled with his evangelist father to hundreds of villages in India sharing the gospel and, at age 19, he entered full-time ministry.


title: K. A. Paul

text: Paul has three children with his wife Mary Kilari. His mother died while undergoing treatment in Visakhapatnam on 12 Feb 2019.


title: K. A. Paul

text: Paul has travelled to many countries and met numerous world leaders in his role as a Christian evangelist. In 2006, Paul authored the book "Al-Qaeda Winning–America Losing".


title: K. A. Paul

text: In an article in "The New Republic", Michelle Cottle compared him with Billy Graham and Jimmy Carter, writing that "Focused as he is on Third World hunger and other apolitical issues that don’t get you on “Crossfire,” Dr. Paul simply may never fit the American image of a Spiritual Leader. But such challenges simply make the indefatigable peace crusader even more determined to try."


title: K. A. Paul

text: The same article in "The New Republic", states that "By all accounts, Dr. Paul’s overseas peace rallies are sights to behold. Most take place in Africa or India, where villagers stream in from around the countryside to see, as one Indian paper put it, “the mesmerizing evangelist,” who has become a minor celebrity across much of both continents. A “small” rally is defined as an audience of 10,000 or 20,000. Large rallies stretch upward of a million. Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who traveled to India with Paul in January 2002, stated "But there were maybe seventy-five thousand, a hundred thousand," Huckabee says of the rally he attended. "I'm not sure I ever saw that many people except at a major football game."


title: K. A. Paul

text: In 2005, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability terminated the membership of Paul's organization, Gospel to the Unreached Millions, for failing to meet financial accountability and governance standards.


title: K. A. Paul

text: Through charitable contributions to his organization, Paul's backers provided funds to purchase a Boeing 747SP airplane that Paul named "Global Peace Ambassadors", which flew under the name "Global Peace One". The airplane was formerly flown by China Airlines; it was the aircraft in the China Airlines Flight 006 accident. The airplane was used for missions to Third World countries, delivering disaster aid. A former crew member described it as a "flying death trap". The volunteer pilot, first officer, and flight engineer all quit in 2005 because of concerns over maintenance and non-payment of debts. The FAA eventually suspended the plane's operating certificate due to insufficient maintenance. The aircraft is parked at Tijuana International Airport in Tijuana, Baja California, and is reported to be in poor condition with expired registration as of December 31, 2016.


title: K. A. Paul

text: Paul launched the Praja Shanti Party in India in 2008. He stated, "The purpose of starting the Praja Shanti Party is to redeem people from slavery, promote equality among all people and all faiths and all castes and establish true democracy." Paul said in January 2019 that his party would contest the 2019 elections in Andhra Pradesh. His party's slogan was "Save Secular India". He stated that both central and state governments reneged on their election promises and deceived the people. He contested unsuccessfully from Narsapur as a Lok Sabha candidate for 2019, securing 3,037 votes out of 1,325,028 cast. His nomination for 2019 Bhimavaram Assembly constituency was rejected by the returning officer as he reached the place after the deadline.


title: K. A. Paul

text: In the United States, Paul backed Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election due to Obama's opposition to the War in Iraq. Paul then endorsed Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.


title: Zone of the Enders

text: The "Zone of the Enders" series is set in the late 22nd century. Mankind has colonized Mars, and space colonies are set up in orbit around Jupiter. Fueling this expansion are two scientific advances: the development of the Laborious Extra-Orbital Vehicle, or LEV, a mecha used for labor and military use, and the discovery of Metatron, a high-energy ore found on Callisto. Those in power on Earth begin to take a dim view of the colonists of Mars and Jupiter, calling them "Enders", and imposing harsh and exploitative laws and taxes against them. Eventually, different groups on Mars begin to rise up in opposition to Earth, the most well known of these called Bahram. A new weapon given to these rebels is the Orbital Frame, a mecha which makes extensive use of Metatron-based technology. These Orbital Frames come to shape the destiny of Earth and its colonies, for both good and evil.


