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Stock market today: Wall Street drifts lower as it waits for inflation dataSenate approves defense bill that will raise pay for troops, boost military spending
No. 8 Kentucky flying high ahead of Western Kentucky meetingThe rollout of ultra-high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi is well underway at the national airline, Qatar Airways, with the carrier exceeding its own previously planned timeline of 14 jets by the end of the year. Starlink can now be found on 16 aircraft, with more joining over the coming weeks as new Starlink kits arrive from SpaceX in the US. Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Mohammed al-Meer last week explained the rollout would have been even faster if the carrier could receive more Starlink kits at a faster rate. The integration of Starlink Wi-Fi represents a key component of Qatar Airways' "2.0 Vision", spearheaded by al-Meer, which prioritises innovation and digitisation. In terms of connectivity onboard, and the entertainment options it can provide, the move to champion Starlink puts Qatar Airways ahead of the competition in the region, which is one of the most fiercely competitive markets in the world. The first aircraft to be equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi was a Boeing 777-300ER. The airline is intending to roll out Starlink across all of its modern fleet by the end of next year. Qatar Airways’ Starlink Wi-Fi is free to all passengers, regardless of their class of travel, and will remain free. There are no packages or price plans, no data caps or other limitations. It’s free, ultra-high-speed, reliable Wi-Fi. This is a significant departure from the traditional model, where in-flight Wi-Fi is often a premium service, especially on international long-haul flights. Historically, airlines around the world have charged passengers varying rates depending on the class of service, flight duration, and data usage, with costs sometimes exceeding $30 for just a few hours of patchy, unstable internet access. Traditional in-flight Wi-Fi systems typically rely on two types of technologies: air-to-ground and satellite-based connectivity. Air-to-ground networks operate by connecting to cell towers on the ground, with airplanes switching from tower to tower as they fly. However, this type of system is often limited to certain regions and becomes less effective over oceans and remote areas. Satellite-based systems, which have been more commonly used on long-haul international flights, offer wider coverage but have historically been constrained by the capacity and speed of traditional geostationary satellites, resulting in frustratingly slow speeds. Unlike traditional satellites, Starlink utilises a constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites that are positioned much closer to the Earth's surface. This allows for faster data transfer, lower latency, and a more stable connection. The key advantages of LEO satellites lie in their ability to provide a broader and more consistent coverage compared to the geostationary satellites typically used for inflight Wi-Fi. Because they orbit closer to Earth, they can relay data more quickly, reducing the time it takes for information to travel back and forth. For passengers, this means less buffering, faster page loads, and the ability to engage in bandwidth-heavy activities such as the streaming of live sports, gaming, or even video calls while in the air. Starlink's technology also enables airlines to offer a higher capacity network, which is particularly important for modern travellers who often board flights with multiple connected devices. Whether it's watching Netflix, or gaming, passengers can expect the onboard internet experience to mirror what they would get on the ground, in some cases, even better—an achievement that has, until now, remained elusive. Starlink is installed directly at the airline’s technical facility in Doha, and does not require the aircraft to be out of service for more than a couple of days, speeding up the rollout. Qatar Airways may be the first major international airline to begin rolling out Starlink, but they are not alone in recognising the potential of this SpaceX technology for passengers. In North America, Hawaiian Airlines has made headlines by becoming one of the first US carriers to announce a partnership with Starlink. The airline also offers the service for free to passengers on both its inter-island and transpacific routes. Hawaiian Airlines has stated that Starlink Wi-Fi will allow it to offer a seamless experience for passengers, from streaming video to conducting business while in the air. Another operator is JSX, the semi-private jet service based in the US, which has already started offering Starlink Wi-Fi on select routes. The airline, which operates small jets primarily on shorter routes, was one of the first to showcase Starlink’s capabilities. JSX has highlighted the fact that the low-latency, high-speed internet from Starlink offers a competitive edge, allowing them to appeal to business travelers looking for a more connected, premium experience. From 2025 onwards, Air France will progressively roll out Starlink Wi-Fi connectivity service for a “ground-like” experience. Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines has been exploring the potential of integrating Starlink Wi-Fi into its fleet. While no formal roll-out plan has been announced yet, the airline has been testing the system to evaluate its feasibility for wider deployment. If successful, Delta would join the growing list of global carriers eager to enhance their onboard experience through SpaceX’s revolutionary satellite technology. Airlines are now recognising that offering a robust internet experience is no longer an optional luxury but a core component of the passenger experience. With its global network of LEO satellites, Starlink is positioned to become the go-to provider for airlines that want to offer this premium service. The author is an aviation analyst. X handle @AlexInAir. Related Story QND celebrates national unity, honours rich cultural heritage: Russian envoy GU-Q alumnus honoured with Sandhurst Medal, King Hussein Award
“Gladiator II” asks the question: Are you not moderately entertained for roughly 60% of this sequel? Truly, this is a movie dependent on managed expectations and a forgiving attitude toward its tendency to overserve. More of a thrash-and-burn schlock epic than the comparatively restrained 2000 “Gladiator,” also directed by Ridley Scott, the new one recycles a fair bit of the old one’s narrative cries for freedom while tossing in some digital sharks for the flooded Colosseum and a bout of deadly sea-battle theatrics. They really did flood the Colosseum in those days, though no historical evidence suggests shark deployment, real or digital. On the other hand (checks notes), “Gladiator II” is fiction. Screenwriter David Scarpa picks things up 16 years after “Gladiator,” which gave us the noble death of the noble warrior Maximus, shortly after slaying the ignoble emperor and returning Rome to the control of the Senate. Our new hero, Lucius (Paul Mescal), has fled Rome for Numidia, on the North African coast. The time is 200 A.D., and for the corrupt, party-time twins running the empire (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger), that means invasion time. Pedro Pascal takes the role of Acacius, the deeply conflicted general, sick of war and tired of taking orders from a pair of depraved ferrets. The new film winds around the old one this way: Acacius is married to Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, in a welcome return), daughter of the now-deceased emperor Aurelius and the love of the late Maximus’s life. Enslaved and dragged to Rome to gladiate, the widower Lucius vows revenge on the general whose armies killed his wife. But there are things this angry young phenom must learn, about his ancestry and his destiny. It’s the movie’s worst-kept secret, but there’s a reason he keeps seeing footage of Russell Crowe from the first movie in