By LORNE COOK, Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — Defense ministers from European countries with borders close to Russia and Ukraine held talks on Friday about building a “drone wall” to plug gaps in their defenses following several airspace violations.

Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have been working on a drone wall project, but in March, the European Union’s executive branch rejected a joint Estonia-Lithuania request for funds to set one up.

Ukrainian soldiers prepare to launch an Avenger UAV drone in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. ( AP Photo/Yevhen Titov)

Since then, Europe’s borders have been increasingly tested by rogue drones. Russia has been blamed for some of the incidents, but denies that anything was done on purpose or that it played a role.

NATO jets scrambled on Sept. 10 to shoot down a number of Russian drones that breached Polish airspace, in an expensive response to a relatively cheap threat. Airports in Denmark were temporarily closed this week after drones were flown nearby.

EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius chaired Friday’s talks. The meeting, via video-link, included those countries plus officials from Bulgaria, Denmark, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, along with representatives from Ukraine and NATO.

The aim is to establish what equipment those countries have to counter drone intrusions, what more they might need to plug any gaps along NATO’s eastern flank, and for Kubilius work out where EU funds might be found to help the effort.

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The focus is on improving the detection and tracking of small and hard-to-spot drones, and coming up with a joint way to respond to any intrusions. EU leaders will discuss the meeting conclusions at a summit in Copenhagen on Wednesday.

While the effort will initially focus on the eastern flank closest to Russia and Ukraine, the commission hopes that the initiative will be taken up by other countries across the 27-nation bloc.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said earlier this month that Europe “must heed the call of our Baltic friends and build a drone wall.”

“This is not an abstract ambition. It is the bedrock of credible defense,” von der Leyen told EU lawmakers.

It should be, she said, “a European capability developed together, deployed together, and sustained together, that can respond in real time. One that leaves no ambiguity as to our intentions. Europe will defend every inch of its territory.”

Von der Leyen said that $7 billion would be earmarked to set up a drone alliance with Ukraine, whose armed forces are using the unmanned aerial vehicles to inflict around two-thirds of all military equipment losses sustained by Russian forces.

By MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader John Thune is rejecting Democratic demands on health care as unserious but says a government shutdown is still “avoidable” despite sharp divisions ahead of Wednesday’s funding deadline.

“I’m a big believer that there’s always a way out,” the South Dakota Republican said in an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday. “And I think there are off-ramps here, but I don’t think that the negotiating position, at least at the moment, that the Democrats are trying to exert here is going to get you there.”

Sen. Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks during a news conference after a policy luncheon at the Capitol, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Thune said Democrats are going to have to “dial back” their demands, which include immediately extending health insurance subsidies and reversing the health care policies in the massive tax bill that Republicans passed over the summer. Absent that, Thune said, “we’re probably plunging forward toward the shutdown.”

It’s just the latest standoff in Washington over government funding, stretching back through several administrations. President Donald Trump was the driving force behind the longest shutdown ever during his first term, as he sought money for a U.S.-Mexico border wall. This time it is Democrats who are making demands as they face intense pressure from their core supporters to stand up to the Republican president and his policies.

Democrats have shown little signs of relenting, just before spending runs out Wednesday. Their position remained the same even after the White House Office of Management and Budget on Wednesday released a memo that said agencies should consider a “reduction in force” for many federal programs if the government closes — meaning thousands of federal workers could be permanently laid off.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said the OMB memo was simply an “attempt at intimidation” and predicted the “unnecessary firings will either be overturned in court or the administration will end up hiring the workers back.”

Thune stopped short of criticizing the White House threat of mass layoffs, saying the situation remains “a hypothetical.” Still, he said no one should be surprised by the memo as “everyone knows Russ Vought,” the head of the Office of Management and Budget, and his longtime advocacy for slashing government.

“But it’s all avoidable,” Thune said. “And so if they don’t want to go down that path, there’s a way to avoid going down that path.”

One way to avoid a shutdown, Thune said, would be for enough Democrats to vote with Republicans for a stripped-down “clean” bill to keep the government open for the next seven weeks while negotiations on spending continue. That’s how Republicans avoided a shutdown in March, when Schumer and several other Democrats decided at the last minute to vote with Republicans — to great political cost when Schumer’s party then revolted.

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A seven-week funding bill has already passed the House.

“What would eight Democrats be willing to support?” Thune asked. “In terms of a path forward, or at least understanding what that path forward looks like.”

Republicans in the 100-member Senate need at least seven Democrats to vote with them to get the 60 votes necessary for a short-term funding package, and they may lose up to two of their own — Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky both opposed it in preliminary votes last week. A competing bill from Democrats also fell well short of 60 votes.

