555 slot machine New Delhi, December 7: As Monsignor George Jacob Koovakad (51), a priest from Kerala, is set to be elevated as Cardinal by Pope Francis, Prime Minister’s Office lauded the development "as a matter of immense pride for India". Koovakad will be elevated as Cardinal by Pope Francis at a function to be held at Vatican City on Sunday. Taking to X on Saturday, the Prime Minister’s Office said: "The Government of India sent a delegation led by Union Minister Shri George Kurian to witness this Ceremony. Prior to the Ceremony, the Indian delegation also called on His Holiness Pope Francis." PM Narendra Modi Sends Delegation to Vatican To Witness Monsignor George Jacob Koovakad’s Ordination As Cardinal. On Saturday while speaking to the media just before he was taking his immediate family who had come to see the elevation to have the customary meeting with the Pope, the smiling Koovakad said, “My parents and my close relatives have come for the function and we are going for the function when the Pope will receive all the guests. This is God’s will which I never expected. This elevation is a selection done by God. I owe this to all who made it possible. When I was sent here (in 2006), I was told by my respected seniors, that if it’s to learn the Bible, that can be done in Kerala itself, but since you are being sent to the Vatican it’s being done to learn things deeply.” Koovakad is attached to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Changanacherry and when elevated as a cardinal, he will become the sixth person from Kerala to occupy the post. The other five Cardinals in Kerala were bishops before being elevated to this exalted post in the Catholic Church. Russian President Vladimir Putin Lauds PM Narendra Modi, Says 'Investments in India Are Profitable, Russia Ready To Place Manufacturing Site in Country'. In the global Catholic Church, there are 232 active Cardinals at present and the numbers will go up to 253 after Koovakad and 20 others will be elevated. It’s this group of Cardinals who will be sitting together to elect the next Pope, whenever that time comes. Koovakad, currently based in the Vatican has the responsibility of organising the international travel schedule of Pope Francis. He joined the Vatican Diplomatic Service in 2006, after completing his formation at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. Born on August 11, 1973, in Thiruvananthapuram, Koovakad became a priest on July 24, 2004, and later pursued training for diplomatic service at the prestigious Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. In 2006, he began his diplomatic career at the Apostolic Nunciature in Algeria. He has served in Apostolic Nunciatures in Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and Venezuela. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 07, 2024 11:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).Emma Logan launches bespoke marketer consultancy

NonePolice arrested a 26-year-old man on Monday in the Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO after they say a Pennsylvania McDonald's worker alerted authorities to a customer who resembled the suspected gunman. The suspect, identified by police as Luigi Nicholas Mangione, had a gun believed to be the one used in Wednesday’s attack on Brian Thompson , as well as writings expressing anger at corporate America, police said. Here are some of the latest developments in the ongoing investigation: Mangione was taken into custody at around 9:15 a.m. after police received a tip that he was eating at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 85 miles (137 kilometers) east of Pittsburgh, police said. Mangione was being held in Pennsylvania on gun charges and will eventually be extradited to New York to face charges in connection with Thompson’s death, said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny. In addition to a three-page, handwritten document that suggests he harbored “ill will toward corporate America,” Kenny said Mangione also had a ghost gun , a type of weapon that can be assembled at home and is difficult to trace. Officers questioned Mangione, who was acting suspiciously and carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, as well as a