his fever dreams. Battle follows battle, on the field, in the arena, in the nearest river, wherever, and usually with endless splurches of computer-generated blood. “Gladiator II” essentially bumper-cars its way through the mayhem, pausing for long periods of expository scheming about overthrowing the current regime. The prince of all fixers, a wily operative with interests in both managing gladiators and stocking munitions, goes by the name Macrinus. He’s played by Denzel Washington, who at one point makes a full meal out of pronouncing the word “politics” like it’s a poisoned fig. Also, if you want a masterclass in letting your robes do a lot of your acting for you, watch what Washington does here. He’s more fun than the movie but you can’t have everything. The movie tries everything, all right, and twice. Ridley Scott marshals the chaotic action sequences well enough, though he’s undercut by frenetic cutting rhythms, with that now-familiar, slightly sped-up visual acceleration in frequent use. (Claire Simpson and Sam Restivo are the editors.) Mescal acquits himself well in his first big-budget commercial walloper of an assignment, confined though he is to a narrower range of seething resentments than Crowe’s in the first film. I left thinking about two things: the word “politics” as savored/spit out by Washington, and the innate paradox of how Scott, whose best work over the decades has been wonderful, delivers spectacle. The director and his lavishly talented design team built all the rough-hewn sets with actual tangible materials the massive budget allowed. They took care to find the right locations in Morocco and Malta. Yet when combined in post-production with scads of medium-grade digital effects work in crowd scenes and the like, never mind the sharks, the movie’s a somewhat frustrating amalgam. With an uneven script on top of it, the visual texture of “Gladiator II” grows increasingly less enveloping and atmospherically persuasive, not more. But I hung there, for some of the acting, for some of the callbacks, and for the many individual moments, or single shots, that could only have come from Ridley Scott. And in the end, yes, you too may be moderately entertained. Related Articles “Gladiator II” — 2.5 stars (out of 4) MPA rating: R (for strong bloody violence) Running time: 2:28 How to watch: Premieres in theaters Nov. 21. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, WR Jaylen Waddle out vs. BrownsMid-American Conference football goes all in on November weeknights for the TV viewers
Federal prosecutors moved to dismiss the criminal charges against President-elect Donald Trump that accused him of plotting to overturn the 2020 election and to abandon the classified documents case against him, citing longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. The decision by special counsel Jack Smith, who had fiercely sought to hold Mr Trump criminally accountable for his efforts to subvert the 2020 election, represented the end of the federal effort against the former president following his election victory this month despite the election-related cases and multiple other unrelated criminal charges against him. The move, announced in court papers, marks the end of the Justice Department’s landmark effort to hold Mr Trump accountable for what prosecutors called a criminal conspiracy to cling to power in the run-up to his supporters’ attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. In court papers, prosecutors said the Justice Department’s position “is that the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated”. Mr Smith’s team emphasised that the move to abandon the prosecutions, in federal courts in Washington and Florida, was not a reflection of their view on the merits of the cases but rather a reflection of their commitment to longstanding department policy. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” the prosecutors wrote in Monday’s court filing in the election interference case. The decision was expected after Mr Smith’s team began assessing how to wind down both the 2020 election interference case and the separate classified documents case in the wake of Mr Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris . The Justice Department believes Trump can no longer be tried in accordance with longstanding policy that says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted. Mr Trump has cast both cases as politically motivated and has vowed to fire Mr Smith as soon as he takes office in January. The 2020 election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing the Republican as he vied to reclaim the White House. However, it quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Mr Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The US Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Mr Smith’s team filed a lengthy brief in October laying out new evidence they planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will over voters after he lost to President Joe Biden .
On paper, Luigi Mangione had it all: wealth, intellect, athleticism, good looks. But the child of a prominent Maryland family may have spurned it all in a spasm of violence, in a killing that has mesmerized Americans. The 26-year-old was arrested Monday and charged with the murder of Brian Thompson, a health insurance chief executive and father of two who was gunned down in Manhattan last week by someone who, evidence suggests, has endured his own debilitating health crises and grew angry with the privatized US medical system. The cold-blooded killing has laid bare the deep frustration many Americans feel toward the country's labyrinthine health care system: while many have condemned the shooting, others have praised Mangione as a hero. It has also prompted considerable interest in how a young engineer with an Ivy League education could have gone off the rails to commit murder. News of his capture at a Pennsylvania McDonald's triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media tried to understand who he is. As Americans have looked for clues about a political ideology or potential motive, a photo on his X account (formerly Twitter) includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine. Mangione lived in Hawaii in 2022 and, according to his former roommate R.J. Martin, suffered from back pain, and was hoping to strengthen his back. After a surfing lesson, Mangione was "in bed for about a week" because of the pain, Martin told CNN. Earlier this year, Martin said, Mangione confirmed he'd had back surgery and sent him photos of the X-rays. Police said the suspect carried a hand-written manifesto of grievances in which he slammed America's "most expensive health care system in the world." "He was writing a lot about his disdain for corporate America and in particular the health care industry," New York police chief detective Joseph Kenny told ABC. According to CNN, a document recovered when Mangione was arrested included the phrase "these parasites had it coming." Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." video game character Luigi. Many expressed at least partial sympathy, having had their own harrowing experiences with the US health care system. "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. Mangione hails from the Baltimore area. His wealthy Italian-American family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, according to local outlet the Baltimore Banner, and cousin Nino Mangione is a Maryland state delegate. A standout student, Luigi graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. A former student who knew Mangione at the elite Gilman School told AFP the suspect struck him as "a normal guy, nice kid." "There was nothing about him that was off, at least from my perception," the person said. Mangione attended the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage. On Instagram Mangione shared snapshots of his travels, and shirtless images of himself flaunting a six-pack. X users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo includes an X-ray of a spine with bolts attached. Finding a political ideology that fits neatly onto the right-left divide has proved elusive, though he had written a review of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto on online site Goodreads, calling it "prescient." Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out multiple bombings in the United States from 1978 to 1995, in a campaign he said was aimed at halting the advance of modern society and technology. Mangione has also linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline, and retweeted posts on the impact mobile phones and social media have on mental health. ia/abo-mlm/nro Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, sports, arts & entertainment, state legislature, CFD news, and more.If Sad Beige Mom, Nattie Powell’s, latest Glinda-fied Step2 My First Christmas Tree makeover TikTok has you mourning the classic and very viral evergreen look , then you’re in luck. You can still find the Step2 My First Christmas Tree , along with other festive editions like the My First Snowman and My First Gingerbread House , available for purchase at retailers like Amazon, Walmart and the Step2 website itself. You may even find them on sale and deliverable ahead of the holiday, if you shop like Rudolph and run, run, run to cart as soon as you can. Unfortunately, the Step2 My First Advent Calendar that came back on the scene in July is either out of stock or not promised by Christmas anywhere that it’s sold. However, you can get notified on restocks from Step2 directly . The charm of these collectibles Complete your ‘My First’ scene with these TikTok-famous Christmastime finds The Best Deals in December Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com . Danielle Halibey can be reached at dhalibey@njadvancemedia.com . Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips .Share Tweet Share Share Email In the cryptocurrency realm, timing is crucial. Those who spot and seize early opportunities often achieve the greatest gains. Web3Bay , known for its forward-thinking approach to e-commerce, is rapidly catching the eye of astute investors. 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Join Web3Bay Presale Now: Presale: https://web3bay.io/buy Website: https://web3bay.io/ Twitter: https://x.com/web3bayofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/web3bayofficial/ Related Items: press release , Web3Bay Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you BlockDAG Drops Down the Latest in PoW+DAG Tech — Aiming for $20 Per Coin; Solana Holds Steady as LINK Climbs Cronos Updates & ETC Price Gains Attract Attention – BlockDAG Makes Headlines With MIT Alum Maurice’s AMA & $168.5M Presale Lightchain Crypto Price Prediction 4 Reasons LCAI Will Skyrocket in 2025 and Key Targets CommentsAfter missing out on Juan Soto, the New York Yankees made their first splash of the offseason. The Yankees and left-handed starting pitcher Max Fried have agreed to an eight-year, $218 million contract, several reports said Tuesday. The contract includes the most guaranteed money for a left-handed pitcher in baseball history, ESPN reported. A two-time All-Star, Fried will join right-handed ace Gerrit Cole to form a one-two punch at the front of the Yankees' rotation. Fried, 30, spent his first eight MLB seasons with the Atlanta Braves and went 11-10 with a 3.25 ERA across 29 starts last season. He had 166 strikeouts and a career-high 57 walks over 174 1/3 innings. He also pitched a major league-high two complete games (one shutout). Fried was an All-Star in 2022 and 2024, and he received votes for the National League Cy Young Award in 2020 (placing fifth) and 2022 (second). In 168 career games (151 starts), Fried has gone 73-36 with a 3.07 ERA and 863 strikeouts against 246 walks in 884 1/3 innings. He has tossed six complete games, including four shutouts. --Field Level Media
“Gladiator II” asks the question: Are you not moderately entertained for roughly 60% of this sequel? Truly, this is a movie dependent on managed expectations and a forgiving attitude toward its tendency to overserve. More of a thrash-and-burn schlock epic than the comparatively restrained 2000 “Gladiator,” also directed by Ridley Scott, the new one recycles a fair bit of the old one’s narrative cries for freedom while tossing in some digital sharks for the flooded Colosseum and a bout of deadly sea-battle theatrics. They really did flood the Colosseum in those days, though no historical evidence suggests shark deployment, real or digital. On the other hand (checks notes), “Gladiator II” is fiction. Screenwriter David Scarpa picks things up 16 years after “Gladiator,” which gave us the noble death of the noble warrior Maximus, shortly after slaying the ignoble emperor and returning Rome to the control of the Senate. Our new hero, Lucius (Paul Mescal), has fled Rome for Numidia, on the North African coast. The time is 200 A.D., and for the corrupt, party-time twins running the empire (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger), that means invasion time. Pedro Pascal takes the role of Acacius, the deeply conflicted general, sick of war and tired of taking orders from a pair of depraved ferrets. The new film winds around the old one this way: Acacius is married to Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, in a welcome return), daughter of the now-deceased emperor Aurelius and the love of the late Maximus’s life. Enslaved and dragged to Rome to gladiate, the widower Lucius vows revenge on the general whose armies killed his wife. But there are things this angry young phenom must learn, about his ancestry and his destiny. It’s the movie’s worst-kept secret, but there’s a reason he keeps seeing footage of Russell Crowe from the first movie in his fever dreams. Battle follows battle, on the field, in the arena, in the nearest river, wherever, and usually with endless splurches of computer-generated blood. “Gladiator II” essentially bumper-cars its way through the mayhem, pausing for long periods of expository scheming about overthrowing the current regime. The prince of all fixers, a wily operative with interests in both managing gladiators and stocking munitions, goes by the name Macrinus. He’s played by Denzel Washington, who at one point makes a full meal out of pronouncing the word “politics” like it’s a poisoned fig. Also, if you want a masterclass in letting your robes do a lot of your acting for you, watch what Washington does here. He’s more fun than the movie but you can’t have everything. The movie tries everything, all right, and twice. Ridley Scott marshals the chaotic action sequences well enough, though he’s undercut by frenetic cutting rhythms, with that now-familiar, slightly sped-up visual acceleration in frequent use. (Claire Simpson and Sam Restivo are the editors.) Mescal acquits himself well in his first big-budget commercial walloper of an assignment, confined though he is to a narrower range of seething resentments than Crowe’s in the first film. I left thinking about two things: the word “politics” as savored/spit out by Washington, and the innate paradox of how Scott, whose best work over the decades has been wonderful, delivers spectacle. The director and his lavishly talented design team built all the rough-hewn sets with actual tangible materials the massive budget allowed. They took care to find the right locations in Morocco and Malta. Yet when combined in post-production with scads of medium-grade digital effects work in crowd scenes and the like, never mind the sharks, the movie’s a somewhat frustrating amalgam. With an uneven script on top of it, the visual texture of “Gladiator II” grows increasingly less enveloping and atmospherically persuasive, not more. But I hung there, for some of the acting, for some of the callbacks, and for the many individual moments, or single shots, that could only have come from Ridley Scott. And in the end, yes, you too may be moderately entertained. “Gladiator II” — 2.5 stars (out of 4) MPA rating: R (for strong bloody violence) Running time: 2:28 How to watch: Premieres in theaters Nov. 21. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.
