Australian bowler Mitchell Starc set a new record as the most expensive signing in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, securing a deal for 24.75 crore Indian rupees (£2.3 million) with the Kolkata Knight Riders. This broke the earlier record set on the same day when Pat Cummins was bought for 20.5 crore (£1.9 million). The fee surpassed the 18.15 crore (£1.85 million) paid for England's Sam Curran in 2022.
In a thrilling encounter, Drew Lock secured a 20-17 victory for the Seattle Seahawks over the Philadelphia Eagles, keeping their playoff aspirations alive. The 27-year-old quarterback, making only his second start of the season due to Geno Smith's injury, orchestrated a remarkable 92-yard, 10-play drive, culminating in a game-winning 29-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba with just 28 seconds remaining.
Turner Prize-winning artist Sir Grayson Perry has criticized energy firm EDF, alleging that the company attempted to increase his monthly electricity bill from £300 to an astonishing £39,000. Sir Grayson shared his frustration on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that EDF sought to deduct this inflated amount via direct debit. Other customers, including journalist Jon Sopel, chimed in with similar experiences.
Emmy-nominated actor Jonathan Majors has been released from Marvel Studios following his conviction for assaulting his then-girlfriend, British choreographer Grace Jabbari. The New York jury found Majors, 34, guilty of attacking and harassing Jabbari during a dispute in March. In response to the verdict, Marvel announced the termination of their collaboration with the actor, who portrayed the villain Kang the Conqueror in Marvel films, including "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" and the Disney+ series "Loki." Facing a potential one-year prison sentence, Majors' downfall is particularly significant given his expected involvement in multiple Marvel projects, including "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty," which Marvel has now rebranded as "Avengers 5."
Esteemed broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen has disclosed her affiliation with the Dignitas assisted dying clinic in Switzerland, unveiling her connection in the context of her ongoing battle with stage four lung cancer. In a candid interview 83-year-old acknowledged the potential recourse to assisted dying in Zurich should her current medical regimen prove ineffective. Despite contemplating this option, Dame Esther conveyed her hopeful anticipation for a "precious" Christmas, a milestone she had not envisaged reaching. Notably, assisted suicide remains proscribed in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, carrying the weight of severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to 14 years.
The video game studio responsible for Spider-Man 2 has fallen victim to a significant ransomware attack. Hackers, demanding a $2 million ransom from Sony-owned Insomniac, the studio behind the Play Station 5 hit, have exposed information including details about upcoming releases and work-in-progress footage of the anticipated Wolverine game. The leaked data, encompassing private employee information and internal company emails, has prompted condemnation from fellow game developers, journalists, and fans.
A U.S. senator expressed anger after a staffer was reportedly featured in a sex tape recorded within a Senate hearing room. Senator Ben Cardin stated that the individual associated with the video is "no longer a Senate employee." The Maryland Democrat conveyed his disappointment, emphasizing the breach of trust. As of now, no charges have been filed, and the US Capitol Police are said to be investigating the matter. The video, allegedly showing a congressional aide engaged in a sexual act in a Senate hearing room, was reported by The Daily Caller.
Monsanto, a chemical firm owned by German pharmaceutical company Bayer, has been ordered to pay $857 million (£676 million) to seven individuals who claimed to have suffered health issues due to chemicals leaking from light fixtures at a US school. The plaintiffs, including former students and parent volunteers, asserted that exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at the Sky Valley Education Centre in Washington state caused neurological and endocrine system problems.
Severe flooding in northern Australia, triggered by ex-tropical cyclone Jasper, is starting to recede, but numerous towns remain isolated in waters inhabited by crocodiles, with diminishing supplies posing a significant challenge. Queensland has experienced extreme weather conditions, resulting in a year's worth of rain in certain areas. Record-level river swelling has led to homes being flooded, roads and power lines being severed, and people evacuating in boats.
Analysts are cautioning that the recent attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, orchestrated by Houthi rebels in Yemen, have the potential to drive up the prices of oil and other goods. In response to the attacks, several companies have temporarily halted shipments through the affected route. Maersk, the world's second-largest shipping line, announced its decision to reroute some vessels around Africa's Cape of Good Hope. The severity of the situation has prompted the United States to initiate an international naval operation aimed at safeguarding ships navigating the Red Sea route. Participating countries in this security effort include the UK, Canada, France, Bahrain, Norway, and Spain.