Arsenal delivered the statement Champions League win Mikel Arteta had demanded as they swept aside Sporting Lisbon 5-1. Arteta wanted his team to prove their European credentials following some underwhelming displays away from home, and the Gunners manager got exactly what he asked for. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard got their continental campaign back on track in style following the 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan last time out. A memorable victory also ended Sporting’s unbeaten start to the season, a streak of 17 wins and one draw, the vast majority of which prompted Manchester United to prise away head coach Ruben Amorim. The Gunners had failed to win or score in their two away games in the competition so far this season, but they made a blistering start in the Portuguese capital and took the lead after only seven minutes. Declan Rice fed overlapping full-back Jurrien Timber, who curled a low cross in behind the home defence for Martinelli to finish at the far post. Arsenal doubled their lead in the 20th minute thanks to a glorious ball over the top from Thomas Partey. Saka escaped the clutches of his marker Maximiliano Araujo to beat the offside trap and poke the ball past advancing goalkeeper Franco Israel for Havertz to tap home. It was a scintillating first-half display which completely overshadowed the presence of Viktor Gyokeres in Sporting’s attack. The prolific Sweden striker, formerly of Coventry, has been turning the heads of Europe’s top clubs with his 24 goals in 17 games this season – including a hat-trick against Manchester City earlier this month. But the only time he got a sniff of a run at goal after an optimistic long ball, he was marshalled out of harm’s way by Gabriel. David Raya was forced into one save, tipping a fierce Geovany Quenda drive over the crossbar. But Arsenal added a third on the stroke of half-time, Gabriel charging in to head Rice’s corner into the back of the net. Our second-half goalscorers ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aFCIMffFaK — Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 26, 2024 To rub salt in the wound, the Brazilian defender mimicked Gyokeres’ hands-over-his-face goal celebration. That may have wound Sporting up as they came out after the interval meaning business, and they pulled one back after Raya tipped Hidemasa Morita’s shot behind, with Goncalo Inacio netting at the near post from the corner. Former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards fired over, as did Gyokeres, with Arsenal temporarily on the back foot. But when Martin Odegaard’s darting run into the area was halted by Ousmane Diomande’s foul, Saka tucked away the penalty. Substitute Trossard added the fifth with eight minutes remaining, heading in the rebound after Mikel Merino’s shot was saved, and Gyokeres’ miserable night was summed up when his late shot crashed back off the post.
Thirada "Tida" Kangwankiattichai's story is a testament to the power of dreams, hard work and an enduring love for animation. Born and raised in Bangkok, Tida grew up like many kids captivated by Disney's enchanting tales. Little did she know that years later, she would join the very studio that brought those magical worlds to life, playing a pivotal role as a layout artist in Disney's Moana 2. Tida's childhood was filled with artistic pursuits and a deep appreciation for movies. She remembers saving her allowance in high school to buy CDs of her favourite films, often cramming her cabinet to capacity. "I was a kid who loved drawing and watching movies," she recalled with a smile. "But I never expected to grow up pursuing a career in animation." Her journey into the world of animation was far from linear. After graduating from Nawaminthrachinuthit Bodindecha School, Tida pursued a bachelor's degree in management engineering and logistics at Silpakorn University. However, a move to Vancouver, Canada, was the turning point. "When I arrived in Vancouver, I realised animation could be a viable career," Tida said. "That's when I decided to take it seriously." In 2014, she enrolled at Vancouver Film School to study 3D animation and visual effects. Fast-forward to 2023, Tida's dream became reality when she joined Walt Disney Animation Studios as a layout artist. For her, animation is the perfect marriage of art, technology and storytelling. "It's a medium where I can truly express my creativity," she shared. Tida's passion for Disney runs deep. When asked if she considers herself a die-hard fan, she beams with pride. "The musical elements and adventurous storylines in Disney films make them timeless," she explains. "No matter how old I am, I can always relate to the stories." Her admiration extends to Disney's legacy in the animation industry. "The company's enduring success speaks to the incredible talent behind the scenes," she said. Collaborating with such gifted individuals has been a dream come true. "It's an honour to contribute to creating timeless classics that inspire future generations." Working on Moana 2 marked a significant milestone for Tida. As her first Disney credit, the project came with its share of challenges -- and immense rewards. The film, a sequel to 2016's Moana, takes audiences on an even more adventurous journey, reuniting Moana and Maui while introducing new characters and challenges. "The duration and quality we were striving for were the biggest challenges in creating Moana 2," Tida admited. Her role as a layout artist required meticulous attention to detail. From setting camera angles to determining camera movements, Tida played a key part in capturing the characters and story in the most engaging way possible. The process involved creating balanced compositions within scenes, ensuring the proportions of the characters were clear and using techniques like "Enhance Depth" to craft visually stunning shots. Every element, from the lighting to the effects, had to align with the story's emotional beats. "The camera movement has to feel purposeful," Tida explained. "It should never be too still or too complex; it needs to flow seamlessly with the characters." Action scenes were particularly demanding. "These sequences require great precision," she said. "Every movement must connect with the audience and keep them engaged." The result is a visually breathtaking film that raises the bar for animated storytelling. Tida's personal connection to the original Moana made working on the sequel even more special. "The first Moana is my favourite animated film," she revealed. "It's a princess story full of action, adventure, and catchy songs. It's so much fun!" She promises that Moana 2 delivers more excitement. Alongside Moana and Maui, the sequel introduces new characters embarking on a more challenging mission. "Fans of the original will love this sequel," Tida said. "It's packed with stunning visuals, unforgettable music and a story that will resonate with everyone." Her pride in the project shines through. "I hope audiences enjoy Moana's new adventure as much as we enjoyed bringing it to life," she shares. "And I'm especially proud that this film highlights the contributions of Southeast Asian talent." As the only Thai layout artist on Moana 2, Tida hopes her journey will inspire others from her home country to pursue careers in