Kylian Mbappe “can do better” manager Carlo Ancelotti insisted after the Real Madrid forward missed another penalty during his side’s loss to Athletic Club . Mbappe, 25, had a 69th-minute penalty saved by Julen Agirrezabala as Madrid went on to lose 2-1 at San Mames Stadium and lose ground in the La Liga title race. Advertisement It is the second consecutive spot kick that Mbappe has missed after being denied by Caoimhin Kelleher during Madrid’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League last week. Ancelotti said on Mbappe: “I haven’t spoken to him (Mbappe). We missed the penalty, but I don’t have to evaluate a player’s game by the penalty, sometimes they score and sometimes they don’t. He’s sad but we have to keep going. “He’s much more than at his 1%. He’s not at his best but we have to give him time. He has scored ten goals. He can do better, of course, and he is working on it.” Mbappe, who is yet to hit his best form at his new club after making the move from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, took to social media to comment on his miss from the spot. “Bad result,” he said. “A big mistake in a match where every detail counts. I take full responsibility for it. A difficult moment but it’s the best time to change this situation and show who l am.” Mbappe has scored 10 goals in 20 appearances but has often been deployed as a central striker, having previously excelled from the left in France. Jude Bellingham , who scored a penalty for Madrid during their 2-0 victory over Getafe on Sunday, stepped aside to allow Mbappe to take the spot kick on Wednesday evening. When asked about hit penalty takers, Ancelotti said: “When Vinicius (Junior) is there. He had usually taken them and he had all taken them well. There are three, Mbappé, Bellingham, and Vinicius.” “They both (Bellingham and Mbappé) spoke, today he took the responsibility to take it and it didn’t go well. This can happen.” The defeat is Real’s fifth of the season in all competitions and it leaves them in second place, four points behind league leaders Barcelona and a point above Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid are next in action against Girona on Saturday GO DEEPER Kylian Mbappe and France - what's happened? (Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)HOUSTON , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Applus+, a global leader in the Inspection, Testing and Certification sector, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Abyss Solutions (Abyss), a cutting-edge provider of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine-learning solutions for inspection and maintenance. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) capabilities through the integration of AI-driven technologies. By bringing together the extensive experience of Applus+ in NDT with Abyss' innovative AI algorithms and software platforms, this collaboration aims to revolutionize asset inspection processes, enabling faster, more accurate, and data-driven decision-making. "We are excited to partner with Abyss Solutions to unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence within inspection and testing," said Adam Alessandrino , Executive Vice President of the Pacific region at Applus+. "By integrating AI-driven technologies into our inspection processes, we are well positioned to deliver unparalleled value to our clients by enhancing efficiency, reliability, and safety." Through this partnership, Applus+ and Abyss will focus on developing AI-powered inspection solutions that enable predictive maintenance, asset optimization, and risk mitigation for clients across various industries, including oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, and infrastructure across the Pacific and South-East Asia "We are thrilled to collaborate with Applus+, a global leader in Inspection, Testing, and Certification services," said Gary Hill , Regional Director at Abyss Solutions. "By leading a disruption in the inspection industry, Applus+ is addressing challenges once considered unsolvable due to workforce shortages. We are excited to partner with them on this transformative journey." About Applus+: Applus+ is one of the world's leading and most innovative companies in the Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) sector, offering a broad portfolio of services and solutions for customers across various industries. Its solutions ensure that assets and products meet quality, health & safety and environmental standards and regulations, while also enhancing performance. Headquartered in Spain , the company operates in more than 70 countries and employs over 26,000 people. The Applus+ Group drives profitable revenue growth through sustainable services and digitalisation at all levels. About Abyss Solutions: Abyss is pioneering the future of inspection at scale, providing products and solutions that enables autonomous robots to capture and analyze data at an unprecedented level. Its industry-leading technology is pushing the boundaries of the possible, going beyond the status quo to deliver billions of dollars in risk reduction for some of the world's biggest companies. We've curated the brightest minds in autonomy who strive to help protect the world's most valuable assets and resources, delivering the insights needed to inform preventative maintenance programs, exceed health and safety targets, and significantly reduce CO2. SOURCE Abyss Solutions PTY LTD
A shoplifted Snoop Dogg toy. A shaming online post. And then a surpriseRJ Johnson, Daylen Berry lift Charleston Southern to surprising 83-79 victory over MiamiNEW 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. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis.