U.S. passport, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. Officers also found a suppressor, “consistent with the weapon used in the murder,” the commissioner said. He had clothing and a mask similar to those worn by the shooter and a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching one the suspect used to check into a New York City hostel before the shooting, Tisch said. Kenny said Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco and that his last known address is in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mangione, who was valedictorian of his Maryland prep school, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a university spokesman told The Associated Press on Monday. He learned to code in high school and helped start a club at Penn for people interested in gaming and game design, according to a 2018 story in Penn Today, a campus publication. His social media posts also suggest that he belonged to the fraternity Phi Kappa Psi. They also show him taking part in a 2019 program at Stanford University, and in photos with family and friends at the Jersey Shore and in Hawaii, San Diego, Puerto Rico, and other destinations. The Gilman School, from which Mangione graduated in 2016, is one of Baltimore’s elite prep schools. Some of the city’s wealthiest and most prominent people, including Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., have had children attend the school. Its alumni include sportswriter Frank Deford and former Arizona Gov. Fife Symington. In his valedictory speech, Luigi Mangione described his classmates’ “incredible courage to explore the unknown and try new things,” according to a post on the school website. He praised their collective inventiveness and pioneering mindset. Mangione comes from a prominent Maryland family. His grandfather Nick Mangione, who died in 2008, was a successful real estate developer. One of his best-known projects was Turf Valley Resort, a sprawling luxury retreat and conference center outside Baltimore that he purchased in 1978. The father of 10 children, Nick Mangione prepared his five sons — including Luigi Mangione’s father, Louis Mangione — to help manage the family business, according to a 2003 Washington Post report. The Mangione family also purchased Hayfields Country Club north of Baltimore in 1986. On Monday, Baltimore County police officers blocked off an entrance to the property, which public records link to Luigi Mangione’s parents. A swarm of reporters and photographers gathered outside the entrance. Luigi Mangione is one of 37 grandchildren of Nick Mangione, according to his obituary. Luigi Mangione's grandparents donated to charities through the Mangione Family Foundation, according to a statement from Loyola University commemorating Nick Mangione’s wife’s death in 2023. They donated to various causes ranging from Catholic organizations to colleges and the arts. One of Luigi Mangione’s cousins is Republican Maryland state legislator Nino Mangione. A spokesman for the lawmaker's office confirmed the relationship Monday. Police said the person who killed Thompson left a hostel on Manhattan's Upper West Side at 5:41 a.m. on Wednesday. Just 11 minutes later, he was seen on surveillance video walking back and forth in front of the New York Hilton Midtown, wearing a distinctive backpack. At 6:44 a.m., he shot Thompson at a side entrance to the hotel, fled on foot, then climbed aboard a bicycle and within four minutes had entered Central Park. Another security camera recorded the gunman leaving the park near the American Museum of Natural History at 6:56 a.m. still on the bicycle but without the backpack. After getting in a taxi, he headed north to a bus terminal near the George Washington Bridge, arriving at around 7:30 a.m. From there, the trail of video evidence runs cold. Police have not located video of the suspected shooter exiting the building, leading them to believe he likely took a bus out of town. Police said they are still investigating the path the suspect took to Pennsylvania. “This just happened this morning," Kenny said. "We’ll be working, backtracking his steps from New York to Altoona, Pennsylvania,” Kenny said. Associated Press reporters Lea Skene in Baltimore and Cedar Attanasio in New York contributed to this report.