NoneAn Idaho teenager has been arrested in connection with the body of an infant found last month at a hospital in a box meant for people to anonymously give up a newborn, police said Friday. The Blackfoot Police Department said in a social media post that an 18-year-old from Twin Falls, about 130 miles (210 kilometers) southeast of Boise, had been arrested there and booked into the Bingham County Jail. She was arrested on a felony arrest warrant for failing to report a death to law enforcement officials and the coroner, police said. Police in Blackfoot responded to a report Oct. 13 of a deceased baby left at Grove Creek Medical Center. Safe Haven Baby Boxes founder Monica Kelsey has said hospital staff responded immediately to an alarm indicating a baby was in the box and realized that the infant had died before being placed inside. Idaho law only allows for the surrender of an infant who is unharmed. “The Safe Haven Baby Box is intended to safely and anonymously allow custodial parents to surrender a newborn under 30 days old without legal repercussions, provided the child is unharmed," police said in the social media post. "Unfortunately, the placement of a harmed or deceased infant is not protected under this system or Idaho law." The baby had been wrapped in a blanket, and the placenta was still attached, Kelsey said previously. Police said they weren't releasing further information in part because more charges could be filed.Despite state titles not being the top priority, Rigby downs Eagle 41-21 to walk away with another one
It’s a mystery that’s stumped New Jerseyans for weeks now and many are looking for an explanation. Since mid-November, many large drones have been spotted overhead in the night sky in central and northern New Jersey but no one seems to have answers as to where they’re coming from. The drones were first seen over Morris County and since then, they’ve been observed across the Garden State nightly in some areas and at times, traveling in groups. The large drones are raising concerns because of their close proximity to a military installation and President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf course. The sightings have created such a buzz that New Jersey mayors are getting involved and are calling for answers. The mayors of 21 towns in New Jersey sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy in recent weeks, calling for action on the mysterious drones. In the letter, per ABC News , the mayors in Morris County called for a full investigation into the drones “to determine the origin, purpose and compliance with applicable regulations.” There was also a demand for the “implementation of measures to prevent unauthorized or unsafe drone operations” in Morris County going forward, and “clear communication to local officials, law enforcement and residents regarding the findings of this investigation.” “While the benefits of drone technology are widely recognized when used responsibly and transparently, the lack of information and clarity regarding these operations has caused fear and frustration among our constituents,” the mayors wrote. “Despite inquiries made to relevant authorities, we have yet to receive satisfactory answers about the purpose, operators, or safety protocols governing these flights.” But last week, Gov. Phil Murphy said there is no threat to the public at this time and noted that he held a briefing to discuss the drone sightings with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, senior officials from the Department of Homeland Security, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and New Jersey State Police. In addition to the FBI investigating the matter, he also told the public to report any drone sightings they see. “The FBI Newark, NJ State Police, and NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness are asking for the public to report any information related to the recent sightings of possible drones flying in several areas along the Raritan River,” the FBI said in a statement on Dec. 3 to Fox News . “Witnesses have spotted the cluster of what look to be drones and a possible fixed-wing aircraft,” the statement continued. “We have reports from the public and law enforcement dating back several weeks.” Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration imposed drone flight investigations. Local police have also said there’s no known threat to public safety. “Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon would like to inform everyone that the recent drone activity observed by many in our communities is being actively investigated. There is no advisable immediate danger to the public at this time,” the Morris County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement to ABC News. In a joint statement also sent to ABC News, multiple Morris and Somerset County officials said they will continue to monitor the drone activity. “County and local law enforcement agencies are aware of the recurring reports of drone activity around Morris and Somerset counties, and acknowledge the public’s concern about these repeated sightings,” they said. Stories by EmilyAnn Jackman Journalist and radio host dies at 44 Beyoncé‘s mom says her Instagram was hacked after account likes post on Jay-Z rape allegations Here’s why concerned fans are buzzing over this ‘Real Housewives’ star’s appearance‘Gladiator II’ review: Are you not moderately entertained?
A report from the charity on hurricanes, floods, typhoons and storms influenced by climate change warns that the top 10 disasters each cost more than 4 billion US dollars in damage (£3.2 billion). The figures are based mostly on insured losses, so the true costs are likely to be even higher, Christian Aid said, as it called for action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and finance for poor countries to cope with climate change. Politicians who “downplay the urgency of the climate crisis only serve to harm their own people and cause untold suffering around the world”, climate expert Joanna Haigh said. While developed countries feature heavily in the list of costliest weather extremes, as they have higher property values and can afford insurance, the charity also highlighted another 10 disasters which did not rack up such costs but were just as devastating, often hitting poorer countries. Most extreme weather events show “clear fingerprints” of climate change, which is driving more extreme weather events, making them more intense and frequent, experts said. The single most costly event in 2024 was Hurricane Milton, which scientists say was made windier, wetter and more destructive by global warming, and which caused 60 billion US dollars (£48 billion) of damage when it hit the US in October. That is closely followed by Hurricane Helene, which cost 55 billion US dollars (£44 billion) when it hit the US, Mexico and Cuba just two weeks before Milton in late September. The US was hit by so many costly storms throughout the year that even when hurricanes are removed, other storms cost more than 60 billion US dollars in damage, the report said. Three of the costliest 10 climate extremes hit Europe, including the floods from Storm Boris which devastated central European countries in September and deadly flooding in Valencia in October which killed 226 people. In other parts of the world, floods in June and July in China killed 315 people and racked up costs of 15.6 billion US dollars (£12.4 billion), while Typhoon Yagi, which hit south-west Asia in September, killed more than 800 people and cost 