animation. "It warms my heart to see creative talents from Southeast Asia contributing to Disney's legacy," she said. Vineet Puri, general manager and vice president of Disney Entertainment Southeast Asia, echoed this sentiment. "It's incredible to see someone of Thai heritage bringing Moana and Maui's adventures to life," he said. "We hope Tida's work inspires future storytellers and animators from Thailand to pursue their dreams." For Tida, the journey is about more than personal success. It's about opening doors for others and showcasing the global appeal of animation. "I hope more people in Thailand recognise and support local animators," she said. "It's an honour to represent my heritage in a film that will be seen by audiences around the world." As Moana 2 hit theatres, Tida reflects on her incredible journey. From a movie-loving teenager in Bangkok to a layout artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios, her path is a powerful reminder that dreams can come true with dedication and passion. "Animation has the power to make imagination come alive," Tida said. "It's amazing to be part of a team that creates magic on screen." Audiences can now experience the magic for themselves. Set sail with Moana and her crew on a thrilling new adventure in Moana 2. With breathtaking visuals, unforgettable music, and a heartfelt story, it's a journey you won't want to miss. And behind it all is the remarkable talent of artists like Thirada Kangwankiattichai, whose passion and creativity continue to inspire a new generation of dreamers.ANN ARBOR, Michigan (AP) — Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant is skipping his final college season to enter the NFL draft. Grant, a key part of the Wolverines' 2023 national championship team, announced his decision Thursday on X, formerly known as Twitter. Fellow Michigan interior lineman Mason Graham had already declared for the draft. Both are projected as likely first-round picks. The 6-foot-3, 339-pound Grant was a third-team Associated Press All-American. He had 32 tackles, 6 1/2 tackles for loss and a pair of fumble recoveries. Grant helped Michigan upset Ohio State in the Big Ten regular-season finale, making four tackles. Cornerback Will Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland have also declared for the draft leading up to Michigan's game against No. 11 Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballThe Māori electoral roll has grown by more than 3000 people - after organisers of the hīkoi mō te Tiriti promoted a switch from the general roll. Data from the Electoral Commission up to 25 November showed 2262 people changed from the general roll to the Māori roll - up from 59 in October. Just 28 people changed from Māori roll to general roll. There were also 862 new enrolments on the Māori roll - up from 29 the previous month. All up, there were 3096 more people on the Māori roll than at the start of the month. Read more: Victoria University senior lecturer in Te Kawa a Māui, the School of Māori Studies, Annie Te One said historically, Māori had not been well represented in the electoral system so any strategy that encouraged more people to vote was a good one. "Whether or not we continue to see this increase on the Māori roll, we have to wait and see but the numbers that have come out just in November are pretty phenomenal and showing this small but significant shift towards the Māori roll." Engaging rangatahi in politics During the hīkoi, organisers encouraged participants to make sure they enrolled to vote in the next election - with much of the messaging aimed at rangatahi (young) Māori. Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi told the hīkoi if supporters were not enrolled to vote, nothing would change. "We are now 20 percent of the population - we are a million people in this country. That should translate into 19 to 20 seats. We should be determining who the government is every election - that's the strategy. Everybody on the Māori roll." When the hīkoi reached Parliament, rangatahi Atareta Milne was one of the speakers to address the crowd, telling them that young Māori were watching and learning. "I ask you to enrol to vote. I ask you to be on the Māori roll. E mātakitaki ana mātau, e whakarongo ana mātau. (We are watching, we are listening). We need you, for today and for our apōpō!" Read more: Annie Te One said it was vital for other rangatahi to see that happening, to see that they had a voice and could have it heard. "There has been this consistent and, at times, unhelpful narrative that rangatahi Māori are politically apathetic, but that really isn't true. "Rangatahi Māori are really engaged in politics and we've just seen this play out - you know, the likes of Eru Kapa-Kingi, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke . These two young Māori, who are just two of many who have been involved in different political movements, are showing us that actually rangatahi Māori are leading this change." The role of social media as a platform to get the messaging out to rangatahi has been huge, she said. And Maipi-Clarke's haka in Parliament helped spread awareness nationally and internationally. "Through this hīkoi, we're seeing that this platform was not only made available for rangatahi Māori - it was actually made available by rangatahi Māori. It was the likes of Hana and Eru who really led the establishment of this." General roll or Māori roll? Overall, 3.65m people are enrolled to vote in Aotearoa. Of those, 563,964 are of Māori descent - with 292,825 (51.9 percent) on the Māori roll and 271,139 (48.1 percent) are on the general roll Since 2023, voters of Māori descent have been free to switch between the Māori roll and the General roll at any time except in the three months before an election. Previously, Māori voters could only switch once every five years, at census time. Annie Te One said a lot of education still needed to be done so Māori were aware of what was a relatively recent change to the electoral system. Those on the Māori roll vote in one of the seven Māori electorates. At the last election, six of those seven seats were won by Te Pāti Māori , the sole exception being Labour MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel who won the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti seat. There is a historical stigma against the Māori seats which, when combined with a lack of education around how votes on the Māori roll translated to seats, had led to the almost even split of the Māori population between Māori and general rolls, Te One said. "Māori still only have the same number of votes as any other person in Aotearoa who is voting. Our votes don't have more weight than anyone else - it is just the ability to respond to how we want our vote to best translate, whether that's through the Māori electoral roll or through the general electoral roll." The number of people changing rolls during and after the hīkoi showed that flexibility of choice was a good thing, she said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
