This time final yr we bought our first full-length have a look at Ncuti Gatwa within the position. Quick ahead 12 months, and right here was a person with a season behind him, beaming his approach confidently by means of a narrative that was a mishmash of Christmas film viewing genres, if considerably mild on plot.

On this Steven Moffat-penned story, we bought an motion sequence on a practice, treasure hidden in a stone chamber, a prolonged romcom interlude, and even a dinosaur that apparently pooed out an vital Christmas plot system. There was additionally a robust emotional heartbeat operating by means of it, and there can have been tears earlier than bedtime in lots of a family watching it.

Joel Fry was pleasing as Trev, although the character gave sturdy vibes that it had been written with Richard Ayoade’s awkward Maurice Moss mode in thoughts, relatively than straight for Fry. Nonetheless, he managed to take advantage of his display time. Nichola Coughlan (Pleasure), regardless of sharing top-billing as this yr’s visitor star, was sidelined for a lot of the story. She bought a possibility to indicate her performing chops as a possible villain for some time, after which the extra lovable facet of Coughlan we all know from Derry Women and her real-world social media interventions arrived.

Physician Who Christmas specials have beforehand walked a superb line between utilizing a lot of festive imagery – suppose evil Santas, killer Christmas bushes, robotic angels – however indirectly bringing faith into it. Placing a fantasy supernova because the supply of a vibrant night star above Bethlehem on the daybreak of the primary millennia was actually a daring option to hyperlink the present’s lore straight into the nativity itself.

The centrepiece was the Physician being stranded with Steph de Whalley’s Anita Benn in a resort for a yr as her slow-burn unrequited love for him developed – a vignette that would simply be slipped into Love Truly or 4 Weddings and a Funeral. It isn’t the primary time within the trendy period the Physician has been pressured to consider how lonely his life is and not using a companion, though the actual fact he was gathering miniature police field collectible figurines was a clue to who he was lacking essentially the most.

Life aboard the Tardis

The construction was successfully three consecutive two-handers the place Trev, Anita and Pleasure auditioned to be potential companions, then destiny intervened. At the least Anita ultimately bought a greater job out of it, even when she had her coronary heart crushed alongside the best way.

Concern issue

This was an uncommon episode in not likely having a monster-of-the-week, however the underlying fears right here had been of loneliness, regrets and dying alone. It touched on the true world by displaying the sorts of adverse remoted goodbyes to family members skilled throughout Covid lockdown guidelines by folks like Pleasure, in scenes that had been prone to remind some households of the empty seats round their Christmas dinner tables this yr.

Mysteries and questions

Anticipate Physician Who followers to argue lengthy and arduous about whether or not Gatwa explaining he knew the suitcase code as a result of he was “bootstrapping” was a intelligent meta-nod to earlier criticisms of Steven Moffat’s timey-wimey plotlines, or simply an excessive amount of of a hand-wavey plot comfort to be taken severely. When Pleasure requested the Physician if folks often really really feel any higher after the Time Lord has defined issues, it may have been the followers talking on to the previous showrunner about precisely this sort of behavior of his.

Deeper into the vortex

• There have been a lot of callbacks to earlier issues the Physician has stated, like having to go “the great distance spherical”, and the concept dwelling their life in the future after an one other was an journey they might by no means have, echoing well-known speeches from Gatwa’s predecessors in Day of the Physician (2013), Dragonfire (1987) and Doomsday (2006).

• The fifteenth Physician – with out his trusty time machine – visited New York in 2025 with a purpose to return to the Time Resort. In The Angels Take Manhattan (2012) he stated he may by no means take the Tardis there once more, because the “timelines are too scrambled” and visiting “would rip New York aside”.

• Pleasure’s mum was within the Royal Hope hospital in central London, which was transported to the moon and again through the occasions of Smith and Jones (2007).

• The fifteenth Physician stated he was “good with rope”, a callback to studying the rope know-how on the goblin vessel in The Church on Ruby Highway (2023).

• Villengard and its weapons factories have featured in a number of Moffat-penned episodes, together with his first story for the revived 2005 collection, The Empty Youngster/The Physician Dances, and his final three for the present – Twice Upon A Time (2017), Increase! (2024) and this Christmas particular.

• Pleasure’s full title within the credit was given as Pleasure Almondo, not the primary time Moffat has used a literal translation – see The Return of Physician Mysterio (2016).