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November in Spain is traditionally a month marked by uncertainty in the job market, as the tourist season ends and many businesses brace for the quieter months. However, recent data from Spain’s Ministry of Social Security shows a marked improvement in employment figures, with the number of unemployed falling to the lowest level for November since 2007. The labour market continues to demonstrate resilience, with a significant rise in total employment despite a small seasonal dip in some industries. November’s figures reflect a promising trend for Spain’s economic recovery and job creation, even as the hospitality sector faces seasonal job losses. Most Read on Euro Weekly News Will Spain lose its tourist "peak seasons"? Why gaining residency in Spain has never been easier Spain is home to Europe's most beautiful street - discover where it is ! Unemployment : 2.59 million, the lowest for November in 17 years Total employment : Over 21.3 million people employed, showing a growth of 2.39% year-on-year Temporary contracts : Still account for over half of all new contracts, but labour reforms have improved job quality Regional employment growth in Spain despite minimal impact from DANA storm The recent DANA event, which affected various parts of Spain, did not significantly disrupt employment figures, particularly in regions like Valencia. In fact, the province experienced a notable increase of 11,217 registered workers in November compared to the previous month, indicating continued economic activity despite the extreme weather. The government has extended the deadline for companies to report temporary layoffs (ERTE) related to DANA, although the full effects of the storm on the job market are yet to be fully reflected in the data. Tourism sector sees major job losses due to seasonal decline in Spain The most significant decline in employment came from the accommodation and food services sector, which saw a loss of over 118,000 jobs in November. This drop is largely attributed to the end of the tourist season, with many workers in hospitality facing contract terminations. While the extended season helped sustain employment longer than expected, the inevitable post-tourism downturn has now caught up with the industry. However, the negative impact was partially offset by growth in other sectors. Employment in education and trade grew by more than 50,000 combined, helping to soften the blow from tourism-related job losses. Self-employment shows strong growth On a positive note, self-employment figures in Spain continued their upward trajectory, with 746 new members joining the ranks of the self-employed in November. This growth is driven by sectors such as information technology, communications, and professional services. The rise in self-employment suggests that more individuals are turning to freelance or independent work as a viable alternative to traditional employment, particularly in high-growth sectors. This shift towards flexible work arrangements indicates a changing labour landscape in Spain. A closer look at gender disparities in the labour market reveals that women were more severely impacted by the recent job losses. Although the number of women employed remained above 10 million, with women accounting for 47.4% of the total workforce, the total number of employed women fell by 21,440 in November. In contrast, the number of employed men dropped by a smaller margin, with 11,215 fewer men in work. However, men still make up a larger proportion of the workforce, leading to a higher overall number of unemployed men. Optimism for Spain’s labour market Despite some seasonal challenges, the Spanish job market remains on a positive trajectory. Unemployment decreased across all sectors, particularly in services, which saw a drop of over 8,000 unemployed individuals. With continued improvements in employment figures and a rise in self-employment, Spain is showing resilience in the face of global economic uncertainty. The government’s labour reforms, aimed at improving job quality, have started to bear fruit, with permanent contracts increasing and more people working full-time. While critics argue that public spending is driving the job growth, the overall trend suggests Spain’s labour market is heading in the right direction as it approaches the holiday season. Find more news about SpainManaged Detection and Response Services Market to grow by USD 6.2 Billion (2024-2028), driven by outsourcing business tasks, with AI driving market transformation - Technavio
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STONY BROOK, N.Y. (AP) — Derek Robertson threw for a school-record 536 yards and three touchdowns, and Monmouth wrapped up its season with a wild 55-47 victory over Stony Brook on Saturday. Robertson completed 28 of 45 passes with touchdowns of 3 yards to Marcus Middleton, 51 yards to Tra Neal and 42 yards to Max James. Neal, a wide receiver, threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Jack Neri that gave the Hawks (6-6, 4-4 Coastal Athletic Association) a 55-44 lead in the fourth quarter. The PAT was blocked, keeping Stony Brook within 11 points. FCS No. 20 Stony Brook (8-4, 5-3) trailed 42-30 at halftime but was within 49-44 after Jasiah Williams threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Dez Williams, also on a wide-receiver pass play. Tyler Knoop threw for 408 yards on 37-of-53 passing for Stony Brook. He had three TD passes and was intercepted once. Dez Williams had 134 yards receiving