12.6 billion dollars (£10 billion). Events which were not among the most costly in financial terms but which have still been devastating include Cyclone Chido which hit Mayotte in December and may have killed more than 1,000 people, Christian Aid said. Meanwhile, heatwaves affected 33 million people in Bangladesh and worsened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, flooding affected 6.6 million people in West Africa and the worst drought in living memory affected more than 14 million in Zambia, Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe, the charity said. Christian Aid chief executive Patrick Watt said: “There is nothing natural about the growing severity and frequency of droughts, floods and storms. “Disasters are being supercharged by decisions to keep burning fossil fuels, and to allow emissions to rise. “And they’re being made worse by the consistent failure to deliver on financial commitments to the poorest and most climate-vulnerable countries. “In 2025 we need to see governments leading, and taking action to accelerate the green transition, reduce emissions, and fund their promises.” Dr Mariam Zachariah, World Weather Attribution researcher who analyses extreme events in near-real time to discern the role of climate change, at Imperial College London, said: “This report is just a snapshot of climate devastation in 2024. “There are many more droughts, heatwaves, wildfires and floods not included that are becoming more frequent and intense. “Most of these disasters show clear fingerprints of climate change. “Extreme weather is clearly causing incredible suffering in all corners of the world. Behind the billion-dollar figures are lost lives and livelihoods.” And Prof Haigh, emeritus professor of atmospheric physics at Imperial College London, said: “The economic impact of these extreme weather events should be a wake-up call. “The good news is that ever-worsening crises doesn’t have to be our long-term future. “The technologies of a clean energy economy exist, but we need leaders to invest in them and roll them out at scale.” The 10 costliest climate disasters of 2024 were: – US storms, December to January, more than 60 billion US dollars; – Hurricane Milton in the US, October 9-13, 60 billion US dollars (£48 billion); – Hurricane Helene in the US, Mexico, Cuba, 55 billion US dollars (£44 billion); – China floods, June 9-July 14, 15.6 billion US dollars (£12.4 billion); – Typhoon Yagi, which hit south-west Asia from September 1 to 9, 12.6 billion US dollars (£10 billion); – Hurricane Beryl, in the US, Mexico and Caribbean islands from July 1-11, 6.7 billion US dollars (£5.3 billion); – Storm Boris in central Europe, September 12-16, 5.2 billion US dollars (£4.1 billion); – Rio Grande do Sul floods in Brazil, April 28-May 3, 5 billion US dollars (£4 billion); – Bavaria floods, Germany, June 1-7, 4.45 billion US dollars (£3.5 billion); – Valencia floods, Spain, on October 29, 4.22 billion US dollars (£3.4 billion).Info-Tech Research Group's newly published blueprint provides technology service providers (TSPs) with practical strategies to become trusted partners in the cyber insurance industry, bridging critical service gaps and driving operational efficiency across the entire cyber insurance lifecycle, from risk assessment to claims management. TORONTO , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - As AI-driven threats escalate and cybersecurity vulnerabilities evolve, the cyber insurance industry faces mounting pressure to adapt to a rapidly changing risk landscape. Insurers are raising eligibility requirements, leaving organizations struggling to meet heightened expectations while balancing cost, coverage, and effective risk management. To address these challenges, Info-Tech Research Group's newly published blueprint, Launch Cyber Insurance Support Services , provides technology service providers (TSPs) with a strategic framework to help their clients meet rising requirements and navigate the complexities of the cyber insurance lifecycle. This resource equips TSPs with practical strategies to position themselves as indispensable partners throughout the cyber insurance lifecycle. By offering tailored advisory and cybersecurity services that meet the needs of both policyholders and insurers, TSPs can bridge service gaps while optimizing processes such as risk assessment, claims management, and policy renewal. "Today, the cyber insurance industry stands at an inflection point, recognizing that previous approaches to security were ineffective and unsustainable," says Justin St-Maurice , principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group . "Insurers now demand robust due diligence and comprehensive security controls, meaning only organizations with mature security postures will qualify for coverage. As the bar for insurance eligibility continues to rise, customers around the world are scrambling to meet these new requirements." Info-Tech's blueprint emphasizes the critical role of TSPs in bridging the gap between insurers and policyholders. While insurers focus on assuming calculated risks, TSPs can mitigate these risks by providing proactive strategies and cybersecurity enhancements that meet rising industry standards. Acting as strategic intermediaries, TSPs are uniquely positioned to align, ensuring robust security measures are in place to prevent breaches, minimize losses, and maintain insurability. By aligning their services with both insurer requirements and customer needs, TSPs can drive operational efficiency while supporting critical processes throughout the insurance journey. Info-Tech's resource outlines the following seven key stages in the cyber insurance lifecycle, detailing how TSPs can deliver value at each step: Risk Assessment – Perform detailed cyber risk quantification and vulnerability identification to assess exposure and ensure alignment with requirements. Policy Selection – Translate risk assessments into financial terms and recommend policies that meet risk-transfer needs. Underwriting – Prepare comprehensive documentation, support onsite audits, and advocate for the organization's cybersecurity posture to insurers. Implementation and Maintenance – Continuously monitor, audit, and test cybersecurity controls and perform regular penetration testing to maintain compliance. Incident Response – Coordinate incident response with insurers by providing regular updates, avoiding duplication of effort, and ensuring all entitled services are used. Claims Management – Provide detailed claims documentation, resolve disputes through technical evidence, and validate compliance with policy requirements. Policy Renewal – Assess the effectiveness of modernized cybersecurity practices, review insurance usage, and renew policies based on current risk and innovation. The evolving threat landscape and increasing complexity of insurance requirements have created a unique opportunity for TSPs to expand their influence. By aligning their services with insurer standards and providing tailored support to policyholders, TSPs can reduce breach risks, streamline processes, and establish themselves as indispensable players in a growing market. Through the actionable strategies outlined in Info-Tech's blueprint, TSPs can not only meet but exceed these expectations, strengthening relationships and fostering trust across the cyber insurance ecosystem. To receive exclusive commentary or to schedule an interview or podcast appearance with Justin St-Maurice , a leader in implementing technology and driving digital transformations, and to access to the complete Launch Cyber Insurance Support Services blueprint , please contact [email protected] . About Info-Tech Research Group Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights. Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected] . For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X . SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group