• Due to the bi-generation in The Giggle (2023), presumably the entire time the fifteenth Physician was caught in that resort with Anita, David Tennant’s 14th Physician was sitting round along with his trotters up retired at Donna’s home – with a spare Tardis on-hand.

Subsequent time

Physician Who will probably be again within the New 12 months! Ncuti Gatwa! Varada Sethu as new companion Belinda Chandra! Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday for at the very least a few of it! Mrs Flood returns! Showrunner Russell T Davies says it’s coming “earlier than you suppose” and contains “loads of scares”, “a planet within the far future that’s completely terrifying” and a Tardis journey to Miami. See you then. Have a terrific new yr!

However in one other merciless twist, Elaine additionally came upon that there have been clearly some sophisticated emotions between George (Colin Salmon) and Cindy (Michelle Collins) left unsaid, evidenced when she witnessed George shouting at his son for taking what’s “his”.

In a personal chat with George upstairs in The Vic, Elaine gave her husband a proper previous slap for what he mentioned, insisting Junior (Micah Balfour) and Cindy have been grown adults and he should not be as bothered as he’s.

Elaine powerfully kicked her man to the curb for his actions, however the entire occasion shattered the whole Knight household.

The Christmas episode was made extra sophisticated when Cindy was left for lifeless after being smacked by a shovel, prompting one large query: who would hit her? (Extra like, who would not!)

Would Elaine? In spite of everything, she’s misplaced so much and was already on the finish of her tether earlier than the turkey was even served…

Chatting with press together with RadioTimes.com at a latest screening, Thorpe defined how Elaine would doubtless go to the ends of the world to avoid wasting her household – maybe even homicide.

“The factor is Elaine is, and all the time has been, about survival,” Thorpe defined. “There isn’t any lengths to which she is not going to go as a result of holding on to one thing that issues and serving to issues keep in her management is the whole lot… no stress.”

When requested if household was the whole lot for Elaine, Thorpe replied: “Completely, as we have seen in the previous couple of weeks along with her alcoholic daughter. She tries to have a entrance on a regular basis, however Cindy’s been tearing her down for the reason that get-go, and I believe that is the ultimate straw…”

However what’s Thorpe like with a shovel?

“I am fairly good at gardening,” the actress shared, dead-pan.

Make of that what you’ll, then.

Learn extra:

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer.

Go to our devoted EastEnders web page for all the most recent information, interviews and spoilers. If you happen to’re in search of extra to look at, try our TV Information and Streaming Information.

Honda and Nissan have began talks to pursue a merger, a deal that would create the world’s third-biggest automaker.

The 2 main Japanese firms are hoping that becoming a member of fingers will permit them to higher compete in an automotive world that is dealing with seismic adjustments.

Two large forces are at play at the moment: The worldwide auto business is within the midst of a historic shift to electrification on the similar time that the world’s largest automakers are dealing with a formidable competitor in China.

As Honda and Nissan begin talks with the purpose of finishing a merger by 2026, right here are some things to know:

China is profitable … in China and overseas

The emergence of Chinese language automakers akin to BYD and Nio has eroded the market share of worldwide automakers akin to Honda, Nissan and Volkswagen in China — a rustic they as soon as counted as a essential market.

The Chinese language automakers can’t solely make vehicles extra cheaply, they’ve additionally gained over Chinese language shoppers with their electrical automobiles and their nifty software program.

These Chinese language upstarts are now not content material to turn into dominant at residence. They’re now targeted on markets overseas, together with key ones for Japanese automakers akin to Europe, the place Chinese language automakers are grabbing market share.

And China is succeeding. The nation has now overtaken Japan because the world’s largest auto exporter.

Each Nissan and Honda have quite a lot of overlap within the U.S. market in SUVs and in sedans such because the pictured Honda Accord.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Photographs

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Photographs

Nissan particularly has struggled just lately, particularly in the important thing American market, the place gross sales have weakened. Final month, for instance, the corporate stated it was chopping 9,000 jobs.

Honda has completed higher, however it has nonetheless seen earnings slide, primarily due to weak point in China.

Sam Abuelsamid, an auto business analyst based mostly in Detroit, says he expects extra international offers like Nissan and Honda within the subsequent few years as automakers reply to the menace from China — and he predicts there might be casualties.

“Some manufacturers which were round for a very long time could effectively not be a part of the panorama … 5 or 10 years from now simply because they — they do not have sufficient scale to compete towards — towards both the large Western gamers or the Chinese language firms,” Abuelsamid says.