with two touchdowns and Jayce Freeman had 93 yards. TJ Speight had 151 yards receiving for Monmouth. The teams combined for 1,007 passing yards and 1,249 total yards. __ Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll 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-footballSnow pants are highly technical pieces of apparel. They’re designed more for practical outdoor use than they are for earning style points. For those who like to get out and about in the winter season, you’ll need a quality pair to keep you warm. They use waterproof exteriors along with insulated interiors to protect your legs from wet snow and cool temperatures. The best pair is the THE NORTH FACE Sally Pants . Their thick exterior protects you from the wind and snow and their DryVent ventilation system releases excess body heat. There are three types of snow pants . The most common type resembles your everyday pair of pants. Aside from the technical materials, the main difference is that they have a looser fit than normal pants. Snow pants are ideal for maximum mobility when skiing or snowboarding. Some bibs resemble overalls. They have an upper body portion connected to the pants and use straps to go over the shoulders. This gives you more protection from the elements, but it slightly restricts your movement. Then there are one-piece snowsuits, which have a coat and pants in a single slip-on piece. The best material used to make snow pants is polyester. It’s durable, water-resistant and inexpensive. Polyester is the material that makes up the bulk of a pair of snow pants. Many manufacturers will add nylon for even more long-term strength. There’s also elastic, which is used in ankle gaiters and some waistbands. Gore-Tex is another material used in many outdoor products like snow pants because it’s completely water-resistant. Snow pants are sized differently than normal pants. Instead of using numbers, they use small to large distinctions. This makes it easier because they’re sized more generally than your everyday pair of pants. Most brands go from XS to XXL, but some include more variations, such as large long and large short. This way, you can customize your fit based on your body type. Other brands will use inseam measurements if you know exactly how long you’d prefer the pants to be. Boot gaiters are sections of fabric that provide more security around the ankle. Walking through snow can cause your socks to get wet. This is not only uncomfortable but can also affect your body’s temperature. Gaiters use elastic to wrap tightly around your ankle while the exterior of your pants goes over your boots. Some pants have a reinforced seam and patches on the pant leg to prevent wear and tear around the ankle. This will also protect your ankles from bumps and bruises while on the slopes. Baggy snow pants are the best choice if you’re snowboarding or skiing. With more room between your legs and the exterior fabric, you can comfortably wear a pair of insulated tights underneath. Baggy pants also allow for more freedom of movement. With skiing, especially, you’ll need all the flexibility your legs can get. Loose-fitting pants will prevent seams from ripping too easily as well. Professional snowboarders and skiers who focus on tricks will exclusively wear baggy snow pants to give them more mobility. While snow pants are designed to keep you warm, sometimes, the heat can cause sweat to build up around your legs. For this reason, some pants come with built-in ventilation systems. These specially designed vents are woven into the pants and release excess heat. The vent is usually on the rear waist area. This positioning makes it discreet to the naked eye. Also, your coat will cover it most of the time, which prevents any cold air from entering from the outside. Women’s snow pants cost $30-$260. A. GORE-TEX is known for its waterproofing, but the ultra-tight weaves and thick fabric make it windproof as well. A. Most snow pants have two sets of pockets on either hip. They are usually sealed using zippers to keep your belongings protected. THE NORTH FACE Sally Pants What you need to know: These high-quality snow pants from North Face use thick materials to keep you dry. What you’ll love: The pants have a snug fit around the knees with a slight flare at the ankles. There’s a DryVent to prevent your legs from sweating and Heatseeker Eco insulation to protect you from the elements. There are zippered pockets, a belt loop around the waist and boot gaiters near the ankles. What you should consider: The waistband is not as adjustable as other pants. Arctix Insulated Cargo Snow Pants What you need to know: Arctix has the most customizable snow pants with a large selection of colors and sizes. What you’ll love: Key features include boot zippers, three pockets, an adjustable waistline and an O-ring for keys. There are 20 color options, such as Blue Night, Rose, Green Camo and Plum, alongside 45 size options. There are tall, long, short and inseam measurement size types. What you should consider: With all the sizing choices, finding the right one will be more difficult. Columbia Arctic Omni Heat Snow Pants What you need to know: The Omni Heat snow pants are highly insulated to offer the most warmth. What you’ll love: These pants use nylon for excellent durability on the outside. The interior has reflective Omni Heat technology that keeps the heat from leaving the pants. There’s an adjustable waist strap on the inside, zippered pockets at the hips and near the leg, plus a double snap closure at the waist. What you should consider: Some reviewers recommend buying a size up. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 100 percent tariff on the BRICS group nations if they undercut the US dollar. For the latest news, bookmark The South African website’s dedicated section for FREE-to-read content “We require a commitment... that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency, nor back any other Currency to replace the mighty US Dollar or, they will face 100 percent Tariffs,” Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social website, referring to the grouping that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and others. This developing news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.Letter: Both sides are suffering from the genocide