title: Zone of the Enders

text: Throughout the "Zone of the Enders" series, a number of themes and dramatic devices show up prominently. The story usually revolves around two specific Orbital Frames: Jehuty and Anubis created as the two "keys" of a superweapon called Aumaan. In the first game, Bahram forces attack Jupiter's colony Antilia to secure the two Frames, killing several civilians in the process. One of the few survivors, Leo Stenbuck, finds Jehuty and uses it to stop the Bahram soldiers. Leo is hired by the Space Force to deliver Jehuty back to their ship. On his way to the Space Force, Leo rescues several civilians; and often talks with Jehuty's artificial intelligence, A.D.A., regarding the value of life. When succeeding, Leo is requested to work for the Space Force to protect the colony from a terrorist attack. Although Leo succeeds in saving the colony, he is saddened by the revelation that A.D.A. is programmed to self-destruct Jehuty in Bahram's fortress Aumann. Shortly before the release of the sequel, Konami released a side story that explores Leo training in the Space Force and hiding Jehuty.


title: Zone of the Enders

text: The sequel, "Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner", is set two years after the first game. The story introduces the player to an ex-Bahram operative named Dingo Egret, who stumbles upon the hidden Jehuty. Bahram soon finds Dingo; Nohman, the leader of Bahram, wishes to have Dingo back on his side. Dingo's reluctance to go back to Bahram results in Nohman shooting him. However, Nohman's minion, Ken Marinaris, saves Dingo's life by connecting his body to Jehuty and requests his help to defeat him. Dingo agrees to defeat Nohman after learning from Leo that Jehuty will self-destruct in Aumann. Dingo joins with Leo and the Space Force to defeat the Bahram forces. In Aumann, Dingo defeats Nohman and Anubis and then uses the remains of the two Frames to stop Aumann.


title: Zone of the Enders

text: The first game in the series details the story of a boy named Leo Stenbuck, a colonist from Jupiter who accidentally finds himself piloting the Orbital Frame Jehuty.


title: Zone of the Enders

text: This is a side-story released for the Game Boy Advance, about a conspiracy involving the construction of Orbital Frames for Earth. The protagonist, a young man named Cage Midwell, finds himself getting involved with a resistance organization known as BIS.


title: Zone of the Enders

text: A new pilot, Dingo Egret, finds Jehuty on the Moon of Callisto two years after the events of the first game and travels to the superweapon Aumaan in order to defeat Colonel Nohman of the Bahram army, who pilots Jehuty's sister craft, Anubis.


title: Zone of the Enders

text: At E3 2011, Konami announced a re-release of "Zone of the Enders" and "Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner" on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It includes updated interfaces for the HD resolutions, redrawn art, Trophy/Achievement support, improved audio, rumble support and a new opening animation produced by Sunrise, set to the theme song of "Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner", "Beyond the Bounds". It includes a demo for "", mirroring the first game's inclusion of the "" demo. A PlayStation Vita version was announced but was later canceled. At an event in May 2012, the HD Collection was given a release date in Japan for October 25. At the same event, Kojima confirmed that work on the next installment in the Zone of the Enders series had begun.


title: Zone of the Enders

text: At Tokyo Game Show 2017, "Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner M∀RS" was announced, featuring enhanced graphics, 4K resolution support, VR headset support, new sound design and "next-gen surround sound".


title: Zone of the Enders

text: Since 2008, "Zone of the Enders 3" has been in concept development by Hideo Kojima, but was kept away from game development until all the big titles were completed. On May 25, 2012, Kojima confirmed that work on the next installment in the "Zone of the Enders" series had begun. However, the project was cancelled after Kojima Productions acknowledged issues within the HD Collection.


title: Zone of the Enders

text: "" (released 21 February 2001) is a prequel for the entire series, telling the story of Radium Lavans, the pilot of the first Orbital Frame.