It is the primary motive why analysts say Honda and Nissan are pursuing a merger. Mitsubishi, wherein Nissan owns a large stake, would even be a part of the alliance.

Honda and Nissan will not be creating buzzy EVs

The transition to electrical globally is one other power. Whereas Tesla has led the EV market within the U.S., different firms are nipping at its heels.

Korean carmakers Hyundai and Kia have made Client Experiences‘ checklist of greatest mainstream EVs this 12 months, whereas Germany’s Porsche and BMW have completed effectively within the luxurious section.

Honda and Nissan haven’t captured as a lot buzz, partly as a result of they’ve been slower to transition to electrical automobiles, although Honda is seeing a bit extra success with hybrids.

Nissan has struggled lately, seeing gross sales slide within the U.S.

Scott Olson/Getty Photographs

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Scott Olson/Getty Photographs

A merger between the 2 automakers would create the world’s third-biggest automaker behind Toyota and Volkswagen — and that brings quite a lot of potential advantages.

It may permit them to pool their experience and strengths. They may additionally profit from extra environment friendly manufacturing of automobiles.

“Firms like Honda and Nissan want to hitch forces to get R&D, to get higher buying, to mix all their monetary sides to decrease prices,” says Sam Fiorani, vp of worldwide automobile forecasting at AutoForecast Options.

Not all mergers is sensible

Each Honda and Nissan rely closely on the U.S. market, the place there’s quite a lot of overlap in SUVs and sedans.

And a merger wouldn’t resolve all points. The truth is, the auto world is suffering from failed mergers, together with DaimlerChrysler, which as soon as sought to merge the Germans choices of Mercedes-Benz with the storied American automaker Chrysler — however led to a cut up in 2007.

What wouldn’t it imply for American shoppers?

Not a lot within the close to time period. Honda and Nissan say they’re hoping to proceed talks within the subsequent months after which to conclude the deal by mid-2026.

If the merger is completed although, there would possible be a critical consideration of which fashions and types the joint firm would select to take care of. Honda, because the bigger firm, is within the driver seat with regards to the merger, in response to analysts, who add there is no assure Nissan would survive as a model.

Abuelsamid says he may see Nissan’s luxurious model Infiniti particularly be “allowed to only fade away” due to the overlap with Honda’s Acura.

Finally there would additionally possible be new fashions, particularly in electrical automobiles. However any adjustments, whether or not to the mannequin lineup to manufacturing or sellers, would take a very long time.

“The automotive business strikes at a glacial tempo,” says Fiorani at AutoForecast Options. “It takes perpetually for change to happen.”

Lastly, on Christmas Day, every little thing was revealed, which left the Beales and the Knights fully fractured by Hurricane Cindy’s dreadful actions.

And it resulted in Cindy being whacked over the top by a snow shovel leaving her for useless on the bottom – however who smacked her? And is she really useless?

Effectively, it may actually be anybody contemplating the listing of individuals she’s damage prior to now. Plus, forged your thoughts again a number of weeks and Huge Mo Harris (Laila Morse) was promoting off snow shovels available on the market, which means mainly anybody may have one.

We’ll check out the primary suspects and add extra as they emerge… detective expertise on the prepared!

Who attacked Cindy Beale? 9 EastEnders suspects revealed

1. Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt)

Maybe the one who has the very best motive to assault Cindy is Ian. He is the one who has misplaced probably the most this Christmas after discovering out she was dishonest as he wasn’t satisfying her – leaving his self-confidence within the gutter, together with any probabilities of a cheerful future.

She’s prompted him infinite ache over time – together with when she tried to have him killed in 1996 when she employed a success on him. Maybe it is time he obtained his justice for that in any case… however is Ian actually a killer?

2. Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth)

The following most probably suspect might be Kathy; in any case, she’s all the time been stuffed with contempt for Cindy. And he or she’s additionally Ian’s mum, who’s very protecting of her boy and his dodgy ticker.

The pair have by no means seen eye-to-eye and it is solely been a matter of time earlier than Kathy had a superb excuse to see off Cindy. Plus, she was overheard wishing Cindy useless within the Christmas episode… absolutely she would not really, would she?

3. Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa)

Lauren had probably the most to achieve from Cindy’s downfall within the Queen Vic, with everybody distrusting her due to her painkiller habit. However when she lastly dropped the entire proof about Cindy’s abysmal actions, nobody actually thanked her for it; typically the reality’s higher unsaid, in any case.

Whereas Lauren was doing the appropriate factor, she got here throughout as fairly imply herself having torn aside two households on Christmas Day. Protected to say she’s fairly livid that Cindy has nonetheless managed to wreck her life. Certainly one remaining act to see off her enemy is not out of attain?

4. Gina Knight (Francesca Henry)

Hear us out. Gina was unusually quiet all through the Christmas Day episode however had firmly had sufficient of her mum’s actions – not that she had a lot endurance for her to start with.

What ought to’ve been a pleasant Christmas together with her new household and her prolonged outdated one become a nightmare for Gina and Anna, who noticed their newly-married dad and step-mum seemingly break up, as they came upon their recently-connected-with brother slept with their mum. Messy.

Gina was additionally noticed creeping out the backdoor on Christmas Day, however was she heading out to assault?

5. George Knight (Colin Salmon)

Other than Ian, the most important loser of the night time was George. Not solely had he came upon his son had slept along with his ex-wife, however he additionally reacted so badly to the information that he pushed his new spouse Elaine away.

The pub landlord discovered little sympathy from his women when he was booted out of the bar and onto the streets. Discovering solace within the boxing gymnasium, George let loose all his anger on the punch bag… however was it all of his anger? Would a shovel assist him some extra?

6. Elaine Knight (Harriet Thorpe)

Elaine tries to do the appropriate factor with Cindy, providing her an opportunity to flee the key popping out and transfer on to France with Ian, all to maintain the peace. Whereas that plan firmly failed, Elaine did not fairly realise what drama the key would trigger.

Listening to that her husband nonetheless clearly harbours some emotions for Cindy, even when they’re difficult, wasn’t straightforward and he or she has risked her marriage to make him realise what he is executed. Along with her love rival Cindy on the coronary heart of all of it, it might actually be simpler if Cindy was out of the image… for good this time.

7. Junior Knight (Micah Balfour)

Cocky Junior thought he was on his method to having every little thing – his household again, a relationship along with his dad, and a lady he thought he beloved. That was till the revelations of Christmas.

Not solely did he uncover Cindy did not actually love him in any respect, however he additionally needed to come to phrases with the actual fact she was nonetheless in love along with his dad. Shunned by his complete household as soon as once more, what’s Junior able to?

8. Anna Knight (Molly Rainford)

Now, this does not appear too possible given Anna’s candy persona, however everybody has their limits. Poor Anna simply needed a stunning Christmas together with her household, however that was ruined in its entirety due to her mum.

Whereas she’s managed to forgive Cindy time after time, maybe this was her remaining straw.

9. Peter Beale (Thomas Regulation)

Like Anna, we’re undecided this one flies. Peter is unlikely to do such a horrible factor to his mum, however he is defended her maybe too many occasions.

Solely so lengthy are you able to defend somebody as venomous as Cindy, however would he actually take a shovel to her?

Anybody else…?

Really, Cindy made lots of enemies on Albert Sq. – and he or she has much more from her previous.

Who attacked Cindy?

Learn extra:

EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One and from 6am on BBC iPlayer.

Go to our devoted EastEnders web page for all the newest information, interviews and spoilers. For those who’re searching for extra to observe, take a look at our TV Information and Streaming Information.

Helen Value shared a heartwarming goodbye message after her dramatic exit from Coronation Road on Christmas Day. 

The cleaning soap star, 73, took to X to ship a video to followers thanking them for following her all through her time on the ITV present. 

Helen performed Gail Platt for half a century and through her time on the present she has been married 5 occasions, together with Brian Tilsey (Christopher Quinten), who was tragically stabbed to demise, and Martin Platt (Sean Wilson), one of many cleaning soap’s long-serving characters.

Helen has been on the centre of an array of explosive storylines, together with her daughter Sarah’s teenage being pregnant, and the demise of her fourth debt-ridden husband Joe McIntyre (Reece Dinsdale) throughout a failed life insurance coverage scheme.

One in every of Gail’s most iconic moments got here in a 2003 episode when she discovered her husband Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) was a serial killer.

However Helen’s closing scenes had been proven on Wednesday in an emotional second that noticed her begin ‘day certainly one of her new life’ with husband Jesse Chadwick (John Thompson) overseas.