Thune suggested some individual bipartisan bills to fund parts of the government for the next year could be part of a compromise, “but that requires cooperation from both sides,” he said.

Democrats say they are frustrated that Thune hasn’t approached them to negotiate — and that Trump abruptly canceled a meeting with Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York that had been scheduled for this week. Trump wrote on social media, “I have decided that no meeting with their Congressional Leaders could possibly be productive.”

Thune said he “did have a conversation with the president” and offered his opinion on the meeting, which he declined to disclose. “But I think the president speaks for himself, and I think he came to the conclusion that that meeting would not be productive,” Thune said.

Still, he says he thinks Trump could be open to a negotiation on the expanded health care subsidies that expire at the end of the year if Democrats weren’t threatening a shutdown. Many people who receive the subsidies through the marketplaces set up by the Affordable Care Act are expected to see a sharp rise in premiums if Congress doesn’t extend them.

Some Republicans have agreed with Democrats that keeping the subsidies is necessary, but Thune says “reform is going to have to be a big part of it.” Democrats are likely to oppose such changes.

By Monday, when the Senate returns to session, lawmakers will have just over 24 hours to avoid federal closures.

Thune said he intends to bring up the bills that were rejected last week. “They’ll get multiple chances to vote,” he said, before a government shutdown begins at midnight Wednesday.

He said he hopes “cooler heads will prevail.”

“I don’t think shutdowns benefit anybody, least of all the American people,” Thune said.

Vikings vs. Steelers (+1½)
The NFL North co-leaders begin their two-week European adventure in Dublin against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers. Irish football fans are very similar to their American counterparts in that they share a common nausea when the Pittsburgh quarterback opens his mouth.
Pick: Vikings by 3

Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is sacked by Milton Williams #97 of the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)

Bengals at Broncos (-7½)
The Bengals suffered their worst loss ever last Sunday, falling by 38 points to the Vikings. Sports historians believe the debacle may have been the most disgraceful thing ever endured by Cincinnati fans that didn’t involve Pete Rose.
Pick: Broncos by 3

Ivan Pace Jr. #0 of the Minnesota Vikings tackles Jake Browning #6 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

Packers at Cowboys (+6½)
It will be Micah Parsons Day in JerryWorld as the all-pro edge rusher returns just weeks after Jerry Jones traded him for scraps. Green Bay mavens are so excited that they immediately forgot all about last Sunday’s abomination in Cleveland.
Pick: Packers by 11

Micah Parsons #1 of the Green Bay Packers in action against the Washington Commanders at Lambeau Field on Sept. 11, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Eagles at Buccaneers (+3½)
Tampa Bay improved to 3-0 last Sunday wearing its 50th anniversary throwbacks with the creamsicle-faced Buccaneer on their helmet. The logo is quite dated, as it was used in those days where having an orange face was not necessarily a sign of low IQ.
Pick: Buccaneers by 3

Mike Evans #13 and Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrate after a touchdown during the second quarter against the New York Jets at Raymond James Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Ravens at Chiefs (+2½)
Baltimore’s Derrick Henry threw a helmet-slamming fit after another key fumble of his that led to another Ravens loss. Normally, if you want to see grown adults throwing tantrums like toddlers, you’d have to watch the House of Representatives on C-SPAN.
Pick: Ravens by 3

Baltimore’s Derrick Henry shows a high level of disenchantment on the sidelines after his critical fumble Monday night against Detroit. (Screen grab from YouTube)

Chargers at Giants (+5½)
New York lost to Kansas City on Monday night, dropping the Giants’ record to 2-20 in evening games over the past six seasons. So they’re switching to rookie Jaxson Dart at quarterback this week, because Russell Wilson now sucks both day and night.
Pick: Chargers by 11

Russell Wilson #3 of the New York Giants sacked by Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Commanders at Falcons (+2½)
Atlanta reportedly is still asking for an exorbitant price to trade former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins. But so far the best offer they’ve gotten, from an unnamed team, is an exchange of the veteran quarterback for a 1974 Chevy Vega.
Pick: Commanders by 3

Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons participates in warmups prior to the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Aug. 22, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Jets at Dolphins (-2½)
Two winless teams battling to avoid the AFC East basement are slated to stink up ESPN’s premium Monday night time slot. This game is such a dog that Disney is considering taking the game broadcast off the air and replacing it with Jimmy Kimmel re-runs.
Pick: Dolphins by 3

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, right, sits on the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Colts at Rams (-3½)
The Rams, and many bettors, lost big time when their try for a game-winning field goal turned into a pointspread-flipping, blocked-kick touchdown by the Eagles. That result will mean more cash for seedy gambling sites to spend on tedious Kevin Hart-LeBron James commercials.
Pick: Rams by 7