OMAHA — Creighton did it again. In an in-state women’s college basketball series with Nebraska largely dictated by what happens beyond the 3-point arc, the Jays rallied with six 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to beat No. 21 Nebraska 80-74 on Friday at Sokol Arena. At one point in the fourth quarter, the Jays made four straight 3-pointers. The Jays were 6 for 9 on threes in the fourth quarter and 13 for 29 for the game to give Nebraska its first loss to the season. The Jays outscored Nebraska by 24 points on 3-pointers. Creighton has won three straight in the series. Lauren Jensen had a game-high 31 points for the Jays with four 3s. Morgan Maly, a senior from Crete, scored 18. Alexis Markowski worked really hard for Nebraska, finishing with 26 points and 12 rebounds and calling for the ball inside where she often had an advantage. Britt Prince added 20 points in the first game against her hometown school. Nebraska led 55-52 to start the fourth quarter. For the final 10 minutes, one of the questions was how much did Markowski have left? And also, could the Huskers defend the 3-point line just a little longer? The Jays made two of their first three 3-point attempts to start the quarter to regain a 60-57 lead. Molly Mogensen had the first one, and Jensen the second for her fourth of the game. When Mogensen made another three the Jays led 72-66. The Jays sealed the deal when Prince missed a 3-pointer with seven seconds left and the Jays made their free throws. Nebraska led 22-19 after the first quarter. It was an entertaining start. The game started with Markowski going at Maly inside the paint, the Nebraska natives who played in the same club in Lincoln. There were five combined 3-pointers, with three for the Jays and two for Nebraska (each from Prince). Creighton used a 13-2 run that included three 3-pointers to take a 15-8 lead. But Nebraska got back in it with a steal and layup from Allison Weidner and a take to the basket from Callin Hake. Creighton added two more 3-pointers in the second quarter, but Nebraska was able to keep a lead at halftime 37-35. Reach the writer at 402-473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com . On Twitter @LJSSportsWagner. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Seattle doctor rushing to do trans surgeries before Trump inauguration slammed in scathing ad campaign
Bizarre temple practices under fire
NEW DELHI — India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late Thursday after his health deteriorated due to a “sudden loss of consciousness at home,” the hospital said in a statement. “Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency” at 8:06 p.m., the hospital said, but “despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 p.m.” Singh was being treated for “age-related medical conditions,” the statement said. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers for 10 years and leader of the Congress Party in the Parliament’s Upper House, earning a reputation as a man of great personal integrity. He was chosen to fill the role in 2004 by Sonia Gandhi, the widow of assassinated Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi . But his sterling image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers. Singh was reelected in 2009, but his second term as prime minister was clouded by financial scandals and corruption charges over the organization of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. This led to the Congress Party’s crushing defeat in the 2014 national election by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Narendra Modi . Singh adopted a low profile after relinquishing the post of prime minister. Prime Minister Modi, who succeeded Singh in 2014, called him one of India’s “most distinguished leaders” who rose from humble origins and left “a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years.” “As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” Modi said in a post on the social platform X. He called Singh’s interventions in Parliament as a lawmaker “insightful” and said “his wisdom and humility were always visible.” Rahul Gandhi, from the same party as Singh and the opposition leader in the lower house of the Indian Parliament, said Singh’s “deep understanding of economics inspired the nation” and that he “led India with immense wisdom and integrity.” “I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride,” Gandhi wrote on X. Born on Sept. 26, 1932, in a village in the Punjab province of undivided India, Singh’s brilliant academic career took him to Cambridge University in Britain, where he earned a degree in economics in 1957. He then got his doctorate in economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University in 1962. Singh taught at Panjab University and the prestigious Delhi School of Economics before joining the Indian government in 1971 as economic advisor in the Commerce Ministry. In 1982, he became chief economic adviser to the Finance Ministry. He also served as deputy chair of the Planning Commission and governor of the Reserve Bank of India. As finance minister, Singh in 1991 instituted reforms that opened up the economy and moved India away from a socialist-patterned economy and toward a capitalist model in the face of a huge balance of payments deficit, skirting a potential economic crisis. His accolades include the 1987 Padma Vibhushan Award, India’s second-highest civilian honor; the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award of the Indian Science Congress in 1995; and the Asia Money Award for Finance Minister of the Year in 1993 and 1994. Singh was a member of India’s Upper House of Parliament and was leader of the opposition from 1998 to 2004 before he was named prime minister. He was the first Sikh to hold the country’s top post and made a public apology in Parliament for the 1984 Sikh Massacre in which some 3,000 Sikhs were killed after then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by Sikh bodyguards. Under Singh, India adopted a Right to Information Act in 2005 to promote accountability and transparency from government officials and bureaucrats. He was also instrumental in implementing a welfare scheme that guaranteed at least 100 paid workdays for Indian rural citizens. The coalition government he headed for a decade brought together politicians and parties with differing ideologies that were rivals in the country’s various states. In a move hailed as one of his biggest achievements apart from economic reforms, Singh ended India’s nuclear isolation by signing a deal with the U.S. that gave India access to American nuclear technology. But the deal hit his government adversely, with Communist allies withdrawing support and criticism of the agreement growing within India in 2008 when it was finalized. Singh adopted a pragmatic foreign policy approach, pursuing a peace process with nuclear rival and neighbor Pakistan. But his efforts suffered a major setback after Pakistani militants carried out a massive gun and bomb attack in Mumbai in November 2008. He also tried to end the border dispute with China, brokering a deal to reopen the Nathu La pass into Tibet, which had been closed for more than 40 years. His 1965 book, “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth,” dealt with India’s inward-oriented trade policy. Singh is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur and three daughters. Associated Press writer Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi contributed to this report.A long-withheld investigation into a 2019 hacking at LifeLabs Inc. that