F1 expands grid, adds Cadillac brand and new American team for '26
Pedro Pascal is gearing up for the release of " Gladiator 2 ." As one of the biggest stars working in films and television today, Pascal has had first-hand experience with some of the world's best directors and filmmakers. He says nothing compares, in terms of scope, to the vision of Ridley Scott and the set of his Roman epic. It's easy to think of the Chilean-born Pascal as a Hollywood fixture. While his face now pervades franchises and epics, his story is that of a working actor, one who got his start with dozens of small credits in TV shows that defined eras, like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "The Good Wife," "Homeland," and more. Pascal's breakout famously came with "Game of Thrones." He appeared in the series' fourth season, at the height of Thrones' dominance over television, a pop culture moment that's been impossible to replicate since. While his role was small in the grand scheme of things, it launched his career. As of this writing, Pascal has been honored with some of the industry’s most prestigious recognitions. Last year, he made history as the Latino with the most Emmy nominations in a single year, receiving nods for his work in "The Last of Us" as lead drama actor, "Saturday Night Live" as guest comedy actor, and "Patagonia: Life on the Edge of the World" as narrator. His lead drama actor nomination was groundbreaking, marking the first time in over a decade that a Latino was nominated in the category, the last being Jimmy Smits in 1999 for "NYPD Blue". Pascal also celebrated a career milestone by winning his first Screen Actors Guild Award, a moment that deeply moved him. As the 49 year old actor accepted the award onstage, he reflected on his journey, sharing that he'd been a SAG member since 1999 and was incredibly honored to be rewarded by his fellow actors. Next year, Pascal is starring in "Fantastic Four: First Steps," a film that's expected to launch a new era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He's also a key cast member of "Gladiator 2," premiering this Friday. In a recent interview shared with HOLA! by the studio, Pascal opened up about his work with Ridley Scott, one of the world's most emblematic directors, and his friendship with the film's star, Paul Mescal. "Being on the set of a Ridley Scott film is unlike any movie experience I've ever had. And I mean that with complete sincerity" "I've been on incredible sets. I've been on the set of 'Game of Thrones,' I've been on the set of 'Star Wars.' Incredibly large productions. And I've not been on anything like 'Gladiator 2' and I'm not likely to be on anything like 'Gladiator 2.' again." King Charles meets 'Gladiator II' stars, including Pedro Pascal! Pedro Pascal opens up about the 'physical' toll of Gladiator 2; 'More challenging than it's ever been for me.' Pedro Pascal poses with the cast of 'Fantastic Four': First look "It's not done anymore," he says of Scott's approach to working, which relies on old-school filmmaking, filled with tangible objects and real explosions. Scott's sets are made up of large crews that don't rely on the aid of CGI for stunning sights, bombs, and stunt work, many of which abound in "Gladiator 2," a film that takes Roman excess to heart. "Ridley is the kind of director who insists that all the pieces be in place. He has multiple cameras going on at once so that all of the things are there in front of you," explains Pascal. "It is that kind of old school entertainment that does things that can only be done now in cinema" Pascal also described his admiration for his co-star Mescal, who's leading his first massive production after doing some critically acclaimed independent work. "I knew he would be my friend," he said. "And I was just sort of like, waiting. As soon as I got to Morocco, I was like, where's Paul?" "It couldn't have felt more safe and strangely dangerous to have an immediate connection with an actor so that we could beat the shit out of each other as best as possible," he said with a smile. "Audiences can expect to be incredibly entertained by Gladiator 2, like they were with the first movie. It is a powerful ensemble cast" More details about 'Gladiator 2' "Gladiator 2" is one of the most anticipated sequels ever. The original film, released in 2000, stars Russel Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Roman general who is betrayed and sold as a slave. With no other opportunities, Maximus becomes a gladiator, rising through the ranks of the arena in hopes of avenging the murder of his family. The sequel follows the story of Maximus' son, Lucius, played by Mescal , who becomes a gladiator after his home is invaded and he's taken in as a prisoner of war. Pascal plays General Marcus Acacius, a character that rapidly becomes Lucius' enemy. While Acacius is in many ways one of the film's antagonists, the role, and Pascal's performance, are imbued with layers. "One of my favorite things about the character is his context in terms of one of the original beloved characters of the first movie," explains Pascal. He describes Acacius as part of the "connective tissue" of the "Gladiator" universe. Similarities between Pascal and Marcus Acacius Pascal reflected on the similarities between himself and General