Interrupting senior’s celebratory shots ‘backfires’, wedding guest turns targetThe north is to import 200 tonnes of potatoes on Monday or Tuesday as the price of local potatoes soars to 140TL (€3.89) per kilogram. ‘Agriculture minister’ Huseyin Cavus announced the planned imports on Friday night, but promised that his ‘ministry’ would be cautious in its next steps due to the risk of disease. “Potatoes are not convenient to import like other products. The rate of diseases which can be carried in potatoes is much higher, especially bugs and warts which can come to our country and put our local products at risk,” he said. He added, “as someone who worked in this sector before entering politics, I think we should be careful when we bring products to these lands .” In addition to importing potatoes, he said the north would also bring forward its potato harvest by 20 days, with the aim of increasing the supply in the short term. According to cost-of-living tracker Numbeo, a per-kilogram price of 140TL would make the north the most expensive place in the world to buy potatoes, beating South Korea, where potatoes cost €3.49 per kilogram, into second place. Numbeo reports that potatoes cost €1.30 per kilogram in the Republic of Cyprus , with potatoes costing €1.41 per kilogram in the United Kingdom, €1.12 per kilogram in Greece, and just €0.53 per kilogram in Turkey. The world’s cheapest potatoes are to be found in Pakistan, where Numbeo reports that they cost just €0.36 per kilogram. The Cyprus Turkish potato producers’ association blamed the retail sector for the high prices, saying, “potato prices have risen to 140TL due to some supermarkets selling potatoes at exorbitant profit rates.” “ The money coming out of consumers’ pockets goes into the pockets of middlemen , not the farmer, who does this job with great difficulty,” they added. They explained that they had faced “serious losses” during the spring due to an unusually dry winter last year and a fungal disease outbreak among potato crops, leading to a smaller-than-usual harvest. This problem was then exacerbated over the summer when, the association said, “extreme heat and the necessity of an early harvest due to previous shortcomings meant we once again did not reach the required tonnage.” “To ensure farmers covered their costs, we set the wholesale price of potatoes at 65TL (€1.80),” they said, saying that the rest of the retail price was tacked on by supermarkets .
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Devendra Fadnavis is poised to take the oath as Maharashtra's chief minister once again at an elaborate swearing-in ceremony. Scheduled for Thursday evening, the event will be graced by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Joining Fadnavis are NCP head Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, who are also expected to be sworn in as deputy chief ministers, according to sources. This marks Fadnavis's third tenure as the state's chief minister, following the BJP's significant victory in the recent elections, where they, along with allies, secured 230 seats in the assembly. (With inputs from agencies.)
Sask. Party keeps up with campaign promises addressing safter communities, affordability
A North Vancouver man has been charged on multiple counts after a bizarre stabbing incident in California. Devin Wolfgang Vandorhoef, 25, is in police custody after he was arrested by detectives with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office on Nov. 25. At around 10 p.m. that evening, police received multiple 911 calls that a person had been stabbed in a residential neighbourhood of Salinas, a small city about a 30-minute drive from Monterey, Calif. Upon arriving at the scene, police said they found three people with stabbing injuries. All were sent to hospital with minor to critical injuries and are expected to survive. Monterey County Sheriff Detectives said they learned that Vandorhoef and a female victim had previously met and gotten to know each other via a gaming platform. “Vandorhoef developed a year’s long obsession with the victim which led to him flying to California from Canada where he resides,” reads a statement from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office. Police added that Vandorhoef was accompanied by Darius Avery Whyte, 25, who is also Canadian. Whyte has also been arrested and charged in connection with the incident. “On the date of the stabbing, Vandorhoef arrived at a residence on Bollenbacher Drive and knocked on the door while holding a package. He identified himself as a delivery driver,” police said. “Our victim’s boyfriend opened the door and Vandorhoef forced his way in and began stabbing the boyfriend with a knife resulting in multiple critical injuries. “The female grabbed