Jordan Davis #90 of the Philadelphia Eagles returns a blocked field goal for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 21, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Saints at Bills (-15½)
Winless New Orleans broke out its alternate white helmets in Week 3 for its loss in Seattle. The blank shade matches perfectly the white flags the Saints waved when crafting their 2025 roster.
Pick: Bills by 21

Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints in action against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Sept. 21, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Jaguars at 49ers (-3½)
San Francisco’s Nick Bosa suffered a season-ending knee injury, a severe blow to the 49ers’ defense. He received many online condolences, including one from President Trump, urging Bosa to avoid taking Tylenol and “tough it out.”
Pick: 49ers by 7

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) lies down on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker)

Other games

Browns at Lions (-8½)
Pick: Lions by 7

Titans at Texans (-6½)
Pick: Texans by 3

Panthers at Patriots (-4½)
Pick: Panthers by 3

Bears at Raiders (-1½)
Pick: Raiders by 7

Record

Andre Szmyt #25 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates with teammates after kicking the game winning field goal against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field on Sept. 21, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Last week
11-5 straight up
11-5 vs. spread

Season
34-14 straight up (.708)
30-18 vs. spread (.625)

All-time (2003-25)
3853-2115 straight up (.646)
2940-2897-145 vs spread (.504)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

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There was a quiet confidence about veteran quarterback Carson Wentz at TCO Performance Center as he stood at the podium reserved for the man starting under center.

He acknowledged that he left some meat on the bone last weekend in Minnesota’s 48-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. He vowed to be better this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland.

“There are definitely some things to clean up,” Wentz said. “It was far from perfect.”

Wentz was wasn’t spectacular in the blowout win, but he didn’t need to be.

All the Vikings needed Wentz to do while filling in for injured quarterback J.J. McCarthy was keep the train on the tracks, and that’s exactly what he did. He completed 14 of 20 pass attempts for 173 yards and a pair of touchdowns while looking the part of somebody who has started nearly 100 games in the NFL.

The poise that Wentz displayed was enough to ask whether the Vikings are still fully committed to McCarthy as their starter when he recovers from his high ankle sprain.

That head coach Kevin O’Connell was noncommittal in his answer to that question kept the door open for a potential quarterback controversy down the road.

As for his evaluation of Wentz, in particular, O’Connell was effusive in his praise, highlighting some of the fundamentals, like his capacity to go through his progression in the pocket and ability to throw with anticipation when attacking the intermediate part of the field.

“He was very sharp,” O’Connell said. “I just thought he did a really nice job of playing point guard.”

The way that Wentz played the position looked much different than how McCarthy played the position in the Vikings’ first two games.

The most glaring difference was decisiveness. Wentz’s average time from snap to throw was 2.43 seconds, according to Next Gen Stats, while McCarthy’s average time from snap to throw was 3.15 seconds.

That’s a lifetime in the NFL when pass rushers are trying to get home.

“He was getting the ball out of his hands,” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said when asked about Wentz. “I think the more he plays, the more comfortable he’ll be.”

Some of the comfort Wentz had when dropping back to pass can be chalked up to the return of star left tackle Christian Darrisaw. To make it all about that, however, wouldn’t be giving Wentz enough credit for how he was consistently able to play in rhythm.

“That can be an incredible weapon for a quarterback,” O’Connell said. “I think there’s value in J.J. seeing that.”

The willingness that McCarthy has shown to continue to learn despite his high ankle sprain is a good sign.

“That’s the something we love about him,” O’Connell said. “He’s going to find positives even in a situation where he can’t be on the field. ”

Though it’s still unclear how much longer Wentz will be the starter, he’s doing everything in his power to learn the ins and outs of the offense. Playing for his sixth team in six years, he has leaned heavily on O’Connell, Phillips and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, among others, while also relying on some of his past experiences to give him an edge.

“There’s still a lot of carry over in this system to other teams I’ve been on,” said Wentz, the second overall draft pick in 2016. “Even if it might be called something different, and there might be little nuances and intricacies … throwing into a zone versus Cover 3 is still the same window.”

The opportunity in front of him isn’t lost on Wentz, who has earned the reputation of a journeyman, having played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs in his career.

As he prepared to start for the Vikings last week, Wentz noted it had been a few years since he had played in a game of consequence. What’s it been like for him this week preparing for another game of consequence?

“Fun,” Wentz said with a smile. “I did this for quite a long time leading up until the little hiatus.”

There’s a chance he’ll get to continue doing it for the Vikings moving forward.

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