compromised millions of Canadians' health data has finally been made public after an Ontario court dismissed the company's appeal to prevent its release. A statement from the privacy commissioners of both Ontario and British Columbia says their joint report, completed in June 2020, found that LifeLabs "failed to take reasonable steps" to protect clients' data while collecting more personal health information than was "reasonably necessary." The report ordered LifeLabs to address a number of issues such as appropriately staffing its security team, and the commissioners' statement says the company complied with all of the orders and recommendations. LifeLabs had cited litigation and solicitor-client privilege to prevent the document's publication, but this was opposed by the commissioners' offices. The company then sought a judicial review in Divisional Court in Ontario before the case made its way to the Ontario Court of Appeal, where LifeLabs' appeal was dismissed. B.C. Information and Privacy Commissioner Michael Harvey says in a statement that "the road to accountability and transparency has been too long" for the victims of the data breach. "LifeLabs' failure to put in place adequate safeguards to protect against this attack violated patients' trust, and the risk it exposed them to was unacceptable," Harvey says. "When this happens, it is important to learn from past mistakes so others can prevent future breaches from happening. "But to learn from lessons, we need to share them." Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner Patricia Kosseim says in the statement that she is pleased with the court's decision to uphold the decision by her office "to help restore public trust in the oversight mechanisms designed to hold organizations accountable." In May, Canadians who applied to be part of a class-action lawsuit against LifeLabs began receiving cheques and e-transfers, with administrator KPMG saying more than 900,000 valid claims were received. An Ontario court had approved a total Canada-wide settlement of up to $9.8 million in the data breach, which allowed hackers to access the personal information of up to 15 million customers. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 25, 2024. Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press
Even before special counsel Jack Smith formally asked that his criminal cases against Donald Trump be dismissed, it was already guaranteed the president-elect would never see a jury. Smith on Monday dropped both the 2020 election subversion prosecution against Trump and the charges accusing Trump of mishandling classified documents. The special counsel stressed his decision was not about the strength of his case against Trump, but his reasoning hung on the Justice Department’s long-held belief that the Constitution prohibits prosecutions against sitting presidents. Even if prosecutors had believed that they could have kept the cases on life support into the second Trump presidency, the president-elect had already indicated that he planned to fire Smith and his team, a vow that breached the usual norms surrounding a special counsel investigation. Trump’s reelection this month was the straw that broke the back of a camel that had been buckling under slow-walking courts and novel legal arguments. Smith’s filings suggested he could bring the charges again, though Trump may seek to foreclose that possibility by pardoning himself – an unprecedented move. Also looming over Trump’s second term is the Republican’s promises to go after those who prosecuted him, a vow echoed by his pick for attorney general. Here are takeaways from Smith’s move to seek the cases’ dismissal and how his prosecutions got to this point: Trump’s reelection earlier this month ensured that his federal criminal cases would face an early end. The former president vowed during his campaign to fire Smith if voters sent him back to the White House – a move at odds with how other presidents have handled special counsels. “Oh, it’s so easy. It’s so easy,” Trump said in October when asked by conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt whether he would “pardon yourself” or “fire Jack Smith” if reelected. “I would fire him within two seconds.” In the end, though, Trump didn’t need to sack the special counsel to kill the two cases. He was already benefiting from a legal strategy of delay that made sure no trials got underway before Election Day – which ultimately forced Smith’s hand. A few days after Trump’s reelection, the special counsel asked the judge overseeing the DC case to pause deadlines in that matter so his team could assess how to move forward with the unprecedented prosecution. Nearly three weeks after Election Day, he submitted his filings to the courts in DC and Florida. The president-elect, meanwhile, has repeatedly promised to seek political retribution against Smith and others whom he believes have unfairly pursued him during his four years out of office. His pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi , appears ready to be a loyal foot soldier in those efforts. “The Department of Justice, the prosecutors will be prosecuted — the bad ones,” Bondi, who served for a time as Florida’s attorney general, said in a TV appearance in August 2023. “The investigators will be investigated. Because the deep state, last term for President Trump, they were hiding in the shadows. But now they have a spotlight on them, and they can all be investigated,” she added. Before Trump takes his oath of office next year, Smith plans to release a final report as required by law on his investigations into Trump, a source familiar with the matter tells CNN. Attorney General Merrick Garland is expected to publicly release it, as he has with past special counsel reports. But it’s unclear how much new information would be included, especially in the election subversion case, where Smith recently filed hundreds of pages of legal arguments and evidence gathered for that prosecution. If part of what happened was that Smith simply ran out of time to pursue the case against Trump, then the six-justice conservative majority on the Supreme Court had a key role to play in slowing things down. The high court granted Trump sweeping immunity from criminal prosecution for official actions in a highly anticipated 6-3 decision that was handed down in July, limiting the special counsel’s ability to move forward. Some of Trump’s critics slammed the decision itself , but others faulted the court for the time it took to deliver it. It was clear that several conservative justices saw the ruling not as a gift to Trump but as a way to head off spiraling and potentially politically motivated prosecutions. While the court’s decision may ultimately meet that goal, the ruling is also widely viewed as removing a check on presidents. Chief Justice John Roberts, a conservative, wrote that Congress couldn’t criminalize a president’s conduct when he is “carrying out the responsibilities of the executive branch.” Justice Sonia Sotomayor, a liberal, warned in dissent that the decision would set up future presidents to be “a king above the law.” The Supreme Court initially denied Smith’s effort to resolve the immunity questions in December – allowing the normal process to play out with a federal appeals court wading in first. Two months