Students were recognised for their achievements in the Kaikorai Valley College 2024 junior prizegiving. Year 9: Nader Aldouss, 1st Place in pe: "moving, moving, moving" and "sports academy", commendation in mathematics and pe: "moving moving moving"; Audrey Alfonso, mīharo award, 3rd place in Japanese: "introductory", science: "stuff your face" and Te Reo, commendation in pe: "moving moving moving" and social science: "when nature fights back", diligence award; Ethan Amato, 3rd place in science: "stuff your face", commendation in English, mathematics and music, diligence award; Ethan Baker-Cooper, mīharo award, 3rd place in art "that's surreal", commendation in music, diligence award; Jacob Batchelor, diligence award; Jake Berzuela, mīharo award, year 9 academic award for Kōwhai house, 2nd place in Japanese: "introductory" and music, 3rd place in science: "nature's guardians", commendation in art: "mix&match", humanities: "truth in film", music and mathematics, diligence award; Noah Blackwood, commendation in art; Riley Boock-Souden, 1st place in science: "stuff your face", commendation in English, diligence award; Levi Bottomley, mīharo award, 2nd place in pe: "born to move", commendation in music and urban farm, diligence award; Aaron Broekhuyse, commendation in technology wood, diligence award; Aeva Cairns-Whitcombe, mīharo award, commendation in art and mathematics; Talia Constable, commendation in urban farm; Kaitlynn Cooper, commendation in English; Aiden Dowson-Trevathan, commendation in design and visual communication; Blake Dowson-Trevathan, mīharo award, 1st place in urban farm, 2nd place in science: "stuff your face", commendation in urban farm, diligence award; Teegan Driver, 2nd place in music, commendation in music and technology: "digital artistry", diligence award; Chris Forbes, 1st place in design and visual communication, 3rd place in science foundations, commendation in art and humanities: "the amazing race"; Ben Geddes, 1st place in pe: "born to move", 3rd place in humanities: "the amazing race", commendation in design and visual communication, mathematics, science: "nature's guardians" and urban farm, diligence award; Des Gordon, commendation in music; Bailey Guise, mīharo award, 1st place in pe: "sports education", 3rd place in pe: "sports academy" and urban farm, commendation in English, pe: "sport's education" and science: "csi", diligence award; Zoe Hipgrave, mīharo award, year 9 academic award for rātā house, 1st place in foods: "street food", music, science: "nature's guardians", science: "stuff your face" and urban farm, 2nd place in English, social science: "when nature fights back" and Te Reo, 3rd place in mathematics, commendation in mathematics, music and science foundations, diligence award; Flynn Hunter, 3rd place in music, commendation in music; Zac Johnson, 3rd place in art: "pop culture", 4th place in mathematics, commendation in art, English and Japanese: "introductory"; Jazmine Jones mīharo award, 5th place in English (5=), commendation in food technology, diligence award; Kaden Kirkman, 3rd place in urban farm, 4th place in English, commendation in humanities: "Hitler & the holocaust", mathematics, pe: "train to gain" and science foundations; Leilah Legaspi-Vivian, 1st place in music, commendation in English, Japanese: "introductory" and music; Nick Lorden, commendation in English; Sam Matheson, 1st place in pe: "born to move", 2nd place in urban farm, commendation in technology wood, diligence award; Sophie McAlevey, 2nd place in pe: "sports education" and technology: utility bag", 5th place in English (5=), commendation in English and mathematics, diligence award; Jake McCormick, commendation in English, science foundations and science: "to infinity & beyond"; Maree McMillan Unahi, diligence award; Bastien Millar, 1st place in music production, 2nd place in mathematics, commendation in English, humanities: "money talks", science foundations and social science: "when nature fights back"; Juneya Paki, commendation in music; Logan Parrish, 1st place in science: "csi", 2nd place in science: "stuff your face", 5th place in mathematics, commendation in English, music and science: "nature's guardians", diligence award; Keisha Pritchard, mīharo award, year 9 academic award for Mataī House, 1st place in English, design and visual communication and science: "to infinity & beyond", 2nd place in art: "that's surreal", humanities: "truth in film" and science: "nature's guardians", 3rd place in art: "mix and match", commendation in English, Japanese: "introductory" and mathematics, diligence award; Henry Reid, commendation in music; Devon Richards, commendation in English and music; Ferguson Richardson, commendation in humanities: "money talks", music and mathematics, diligence award; Nikcoie Saxon, commendation in music; Shriya Shania, 2nd place in pe: "sports academy", English, 3rd place in science: "csi", commendation in English, food technology and music, diligence award; Bella Sinton, mīharo award, commendation in mathematics; Mason Stobba, commendation in music; Campbell Tate, mīharo award, year 9 academic award for Tōtara house, 1st place in Japanese: "introductory", mathematics and Te Reo, 2nd place in music production, 3rd place in English and science foundations, commendation in humanities: "money talks", mathematics and music, diligence award; Tyrone Toomey, 3rd place in pe: "sports education", commendation in music, diligence award; Logan Williamson, 2nd place in science: "csi", Commendation in design and visual communication, mathematics, music and science foundations, diligence award. Year 10: Khaled Akleh, mīharo award, 2nd place in sports academy, commendation in food technology; Chaymaa Aldouss, mīharo award, commendation in art, English, Japanese: "language & culture", Japanese: "life & scripts", science foundations and technology: “colour & make”, diligence award; Azzliah Alfonso, commendation in humanities: "don't forget your roots", Japanese: "language & culture", Japanese: "life & scripts" and science: "to infinity & beyond", diligence award; Sophie Alnashi, commendation in art and urban farm; Gaza Aqwa Ghosani, mīharo award, year 10 academic award for Kōwhai house, 1st place in humanities: "money talks" (1=) and humanities: "truth in film", 2nd place in science foundations, 3rd place in mathematics, diligence award; Lillian Bain, commendation in English, food technology and technology wood; Eden Bell Nash, year 10 academic award for Mataī house, 1st place in pe: "born to move", science foundations and technology wood (1=), 2nd place in pe: "moving, moving, moving" and science: "stuff your face", 3rd place in English, commendation in food technology, mathematics and technology wood, diligence award; Danyon Bent, mīharo award, 3rd place in pe: "let's get active", 5th place in mathematics, diligence award; Millie Burgess, mīharo award, year 10 academic award for Rātā house, 1st place in Japanese: "life and scripts", 2nd place in science: "stuff your face", commendation in science: "csi", diligence award; George Canning, commendation in humanities: "money talks" and science foundations, diligence