A discussion on the China-Myanmar intangible cultural heritage exchange was held in Yangon in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy to Myanmar and the National University of Arts and Culture (Yangon). The event took place in Yangon on 11 December and focused on the recent inclusion of the “Chinese Spring Festival – Social Activities Celebrating the Chinese People’s Traditional New Year Festival” and “Myanmar Traditional New Year – Thingyan” as UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. As cultural heritage shared by all of humanity, these two traditional festivals have been successfully inscribed on the World Heritage List, attracting widespread attention from the international community. During the discussion, delegates discussed the uniqueness of the intangible cultural heritage of the two countries, their preservation and utilization, and cooperation regarding China-Myanmar’s intangible cultural heritage. The discussion was attended by Mr Li Qianguo, Attaché of the Chinese Embassy to Myanmar, Dr Kay Thi Htwe, Rector of the National University of Arts and Culture (Yangon), and representatives from local education, media, culture, and tourism sectors. — ASH/TKO

Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with a full a dose of presidential pomp. And they held an impromptu meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymr Zelenskyy on a day that's mixing pageantry with attention to pressing global problems. The president-elect's visit to France is part of a global a celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral five years after a devastating fire. Macron and other European leaders are trying to win Trump’s favor and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Syrian insurgents reach the capital's suburbs. Worried residents flee and stock up on supplies BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents’ stunning march across Syria is gaining speed with news that they have reached the suburbs of the capital of Damascus. The government on Saturday was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels’ moves around Damascus were reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander. They came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions. The factions are by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. Trump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leaders NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is making threats, traveling abroad, and negotiating with world leaders. He has more than a month-and-a-half to go before he’s sworn in for a second term. But the president-elect is already moving aggressively to not only fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but also to try to achieve his priorities. In recent days, Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, two of the country’s largest trading partners. That led to emergency calls and a visit. And he's warned of “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas doesn't release the hostages still being held captive in Gaza. South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol has avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Most of Yoon's ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea. A survey suggests a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party. But the party also apparently fears losing the presidency to liberals. UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting opens a door for many to vent frustrations over insurance The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has opened the door for many people to vent their frustrations and anger over the insurance industry. The feelings of exasperation, anger, resentment, and helplessness toward insurers aren’t new. But the shooting and the headlines around it have unleashed a new wave of patients sharing such sentiments and personal stories of interactions with insurance companies. Conversations at dinner tables, office water coolers, social gatherings and on social media have pivoted to the topic. Many say they hope the new amplified voices can bring about change for companies often accused of valuing profits over people. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. The DNC chair candidates discuss Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and winning Latino voters SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Four Democrats are running for Democratic National Committee chair, looking to take on the task of reinvigorating a party demoralized by a second loss to President-elect Donald Trump. Others may still get into the race as Democrats reckon with what went wrong in the 2024 election, which saw Trump gain with nearly every demographic group in a decisive repudiation of the incumbent party. The 448 DNC members will elect a successor for outgoing Chair Jaime Harrison on Feb. 1. The party’s Rules and Bylaws Committee is scheduled to meet next week to approve rules for the contest. 100-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor recalls confusion and chaos during Japanese bombing 83 years ago PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The bombing of Pearl Harbor 83 years ago launched the United States into World War II. Two survivors are planning to return to the Hawaii military base on Saturday for a remembrance ceremony on the attack's anniversary. They are each over 100 years old. They will join active-duty troops, veterans and members of the public for a remembrance ceremony hosted by the Navy and the National Park Service. A third survivor was planning to join them but had to cancel due to health issues. The bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. An explosion destroys an apartment block in a Dutch city, killing at least 3 and injuring others THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An explosion and fire has rocked a neighborhood in the Dutch city of The Hague, killing three people and injuring other people and destroying several apartments. The cause of the disaster is unclear. Emergency authorities said four people were rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital. The mayor said rescuers were no longer looking for survivors but for eventual bodies, but could not specify how many people might still be unaccounted for. Residents of the northeastern neighborhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. Dutch authorities have deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to find victims. Do weighted blankets help you sleep better? Here's what to know NEW YORK (AP) — Weighted blankets are a popular choice to warm up in cold weather, but research on their effectiveness is limited. Such blankets come with extra heft in the form of glass beads, pellets or cotton. They're also more expensive than regular blankets. Scientists think the added pressure could calm the brain’s fight-or-flight response or signal the brain to produce what’s called the love hormone. There isn’t a ton of research on whether weighted blankets actually work, and the studies that do exist are on small groups. Experts say there’s no harm in giving them a try if you're willing to splurge.