Helen performed Gail Platt for half a century and through her time on the present she has been married 5 occasions however she lastly walked down the aisle with Jesse (pictured)

And following the emotional episode, Helen took to X to thank followers and promised extra Platt household storylines to return

And following the emotional episode, Helen took to X to thank followers and promised extra Platt household storylines to return. 

Wearing a sensible blue blazer over a brilliant pink turtle neck and sat in her iconic front room, Helen mentioned it had been a pleasure to work on the cleaning soap and be a part of the Platt household for therefore lengthy. 

She mentioned: ‘Whats up all of you. It is fantastic to have this chance to say ta ta.

‘It has been a wonderful 50 years and I simply wished to thank all of you a few of you who might have been looking ahead to 50 – is there anyone?

‘And people of you who’ve been looking ahead to a number of years thanks.

‘Thanks for approaching the journey with me. I’ve had a beautiful time.

‘I’ve beloved it, all of the tales and naturally it has been fantastic working with the fantastic Platts which for me is what it is all about and there will be extra Platt tales and I hope you will be watching.

‘A lot of love and thanks from me.’

Helen’s closing episode was as action-packed as her 50 years on the cleaning soap had been and the Christmas day storyline noticed an engagement, a being pregnant, an arrest, a number of fights and lots tears.

With the episode setting the scene for an emotional Christmas episode, Gail was sinisterly serenaded by the ghost of her previous murderous accomplice, Richard Hillman (Brian Capron).

The legendary actress Helen Value has formally bid farewell to the cobbles of Weatherfield after enjoying the function of Gail for 50 years

Gail appeared beloved up as she gave her husband a kiss at their wedding ceremony ceremony

Being haunted by the infamous villain, which resulted in an argument about her previous, Gail was left distressed on Christmas morning as she wakened shouting that she was ‘not that lady anymore’.

Claiming she had an epiphany, Gail ran out to her accomplice Jesse and confessed that she wanted a groom and that the marriage was again on.

He romantically requested her if she was out there for 2pm as they confirmed that their huge day was again.

Gail’s mom, Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls), tried a last-minute olive department and knocked on Gail’s door, to which her granddaughter Tina shot down her festive spirits and mentioned she was not welcome.

Regardless of this, she nonetheless turned up on the venue earlier than the large celebration to ‘want her good luck’, to which Gail expressed her devastation that she didn’t assist her choice to go overseas and begin a brand new life.

With their relationship held collectively by a string, Audrey was given a second likelihood to face up to the check of time for his or her household bond.

However there was quickly extra drama as Nick’s (Ben Value) estranged spouse, Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson), introduced the police to the marriage as she accused him and his accomplice Toyah (Georgia Taylor), who can be her sister, of fraud.

Advised he was going to the station, Nick appeared to Leanne in disgust as he was pressured out of his mom’s huge day.

Whereas it was speculated that the festive episode would see her demise after affected by a collection of coronary heart issues, Gail exited the long-lasting present by transferring away to Jesse’s villa overseas

Whereas the hour didn’t see her demise, the Christmas day storyline noticed an engagement, a being pregnant, an arrest, a number of fights and lots tears

David provides a little bit of drama to Gail’s huge day 

On the station, Nick was accused of spending almost £400 on lingerie and an array of costly candles and luxuries and was knowledgeable that they had been all paid for by TLH Holdings.

Claiming he and Toyah knew nothing concerning the account, he continued to plead his innocence and begged to be let go to see his mum get married.

Launched again in time to catch the vows Jesse proclaimed to Gail that ‘she makes him the happiest man on the planet,’ Nick appeared relieved as he will get his Christmas want.

Dubbing it the ‘first day of their new life’, Gail appeared elated as she promised Jesse ‘she’s going to love him till the day she dies’

However quickly sufficient, Leanne gatecrashed the occasion and accused Toyah of at all times being the one for him and saying, ‘she was simply preserving the mattress heat’.

Refusing to depart her personal restaurant and exchanging some digs about their intercourse life and Leanne’s son, the begrudged ex pushed Toyah and mentioned she would ‘knock her enamel out.’

However after Leanne accused her of locking her son in a automobile and driving right into a wall, Toyah punched Leanne within the face, beginning a battle between the 2, which noticed a police man, Craig Tinker (Colson Smith), get assaulted and the marriage decorations get trashed.