title: Zone of the Enders

text: "Zone of the Enders: Dolores, i" (released April to September 2001) is a followup to "Idolo", following the exploits of James Links, an alcoholic trucker, who, while trying to reunite with his estranged family, discovers an Orbital Frame hidden in one of his shipping containers. The frame, calling itself Dolores, seems to consider James her prince.


title: Zone of the Enders

text: "Zone of the Enders" achieved moderate success. While the first game obtained good sales in North America as a result of including the demo for "", "Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner", received mediocre sales. Hideo Kojima cites "errors in setting the release time frame" and being overshadowed by other major titles as the reason it did not achieve high sales.


title: Zone of the Enders

text: Critical reception to the two PlayStation 2 titles has been positive. The action elements and graphics generated good response. The sequel was found to have improved several elements from the first game to the point GameSpot called it "what the original Zone of the Enders should have been." Both games have also been criticized for their story modes' short length and mixed views were offered regarding their replay value. The voice acting and script translation has been panned by most writers as it made the character unappealing and the dialogue repetitive, respectively.


title: Zone of the Enders

text: The "HD Collection" ported by High Voltage Software received mixed reviews, citing that the games' graphics have been improved but suffering from an inconsistent framerate not seen in the PS2 titles as well as suffering from technical issues and lack of special content for all console versions. A patch was worked on by HexaDrive and released which improved textures, anti-aliasing, and framerate, as well as restored other visual effects, but only for the PS3 version and only affected "The 2nd Runner HD Edition."


title: The Verge

text: The Verge is an American technology news website operated by Vox Media, publishing news, feature stories, guidebooks, product reviews, consumer electronics news, and podcasts.


title: The Verge

text: The website launched on November 1, 2011, and uses Vox Media's proprietary multimedia publishing platform Chorus. In 2014, Nilay Patel was named editor-in-chief and Dieter Bohn executive editor; Helen Havlak was named editorial director in 2017. "The Verge" won five Webby Awards for the year 2012 including awards for Best Writing (Editorial), Best Podcast for "The Vergecast", Best Visual Design, Best Consumer Electronics Site, and Best Mobile News App.


title: The Verge

text: Between March and April 2011, up to nine of "Engadget"s writers, editors, and product developers, including editor-in-chief Joshua Topolsky, left AOL, the company behind that website, to start a new gadget site. The other departing editors included managing editor Nilay Patel and staffers Paul Miller, Ross Miller, Joanna Stern, Chris Ziegler, as well as product developers Justin Glow, and Dan Chilton. In early April 2011, Topolsky announced that their unnamed new site would be produced in partnership with sports news website "SB Nation", debuting some time in the fall. Topolsky lauded "SB Nation" similar interest in the future of publishing, including what he described as their beliefs in independent journalism and in-house development of their own content delivery tools. Jim Bankoff of "SB Nation" saw an overlap in the two sites' demographics and an opportunity to expand "SB Nation" model. Bankoff previously worked at AOL in 2005, where he led their "Engadget" acquisition. Other news outlets viewed the partnership as positive for both "SB Nation" and Topolsky's staff, and negative for AOL's outlook.


title: The Verge

text: Bankoff, chairman and CEO of Vox Media (owner of "SB Nation"), said in a 2011 interview that though the company had started out with a focus on sports, other categories including consumer technology had growth potential for the company. Development of Vox Media's content management system (CMS), Chorus, was led by Trei Brundrett, who later became the chief operating officer for the company.


title: The Verge

text: Following news of his untitled partnership with "SB Nation" in April 2011, Topolsky announced that the "Engadget" podcast hosted by Patel, Paul Miller, and himself would continue at an interim site called "This Is My Next". By August 2011, the site had reached 1 million unique visitors and 3.4 million page views. By October 2011, the site had 3 million unique views per month and 10 million total page views. "Time" listed the site in its Best Blogs of 2011, calling the prototype site "exemplary". The site closed upon "The Verge"s launch on November 1, 2011.