award; Hayley Chronican, 1st place in science: "csi", 3rd place in technology: "colour & make", 4th place in English (4=), commendation in English; Callum Crawford, commendation in music; Darcy Cunningham-Fitzpatrick, mīharo award, 1st place in food technology and humanities: "the amazing race", 2nd place in sports education, 5th place in English, commendation in mathematics and science: "stuff your face"; Ioaba Dean-Harris, 2nd place in Te Reo, commendation in pe: "train to gain", diligence award; Paige Duthie, mīharo award, 1st place in art "that's surreal", 2nd place in art: "mix & match" and art: "pop culture", commendation in science: "csi", diligence award; Daniel Duxbury, commendation in social science: "nature fights back", science: "stuff your face"; Alyssa Evans, mīharo award, 3rd place in Japanese: "life and scripts", commendation in science: "to infinity & beyond", diligence award; Kody Everitt, commendation in mathematics; Danni Fellows, commendation in art; Keegan Fenton-Todd, mīharo award; Noah Fitiao-Cross, mīharo award, year 10 academic award for Tōtara house, 1st place in humanities: "ancient antics", pe: sports academy" and pe: "train to gain", 2nd place in English and mathematics, 3rd place in music production, commendation in mathematics and music, diligence award; Dominic Free, mīharo award, 1st place in technology: "game design", commendation in English, diligence award; Lachlan Gascoyne, commendation in digital technology: "web design"; Bella Geekie, mīharo award, 2nd place in Japanese: "life and scripts", 3rd place in humanities: "money talks", commendation in English, food technology, mathematics and science foundations, diligence award; Leeroy Hemopo, commendation in design and visual communication; Leo Hemopo, commendation in music and urban farm, diligence award; Yuko Hirashima, mīharo award, 1st place in maths, science: "stuff your face", commendation in art and mathematics, diligence award; Katheleen Hollands, mīharo award; 2nd place in technology: "colour & make" and street food, 3rd place in science: "csi", commendation in japanese: "language & culture", pe: "moving moving moving" and social sciences: "when nature fights back"; Amber Hurring, mīharo award, 1st place in humanities: "money talks", commendation in English, food technology, pe: "moving moving moving" and science foundations; Pranav Jiresh, commendation in technology wood, diligence award; Jasraj Kang, mīharo award, commendation in technology wood, diligence award; Olivia Keightley-Todd, mīharo award, commendation in English, Japanese: "language & culture", Japanese: "life & scripts" and science: "csi"; Jade Kidd, 2nd place in food technology, 3rd place in pe: "born to move", commendation in music, science: "csi and science foundations, diligence award; Joshua Kruskopf, 4th place in mathematics, commendation in English, music and science: "csi", diligence award; Jamie Lind, commendation in music; Shikayla Low, mīharo award, 1st place in technology: "colour & make", 2nd place in science: "csi", 3rd place in humanities: "ancient antics" and "truth in film", commendation in art; Chevy MacDonald,2nd place in better breakfast and technology: "game design", 3rd place in better breakfast, commendation in food technology, music and technology: "colour & make"; Kayla Marsh, 1st place in Te Reo, commendation in English and music; Lucy Marsh, commendation in food technology; Yuuki McIntosh-Yamada, 3rd place in urban farm, commendation in science: "stuff your face" and maths; Taiaha McKay, mīharo award, 3rd place in technology wood, commendation in design and visual communication, English, mathematics, pe: "train to gain" and science: "csi"; Sarah McKenzie, mīharo award, commendation in Japanese: "life & scripts", science: "stuff your face" and technology wood; Yoku Miura, mīharo award, 1st place in English and urban farm, 2nd place in humanities: "ancient antics", commendation in English, food technology, mathematics and digital technology: "web design", diligence award; Noah Moynihan, 3rd place in pe: "sports academy"; Ruben Parsons, 1st place in tet: "utility bag"; Mikaela Rankin, commendation in art, English, humanities: "money talks" and science: "csi"; Bryn Rees, commendation in science: "csi", diligence award; William Roy-Jones, mīharo award, commendation in music, diligence award; Nicholas Serna, 3rd place in pe: "sports education", commendation in Japanese: "life & scripts" and pe: "sports education"; Joshua Shand, 1st place in pe: "sports education", 2nd place in pe: "born to move", commendation in English and pe: "born to move"; Ethan Sinclair, mīharo award, 2nd place in pe: "let's get active" and urban farm, commendation in English, humanities: "ancient antics" and Te Reo, diligence award; Toby Sinclair, 1st place in technology wood, commendation in music; Ruby Smith, commendation in art, English and music, diligence award; Salem Trounson, mīharo award, 1st place in digital technology: "web design", commendation in art, English and mathematics, diligence award; Sara Tuapawa, 1st place in better breakfast, commendation in science: "csi", food technology and science foundation; Marcus Viggo, mīharo award; Kassie Vincent, commendation in humanities: "don't forget your roots", music and pe: "moving moving moving"; Kotuku Wana, 1st place in pe: "let's get active" and pe: moving moving moving", 2nd place in pe: "train to gain", commendation in English, humanities: "ancient antics" and mathematics; Luka Watkin-Robertson, mīharo award, 2nd place in technology wood, 3rd place in pe: "train to gain", commendation in English, mathematics, music and science: "csi"; Zavier Watterston, mīharo award, diligence award; Natalie Weis, 1st place in art: "mix & match" and art: "pop culture", 2nd place in digital technology: "web design", 4th place in English (4=), commendation in food technology, humanities: Hitler & the holocaust, mathematics and urban farm, diligence award; Arni-ka Williams, 2nd place in humanities: "the amazing race", 3rd place in tet: "utility bag", commendation in English and music, diligence award. Special Awards: Natalie Weis, excellence in junior art; Jasmine Tiffany, excellence in junior Māori; Aaron Broekhyuse, contribution to the urban farm; Campbell Tate, young Māori achiever at years 7-9; Carlos Gos'e, citizenship at year 7; Graham Lee, citizenship at year 8; Ethan Amato, citizenship year 9-10 (boy); Eden Bell-Nash, citizenship year 9-10 (girl); Benjamin Fitiao-Cross, academic achievement at year 7; Lily Swensen-McLean, academic achievement at year 8; Keisha Pritchard, academic achievement at year 9; Noah Fitiao-Cross, academic achievement at year 10; Noah Fitiao-Cross, best all-round junior studentPercentages: FG .394, FT .667. 3-Point Goals: 7-24, .292 (Steffe 2-5, Hensley 2-6, Davis 2-7, Sykes 1-1, Mayo 0-2, Dibba 0-3). Team Rebounds: 1. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 2 (Aligbe, Massey). Turnovers: 17 (Davis 4, Hensley 3, Aligbe 2, Dibba 2, Mayo 2, Sharp 2, Steffe, Sykes). Steals: 10 (Davis 3, Dibba 2, Aligbe, Massey, Sharp, Steffe, Sykes). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .435, FT .867. 3-Point Goals: 5-20, .250 (Cooper 2-5, Green 2-6, Ree 1-2, Abram 0-2, Newman 0-5). Team Rebounds: 4. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 6 (Batcho 4, Cooper 2). Turnovers: 16 (Abram 6, Batcho 4, Newman 3, Cooper 2, Crawford). Steals: 14 (Abram 6, Cooper 4, Green 3, Newman). Technical Fouls: None. A_542 (7,186).Report: NFL Makes Opinion On Netflix Clear After Streaming Issues