Craig marched the 2 ladies to the station to be charged with assaulting a police officer, and the celebration acquired underway for the speeches and Platt’s residence video, which was gifted to her by her kids.

Gail has now had seven weddings over her time on the Cobbles 

With the episode setting the scene for an emotional Christmas episode, Gail was being sinisterly serenaded by the ghost of her previous murderous accomplice, Richard Hillman (Brian Capron)

Being haunted by the infamous villain, which resulted in an argument about her previous, Gail was left distressed on Christmas morning as she wakened shouting that she was ‘not that lady anymore’

After the marriage got here to an finish, Gail was left sitting on her personal, crying over all of the heartfelt feedback earlier than she was whisked away in a elaborate wedding ceremony automobile.

Whereas youngest son, David (Thomas Ormson), ought to have been on the ceremony celebrating his mom, he was feeling the devastation of shedding his spouse and stepped out to knock again a few whiskeys and accused Adam Barlow (Sam Rovertson) of sleeping along with his spouse, Shona (Julia Goulding).

Sad with the purpose of the dialog, Adam aggressively pushed David out onto the roof whereas serving him the laborious fact that he ‘could not make Shona pleased’.

However in a fast heat-of-the-moment response, David pushed him down the steps, inflicting Adam to fall and hit his head on the cobbles – leaving him trying lifeless.

As an ambulance arrived, Adam slowly regained consciousness, leaving David and Shona to argue it out on the street.

David revealed he heard what Debbie mentioned and accused her affair of taking place when she was within the resort that evening.

Giving in to the guilt, Shona admitted her betrayal: ‘Alright I did sleep with somebody however it wasn’t Adam, I swear on Lily’s life’.

Devastated, the pair took the argument into the home, the place she revealed she was ashamed however thought the wedding is lifeless and does not know what to do with it.

David and Adam acquired into an argument after Gail’s huge day

The conflict ended up with Adam on the ground coated in blood

However their argument was interrupted as bride Gail got here residence to test on her youngest son and tearfully instructed him that he wanted to be form and that whereas ‘he has a giant mouth, he has a delicate soul.’

And that ‘huge mouth’ he put to make use of quickly after he used his greatest man speech to take a swipe at his spouse.

He instructed the room that whereas Gail was a girl of optimism and provides everybody a second likelihood, he doesn’t.

Bringing a tear to everybody’s eye, David went by means of essentially the most heartfelt facets of his mum and the way the road won’t ever be the identical with out her.

And extra drama was set for David when Adam’s CT scan got here again clear, he instructed Tina that he wished to go to the police and press fees.

In the meantime, Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) was confronted with Gail’s granddaughter, Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon), who was making an attempt to name off their relationship and accused him of now not loving her.

Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan), who he lately slept with following one other certainly one of their arguments, was hiding across the nook.

However as Daniel pulled out a diamond wedding ceremony ring, which Bethany tearfully accepted, Daisy appeared devastated and quietly walked away regardless of her transferring on with Package Inexperienced.

Later within the episode, Daisy was seen holding a constructive being pregnant check.

All through the episode, Gail additionally instructed every of her children that they had been ‘at all times her favorite’

Netflix’s NFL debut kicked off on Christmas Day with out a glitch.

Mariah Carey opened Wednesday’s doubleheader with a taped efficiency of “All I Need for Christmas is You” earlier than Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the two-time defending Tremendous Bowl champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs confronted off towards Russell Wilson, T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Houston Texans will host the Baltimore Ravens within the second recreation because the NFL showcases 4 of the AFC’s high 5 groups.

Netflix agreed to a three-year contract in Could to broadcast Christmas Day video games. The streaming big is anticipating considered one of its greatest days for the reason that website launched in 1998.

Netflix’s 282.3 million subscribers in additional than 190 international locations can stream the video games, marking the primary time one outlet has distributed an NFL recreation globally. Netflix has the video games out there in 5 languages — English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and German.

Netflix had issues streaming the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul struggle on Nov. 14. The bout peaked at 65 million concurrent streams, together with 38 million concurrent streams in the USA. In accordance with the web site Down Detector, practically 85,000 viewers logged issues with outages or streaming main as much as and in the course of the struggle.

There have been no indicators of bother early Wednesday in the course of the recreation after a few blunders in the course of the pregame present. The published opened with roughly 10 seconds of silence as a result of it appeared studio host Kay Adams’ microphone wasn’t turned on.