Marcus Acacius. "The way that I'm similar to my character is that he's very loyal. And I believe myself to be a very, very loyal person, loyal to my friends and family." In terms of differences, Pascal had a very practical answer. "The difference being that I would never get into an arena with any actor more than 20 years younger than myself," he said with a smile. The physical toll of 'Gladiator 2' Pascal also discussed the preparation he took to be a part of the film, which involved a lot of fight scenes and physical effort. "I prepared for this role by training, mainly," he said. When it comes to character work, he tried to immerse himself in the work of Ridley Scott, something that turned out to be pretty enjoyable. "Instead of studying Roman history, I used it as an excuse to rewatch all of my favorite Ridley Scott movies. And to just let my imagination fill itself with his visual authorship of cinema. And to just kind of unconsciously deliver myself into his vision, be a set piece, and honor the movement of his visuals as best as I could." "It's not very actorly, but more kind of like... I know what instrument I am and make myself the best instrument for him to play." Then, with a laugh, he said "I just think about Ridley making myself a clarinet and Ridley just being like, this is Pedro, my clarinet." Pascal attended the London premiere with his sister, Lux Pascal , with both looking stunning in black outfits. Her companionship was unsurprising given how often he speaks of his family, in particular, of his positive relationship with his siblings. Last year, at the 2023 Oscars, Pascal attended the event with his older sister, the producer Javiera Balmaceda . The two have carved out their names in Hollywood, with her being featured as one of The Hollywood Reporters ' "Most Powerful Women Working on International Television," a title that Pascal proudly shared on his social media. As to how audiences can prepare for "Gladiator 2," Pascal makes it clear that theatergoers are in for an immersive cinematic experience. "Audiences can expect to be incredibly entertained," said Pascal. "It is a powerful ensemble cast led incredibly by Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington and Ridley Scott." "Gladiator 2" premieres in theaters this November 22nd in the US.
JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty has called on President-elect Donald Trump to address long-standing issues within the US air traffic control ( ATC ) system, underscoring the need for urgent staffing improvements and modernization. In a television interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday, Geraghty highlighted the severe shortage of air traffic controllers, a problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and compounded by retirements. This issue has particularly affected airlines operating in the New York area, including JetBlue. "I wish this administration would focus more on air traffic control," Geraghty said. "That has definitely been a meaningful pressure for JetBlue and other airlines." Air traffic controller shortages Geraghty underlined that the pandemic caused a backlog of air traffic controllers that is still putting stress on the aviation industry since it interfered with the employment and training of these professionals. In 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that the agency hired a record 1,811 controllers, the most in over 10 years, as part of its attempts to address the shortage, but Geraghty said the system is still under tremendous strain. In order to reduce delays in air traffic operations, she also emphasized the necessity of improved resource allocation, ongoing recruiting, and technology advancements. Geraghty said in the interview : "I'd love to see more hiring. I'd love to see more technology and ultimately improving the amount of the delays that come out of the air traffic control system in New York in particular, which is the hardest hit." However, Geraghty remains optimistic. She noted that, despite the ongoing challenges, the FAA is making progress in addressing the staffing shortage and investing in technological improvements. She has not yet met with members of the incoming administration but expressed hope that the new government would prioritize modernizing the nation's air traffic control infrastructure. GAO audit reveals FAA’s struggling systems The call for reform comes at a time when the FAA is under increasing scrutiny. On December 12, 2024, the General Accounting Office (GAO) published a fresh audit that challenges the agency's present capabilities. According to the GAO's conclusions , the safety and effectiveness of air travel in the United States are in danger because many of the FAA's fundamental systems are still antiquated and unsustainable. The audit found that 17 of the FAA's 131 systems are very problematic, and 51 of them are deemed unsustainable. If not fixed soon, these systems—many of which are essential to communication and aviation safety—run the risk of failing. Among the most pressing issues highlighted in the audit is the aging infrastructure of the ATC system, including the reliance on legacy technologies such as copper wiring for data transmission. Skies Magazine reported among other issues, the GAO pointed out that the FAA has no plans