later, in mid-February, after the appeals court ruled in Smith’s favor, it was Trump who asked the justices to review the question of presidential immunity. The court granted the case in February but did not hear arguments until the end of April. It handed down its decision on the final day of its term, on July 1. And the case was finally returned to the trial-level court in DC in August. The election subversion case was always expected to face years of litigation over the questions it raised about criminalizing acts taken by a sitting president. But the case in which Trump was accused of mishandling national defense information – was viewed as a much more straightforward prosecution, for how it focused on Trump’s post-presidency conduct and dealt with a well-established area of law. Trump, however, hit the jackpot with the assignment of that case to Judge Aileen Cannon, an appointee of his with little trial experience who had already treated the investigation with remarkable hostility when she oversaw pre-indictment lawsuit Trump brought challenging the FBI’s search of his Florida Mar-a-Lago resort. Cannon threw a number of wrenches into the prosecutors’ case before dismissing it entirely this summer on the grounds that Smith was unlawfully appointed. Her handling of the charges was widely panned by legal experts, and her dismissal ruling as set for review by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals until those deadlines were postponed with Trump’s win. Notably, Smith is not ending the Justice Department’s pursuit of the two Trump employees, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, who were charged with allegedly assisting their boss in efforts to hinder the federal probe. What to do next in the case will be a question for the incoming Trump Justice Department. While Trump might want to have the charges against his allies dropped, the DOJ will have to balance that against an institutional desire to wipe off the books a dismissal ruling that could undermine special counsel investigations in the future. In both of his cases against Trump, Smith said he was dropping the charges against the president-elect “without prejudice,” which in theory would keep open the door for charges to be brought again in the future. While pointing to the immunity Trump was about to receive by reentering the White House, Smith repeatedly said characterized that immunity as “temporary.” Smith’s filing in the election subversion case in Washington, D.C., included a longer discussion of how he had come to the decision to drop that case, where he had to weigh the longstanding DOJ position barring prosecutions of sitting president against the principle that no man is “above the law.” Smith said he consulted with DOJ lawyers on the question, and they also weighed the possibility of pausing the case until Trump no longer had the immunity of the presidency protecting him. Ultimately, however, the Department’s Office of Legal Counsel concluded that the prohibitions on prosecuting sitting presidents is “categorial,” including for indictments handed up before a defendant enters office, Smith said. Monday’s move by Smith will likely bring attention – and perhaps criticism – to the Justice Department’s views, which have not yet been tested directly by courts. Smith’s dismissal filings bring to a close a chapter for the criminal attorneys who were mostly successful in staving off the criminal prosecutions against Trump. But a new chapter has already opened for several members of the Trump legal team who have already been rewarded with plum positions in his incoming administration. Todd Blanche, who played a central role in the DC prosecution and in other Trump cases, has been tapped by Trump for the DOJ’s No. 2 role, deputy attorney general. John Sauer, who argued the immunity dispute on Trump’s behalf before the Supreme Court, has been selected by Trump to be U.S. solicitor general, the federal government’s top lawyer before the high court. Both positions are subject to Senate confirmation. Additionally, Trump announced that another member of his personal legal team, Emile Bove would serve as acting deputy attorney general while Blanche was waiting for confirmation and then move to principal associate deputy attorney general, a position that does not go before the Senate.Mikel Arteta hailed the best away European performance of his Arsenal reign after watching his side dismantle Sporting Lisbon 5-1. The Gunners delivered the statement Champions League victory their manager had demanded to bounce back from a narrow defeat at Inter Milan last time out. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard got their continental campaign back on track, lifting them to seventh place with 10 points in the new-look 36-team table. It was Arsenal’s biggest away win in the Champions League since beating Inter by the same scoreline in 2003. “For sure, especially against opposition we played at their home who have not lost a game in 18 months – they have been in top form here – so to play with the level, the determination, the purpose and the fluidity we showed today, I am very pleased,” said Arteta. “The team played with so much courage, because they are so good. When I’m watching them live they are so good! They were all exceptional today. It was a big performance, a big win and we are really happy. “The performance was there a few times when we have played big teams. That’s the level that we have to be able to cope and you have to make it happen, and that creates belief.” A memorable victory also ended Sporting’s unbeaten start to the season, a streak of 17 wins and one draw, the vast majority of which prompted Manchester United to prise away head coach Ruben Amorim. The Gunners took the lead after only seven minutes when Martinelli tucked in Jurrien Timber’s cross, and Saka teed up Havertz for a tap-in to double the advantage. Arsenal added a third on the stroke of half-time, Gabriel charging in to head Declan Rice’s corner into the back of the net. To rub salt in the wound, the Brazilian defender mimicked Viktor Gyokeres’ hands-over-his-face goal celebration. That may have wound Sporting up as they came out after the interval meaning business, and they pulled one back after David Raya tipped Hidemasa Morita’s shot behind, with Goncalo Inacio netting at the near post from the corner. But when Martin Odegaard’s darting run into the area was halted by Ousmane Diomande’s foul, Saka tucked away the penalty. Substitute Trossard added the fifth with eight minutes remaining, heading in the rebound after Mikel Merino’s shot was saved. A miserable night for prolific Sporting striker Gyokeres was summed up when his late shot crashed back off the post.The majority of British families say fixing the country’s broken NHS should be top of Keir Starmer ’s list of priorities, according to an exclusive poll for the Mirror . Almost two-thirds (64%) of people put fixing the health service in their top three priorities - ahead of money worries, immigration and cutting crime. Some 54% put controlling the cost of living in their top priorities, which was also some way ahead of the 34% who selected reducing immigration and the 33% who chose growing the economy. After this, only a fifth (20%) of people put cutting crime in their most important priorities, while 