Good morning. It's Thursday, Sept. 9, and we're covering one of the biggest trials in modern France, the beginning of the 2021-22 NFL season, and much more. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

Paris Terror Trial

The trial in a coordinated string of bombings and mass shootings that rocked France six years ago got underway in a Paris courtroom yesterday. The majority of the 20 defendants are alleged to have provided logistical support for the attack. The only militant to survive the night was 31-year-old Salah Abdeslam, whose escape led to a five-month search across Europe before he was apprehended. 

The attack was the worst in France since World War II. Nine gunmen split across three groups carried out six different attacks the night of Nov. 13, 2015 (see timeline). More than 130 people were killed and more than 400 injured, including 90 people at a concert at the Bataclan concert hall. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

The attack triggered a two-year-long state of emergency that saw a number of counterterrorism and surveillance laws passed. The trial is expected to last up to nine months.

NFL Kicks Off

The 2021-22 NFL season gets underway tonight, with the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Dallas Cowboys (8:20 pm ET, NBC). The Bucs are led by superstar QB Tom Brady, who will be seeking a record eighth Super Bowl win at age 44.

It marks the second season the NFL will navigate amid the pandemic. Under current protocols, stadiums will be allowed to be filled at 100% capacity, with each team determining their own vaccination or testing requirements for entrance. The season will also be the first to feature a 17th game under a renegotiated collective bargaining agreement.

Other Week 1 games feature the Green Bay Packers visiting the New Orleans Saints (4:25 pm ET, Sunday, Fox) in the Saints' first game of the post-Drew Brees era, and the Houston Texans hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars and top draft pick QB Trevor Lawrence (1 pm ET, Sunday, CBS). 

See the top 20 storylines for the season here.

'A Giant Floating Head'

Paleontologists working in the Canadian Rockies revealed the fossil of one of the largest predators discovered to date from the Cambrian era, roughly 500 million years ago. The specimen, dubbed Titanokorys gainesi, was estimated at roughly 2 feet in length—relatively normal compared to modern-day objects, but enormous for an epoch in which most organisms were an inch or less in size. 

Analysis of the fossil revealed rudimentary eyes, a tooth-lined mouth, and appendages for swimming. Notably, the Titanokorys' head was so large in proportion to its body that researchers described it as effectively a "floating head." Paleontologists are particularly interested in species from the Cambrian period as it marked a boom in the biodiversity of species, believed to have been driven by shifts in the ancient ocean's oxygen levels.  

Despite its size, the Titanokorys is not the largest predator known from the Cambrian period. That title belongs to Anomalocaris, a 3-foot-long shrimp-like creature.

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> US men's national team overcomes halftime deficit to defeat Honduras 4-1 in World Cup qualifying match; Ricardo Pepi scores a goal, adds two assists (More)

> Macy's annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City to return with in-person crowds and vaccinated staff and participants (More) | Emmy-winning actor Michael Constantine dies at 94 (More)

> Derek Jeter, Larry Walker headline 2020 inductees into National Baseball Hall of Fame; the induction ceremony was postponed a year due to COVID-19 (More)

Science & Technology

Brought to you by Apollo Neuro

> Researchers recreate "living" cells; the synthetic structures imitate the core processes of biological cells, including consumption, processing, and expelling of outside material (More)

> MIT scientists demonstrate the most powerful superconducting magnet of its kind on Earth; the device is considered a key advance toward the goal of fusion power (More)

> Energy Department analysis projects solar energy could account for up to 40% of the nation's power portfolio by 2035, but would require significant investments to achieve (More) | New York state bans sales of new gasoline cars beginning in 2035 (More)

From our partners: A wearable that trains your body to relax. Apollo Neuro is a groundbreaking new wearable device that helps your body recover from stress using silent, soothing vibrations. Developed by neuroscientists and physicians, Apollo Neuro helps users experience—on average—40% less stress and feelings of anxiety, and up to 25% increases in focus and concentration. Get 10% off Apollo Neuro today.

Business & Markets

> Elizabeth Holmes' criminal trial, the founder and CEO of the blood-testing startup Theranos, kicked off yesterday with opening arguments (More)

> Bill Gates’ investment firm acquires a controlling stake in Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts for $2.2B, valuing company at $10B (More)

> Shares of “meme stock” video game retailer GameStop fall in after-hours trading despite narrowing losses and revenue growth in first earnings report under new CEO and CFO (More) | Apparel giant Lululemon sees shares surge over 10% after beating expectations and posting 63% yearly sales growth (More) 

Politics & World Affairs

> Biden administration to unveil updated strategy to combat rise in COVID-19 cases today (More) | Total COVID-19 hospitalizations at 94,000, down 4% over the past week (More) | Children accounted for more than 26% of new US cases over the past week, data show; severe illnesses rare (More)

> Hurricane Larry expected to create dangerous surf and riptide conditions along the East Coast beginning late today, but not make US landfall; see trajectory (More) | Tropical Storm Mindy passes over the Florida panhandle (More)

> Robert E. Lee statue, the focus of yearslong protests and vandalism, dismantled in Richmond, Virginia (More) | See footage (Watch)

IN-DEPTH

The Redemption of Michael K. Williams

NJ.com | Kevin Manahan. (From 2012) The celebrated actor, best known for his role as Omar Little in "The Wire," passed away this weekend at age 54. Here Williams reflects on his long-running battle with addiction while creating some of television's most powerful scenes. (Read)

A Season Uninterrupted

Yahoo | Sam Farmer. The NFL devised a secret plan to navigate the pandemic-disrupted 2020-21 season—here's how the league avoided needing to implement it. (Read)

YOUR SLEEP IS UNIQUE

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ETCETERA

Singapore deploys roaming public snitch-bots​.

Meet this year's class of 40 under 40. 

Women now make up 60% of college students.

Match random squiggly lines to satellite images of Earth (best on desktop).

Florida resident fights potholes with banana trees.

How to shoot the night sky, for beginners.

What historical figures would look like today. 

No buyers for this $500M Bel Air mansion.

Clickbait: The Grimace mystery deepens.

Historybook: United States of America officially gets its name (1776); HBD actor Hugh Grant (1960); HBD actor Adam Sandler (1966); China founding father Mao Zedong dies (1976); Queen Elizabeth II becomes longest-reigning monarch of the UK at more than 63 years with crown (2015).

"Let us not take ourselves too seriously. None of us has a monopoly on wisdom."

- Queen Elizabeth II

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