Democrat Bob Casey concedes to Republican David McCormick in Pennsylvania Senate contest

The head of UnitedHealthcare's parent company acknowledged Friday that America's health care system is flawed ‒ and he pledged his company would help fix it. The promise comes several days after a man accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson said he was motivated by hatred of that system ‒ a hatred apparently shared by many people who have taken to social media in the days since the Dec. 4 killing. While UnitedHealthcare and its employees continue to grapple with grief over the loss of a "brilliant, kind man," Andrew Witty said in a New York Times op-ed , "...We also are struggling to make sense of this unconscionable act and the vitriol that has been directed at our colleagues who have been barraged by threats." And yet, wrote Witty, the CEO of UnitedHealth Group, "We know the health system does not work as well as it should, and we understand people’s frustrations with it." The online reaction: Health insurance CEO shooting unleashes Internet vitriol aimed at industry "No one would design a system like the one we have," Witty wrote, adding that the current health care system in the U.S. is "a patchwork built over decades." United's mission, he added, was to make the system better, and Thompson, who was raised on his family's Iowa farm, was committed to that mission. Thompson's legacy, Witty said, should be as someone whose ideas "were aimed at making health care more affordable, more transparent, more intuitive, more compassionate — and more human." Thompson's shooting, allegedly by Luigi Mangione , who reportedly mentioned UnitedHealthcare in writings found in his possession when he was arrested, set off a barrage of angry posts directed at health insurers, gatekeepers of the country's $4.5 trillion health care system. People posted their stories about denials for coverage, delays in care and other negative interactions with health insurers. Many of those posts were directed at UnitedHealthcare, one of the nation's largest insurance companies. The latest: Evidence against Luigi Mangione being heard by grand jury, reports say: Updates "I've been hearing for years now from people who have been so frustrated because of denials or delays of care, and this was an opportunity for people to vent and to take out their anger against someone who just became known to them all of a sudden," Wendell Potter, former CIGNA executive who became a whistleblower against the health insurance industry, told USA TODAY recently . That anger, Potter said, is "sadly misplaced." " The system is rigged against Americans who need care, people who have health insurance, and it is largely because of the role that Wall Street plays in our health care system," he said. Witty's op-ed, posted on the New York Times' website Friday morning, acknowledged that the factors that drive coverage decisions are not well understood by the public. "Health care is both intensely personal and very complicated," he wrote. "We share some of the responsibility for that. Together with employers, governments and others who pay for care, we need to improve how we explain what insurance covers and how decisions are made."None

The New Jersey Drone Mystery May Not Actually Be That MysteriousJASON Kelce's stunning appearance at a parking lot tailgate went viral on the Internet. The NFL legend was seen enjoying pre-game festivities with a familiar crowd before the Sunday Night Football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. The former offensive lineman Kelce retired from the NFL in March after 13 seasons with the Eagles, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and winning a Super Bowl during that span. The 37-year-old has been a cultural icon for Philadelphia fans and hasn't been afraid to continue to show his fandom for the NFL squad. Before the Eagles' contest in Los Angeles, Kelce was spotted at a tailgate party in the parking lot outside SoFi Stadium. A video showed Kelce dressed in a white shirt and jeans and joining a game of beer pong. Read More on Jason Kelce And his appearance was short but memorable. Kelce stepped up and made a shot on his very first try. The crowd collectively cheered and Kelce gave a fist bump to a Rams fan before walking away from the scene. The clip was posted by Kelce's podcast New Heights account on X which received over 137,000 views. Most read in American Football NFL fans were impressed with Kelce's beer pong performance. "LEGEND. what can’t he do?!?" one wrote. "Kelce did more than play football in college," another commented. "Just when I think I couldn't love Jason any more, he goes and does something like this," a third added. Kelce would be good luck for the Eagles as he got to see the team beat the Rams 37-20. Philly has won seven straight games and is currently 9-2 for the season. Kelce is a busy man as he joined ESPN this year and is part of the Monday Night Countdown team. Last week, he confirmed during The Jimmy Kimmel Show that he will be a late-night TV host for ESPN . Read More on The US Sun The program will be called They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce and will air on Friday nights in January. Kelce's new career venture comes as he hosts the New Heights podcast alongside his brother Travis which airs every Wednesday.FBI investigating a rise in cryptocurrency scams as popularity rises