NoneMINNEAPOLIS — It hung there like it would never come down, like gravity had left the building, like someone had injected the football with helium. Isn’t that the way this entire Vikings season has felt — inexplicably buoyant? Facing third-and-2 with 1:49 remaining in a showdown with the Packers on Sunday, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, for the third time in four plays, called for a pass. Not content to run the ball and force the Packers to call timeouts — that old-timey “safe” strategy that usually isn’t — he wanted a first down that would end the game. This one did. When Sam Darnold’s flip pass finally landed, running back Cam Akers, he of the two recoveries from Achilles injuries, dived and cradled that belatedly earthbound ball, and the Vikings had won 27-25 . Then Darnold stayed on the field to talk to Fox announcer Tom Brady, maybe to give him a few tips on quarterbacking in the NFL, as Darnold’s teammates waited and schemed in the home locker room at U.S. Bank Stadium. When Darnold finally burst through the door, his teammates showered him with water and lifted him. To return the favor. “A lot of water bottles, a lot of water,” Darnold said. “I think I blacked out when Aaron Jones grabbed and lifted me up, I didn’t know what to do with my hands in that situation. Ricky Bobby style.” Ricky Bobby is the Will Ferrell character in “Talladega Nights.” Not many athletes compare themselves to Ricky Bobby. We’ve reached the point in this season where defenders can do dances from “White Chicks” on the field and Darnold can cite Ricky Bobby and it all seems to make sense. With Darnold compiling one of the best quarterback seasons in Vikings history, this team is 14-2 and headed for a showdown in Detroit for the division title and top seed in the NFC. Darnold, like Ricky Bobby, is driving the success. He has thrown 35 touchdown passes this season, four shy of Daunte Culpepper’s team record and tied with Kirk Cousins for second. He has thrown for 4,153 yards, and on Sunday he completed 33 of 43 passes for 377 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Darnold faced plenty of pressure but took only one sack, managing the pocket skillfully. He has thrown 18 touchdown passes and two interceptions in his last seven games, and on Sunday he outdueled Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who struggled to complete passes downfield until Green Bay became desperate in the fourth quarter. Befitting the nature of this rivalry, the Packers made it a game in the fourth quarter, leaving O’Connell with difficult decisions. Run the ball, burn the Packers’ timeouts, and hope they couldn’t mount one last drive for a winning field goal? Or throw the ball, earn first downs to run out the clock, while risking incompletions that could ease the Packers’ plight? If O’Connell had any doubts about Darnold’s nerves, he would have run the ball. Instead, three of the four plays the Vikings ran on their final drive — not counting kneeldowns — O’Connell called for passes. The first was a bootleg left, leading to a short pass to fullback C.J. Ham, good for 13 yards. After Akers lost a yard against the Packers’ stacked front, O’Connell called for Darnold to roll right. He did, and gunned a pass to a well-covered Justin Jefferson. Jefferson caught it for nine yards, setting up a third-and-2 with 1:49 remaining. The Packers had one timeout left. Darnold again rolled right, this time with Akers leaking out of the backfield into the flat. A pass-rusher in his face, Darnold flipped what looked like an alley-oop in Akers’ general direction. Akers caught, cradled and cuddled it, and Darnold was on his way to three kneeldowns, a chat with Brady and a waterlogged Ricky Bobby moment. “I don’t take stuff like that for granted,” Darnold said. “Ever. It’s special.” He’s been defying gravity all season. (Jim Souhan is a columnist for the Star Tribune of Minneapolis.) ©2024 StarTribune. Visit at startribune.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Massachusetts state senator proposes legislation to regulate dronesA judge on Monday granted a request by prosecutors to dismiss the election subversion case against Donald Trump because of a Justice Department policy of not prosecuting a sitting president. Judge Tanya Chutkan agreed to the request by Special Counsel Jack Smith to dismiss the case against the president-elect "without prejudice," meaning it could potentially be revived after Trump leaves the White House four years from now. "Dismissal without prejudice is appropriate here," Chutkan said, adding in the ruling that "the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office." Trump, 78, was accused of conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election he lost to Joe Biden and removing large quantities of top secret documents after leaving the White House, but the cases never came to trial. Smith also moved on Monday to drop his appeal of the dismissal of the documents case filed against the former president in Florida. That case was tossed out earlier this year by a Trump-appointed judge on the grounds that Smith was unlawfully appointed. The special counsel paused the election interference case and the documents case this month after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5 presidential election. Smith cited the long-standing Justice Department policy of not indicting or prosecuting a sitting president in his motions to have the cases dismissed. "The Government's position on the merits of the defendant's prosecution has not changed," Smith said in the filing with Chutkan. "But the circumstances have." "It has long been the position of the Department of Justice that the United States Constitution forbids the federal indictment and subsequent criminal prosecution of a sitting President," Smith said. "As a result this prosecution must be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated." In a separate filing, Smith said he was withdrawing his appeal of the dismissal of the classified documents case against Trump but pursuing the case against his two co-defendants, Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira. Sign up to get our free daily email of the biggest stories! Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said the cases were "empty and lawless, and should never have been brought." "Over $100 Million Dollars of Taxpayer Dollars has been wasted in the Democrat Party's fight against their Political Opponent, ME," he said. "Nothing like this has ever happened in our Country before." Trump was accused of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding -- the session of Congress called to certify Biden's win, which was violently attacked on January 6, 2021 by a mob of the then-president's supporters. Trump was also accused of seeking to disenfranchise US voters with his false claims that he won the 2020 election. The former and incoming president also faces two state cases -- in New York and Georgia. He was convicted in New York in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election to stop her from revealing an alleged 2006 sexual encounter. However, Judge Juan Merchan has postponed sentencing while he considers a request from Trump's lawyers that the conviction be thrown out in light of the Supreme Court ruling in July that an ex-president has broad immunity from prosecution. In Georgia, Trump faces racketeering charges over his efforts to subvert the 2020 election results in the southern state, but that case will likely be frozen while he is in office. cl/sms