12% put helping the environment and tackling climate change. Some 9% thought rejoining the EU was a top priority, while 8% respectively said improving education standards and increasing defence spending was. Unions representing NHS staff and health experts said it was “no surprise” the public wants action to fix the health service after years of “shameful neglect” under the Tories. They warned ministers they must “heed the message” from people across the country and put the NHS at the forefront of its thinking in 2025. The NHS is currently being hit by a “tidal wave of flu” as winter bugs hit the health service over the festive period. More than one in 10 patients waited longer than 12 hours for treatment in A&E in November - and experts have warned the dangerous waits could cause more than 14,000 deaths this year. And more than 7.5million people are still languishing on the NHS backlog waiting for hospital procedures or appointments. Overworked doctors and nurses are continuing to leave the profession in their droves as they struggle with poor pay and working conditions. At the start of the month NHS workers responded with fury after ministers proposed a 2.8% pay rise. Nurses said the “offensive” pay rise was worth as little as £2 extra a day - “less than the price of a coffee” - while Unison warned waves of strikes in the NHS could return again next year. Meanwhile the Tories’ plans to build 40 new hospitals have been delayed with patients left to be treated in crumbling, dilapidated buildings. Rachel Harrison, GMB national secretary, said: “It’s no surprise the public are right behind rescuing the NHS from the crisis it’s faced for years. Our health service and the workers that keep it running are there for us and our families when we need them the most.” But she warned that the health service is currently “in the midst of a terrible winter crisis” and told ministers their plans to fix the NHS must come with addressing workforce challenges, including “staffing shortages linked to retention issues and sickness due to burnout”. Professor Nicola Ranger, the Royal College of Nursing’s general secretary and chief executive, said health workers “know only too well of the pressures facing services and will be heartened to hear the public have their support and share their concerns”. She continued: “Today ambulances are dropping patients at the front door of hospitals when the beds are full and there is no social care to take the strain. Patients are routinely being treated in corridors as staff are regularly being forced to comprise care just to make room. “As we head towards the new year those in government would do well to heed the message from the public and invest in the nursing workforce so those on the front line can give patients the treatment they deserve.” Rory Deighton, director of the acute network at the NHS Confederation, said the polling shows that the public “is acutely aware of the immense pressure facing the NHS”. He went on: “October saw record demand in A&E departments, and as winter sets in, the flu surge is only adding to the strain on an already stretched system. "To respond to public concerns and ensure the NHS is properly supported next winter and beyond, the government’s ten-year plan must address the root causes of this pressure. “Key to this is investing in social care, not only to free up hospital beds but also to shift more care closer to people’s homes. With rising demand and increasingly complex cases, social care can help ease the burden on hospitals and improve patient flow." Be the first with news from Mirror Politics BLUESKY: Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here . And follow our Mirror Politics team here - Lizzy Buchan , Jason Beattie , Kevin Maguire , Sophie Huskisson , Dave Burke , Ashley Cowburn , Mikey Smith POLITICS WHATSAPP: Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here . We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you want to leave our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . NEWSLETTER: Or sign up here to the Mirror's Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox. PODCAST: And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell , hosted by the Mirror and the Express every Thursday. Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrat health and social care spokeswoman, said: “It should come as no surprise that the public are demanding action on our NHS after years of the previous Conservative government’s shameful neglect. The new government should listen to the public and realise that rescuing our health service is the greatest challenge facing this country and make it their driving focus.” She also emphasised that the Labour government must start with “recognising that you cannot fix the NHS without fixing social care”, adding: “Until that happens we will continue to see sky-high waiting lists and patients going through unnecessary misery.” Health Secretary Wes Streeting last weekend admitted he felt a “combination of pride and shame” when he visited A&Es and saw heroic staff working hard but at the same time elderly people waiting for sometimes 30 hours on a trolley in a corridor. The Cabinet minister has declared the NHS “broken but not beaten” and has been clear about the challenges ahead for the health service. Speaking to the Mirror on Thursday night, Mr Streeting said: “We share the immense pride and value that the British public feels towards the NHS, which is why fixing the NHS is a key mission within our Plan for Change. “That’s why we’re focused on slashing huge waiting lists we have inherited so people can be seen faster and through our 10-Year-Plan we will make the crucial reforms to make our healthcare service work better for everyone. We have already made progress, and are backing wider improvements in the NHS with a record £22billion investment in day to day spending, with a further £3billion capital spending which will include hospital repairs and new equipment.” The government's 10-year health plan will be published in Spring 2025 and will be underlined by three big shifts in healthcare - hospital to community, analogue to digital and sickness to prevention. In Labour’s October Budget the government announced a £22.6billion boost to day-to-day spending for NHS England and £3.1billion to spend on capital projects like buildings. It was the largest increase since 2010, outside of the Covid pandemic. The cash will be used to fund 40,000 elective appointments per week. And in the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change speech at the start of the month, Mr Starmer set a target for 92% of patients to wait no longer than 18 weeks from being referred to starting treatment for non-urgent health conditions. The NHS already has this target but it hasn’t been met for years. Ministers said they want to harness the power of technology , including the use of the NHS App, to “transform patients’ experience of care” and help deliver the milestone. The public are invited to submit ideas on improving the health service on the Change NHS online platform. More than 10,000 suggestions have already been made about the future of the NHS. ::: Deltapoll interviewed 1,552 British adults online between December 19 to 23. The data have been weighted to be representative of the British adult population as a whole.