to upgrade any of its systems, including three that are 30 years old, and has not planned to modify several of them for at least ten years. Among these is the Notice Air Missions ( notam s) system, which gives aircrews on over 50,000 flights daily real-time weather, traffic, and safety information. In January 2023, issues led to a two-hour suspension of all leaving aircraft, which caused approximately 10,000 flights to be delayed and over 1,300 flights to be canceled. The FAA has 64 ongoing investments aimed at modernizing outdated systems, but as the GAO notes, these efforts have been slow-moving and inconsistent. Of particular concern is the agency's failure to prioritize the replacement of the most critical systems, which could pose risks to air traffic safety if not addressed soon. Industry concerns Industry leaders, including Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), have also expressed concern over the FAA’s slow progress. Ambrosi told Skies Magazine that pilots and air traffic controllers are often forced to rely on outdated equipment, undermining the potential of newer technologies designed to improve flight safety. ATC staff shortage is currently affecting many airports across the US. “The capabilities that have been implemented with NextGen have increased situational awareness and provided tools to help pilots make safe decisions through performance-based navigation, data, communication and ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast),” he noted.A bakery in Indiana is still using the 40-year-old Commodore 64 as a cash registerUtah Hockey Club shows its depth in win over Buffalo Sabres
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Police hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's masked killer after 'brazen, targeted' attack on NYC street NEW YORK (AP) — A gunman killed UnitedHealthcare’s CEO on Wednesday in a “brazen, targeted attack” outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, police said, setting off a massive search for the fleeing assailant hours before the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting nearby. Brian Thompson, 50, was shot around 6:45 a.m. as he walked alone to the New York Hilton Midtown from a nearby hotel, police said. The shooter appeared to be “lying in wait for several minutes” before approaching Thompson from behind and opening fire, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Police had not yet established a motive. “Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target,” Tisch said, adding that the shooting "does not appear to be a random act of violence.” Surveillance video reviewed by investigators shows someone emerging from behind a parked car, pointing a gun at Thompson’s back, then firing multiple times from several feet away. The gunman continues firing, interrupted by a brief gun jam, as Thompson stumbles forward and falls to the sidewalk. He then walks past Thompson and out of the frame. “From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. Hegseth fights to save Pentagon nomination as sources say Trump considers DeSantis WASHINGTON (AP) — A defiant Pete Hegseth fought to save his nomination to be Donald Trump's defense secretary Wednesday as the president-elect considered possible replacements in the face of growing questions about the former Fox News host's personal conduct and ability to win Senate confirmation. Hegseth met with legislators on Capitol Hill, conducted a radio interview and released an opinion article denying allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking. He insisted he was “not backing down one bit," that Trump was still supporting him and he planned to return Thursday for more meetings with lawmakers. But the president-elect's team was looking at alternatives including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump himself remained quiet about Hegseth while issuing a flurry of statements on social media Wednesday about other nominees and his news coverage. Hegeth, asked if he'd meet with Trump on Thursday, said he'd meet with him “anytime he'd like." Hegseth is the latest nominee-designate to be imperiled by personal baggage after the recent withdrawal of Trump’s initial pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose vulnerabilities were well-documented. But Hegseth’s past, including the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies, was not widely known. Supreme Court seems likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on medical treatments for transgender minors WASHINGTON (AP) — Hearing a high-profile culture-war clash, the Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed likely to uphold Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The justices’ decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people, including which sports competitions they can join and which bathrooms they can use. The case is being weighed by a conservative-dominated court after a presidential election in which Donald Trump and his allies promised to roll back protections for transgender people, showcasing the uneasy intersection between law, politics and individual rights. The Biden administration's top Supreme Court lawyer warned a decision favorable to Tennessee also could be used to justify nationwide restrictions on