The largest check ought to come at halftime of the Ravens-Texans recreation when Beyoncé performs dwell at NRG Stadium.

In accordance with NFL Media, viewers in all 50 states tuned in inside minutes of the pregame present going dwell and viewers from practically 200 international locations watched the lead-in to kickoff.

The NFL is enjoying its first video games on Wednesday for the reason that Steelers and Ravens have been compelled to play on Dec. 2, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The one different time the league performed on a Wednesday since 1948 was in 2012 when the Giants and Cowboys met within the season opener.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Azerbaijan is marking a day of mourning after an area airline’s passenger airplane crashed off the coast of the Caspian Sea.

Authorities throughout Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Russia are investigating the emergency touchdown on Wednesday morning that killed at the very least 38 individuals.

Right here’s what we all know concerning the crash.

The place did the passenger airplane crash?

The airplane crashed about 3km (1.8 miles) from town of Aktau in Kazakhstan, on the japanese shore of the Caspian Sea.

It was en route from Azerbaijan’s capital Baku to Grozny, capital of the Chechnya area in southern Russia.

Who was on board?

The Embraer 190 plane, flight quantity J2-8243, carried 62 passengers and 5 crew members.

In response to Kazakh officers, the individuals on board have been residents of 4 totally different nations:

• 42 Azerbaijani residents
• 16 Russian residents
• 6 Kazakh residents
• 3 Kyrgyz residents

What number of of them survived?

There are 32 survivors, together with two kids, who’ve been hospitalised, with many in important situation. Many have been pulled out from the wreckage, whereas some, in accordance with first responders and video footage, dragged themselves out, bloodied.

Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev introduced that 38 individuals had been killed.

Russian information company Interfax quoted emergency employees on the scene as saying that each pilots, in accordance with a preliminary evaluation, died within the crash.

Why did the airplane crash?

The crash was reportedly on account of an “emergency scenario” onboard after a hen strike, Russia’s aviation watchdog mentioned on Telegram.

The airplane needed to divert from its unique route due to heavy fog in Grozny, its meant vacation spot, and make an emergency touchdown.

Business aviation-tracking web sites recorded the flight travelling north alongside its scheduled route on the west coast earlier than it disappeared. It later reappeared on the east coast, circling close to Aktau airport earlier than finally crashing.

“In response to preliminary reviews, the airplane requested touchdown at another airport earlier than the accident … on account of heavy fog in Grozny,” Al Jazeera’s Yulia Shapovalova reported from Moscow.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev mentioned in a press release that “in accordance with the data supplied to me, the AZAL airline airplane, flying on the Baku-Grozny route, modified its course on account of worsening climate circumstances and started heading towards Aktau airport, the place the crash occurred throughout touchdown”.

The closest Russian airport, Makhachkala, was closed earlier within the day on account of drone exercise.

Sturdy GPS jamming within the area, which has been linked to previous incidents, could have additional sophisticated navigation and contributed to the crash, in accordance with a web based publish by FlightRadar24.

Aliyev acknowledged that there have been a number of theories over what might need prompted the crash, however cautioned towards hypothesis.

“There are movies of the airplane crash accessible within the media and on social networks, and everybody can watch them. Nevertheless, the explanations for the crash aren’t but recognized to us,” the Azerbaijani president mentioned. “There are numerous theories, however I consider it’s untimely to debate them.”

What’s the newest on the bottom?

Emergency companies have been actively responding to the scenario.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze attributable to the crash, whereas 150 emergency employees and medical groups, together with specialist medical doctors flown in from Astana, are treating the injured.

Azerbaijan Airways mentioned it’s suspending all its flights between Baku and Grozny, in addition to Baku and Makhachkala till the investigation is concluded.

The airline has additionally arrange a hotline for relations of the passengers and posted all their names on its social media pages.

Aliyev additionally signed a decree declaring December 26 a day of mourning within the nation. The Azerbaijani president, who was flying to Russia for a summit on the time, mentioned he was knowledgeable of the crash whereas he was in midair.

“I instantly gave directions for the airplane to return to Baku,” Aliyev mentioned in a press release issued by his workplace.

What investigations are happening?

Kazakh, Azerbaijani and Russian authorities mentioned they have been investigating the crash.

“An investigative group, led by the deputy prosecutor normal of Azerbaijan, has been dispatched to Kazakhstan and is working on the crash web site,” the Prosecutor Common’s Workplace in Azerbaijan mentioned in a press release.