NoneNo. 16 Iowa State falls short in Big 12 title game again, this time with CFP at stake

The manager of a downtown Nelson business that first opened over 50 years ago says it lost all of its inventory after a fire was set outside its building in November. Nature's Health, which sells health products and supplements, has been closed since Nov. 21 when a pallet was set on fire in an alley outside its building at 461 Josephine St. The fire spread through the rear exterior stairs and destroyed three lower level rooms as well as a washroom. Although the fire didn't make it upstairs to the storefront, smoke seeped in and destroyed all of the stock. Nature's Health manager Fred Tarasoff said prior to the fire, the business had stocked up for its busiest months of the year that happen to be November, December and January. “It was really sad to see, because a lot of it seemed in really good shape. But when it comes down to smoke, it can penetrate through a lot of plastics and it was deemed that most of it was unsalvageable and unsellable.” Nature's Health is one of Nelson's oldest businesses. The store was started by Fred Tarasoff's father John in 1970 or 1971, with its first tiny storefront at Ward and Baker Streets. Fred first started working at the store when he was about eight years old, and now manages it with his brother Tom and sister-in-law Kathy acting as owners. The loss of their business right as the holiday season was beginning has been difficult for the family to cope with. “It's been a lot of ups and downs," said Fred. "I think initially I described it as sort of the stages of loss or grief that we've gone through, everything from anger to sadness to grief to you name it.” Nature's Health is currently being gutted ahead of a restoration company's arrival. Fred said the landlord supports their return, which he admitted wasn't a sure thing in the days after the fire. But now Fred says it is likely Nature's Health will reopen next year, possibly in April at the earliest. He credited community support for helping his family decide to rebuild. “A lot of these customers have become really very close to us. It’s almost like our family in some ways. A lot of them are now adults but came to my dad’s store as toddlers, and now they’re bringing their toddlers into this store.”Dow Jones futures, along with S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures, were little changed ahead of Tuesday's stock market open. Stock market leaders ( ), ( ), ( ) and ( ) sold off sharply on the day, while ( ) fell to a key support level. Artificial intelligence giant ( ) tumbled more than 6% in extended trading after the company missed earnings and sales estimates late Monday. Oracle shares are set to open at their 50-day line if this weakness persists into Tuesday morning. Other key earnings movers include ( ) and ( ). Shares of C3.ai surged nearly 14%, while jumped 9.5% in extended trading. Later in the week, ( ), along with ( ) are scheduled to release earnings results. Also this week, inflation reports in focus will be Wednesday's expected consumer price index and the producer price index, due Thursday. These offer a preview of the core personal consumption expenditures — or PCE — price index, due on Dec. 20. The index is seen as the Fed's primary inflation gauge. Stock Market Today: Nvidia Slides On Monday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.5%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both dropped 0.6%. Nvidia sold off 2.6% Monday, closing right at the 10-week moving average line. That's a critical level to watch. A sharp rebound would place Nvidia stock in a new buy zone, while a decisive close below that level would be a key sell signal. ( ) ended a volatile session with a slight gain. The electric vehicle giant topped out Monday at 404.80, its highest price since November 2021 when Tesla stock traded as high as 414.50. Dow Jones Futures Today: Oil Prices, Treasury Yields Ahead of Tuesday's opening bell, Dow Jones futures, along with S&P 500 futures and tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 futures, were little changed vs. fair value. Remember that overnight action in Dow Jones futures and elsewhere doesn't necessarily translate into actual trading in the next regular stock market session. On Monday, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose to 4.19%. And oil prices climbed, as West Texas Intermediate futures settled around $68.20 a barrel. Remember that overnight action in and elsewhere doesn't necessarily translate into actual trading in the next regular session. AppLovin, Cava, MicroStrategy, Palantir Dive AppLovin plunged nearly 15%, snapping a six-day win streak Monday after the app-monetization company failed to be added to the S&P 500. ( ) and ( ) . On Friday, the stock topped out at 417.64, more than 350% above a cup base's 91.91 buy point. Cava broke dived 12.1%, closing below the 50-day line for the first time since August. Volume was nearly 200% above average. Bitcoin stock MicroStrategy tumbled 7.5%, as the traded below $96,600. MicroStrategy shares closed at their lowest level since Nov. 26. Palantir reversed from new highs to fall more than 5% Monday even after the of its contract with the U.S. Special Operations Command. What To Do Now Now is an important time to read amid the ongoing stock market action. Following Monday's session, be sure to check out and . , the team discussed the current trading conditions of the stock market rally. The market, or at least the Nasdaq, is to look stretched even after Monday's fall. It's not too concerning at this point, though it's a factor when considering to take some profits in extended stocks. An extended Nasdaq does increase the risks of new purchases. If the composite continues to pull back, new breakouts would likely fall into negative territory. Meanwhile, many extremely extended hot stocks could suffer sharp losses. An essential resource for daily breakouts is "Breaking Out Today" list. It shows stocks that are breaking out past buy points. Meanwhile, the MarketSurge "Near Pivot" list shows more stocks nearing buy points in bases. To find more stock ideas, check like , and . These features identify bullish patterns and buy points and are available to check every day.TORONTO (AP) — The Utah Hockey Club said players were forced to walk to their game against the Maple Leafs after their bus got stuck in Toronto traffic Sunday night. The team of team members walking to Scotiabank Arena, with player Maveric Lamoureux saying the bus was “not moving at all.” Several city streets had been closed during the day for the annual Santa Claus parade. The Maple Leafs by defeating Utah 3-2. The viral incident prompted Ontario Premier Doug Ford to call the congestion “embarrassing” and “unacceptable,” to address the city’s gridlock through bike lane legislation. It wasn’t the first time a Toronto visitor had to ditch their vehicle to make it to an event on time. In June, former One Direction band member Niall Horan had to walk through traffic to get to his concert at Scotiabank Arena. AP NHL:

NoneLaura Benanti Slams Zachary Levi For Exploiting Gavin Creel’s Death “For His Political Agenda”

We have talked here about fake weeks before, but as we close in on the final weeks of the year, this is about as fake as they come. Many of us are killing time until — or totally slammed in the lead-up to — flights, family, (fights), and festivities. And yet, the world is still going, and TV is still humming. Not only are there still plenty of shows still going ( Skeleton Crew , The Agency , and Creature Commandos , to name a few), there are new drops as well. Predictably, this time of year brings about a lot of premieres and finales in equal succession. We’ll be bidding adieu to some real titans: the ambitious if ineffective vampires of What We Do in the Shadows , the twisty fantasy of The Dragon Prince , and the goobers running the Cerritos in Star Trek: Lower Decks . Here’s all the best TV premieres and finales this week. Table of Contents New shows on Netflix The Dragon Prince season 7 New shows on Disney Plus What If... ? season 3 New shows on Hulu What We Do in the Shadows series finale New shows on Max Dune: Prophecy season 1 finale New shows on Prime Video Beast Games Secret Level season 1 finale New shows on Paramount Plus Star Trek: Lower Decks New shows on Netflix The Dragon Prince season 7 Genre: Animated fantasy Release date: Dec. 19 Showrunners/creators: Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond Cast: Jack DeSena, Paula Burrows, Sasha Rojen, and more The Dragon Prince is returning for a seventh and final season, and it brings with it the return of Aaravos, the Fallen Star — who, unfortunately for those who oppose him, is on a quest for vengeance. With Aaravos and Claudia hoping to destroy the cosmic order, it’s up to our heroes to save the world (and, maybe, sacrifice something they love to do it). New shows on Disney Plus What If... ? season 3 Genre: Alternate MCUniverses Release date: Dec. 22, with one episode; new episodes drop every day Showrunner/creator: Matthew Chauncey Cast: Jeffrey Wright, Hayley Atwell, Anthony Mackie, and more What if Storm got to wield Mjolnir? What if the Winter Soldier teamed up with the Red Guardian? What if Sam Wilson led an Avengers team made up of other MCU heroes, like Monica Rambeau and Moon Knight? That’s right, it’s another season of What If...? , Marvel’s show exploring the hypothetical alternate universes of the MCU. With the first episode premiering on Dec. 22, we get a new episode every day for nine days. New shows on Hulu What We Do in the Shadows series finale Genre: Vampire mockumentary Release date: Dec. 16 on FX; next day on Hulu Showrunner/creator: Paul Simms/Jemaine Clement Cast: Kayvan Novak, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, and more Your favorite Long Island vampires are hanging it up — or, at least, their mockumentary crews are. What will become of our beloved kooky vampires? With any luck, further eternal life and endless hijinks. Here’s hoping Jackie Daytona makes it out of here too. New shows on Max Dune: Prophecy season 1 finale Genre: High sci-fi Release date: Dec. 22 at 9 p.m. EST Showrunner/creator: Alison Schapker Cast: Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, and more The Sisterhood has certainly taken some licks this season. But leave it to Valya (Emily Watson) to find some way forward — at least, should the titular prophecy come to pass. Then again, what is truth and what is prophecy is the name of the game in Dune: Prophecy ; exactly what’s going to happen in the season 1 finale remains to be seen. New shows on Prime Video Beast Games Genre: Reality show Release date: Dec. 19, with two episodes Showrunner/creator: Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson Like any other reality show, Beast Games presents a bunch of people competing for a helluva prize pot — in this case, $5 million — via a series of competitions. Unlike other reality shows, this one comes from MrBeast, the YouTuber , and features 1,000 contestants. To those familiar with MrBeast’s channel , the hijinks here won’t be all that new. But now that they’re on TV, there’s certainly the chance for them to be... bigger, maybe even riskier . Secret Level season 1 finale Genre: Video game anthology Release date: Dec. 17 Showrunner/creator: Tim Miller The episodic video game anthology is wrapping up its first season already, with Secret Level ’s second batch of (seven) episodes dropping on Dec. 17. Tune in for glimpses of all-new video game worlds, all contained within their own poetic short film. New shows on Paramount Plus Star Trek: Lower Decks Genre: Goofy animated Star Trek Release date: Dec. 19 Showrunner/creator: Mike McMahan Cast: Jack Quaid, Tawny Newsome, Eugene Cordero, and more The long mission is coming to a close. What started as a scrappy animated Star Trek satire (of sorts) became many people’s favorite nu Trek of the bunch. Five seasons later, it will be fondly missed, even with many other voyages into the final frontier. Entertainment Polygon Picks TV What to Watch

Report: Chargers expect WR Ladd McConkey, LB Khalil Mack to play vs. RavensUS-Google face off as ad tech antitrust trial comes to close

Giants release quarterback Daniel Jones just days after benching him EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Daniel Jones era in New York is over. The Giants quarterback was granted his release by the team just days after the franchise said it was benching him in favor of third-stringer Tommy DeVito. New York president John Mara said Jones approached the team about releasing him and the club obliged. Mara added he was “disappointed” at the quick dissolution of a once-promising relationship between Jones and the team. Giants coach Brian Daboll benched Jones in favor of DeVito following a loss to the Panthers in Germany that dropped New York's record to 2-8. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. Week 16 game between Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers flexed to Thursday night spot The Los Angeles Chargers have played their way into another prime time appearance. Justin Herbert and company have had their Dec. 22 game against the Denver Broncos flexed to Thursday night, Dec. 19. Friday’s announcement makes this the first time a game has been flexed to the Thursday night spot. The league amended its policy last season where Thursday night games in Weeks 13 through 17 could be flexed with at least 28 days notice prior to the game. The matchup of AFC West division rivals bumps the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals to Sunday afternoon. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game for the 49ers with a shoulder injury SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will miss Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers with a sore throwing shoulder. Purdy injured his right shoulder in last Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Purdy underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage but the shoulder didn’t improve during the week and Purdy was ruled out for the game. Coach Kyle Shanahan said star defensive end Nick Bosa also will miss the game with injuries to his left hip and oblique. Left tackle Trent Williams is questionable with an ankle injury and will be a game-time decision. Red Bull brings wrong rear wing to Las Vegas in mistake that could stall Verstappen's title chances LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen is suddenly in jeopardy of being denied a fourth consecutive Formula 1 title Saturday night. Red Bull apparently brought the wrong rear wing to Las Vegas and GPS data showed its two cars to be significantly slower on the straights than both McLaren and Mercedes, which led both practice sessions. Red Bull says it doesn’t have a replacement rear wing in Las Vegas to fix the issue and little chance of getting two flown in from England ahead of the race. Lawyer says ex-Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller met with NCAA for hours amid gambling probe PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A lawyer for former Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller says the 22-year-old sat for a long interview with the NCAA amid an investigation into unusual gambling activity. But neither the lawyer nor federal law enforcement officials on Friday would confirm reports that a federal probe is now under way. Lawyer Jason Bologna says Miller cooperated because he hopes to play again. Miller was released last month after transferring to Virginia Tech. Temple President John Fry says the Philadelphia school has not been asked for any information from federal law enforcement officials. Caitlin Clark to join Cincinnati bid for 16th National Women's Soccer League team WNBA star Caitlin Clark has joined Cincinnati’s bid for an expansion National Women’s Soccer League team. Major League Soccer franchise FC Cincinnati is heading the group vying to bring a women’s pro team to the city. The club issued a statement confirming Clark had joined the bid group. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman has said the league plans to announce the league’s 16th team by the end of the year. The league's 15th team will begin play in 2026 in Boston. Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. Aaron Judge won't be bothered if Juan Soto gets bigger contract from Yankees than his $360M deal NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge won’t be bothered if Juan Soto gets a bigger deal from the New York Yankees than the captain’s $360 million, nine-year contract. Speaking a day after he was a unanimous winner of his second MVP, Judge says “It ain’t my money” and adds "that’s never been something on my mind about who gets paid the most.” Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Soto batted .288 with 41 homers, 109 RBIs and 129 walks in his first season with the Yankees, then became a free agent at age 26.

Article content Macy’s said an employee hid as much as $154 million in delivery expenses over a three-year period, prompting the retailer to delay the release of third-quarter earnings. Recommended Videos The New York-based department store chain — which also owns Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury — said in a news release Monday that a single employee was behind the false accounting entries, which date to the fourth quarter of 2021. The employee no longer works at the company. Macy’s estimates the employee hid $132 million to $154 million during a period when it had accrued approximately $4.36 billion in total delivery expenses. The company said there is no indication that it impacted its cash management or vendor payments. The retailer released preliminary financial results Monday showing that while net sales for Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury rose 1.4 per cent and 3.2 per cent, respectively, over last year, Macy’s dragged down the company’s overall net sales by 2.4 per cent, to $4.74 billion. Macy’s had been scheduled to release third-quarter results Tuesday, but said the report would be pushed to Dec. 11 to allow it to complete its independent investigation. The retailer’s stock price was down more than 3 per cent in late morning trading. Chief executive Tony Spring said in the news release that company values a “culture of ethical conduct.” “While we work diligently to complete the investigation as soon as practicable and ensure this matter is handled appropriately, our colleagues across the company are focused on serving our customers and executing our strategy for a successful holiday season,” he said. The development comes as the industry kicks off the biggest week of the crucial holiday shopping season. The National Retail Federation projects Americans will spend $979.5 billion to $989 billion in November and December, a 2.5 to 3.5 per cent increase over last year. RECOMMENDED VIDEO