This is the first in a two-part series about the tariffs likely to be levied on China during Donald Trump’s second term as US president. This part examines the state of trade and taxation from the Americans’ point of view, while part two explores China’s side of the story. When Robert Lighthizer speaks of his early life – spent in a once-thriving industrial town deep in the American rust belt – the long-time Donald Trump ally makes it clear his commitment to reviving domestic manufacturing is as personal as it is political. Having shaped trade policy during Trump’s first term as president, the former United States Trade Representative (USTR) views reindustrialization – and wiping out what he sees as China’s edge in trade – as a patriotic mission and economic necessity. “We need substantial tariffs on China because they are an adversary, they’re taking advantage of us. Now we have to get that back to balance,” the 77-year-old lawyer said last month in a lengthy talk with the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI), a conservative educational non-profit. Now, as Trump prepares a return to the White House, a new era of economic policy driven by tariffs appears all but certain. Trump’s choice for commerce secretary, the investment banker Howard Lutnick, issued a full-throated defence of import duties in an October interview on finance broadcaster CNBC. “Tariffs are an amazing tool,” he said. “If we want to make it in America, tariff it.”
President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that he has selected Charles Kushner as his pick for ambassador to France. Mr Kushner is a real-estate developer and the father of Jared Kushner, husband of his daughter Ivanka Trump. Trump pardoned Mr Kushner during his first term, waving away a federal conviction in 2020. In a post to his social media site Truth Social, Trump said Mr Kushner is "a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests". The nomination appears to be the first administration position that Trump has formally offered to a relative since his re-election. Alongside many other presidential picks, ambassador appointments must be approved by a majority vote in the US Senate. It's not clear what role Mr Kushner's background might play in a confirmation hearing. The elder Kushner pleaded guilty to federal charges of tax evasion, campaign finance offences and witness tampering and was sentenced to two years in prison in 2005. Among the evidence presented in court, prosecutors said Mr Kushner targeted a brother-in-law who was cooperating with authorities against him. He hired a prostitute to seduce the man, intending to intimidate him by sending video footage to his wife - Mr Kushner's sister. Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, who ran against Trump in the latest Republican primary, prosecuted the case at the time and called it “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes” he had seen. Jared Kushner served as an advisor during the first Trump administration, when Trump extended a pardon to Charles Kushner in a batch of announcements that also included pardons for former campaign manager Paul Manafort and ex-adviser Roger Stone. In his announcement post on Saturday, Trump praised Jared Kushner's work and said he looked forward to working with Charles Kushner. "Together, we will strengthen America’s partnership with France, our oldest Ally, & one of our greatest!"Reilly scores 18 as Delaware downs Rider 72-66
Shopping stories are a dime a dozen this time of year but trust us, you'll want to pay close attention to this one. Kicking off five days early, Walmart's Black Friday sale is quickly becoming the sale of the season. Just because we're in the midst of the holiday gifting season, that doesn't mean you can't carve out time (and money) for yourself, too. After making it through the busiest time of year, you deserve a few personal indulgences, and Walmart’s Black Friday event is the perfect opportunity to check off your wish list while keeping your budget intact. Whether you're looking to upgrade your kitchen appliances or spruce up your backyard after the winter season, this retailer is stocked with all the affordable indoor and outdoor living essentials you could ask for. When it comes to indoor items, Walmart has you covered with discounted items for every corner of your home. Need a powerful vacuum to keep your floors spotless? Treat yourself to a convenient robot vacuum. Looking to add more cozy vibes to your home this winter? Pick up a sleek candle warmer to effortlessly (and stylishly) fill your space with your favorite scents. In the market for new bedding? You guessed it – this retailer has dozens of under-$100 options for you. As for outdoor essentials, Walmart has endless items to elevate your garden, patio, and backyard. Whether you've been dreaming of a brand-new grill or waiting for the right time to invest in a gazebo, Walmart's Black Friday sale is the best way to bring your visions for your outdoor space to life. We may be at the start of winter, but when spring rolls around, you'll be glad you prepared. Below, you can find our favorite discounted items from Walmart, from practical items to seasonal comforts.
ABILENE, Texas (AP) — Sam Hicks scored on a 53-yard run in the fourth quarter and finished with 171 yards on the ground to lead Abilene Christian to a 24-0 victory over Northern Arizona on Saturday in the first round of the FCS playoffs. The Wildcats (9-4), ranked No. 15 in the FCS coaches poll and seeded 15th, qualified for the playoffs for the first time and will travel to play No. 2 seed and nine-time champion North Dakota State (10-2) on Saturday at the Fargo Dome. The Bison had a first-round bye. Abilene Christian grabbed a 7-0 lead on its second possession when Carson Haggard connected with Trey Cleveland for a 37-yard touchdown that capped a 10-play 97-yard drive. Northern Arizona (8-5), ranked 17th but unseeded for the playoffs after winning five straight to get in, picked off Haggard on the Wildcats' next two possessions but could not turn them into points. NAU went for it on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line with 9:30 left before halftime, but Jordan Mukes tackled Ty Pennington for a 4-yard loss. That led to a 46-yard field goal by Ritse Vaes and a 10-0 lead at halftime. The score remained the same until Hicks' big run with 10:16 left to play. Haggard passed 6 yards to Blayne Taylor for the final score with 2:16 to go. Haggard completed 23 of 29 passes for 244 yards with three interceptions. Abilene Christian's defense allowed at least 20 points in every game during the regular season and yielded at least 30 six times. The Wildcats lost their season opener to FBS member Texas Tech 52-51 in overtime. Abilene Christian's last shutout came in a 56-0 victory over Lamar on Sept. 25, 2021. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