a sharp metal object and began defending her boyfriend. While fighting back, the female victim was strangled and stabbed by our suspect sustaining moderate injuries. During the struggle, the suspect sustained multiple critical stab wounds,” police said. Detectives said they discovered that the package Vandorhoef was carrying when he arrived contained handcuffs, duct tape and knives. “It is unknown how these items were intended on being used,” the sheriff’s office said. According to the Monterey County in-custody log, Vandorhoef has been charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit attempted murder, mayhem, stalking and burglary. His bail is set at US$2.3 million (C$3.2 million). Local broadcaster KBSW Action News 8 reported that Vandorhoef and Whyte pleaded not guilty in court on Monday. The co-accused are due to appear in court again Dec. 10.Ireland’s premier has spoken to the Dublin woman who won a civil case against mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor to praise her courage. Taoiseach Simon Harris said he also wanted to tell Nikita Hand, a hair colourist from Drimnagh, that her case had prompted an increase in women coming forward to ask for support. Ms Hand, who accused the sportsman of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, won her claim against him for damages in a civil case at the High Court in the Irish capital on Friday. The total amount of damages awarded to Ms Hand by the jury was 248,603.60 euro (£206,714.31). Mr McGregor said in a post on social media on Friday that he intends to appeal against the decision. That post has since been deleted. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Mr Harris said he told Ms Hand of the support she has from people across Ireland. “I spoke with Nikita today and I wanted to thank her for her incredible bravery and her courage,” he said. “I wanted to make sure that she knew how much solidarity and support there was across this country for her bravery. “I also wanted to make sure she knew of what the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre had said yesterday – that so many other women have now come forward in relation to their own experiences of sexual abuse as a result of Nikita’s bravery.” The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said the case has had a “profound effect” on the people the charity supports, and that over the first 10 days of the High Court case, calls to its national helpline increased by almost 20%. It said that first-time callers increased by 50% compared to the same period last year, and were largely from people who had experienced sexual violence who were distressed and anxious from the details of case and the views people had to it. Mr Harris said: “I wanted to speak with her and I wanted to wish her and her daughter, Freya, all the very best night, and I was very grateful to talk with Nikita today. “Her bravery, her courage, her voice has made a real difference in a country in which we must continue to work to get to zero tolerance when it comes to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. “I don’t want to say too much more, because conscious there could be further legal processes, but I absolutely want to commend Nikita for her bravery, for her courage, for using her voice.” Justice Minister Helen McEntee praised Ms Hand’s bravery and said she had shown “there is light at the end of the tunnel”. She said: “I just want to commend Nikita for her bravery, for her determination and the leadership that she has shown in what has been – I’ve no doubt – a very, very difficult time for her and indeed, for her family. She added: “Because of wonderful people like Nikita, I hope that it shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that there are supports available to people, and that there is justice at the end of the day.” Ms Hand said in a statement outside court on Friday that she hoped her case would remind victims of assault to keep “pushing forward for justice”. Describing the past six years as “a nightmare”, she said: “I want to show (my daughter) Freya and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served.” During the case, Ms Hand said she was “disappointed and upset” when the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) decided not to prosecute the case after she made a complaint to the Irish police. In a letter to her in August 2020, the DPP said there was “insufficient evidence” and there was not a reasonable prospect of conviction. Ms Hand asked the DPP to review the decision, saying she felt she was being treated differently because one of the suspects was famous. Asked about the DPP’s decision not to prosecute, Mr Harris and Ms McEntee stressed the importance of the DPP’s independence on whether to prosecute. “There are obviously structures in place where the DPP can meet a victim and can outline to them their reasons for not taking the case,” Mr Harris said. “But there’s also always an opportunity for the DPP in any situation – and I speak broadly in relation to this – to review a decision, to consider any new information that may come to light, and I don’t want to say anything that may ever cut across the ongoing work of the DPP.” Ms McEntee stressed that there should “never be any political interference” in the independence of the DPP’s decisions. “I have, since becoming minister, given priority to and enabled a new office within the DPP to open specifically focused on sexual offences, so that this issue can be given the focus and the priority that it needs,” she said.