transgender healthcare for minors. In arguments that lasted more than two hours, five of the six conservative justices voiced varying degrees of skepticism of arguments made by the administration and Chase Strangio, the ACLU lawyer for Tennessee families challenging the ban. Peter Navarro served prison time related to Jan. 6. Now Trump is bringing him back as an adviser WASHINGTON (AP) — Former White House adviser Peter Navarro, who served prison time related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, will return to serve in Donald Trump’s second administration, the president-elect announced Wednesday. Navarro, a trade adviser during Trump’s first term, will be a senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, Trump said on Truth Social. The position, Trump wrote, “leverages Peter’s broad range of White House experience, while harnessing his extensive Policy analytic and Media skills.” The appointment was only the first in a flurry of announcements that Trump made on Wednesday as his presidential transition faced controversy over Pete Hegseth, Trump’s choice for Pentagon chief. Hegseth faces allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking and financial mismanagement, and Trump has considered replacing him with another potential nominee. As he works to fill out his team, Trump said he wanted Paul Atkins, a financial industry veteran and an advocate for cryptocurrency, to serve as the next chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He wrote on Truth Social that Atkins “recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before.” Trump also said he was changing course on his choice for White House counsel. He said his original pick, William McGinley, will work with the Department of Government Efficiency, which will be run by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy with the goal of cutting federal spending. Now David Warrington, who has worked as Trump’s personal lawyer and a lawyer for his campaign, will serve as White House counsel. Israeli strikes on a Gaza tent camp kill at least 21 people, hospital says KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli airstrikes tore through a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza on Wednesday, sparking fires and killing at least 21 people, according to the head of a nearby hospital, in the latest assault on a sprawling tent city that Israel designated a humanitarian safe zone but has repeatedly targeted. The Israeli military said it struck senior Hamas militants “involved in terrorist activities” in the area, without providing additional details, and said it took precautions to minimize harm to civilians. The strike on the Muwasi tent camp was one of several deadly assaults across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. An Israeli attack in central Gaza killed at least 10 more people, including four children, according to Palestinian medics. Israel’s devastating war in Gaza, launched after Hamas’ October 2023 attack, shows no signs of ending after nearly 14 months. Hamas is still holding dozens of Israeli hostages, and most of Gaza’s population has been displaced and is reliant on international food aid to survive. Israel is also pressing a major offensive in the isolated north, where experts say Palestinians might be experiencing famine. The Biden administration has pledged to make a new push for a Gaza ceasefire now that there's a truce in Lebanon between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah, ending more than a year of cross-border fighting. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump demanded this week the release of hostages held by Hamas before he is sworn into office in January. South Korean President Yoon's martial law declaration raises questions over his political future SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — President Yoon Suk Yeol’s stunning martial law declaration lasted just hours, but experts say it raised serious questions about his ability to govern for the remaining 2 1/2 years of his term and whether he will abide by democratic principles. The opposition-controlled parliament overturned the edict, and his rivals on Wednesday took steps to impeach him. One analyst called his action “political suicide.” Yoon’s political fate may depend on whether a large number of people in coming days take to the streets to push for his ouster. Here's a look at the political firestorm caused by the martial law declaration, the first of its kind in more than 40 years. Yoon's declaration of emergency martial law on Tuesday night was accompanied by a pledge to eliminate “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces at a single stroke.” He vowed to protect the country from “falling into the depths of national ruin.” Yoon, a conservative, cited repeated attempts by his liberal rivals in control of parliament to impeach his top officials and curtail key parts of his budget bill for next year. French lawmakers vote to oust prime minister in the first successful no-confidence vote since 1962 PARIS (AP) — France’s far-right and left-wing lawmakers joined together Wednesday in a historic no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes that forces Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet members to resign, a first since 1962. The