New York Giants star rookie wideout Malik Nabers (toe) missed practice Thursday and termed himself a game-day decision. He also is unsure if he will be able to participate on Friday. The Giants host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. "I'm hoping so, it all depends on how it feels tomorrow, that's really it," Nabers said Thursday. Nabers, 21, has been one of the few bright spots for the Giants and leads the team with 97 receptions for 969 yards and four touchdown catches in 13 games (12 starts). Selected sixth overall out of LSU, Nabers has caught 10 or more passes on three occasions but has just one touchdown catch over the past 10 games. Though the Giants (2-13) are mired in a franchise-worst 10-game losing streak, Nabers isn't down about the situation. "We're happy where we're at," Nabers said. "Continue to grow every day. A lot of things to fix, a lot of things we can look back on in our rookie year and continue to try to get better for next year." In addition to Nabers, running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle), center John Michael Schmitz (ankle), linebacker Micah McFadden (neck), cornerbacks Greg Stroman (shoulder/shin) and Dee Williams (toe) and safety Raheem Layne (knee) sat out practice Thursday. Quarterback Drew Lock (right shoulder) was a limited participant. --Field Level Media
Illness Don't miss out on the headlines from Illness. Followed categories will be added to My News. Every day for almost three years, Emily Morton has felt nothing but pain. Back in early 2022, the Adelaide woman had the entire world at her feet. The 28-year-old had just tied the knot with the love of her life, Andy, with the loved-up pair getting ready to start their own family. But then Emily noticed a strange nagging pain starting to emerge in her teeth. She visited a dentist, who could not see anything awry. Within days, the pain became excruciating, spreading to her entire mouth and both sides of her face. “Imagine having a dentist drill into every single one of your teeth 24/7 and there is nothing you can do to stop the pain,” Emily told news.com.au. Emily’s life has been turned upside down after her diagnosis. Picture: Supplied “I began experiencing electric shocks going through both sides of my face, triggered by anything that touched my face. “It would hurt when I smiled, talked and ate. All normal things. There are no words to describe this degree of pain. “It is like being struck by lightning, it makes you want to fall to the ground and scream.” After dentists and doctors were unable to diagnose her bizarre condition, Emily went through a series of brain scans and blood tests to try and get to the bottom of what she was experiencing. She was eventually diagnosed with atypical trigeminal neuralgia, a variant of classic trigeminal neuralgia. The condition affects the trigeminal nerve which carries signals from the face to the brain and can cause jolts of pain after even only light touching of an area of the face. Doctors have said it is one of the most painful conditions in the world. Picture: Supplied While it usually only involves one side of the face, Emily was experiencing pain all over. Doctors told her that it is the “most painful condition known to medicine” – and there is basically nothing they can do to help. The disorder earned the nickname of being the “suicide disease” as those who suffer it are in so much pain they often “wish they were dead”. Emily said there are still no real answers as to how or why she contracted it. She suffers constant pain due to her condition. Picture: Supplied “We have spent thousands of dollars trying to find a cause and an effective treatment for the pain,” she revealed. “We’ve travelled interstate and even overseas in an effort to get me some kind of quality of life. “It feels like a race against time to find out why. “The condition has taken everything from me. It takes over my entire existence. “My entire life is on hold while I search for something to give me relief. I just take it day by day and hold on to hope.” Her family and husband have been her biggest support. Picture: Supplied Emily’s life has turned upside down since her diagnosis, with her and her husband having to move back in with her mum as she is no longer able to work. She has already sought treatments in Sydney and Melbourne, with some costing her over $15,000 each. Emily even went as far as heading to Europe for alternative treatments, but to no avail. However, there is hope. A new type of neurosurgery is being offered in Australia called an MRI Guided Focused Ultrasound. She would be placed into an MRI machine where a groundbreaking technique delivers precisely focused ultrasound waves to a specific brain region called the Thalamus to interrupt pain signals. This has given her a 50/50 chance of finding some relief. Unfortunately it is so new that it is not covered by Medicare and would cost over $40,000 plus travel, and rehabilitation costs. She underwent different treatment trials but to no avail. Picture: Supplied Her sister Rachel has since set up a GoFundMe for Emily in the hopes of raising enough funds to undergo treatment. So far, they have raised a whopping $20,000. “I was blown away and so thankful to everyone who has donated, we are halfway to our goal,” she said. “I absolutely hope we can find a cure. In 2024, I believe there must be technology out there, somewhere, that can at least help. “My plan is then to dedicate my life to becoming a fierce advocate for people with invisible ‘mystery’ illnesses. Her husband Andy has been a huge support. Picture: Supplied Emily on her wedding day, before her diagnosis. Picture: Supplied “I want them to know that they are not alone, I want them to hope and trust in the science that is emerging, and I want us to come together and fight for better healthcare.” Emily hopes to find a cure in the future, but for now is just trying to appreciate the little things and taking life day by day. “People who have this condition are honestly some of the bravest people to walk this earth,” she said. “Usually it is diagnosed after the age of 50. For those that are young, it is utterly devastating. “While it is not a terminal illness, it does take away your life.” jasmine.kazlauskas@news.com.au More Coverage Tiny sign that lead to grim diagnosis Madeleine Achenza ‘I’m scared’: Rare disease does unthinkable Originally published as ‘Living hell’: Aussie’s battle with ‘suicide disease’ More related stories Health Exciting medical breakthroughs we can expect in 2025 Australian specialists, scientists and researchers are at the forefront of treatments that could change the lives of people all over the world. Here’s what 2025 has to offer. Read more Illness Night-time sign you should never ignore A doctor has explained a sound that as many as 70 per cent of us hear when we get into bed — and the sign it may be a problem. Read moreTrudeau government won't allow temporary relocations from Lebanon, immigration minister says‘That was not a nice feeling’ – Jude Bellingham explains why he ‘lost his smile’ playing for England