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — In losing Sunday’s battle with the Buffalo Bills, perhaps the best team in football, Jerod Mayo won the war. Best I can tell, he’s staying put. For 2025, and maybe beyond. To his angry fan base and incredulous pockets of the New England Patriots’ media corps, remember Mayo’s future doesn’t hinge on winning this season. It’s not about what you want, or what I think. It’s about the Krafts, who hand-picked Mayo to succeed Bill Belichick four and a half years before he actually did, believing in him, and finding reasons to maintain that belief. In the eyes of someone who wants to believe, Sunday supplied enough reason. The Patriots led at halftime, then lost by three as 14-point underdogs. They became the first team since mid-October to hold the Bills under 30 points. Drake Maye outplayed the next MVP of the league for most of the game and took another step toward his destiny as a franchise quarterback, Somers Point man killed in two-vehicle crash in Egg Harbor Township Atlantic City Airshow canceled for 2025 Atlantic City police officer accused of assaulting, pointing gun at wife Somers Point man killed after motorcycle strikes SUV on Longport Boulevard Atlantic City Mayor Small indicted on witness tampering charge in child abuse case Mays Landing's Level Up comic and video game shop to close after 18 years GoFundMe started for Somers Point man seriously injured in Egg Harbor Township crash Body found in fridge in Belleplain State Forest 14 arrested following drug operations in Atlantic City Troopers gave special treatment to drivers with courtesy cards, watchdog finds 'Great Day Express' takes its maiden voyage to Big SNOW at American Dream Mall Lower Township man charged with possession of child porn Long Beach Island fire damages multimillion-dollar bayfront home Atlantic commissioners say no privatization planned for ACUA after landfill odor problem Who are The Press' 2024 High School Football All-Stars? If that sounds like a low bar, that’s because it is. Such is life in Year 1 of a rebuild, a multi-year process ownership has committed to seeing through to the end with their organizational pillars now in place: Mayo, Maye and de facto GM Eliot Wolf. As frustrating as this 3-12 campaign has been, there are always nuggets of optimism amid the rubble of a losing season; particularly if you want to find them. The Krafts do, and so does Maye, who loves his head coach, by the way; calling questions about Mayo’s job security “BS.” “We’ve got his back,” Maye said post-game. Maye’s voice matters. Certainly more than any number of fans or media members. Ever since media-fueled speculation that Mayo could get canned at the end of his first season began rising, the caveat has always been the same: if, a Gillette Stadium-sized “if,” the Patriots bomb atomically down the stretch, ownership could pull the plug on Mayo. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport became the latest to join that chorus Sunday with this pregame report: “The Krafts want to keep Jerod Mayo,” he said. “They believe he is the leader for the organization for the future, and they knew it would be a multi-year process to get this thing right. Now if things go off the rails, if they really start to struggle and he loses the locker room the last couple games of the season, we’ve seen this thing turn. “But as of now, the Patriots believe Jerod Mayo is their leader for the future.” Well, Mayo hasn’t lost the locker room. That’s a fact. To a man, both in public and from those I’ve spoken to in private, Patriots players believe in their head coach. Mayo might be a players’ coach, yes, in the best and worst senses. But the Patriots were a few plays away Sunday from pulling off their largest upset since Super Bowl XXXVI. “I think we’re building something good,” Maye said. The Patriots also played their best half of football this season against their toughest opponent yet. Another fact. Now, to the frustrated, I am with you. To the shocked, I understand. But to the trigger-happy, lay down your arms. Mayo, by all accounts, is returning in 2025. Alex Van Pelt, however, is another story. In the same vein that the Krafts could have viewed Sunday’s performance as a reason to save Mayo — despite his pathetic punt at midfield, down 10 with just eight and a half minutes left — they could have convinced themselves their offensive coordinator is the real problem. After all, team president Jonathan Kraft was visibly exasperated over Van Pelt’s play-calling during the Pats’ loss at Arizona a week earlier. Four days later, Van Pelt told reporters he had yet to hear from his boss. Well, that time may be coming. Trailing by three in the fourth quarter Sunday, Van Pelt called a pass that resulted in an unnecessary lateral and game-winning touchdown for Buffalo. His offense later operated like it was taking a Sunday drive with the game on the line, using up 3:16 of the final 4:19 en route to its final touchdown. Van Pelt, finally, weaponized Maye’s legs in critical situations, something that arguably should have been done weeks ago. Not to mention, Van Pelt’s top running back can’t stop fumbling, and the offensive line remains a hot mess. Call him Alex Van Fall Guy. Because Van Pelt’s offense, for the first time in a while, under-performed relative to Mayo’s defense. On merit, he deserves to stay; a case that’s harder to make for defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington. But it’s not about merit this season. It’s not about what you want. It’s not about what I think. It’s about the Krafts; what they see, what they want, what they believe. Even in defeat. ____ Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox!LA Auto Show offers a look at classics and EV advancements all in one place