National Assembly approved the motion by 331 votes. A minimum of 288 were needed. President Emmanuel Macron insisted he will serve the rest of his term until 2027. However, he will need to appoint a new prime minister for the second time after July’s legislative elections led to a deeply divided parliament. Macron will address the French on Thursday evening, his office said, without providing details. Barnier is expected to formally resign by then. A conservative appointed in September, Barnier becomes the shortest-serving prime minister in France’s modern Republic. White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that the number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. The U.S. believes that the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. Harris found success with women who have cats, but Trump got the dog owner vote: AP VoteCast WASHINGTON (AP) — The lead-up to the 2024 election was all about cat owners. But in the end, the dogs had their day. President-elect Donald Trump won slightly more than half of voters who own either cats or dogs, with a big assist from dog owners, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. Dog owners were much more likely to support the Republican over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Cat owners were split between the two candidates. About two-thirds of voters said they own a dog or cat, but pet owners don't usually get much attention from politicians. This year, however, past comments by Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, about “childless cat ladies” briefly became a campaign issue — and Taylor Swift signed her Instagram endorsement of Harris in September as “Taylor Swift Childless Cat Lady.” Harris did end up decisively winning support from women who owned a cat but not a dog. Still, those voters were a relatively small slice of the electorate, and pet owners as a whole did not seem to hold Vance's remarks against the GOP ticket. Childless or not, women who only owned a cat were more likely to support Harris than were dog owners, or voters who had a cat and a dog. About 6 in 10 women who owned a cat but not a dog supported Harris, according to AP VoteCast. She did similarly well among women who did not own either kind of pet.Share this Story : NAC CEO Christopher Deacon to step down Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links Local Arts News Local News NAC CEO Christopher Deacon to step down Christopher Deacon, 66, has decided not to renew his contract when it expires on Dec. 3, 2025 Get the latest from Lynn Saxberg straight to your inbox Sign Up Author of the article: Lynn Saxberg Published Nov 25, 2024 • Last updated 35 minutes ago • 2 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account. National Arts Centre president and CEO Christopher Deacon will step down at the end of 2025. Photo by Tony Caldwell / POSTMEDIA Article content Christopher Deacon, the man who led the National Arts Centre through a six-year stretch of ups and downs that included its 50th-anniversary celebrations, the launch of the country’s first national Indigenous theatre company and a global pandemic, is leaving his job as president and CEO of the multi-disciplinary arts facility in downtown Ottawa. Deacon, 66, has decided not to renew his contract when it expires on Dec. 3, 2025, the NAC announced in a release. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. 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Activate your Online Access Now Article content “Being the NAC’s CEO allows me to serve Canada’s artists and audiences and it’s the best job I could dream of having,” Deacon said in the statement. “Through 2025, I will continue to lead the NAC team as it presents a spectrum of wonderful shows and events, while planning an ambitious future.” After a nation-wide search in 2018, Deacon became the first person from within the organization to be appointed to the institution’s top job. “Few people know the NAC as well as Christopher Deacon,” said Adrian Burns, then-chair of the NAC board of trustees, at the time. Born in Montreal and raised in Aylmer, the bilingual Deacon first joined the NAC in 1987 as the orchestra’s tour manager. “I was convinced it would be just for a year or two because who wants to come back to where your parents are,” Deacon said in an interview with this newspaper when he became CEO. Instead, he rose to become the orchestra’s managing director. “At a certain point, I got really hooked,” Deacon added. “When I became managing director of NACO, the first big job I had to do was recruit as music director Pinchas Zukerman, and if that doesn’t get you addicted to music forever, nothing will.” Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Deacon took over from the late, legendary Peter Herrndorf, who was credited with transforming the NAC into an artistically vibrant and financially viable entity after the challenges of the 1990s. During his tenure, Deacon has championed diversity efforts, promoted bilingualism and embraced digital initiatives, particularly during the pandemic when live performances were shut down. Some of the projects he supported included the Grand Acts of Theatre series and the #CanadaPerforms livestreaming partnership with Facebook. He has also been an advocate for the mental-health benefits of the performing arts, a focus that became sharper in the era of COVID-19. “It’s been a difficult year,” he said in 2020. “The risk of a little too much solitude is something that I feel keenly and so I see this season as a re-embracing of the magic of the live experience. “But the magic only works when the audience is there to put themselves in the shoes of the main character or performer on stage, and to empathize and identify with that story. That’s a very powerful experience, and a great psychic and spiritual exercise.” The NAC board of trustees will begin a search for a new president and CEO in the coming months. (With files from Peter Hum) lsaxberg@postmedia.com Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Recommended from Editorial Deachman: Ottawa Public Library art must not be left orphaned What’s new at art galleries in Ottawa, from the National Gallery of Canada to artist-run studios Article content Share this article in your social network Share this Story : NAC CEO Christopher Deacon to step down Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Comments You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments. Create an Account Sign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Trending Ottawa weather: freezing rain likely on the way News Downtown Ottawa office occupancy still low despite hiked presence of public servants Public Service Old knee injury no reason to avoid Sunday shifts: labour relations board News Senators searching for help on defence after loss of Artem Zub long-term Ottawa Senators Ottawa Senators coach Travis Green comes to defence of captain Brady Tkachuk Ottawa Senators Read Next Latest National Stories Featured Local Savings
The No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions (11-1), led by quarterback Drew Allar, meet the No. 1 Oregon Ducks , led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel, (12-0) in the Big Ten Championship on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 (12/7/24) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. How to watch: Fans can watch the game for FREE via a trial of DirecTV Stream or fuboTV . You can also watch via a subscription to Sling TV . After your free trial: — DirecTV Stream is offering $30 off on Entertainment with Sports Pack featuring NFL RedZone, BIG Ten Network and more. — fuboTV plans start at $79.99 per month. — Sling TV is offering plans for as low as $20 for your first month. Here’s what you need to know: What: Big Ten Football Championship Game Who: Oregon vs. Penn State When: Dec. 7, 2024 Where: Lucas Oil Stadium Time: 8 p.m. ET TV: CBS Live stream: DirecTV Stream , fuboTV and Sling TV Channel finder: Verizon Fios , AT&T U-verse , Comcast Xfinity , Spectrum/Charter , Optimum/Altice , Cox , DIRECTV , Dish , Hulu , fuboTV , Sling . Here’s the AP capsule: Series record: Penn State leads 3-1. What’s at stake? Both teams look like locks for the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff field, so this game will be all about two things: Capturing a league title and postseason seeding. The winner probably gets a first-round bye and possibly the No. 1 overall seed while the loser probably settles for hosting a first-round game. Big Ten newcomer Oregon is chasing its first conference crown since winning Pac-12 titles in 2019 and 2020 and has the nation’s longest winning streak (13). Penn State’s last league title came in 2016. Key matchup Oregon run defense vs. Penn State ground game. Nittany Lions RBs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen have been a dynamic combination this year, rushing for a total of 1,431 yards and 12 scores. The emergence of TE Tyler Warren and backup QB Beau Pribula has added other elements to Penn State’s rushing attack. Oregon has been stout against the run all season, allowing just 112.2 yards per game (22nd in FBS). But if they struggle to contain Singleton and Allen, the Nittany Lions could keep the ball away from the Ducks’ offense — a potentially decisive twist. Players to watch Oregon: QB Dillon Gabriel. In a game featuring two of the nation’s most efficient quarterbacks, all eyes will be on Gabriel. The Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year has been the catalyst for Oregon’s high-octane offense. The 23-year-old and FBS career leader in total TDs (183) is playing in his first conference championship game. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of fellow Hawaiian star Marcus Mariota by leading the Ducks to a national championship game. Penn State: DE Abdul Carter. The athletic junior has been a menace to opponents all year, and the Nittany Lions need him to equally effective. Carter leads the Nittany Lions with 10 sacks, is tied for third in passes defensed (three) and is fourth in tackles (54). But stats don’t tell the whole story. His presence frees up others to make plays, which could be a key factor in slowing down the Ducks. Facts & figures This will be the first meeting in this series since Penn State completed its perfect season by winning the 1995 Rose Bowl 38-20. ... It also will be the first Big Ten title game that does not feature division champs. ... Oregon has been ranked No. 1 for seven straight weeks and was a unanimous choice this week. It also is the last remaining unbeaten FBS team this season. It’s the Ducks’ first 12-0 season since 2010 ... The Nittany Lions made only one other Big Ten championship game appearance, beating Wisconsin 38-31. ... ... Gabriel will be making his 62nd career start , an FBS record. He leads the league in yards passing (3,275) while WR Tez Johnson’s nine TD catches rank third in the conference. ... Warren broke the Big Ten’s single-season record for receptions by a tight end with 81. ... Oregon DEs Matayo Uiagalelei and Jordan Burch have combined for 19 sacks. ... Franklin’s next win will be his 100th in the 11 seasons since taking the Nittany Lions job. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.Mexico shares higher at close of trade; S&P/BMV IPC up 0.52%
NoneAn Ole Miss student exchanged messages with the man now on trial in his killing, police sayNEWCASTLE, England (AP) — Newcastle’s winning run in the English Premier League came to an abrupt end when goals from Thomas Souček and Aaron Wan-Bissaka gave West Ham a surprise 2-0 win at St. James’ Park on Monday. The Hammers rose into 14th place and the pressure on coach Julen Lopetegui was eased. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week
Surging Flyers take aim at Panthers, who may be without top goalieEnerpac Tool Group Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2025 ResultsTimothée Chalamet is an Oscar-nominated actor who has brought to life a diverse set of characters such as Willy Wonka , space saga messiah Paul Atreides in the "Dune" films , and even an embodiment of Bob Dylan in "A Complete Unknown," coming to theaters later this month. But he's not really known as much of a sports fan – evidently he follows the New York Knicks and Mets, The Sporting News says – so his selection as a panelist on ESPN's College GameDay Saturday may have seemed somewhat softball. Wrong. Add football analyst to Chalamet's resume because he wowed not only fellow panelists but also viewers with his picks and reasoning. Chalamet quickly got fellow panelists Pat McAfee and Kirk Herbstreit's attention with his first pick: Jackson State over Southern in the Southwest Athletic Conference championship. "I'm going Jackson State. Eight wins in a row. 11 all-conference players. It should be a comfortable easy win for them," Chalamet said. WNBA: Golden State Valkyries pick their players for 2025 in WNBA expansion draft. See list "This guy's a great actor," declared panelist Desmond Howard.Referring to Chalamet, Herbstreit added, "He said, 'I only got six picks. I'm bringing the heat.'" College GameDay's X account posted a highlight reel of Chalamet's picks and analysis on games ranging from the SWAC Championship to the SEC title game. "ELITE BALL KNOWLEDGE," the account noted. The actor maintained his moxie with his assessment of the Mid-American Conference championship matchup : Ohio University Bobcats vs. Miami (Ohio) RedHawks. "These teams are 2-2 in the last four matchups. The RedHawks' defense looks good but I'm looking at 4th year Bobcats quarterback Parker Navarro (who has a) 65% completion rate," Chalamet said. "If he can get going it will tilt this in favor of the Bobcats. I'm going underdog Bobcats here." Chalamet references 'movie dad' Matthew McConaughey Chalamet upset University of Georgia fans crowding around the GameDay set in Atlanta ahead of the afternoon's SEC Championship game when he chose the University of Texas Longhorns over the Bulldogs. "You know it's hard to beat the same team twice," he said, referring to Georgia's 30-15 win over Texas two months ago. "Adjustments are made. It's like a game of chess," Chalamet continued. "(Former Alabama) Coach (Nick) Saban knows this better than anyone on this dais. Listen, I'm going with my movie dad (and "Interstellar" co-star Matthew) McConaughey," a noted Longhorns fan who often prowls the Texas sideline during games. 'I'm sorry to everybody here (in predicting) a Longhorns victory," Chalemet said, but showed a Hook 'em Horns sign with his right hand. Chalamet – who also put up $400,000 for the show's field goal challenge – certainly didn't disappoint viewers at home who quickly took to social media to pronounce the actor's football knowledge. Earlier this week when Chalamet's appearance was announced, many were skeptical. "That man has never watched a college football game in his life ..." posted one person on X. "You couldn't find a famous football fan that went to Georgia or Texas," another asked. The fact Disney owns ESPN and Searchlight Pictures, which is releasing "A Complete Unknown," was brought up as the obvious connection. "LISAN AL GAIB!" declared the College GameDay X account on Thursday. "Timothée Chalamet is joining us in Atlanta as this weekend's guest picker." After Chalamet's performance, many were happy to eat crow and Chalamet's name became a trending topic on X . "I’ve never been more wrong about anything in my life than I was about Timothee Chalamet college football knowledge. Im speechless. This guy knows ball," one viewer posted on X . Another noted that only Chalamet on the panel chose Ohio to beat Miami (Ohio) before the Bobcats went up big in the third quarter. Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider . What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day
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