Azerbaijan’s state information company, Azertac, mentioned that the group dispatched to Aktau for an “on-site investigation” additionally included Azerbaijan’s emergency conditions minister and the vice chairman of Azerbaijan Airways. Azertac mentioned that the airplane’s black field – a flight recorder that investigators use to find out the causes of aviation accidents – had been discovered.

Aliyev, in his assertion, mentioned {that a} “legal case has been launched” and that the Azerbaijani public could be “often knowledgeable” about progress within the investigation.

Kazakhstan has fashioned a authorities fee to look at the reason for the catastrophe and make sure that the households of the useless and injured have been getting the assistance they wanted.

The investigations are specializing in potential technical issues and the closure of close by airspace.

Embraer, the Brazilian producer of the plane, has expressed its willingness to help with the inquiries.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — With out many weapons round him, New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler couldn’t capitalize on his alternative for a nationally televised showcase.

One week after main 4 straight scoring drives in a 20-19 loss to the Washington Commanders, the fifth-round choose from South Carolina didn’t produce any factors as the Saints fell 34-0 to the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Monday night time, the primary shutout within the NFL this season.

The Saints (5-10) have been shut out for the primary time since falling 13-0 to San Francisco on Nov. 27, 2022.

“Embarrassing loss,” Rattler mentioned. “I put it on myself. I performed not good in any respect, in my view. Simply didn’t have any solutions. Acquired to go make extra performs, shield the ball. Simply bought to be higher.”

Rattler has began 4 video games in his rookie season, and the Saints have misplaced every of them by a minimum of 18 factors. However he confirmed promise in his final look, when he got here off the bench to interchange an ineffective Jake Haener and orchestrated a comeback in opposition to the Commanders.

That efficiency earned Rattler one other begin rather than the injured Derek Carr, however Rattler wasn’t almost as efficient Monday night time. He went 15 of 30 for 153 yards with an interception and a fumble.

The Saints have been enjoying with out five-time Professional Bowl working again Alvin Kamara (groin) and receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest/sickness). Receivers Rashid Shaheed (knee) and Chris Olave (head) and tight finish Taysom Hill (knee) have been sidelined for a number of weeks. The Saints misplaced middle Erik McCoy to an elbow damage throughout Monday’s recreation.

Rattler didn’t use these accidents as an excuse.

“Our expectation is to try to get it achieved with anyone,” Rattler mentioned. “All through the week, I’m assured in my guys all the time.”

Rattler was dealing with a Inexperienced Bay protection lacking 4 starters: linebacker and main tackler Quay Walker, two-time Professional Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander and rookie safeties Evan Williams and Javon Bullard.

However the Packers nonetheless had loads of solutions for Rattler and the Saints.

New Orleans was shut out within the first half for a second straight recreation, the primary time the Saints have been scoreless at halftime of back-to-back video games since 1997.

On New Orleans’ first sequence, Rattler failed to attach with Kevin Austin on third-and-7 from the Inexperienced Bay 40. The Saints initially lined as much as go for it on fourth down however opted to punt after a false-start penalty pushed them again 5 yards.

New Orleans already trailed 21-0 when Rattler bought the Saints contained in the Inexperienced Bay 30 late within the second quarter. That drive ended when Keisean Nixon sacked Rattler and compelled a fumble that Rashan Gary recovered.

The Saints bought to Inexperienced Bay’s 34 earlier than a sack by Devonte Wyatt pushed them out of subject aim vary within the closing seconds of the half, resulting in an unsuccessful Hail Mary try. That drive additionally included a clock administration miscue. The Saints allowed about 24 seconds to run off the clock after Austin recovered his personal fumble earlier than New Orleans lastly known as a timeout with 15 seconds left.

“You noticed some flash performs,” Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi mentioned. “I believed he made a few actually good performs, however then we made a few actually unhealthy choices. However, like I mentioned, we didn’t assist him a lot. I feel it was an general crew state of affairs. We dropped some passes. We dropped some balls on him, which may have helped us, and made the general product look lots higher and possibly make his efficiency look higher.”

With the Saints trailing 24-0 within the third quarter, Rattler bought New Orleans into scoring place once more earlier than Zayne Anderson picked off a first-and-10 move from the 22.

That was as shut as Rattler and the Saints bought to scoring.

“We bought outplayed,” Rattler mentioned. “We bought punched within the mouth.”

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl