NoneAn Israeli drone strike on a hospital compound in northern Gaza on Thursday killed a 16-year-old boy in a wheelchair and wounded at least 12 other people, including medical staff, the Gaza Health Ministry and the hospital director said. Kamal Adwan Hospital is one of the few hospitals still partially operating in the northernmost part of Gaza , where Israeli forces are pressing an offensive that has almost completely sealed off the area from humanitarian aid for two months. Earlier Thursday, the human rights group Amnesty International accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip during its war with Hamas, saying it has sought to deliberately destroy Palestinians by mounting deadly attacks, demolishing vital infrastructure and preventing the delivery of food, medicine and other aid. Israel says it goes to great lengths to avoid harming civilians as it battles Hamas. Israel's war against Hamas has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced 90% of the population of 2.3 million, often multiple times. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel in October 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 people hostage . Israel’s blistering retaliatory offensive has killed at least 44,500 Palestinians , more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were combatants. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. Here's the Latest: Attack near US base in eastern Syria may have wounded 3 service members, Pentagon says WASHINGTON -- Three U.S. service members were being evaluated for potential traumatic brain injuries following an attack near a base in eastern Syria this week, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Thursday. Ryder said U.S. Central Command is still evaluating who was behind the attack near Mission Support Site Euphrates, which prompted the U.S. to conduct counter strikes on Tuesday. At the time, the Pentagon said rockets and mortars had landed in the vicinity of the base. The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria to conduct missions to counter the Islamic Stage group. By Lolita Baldor Hezbollah says it will help pay to rebuild homes destroyed in war with Israel BEIRUT — Hezbollah chief Naim Kassem said in a televised speech on Friday that the Lebanese militant group will provide financial assistance to families whose homes were completely destroyed during the recent war with Israel. In addition to being an armed group, Hezbollah is also a political party and provides extensive social services. In his second speech since the ceasefire that ended the war between Hezbollah and Israel on Nov. 27, Kassem reiterated that the U.N. Resolution 1701 “is not a new agreement,” adding that it stipulates that “Israel must withdraw from all Lebanese territories.” “The agreement is limited to the area south of the Litani River and nothing else,” Kassem said. He also accused Israel of committing over 60 violations of the ceasefire . Seated against the backdrop of a banner reading “reconstruction campaign,” Kassem announced that Hezbollah, with support from Iran, will provide financial aid to families whose homes were completely destroyed during the war. Those in Beirut and its southern suburbs will receive $14,000, while families outside the capital will receive $12,000, covering annual rent and compensation for furniture, he said. For partially damaged homes, specialized committees will assess the damages, Kassem said. Commenting on Syria and the stunning offensive by jihadi insurgents in recent days, Kassem said Hezbollah “will stand alongside Syria to stop the aggression.” “The aggression against Syria is sponsored by America and Israel,” Kassem said. He did not specify whether Hezbollah would send fighters to Syria to join forces with the Syrian army. Biden administration says genocide accusations against Israel are ‘unfounded’ WASHINGTON — The Biden administration says it believes accusations by Amnesty International that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza are “unfounded” although it says human rights groups play a “vital role” in speaking to the consequences of the conflict. Deputy State Department spokesman Vedant Patel declined to comment Thursday about specifics in the report, saying he would “let Amnesty International speak to the details about it.” But, he said the administration continues to disagree with its conclusion, as it has with previous similar reports from other organizations. “As you’ve heard us say previously, we disagree with the conclusions of such a report,” Patel told reporters in Washington. “We have said previously and continue to find that the allegations of genocide are unfounded. But there continues to be a vital role that civil society organizations like Amnesty International and human rights groups and NGOs play in providing information and analysis as it relates to Gaza and what’s going on.” At the same time, he said the administration’s concern about the situation in Gaza also remains unchanged and urged Israel to do more to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza. “We continue to stress at every turn that there is a moral and strategic priority for Israel to comply with international humanitarian law and that is something we’re going to continue to raise with partners in the region and directly with Israel,” Patel said. An Israeli drone strikes a hospital in northern Gaza, killing a teen in a wheelchair and wounding at least 12 CAIRO — An Israeli drone strike on a hospital compound in northern Gaza killed a 16-year-old boy in a wheelchair and wounded at least 12 other people, including medical staff, the Gaza Health Ministry and the hospital director said. Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya said an Israeli drone deliberately targeted patients and staff at the entrance to the reception and emergency area of Kamal Adwan Hospital, killing Mahmoud Abu al-Aish, a patient being taken in a wheelchair to the radiology department. Abu Safiya spoke in a video he posted on social media, standing inside the hospital as doctors operated on a wounded man behind him, calling it, “The injured treating the injured.” Abu Safiya was wounded in his thigh and back by an Israeli drone strike on the hospital last month. Israel says it goes to great lengths to avoid harming civilians as it battles Hamas. Kamal Adwan Hospital has been struck multiple times over the past two months since Israel launched a fierce military operation in northern Gaza against Hamas militants. In October, Israeli forces raided the hospital, saying that militants were sheltering inside and arrested a number of people, including some staff. Hospital officials denied the claim. The United Nations humanitarian office estimates up to 75,000 people remain in the northern towns of Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya and the Jabaliya refugee camp. The area has been almost completely sealed off from humanitarian aid for two months and experts have warned that a famine may have set in . A medical relief team from the U.N. World Health Organization was able to reach Kamal Adwan Hospital on Monday, delivering 10,000 liters of fuel (2,640 gallons), blood supplies, essential medical items and food. The U.N. press office also said Baby formula shortage in Gaza leaves Palestinian mothers struggling to feed infants, Health Ministry says DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Palestinian mothers in Gaza are struggling to secure baby formula for their newborn children and are forced to resort to alternatives that aren't the best options for infants. The Health Ministry in Gaza reported Thursday a shortage in baby formula amid a lack of aid entering the besieged territory and high prices due to scarcity. If found in the market, one box of baby formula could cost up to $50, according to an Associated Press journalist. Ahmed al-Farra, director of the child and maternity department at Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis, said in the video statement posted by the Health Ministry that Israeli forces have been denying the entry of baby formula to the Gaza Strip for around three months. He explained that some women in Gaza can’t breastfeed their babies due to their own malnutrition or illness and must resort to giving infants starch or dissolved herbs instead, which pose a health risk. One mother said in a video posted by the Health Ministry that she was feeding her baby crushed biscuits, ground rice, and Cerelac brand baby formula if available. Medical professionals often recommend waiting to feed a child solid foods until at least the age of six months. The amount of aid entering Gaza plunged in October, and hunger is widespread across the territory, even in central Gaza where aid groups have more access. Humanitarian organizations say Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting and the breakdown of law and order make it difficult to deliver assistance. Israel has said it is working to increase the flow of aid. Israeli rights groups demand end to ‘forcible transfer’ of Palestinians out of northern Gaza JERUSALEM — Israeli rights groups are calling on the government to stop the “forcible transfer” of Palestinians out of northern Gaza and for the displaced to be allowed to return home. A joint letter from five well-known groups says “this forcible transfer is being undertaken through direct attacks on the civilian population, threats of such attacks, and the creation of inhumane living conditions.” The letter was issued by Gisha, Adalah, HaMoked, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel and Physicians for Human Rights – Israel, groups based in Israel that advocate for Palestinian rights. Tens of thousands have fled Gaza’s northernmost governorate since Israel launched a military operation there in early October against Hamas militants. The United Nations humanitarian office estimates up to 75,000 people remain in the northern towns of Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya and the Jabaliya refugee camp. The area has been almost completely sealed off from humanitarian aid for two months and experts have warned that a famine may have set in . Israel has ordered repeated mass evacuations since the start of the war. Around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people have fled, often several times . Hundreds of thousands are packed into sprawling tent camps along the coast, an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone where Israel has also carried out repeated strikes against what it says are militant targets. Moshe Yaalon, a former top Israeli general and defense minister, said last week that Israel was engaged in “ethnic cleansing” and other war crimes in northern Gaza. Amnesty International on Wednesday said Israel was committing genocide in Gaza . Israel has adamantly denied the allegations, saying it goes to great lengths to avoid harming civilians as it battles Hamas, which ignited the war with its Oct. 7, 2023 attack into Israel. Amnesty International accuses Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip CAIRO — Amnesty International accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip during its war with Hamas, saying it has sought to deliberately destroy Palestinians by mounting deadly attacks, demolishing vital infrastructure and preventing the delivery of food, medicine and other aid. The human rights group released a report Thursday in the Middle East that said such actions could not be justified by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack into Israel, which ignited the war, or the presence of militants in civilian areas. Amnesty said the United States and other allies of Israel could be complicit in genocide, and called on them to halt arms shipments. “Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to the international community: this is genocide. It must stop now,” Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said in the report. Israel, which was founded in the aftermath of the Holocaust, has adamantly rejected genocide allegations against it as an antisemitic “blood libel.” It is challenging such allegations at the International Court of Justice , and it has rejected the International Criminal Court’s accusations that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister committed war crimes in Gaza. “The deplorable and fanatical organization Amnesty International has once again produced a fabricated report that is entirely false and based on lies,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Israel accused Hamas , which has vowed to annihilate Israel, of carrying out a genocidal massacre in the attack that triggered the war, and said it is defending itself in accordance with international law.
NoneDorman products' president sells $1.14 million in stock
ICU Medical VP Daniel Woolson sells $350,158 in stock
NoneNoneLOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James has been ruled out of the Los Angeles Lakers' game at Minnesota on Friday night due to soreness in his left foot. James will miss his second straight game when the Lakers return from a four-day break to face the Timberwolves, the Lakers announced Thursday. The top scorer in NBA history was away from the team this week with an excused absence attributed to “personal reasons,” coach JJ Redick said Wednesday. It's unclear whether James will even make the quick round trip to Minnesota before the Lakers' next game at home against Memphis on Sunday. James missed his first game of his record-tying 22nd NBA season when the Lakers beat Portland at home last Sunday. That absence also was attributed to his foot injury. James is averaging 23.0 points, 9.1 assists and 8.0 rebounds for the Lakers (13-11), who have lost seven of 10 after a 10-4 start. The Lakers upgraded starter Austin Reaves to questionable for the game at Minnesota after he missed LA's previous five games with a pelvic bruise. Anthony Davis is listed as probable with left plantar fasciitis. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
NoneTrent Williams' wife, Sondra, says their son was stillborn
MASVINGO – Zanu PF Bikita West legislator, Energy Mutodi, has been served with a US$1,500 per month child maintenance lawsuit by his ex-wife, who alleges that Mutodi has not contributed a cent towards the upkeep of their six-month-old child. Polite Dhiyo filed the application at the Masvingo Magistrates Court this morning. She claims that Mutodi has not provided any financial support for the child despite earning at least US$15,000 a month from his businesses, legal practice, and his role as a Member of Parliament in Zimbabwe. “I was married in 2023 to the respondent under customary law. The respondent paid part of the lobola to my parents. However, we later separated. During the customary law union, we had one minor child, who is now six months old. “At the time of our separation, the respondent undertook to provide financial support for the upkeep of the child. However, since the separation, the respondent has not paid a single cent towards the child’s upkeep. I have been solely responsible for providing shelter, food, clothing, and medication for the child,” reads part of the application.HCA Healthcare Inc. stock underperforms Friday when compared to competitors
Arkansas visits skidding Miami in battle of veteran coachesNEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams met with President-elect Donald Trump's incoming “border czar” on Thursday, with the Democratic mayor expressing an enthusiasm to work with the incoming administration to pursue violent criminals in the city while Trump promises mass deportations. The mayor's meeting with Tom Homan, who will oversee the southern and northern borders and be responsible for deportation efforts in the Trump administration, came as Adams has welcomed parts of the president-elect's hardline immigration platform. Adams told reporters at a brief news conference that he and Homan agreed on pursuing people who commit violent crimes in the city but did not disclose additional details or future plans. “We’re not going to be a safe haven for those who commit repeated violent crimes against innocent migrants, immigrants and longstanding New Yorkers," he said. “That was my conversation today with the border czar, to figure out how to go after those individuals who are repeatedly committing crimes in our city.” The meeting marked Adams' latest and most definitive step toward collaborating with the Trump administration, a development that has startled critics in one of the country's most liberal cities. In the weeks since Trump’s election win, Adams has mused about potentially scaling back the city’s so-called sanctuary policies and coordinating with the incoming Trump administration on immigration. He has also said migrants accused of crimes shouldn’t have due process rights under the Constitution, though he eventually walked back those comments. The mayor further stunned Democrats when he sidestepped questions last week on whether he would consider changing parties to become a Republican, telling journalists that he was part of the “American party.” Adams later clarified that he would remain a Democrat. For Adams, a centrist Democrat known for quarreling with the city's progressive left, the recent comments on immigration follow frustration with the Biden Administration over its immigration policies and a surge of international migrants in the city. He has maintained that his positions have not changed and argues he is trying to protect New Yorkers, pointing to the law-and-order platform he has staked out throughout his political career and during his successful campaign for mayor. At his news conference Thursday, Adams reiterated his commitment to New York’s generous social safety net. “We’re going to tell those who are here, who are law-abiding, to continue to utilize the services that are open to the city, the services that they have a right to utilize, educating their children, health care, public protection,” he said. “But we will not be the safe haven for those who commit violent acts.” While the education of all children present in the U.S. is already guaranteed by a Supreme Court ruling, New York also offers social services like healthcare and emergency shelter to low-income residents, including those in the country illegally. City and state grants also provide significant access to lawyers, which is not guaranteed in the immigration court as they are in the criminal court. Still, Adams’ recent rhetoric has been seen by some critics as an attempt to cozy up to Trump, who could potentially offer a presidential pardon in his federal corruption case. Adams has been charged with accepting luxury travel perks and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals looking to buy his influence. He has pleaded not guilty. Homan, who was Trump’s former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, also met this week with Republicans in Illinois, where he called on Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, to start negotiations over how Trump's mass deportation plans, according to local media. Separately, New York City officials this week announced continued efforts to shrink a huge emergency shelter system for migrants because of a steady decline in new arrivals. Among the planned shelter closures is a massive tent complex built on a federally owned former airport in Brooklyn, which advocates have warned could be a prime target for Trump's mass deportation plan. Elsewhere, Republican governors and lawmakers in some states are already rolling out proposals that could help him carry out his pledge to deport millions of people living in the U.S. illegally. Izaguirre reported from Albany, N.Y.Women's rugby's biggest star is leaping into pastures new in 2025. Ilona Maher, the American rugby supernova who took the country by storm as a part of the United States' bronze medal-winning sevens side in the summer, is taking her talents to Bristol Bears in January, she announced on social media Monday afternoon. Maher, who parlayed her impressive on-field exploits to appearances on Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Edition and, most recently, "Dancing With the Stars," had long been linked to a move abroad, with rumors swirling in October that she was on the cusp of inking a deal with sides in Bristol and Gloucester. A post shared by Ilona Maher (@ilonamaher) MORE: Who won Dancing with the Stars in 2024? In the end, Maher waited until the winter to make her move. She had to finish shooting "DWTS," after all. Now, she'll get ready for her latest test — a signing that will see her spurn her favored sevens for 15s over the next few months. With more than seven million followers across her various social media accounts, there will be plenty following along hoping to see Maher impress at the highest level. Who are the Bristol Bears? The Bristol Bears are a professional rugby union club based in Bristol, England. They compete in Premiership Women's Rugby, the top-flight division of women's rugby union in England. Formed in 1984, Bristol Bears has a far lengthier history than most of its adversaries. They play matches in Shaftesbury Park and Ashton Gate — the latter of which holds 27,000 and hosts Bristol City FC contests, as well. The Bears are one of six sides to have competed in every season of Premiership Women's Rugby since its inception in 2017-18. They've yet to capture a league title but finished as runner-ups to Gloucester last year, falling 36-24 in the championship final. Maher revealed that one of her primary reasons for inking a deal with the Bears lied in her national team affiliation: she's hoping to use her three months in Bristol as a springboard for the 2025 Rugby World Cup, also held in England. “I want to put myself in the best position to hopefully be selected for the World Cup," Maher told The Guardian's Sarah Rendell . "I think there are many reasons. I really love what the PWR is doing and I think I love their branding, I think that’s really cool. I have been in the USA sevens for six years now, so I wanted to try something different, go and live somewhere else, meet new people." It's unclear quite what position Maher will play over the next three months — her contract expires after that. Still, the 28-year-old is hoping to better herself in more ways than one over the course of her contract's lifespan. "I think we will see wing, some centre,” Maher said. “Then I would love to, we were just talking about it, when we can try in the forwards and see if there is an opportunity sometime to go to eight or flanker. "I have never been lifted before because in sevens I am always the biggest girl so I think this is a great time to learn those other skills, you wouldn’t get the opportunity to [in sevens]."
Shares of Navitas Semiconductor Corp . ( NVTS 17.45% ) rallied 22.3% on Thursday, as of 3:00 p.m. ET. Navitas is a small-cap chip designer that specializes in power-efficient designs for electric vehicles, electric infrastructure, and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. With the severe slowdown in EV and electrical infrastructure spending this year, Navitas' stock had been hurt. However, some new product announcements on Thursday caused shares to bounce back big. New products for CES On Thursday, Navitas put out a press release listing all the new chipsets it would debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that takes place in Las Vegas every January. CES is a big industry event where virtually all tech companies show off their latest and greatest gadgets. The list of new Navitas products includes various chipsets made of gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC), which are novel materials with high conductivity and heat dissipation qualities. Thus, these expensive materials generate lots of savings in power- and heat-intensive applications like electric vehicles, infrastructure, and power-hungry AI data centers. It's a bit difficult to know exactly which product might have generated such enthusiasm for the stock today, but the release did highlight a few products specifically geared toward AI data centers. Artificial intelligence stocks, especially off-the-radar small-caps that serve AI, have risen a lot in the past few days, so Navitas appears to be lumped in with that cohort of speculative AI bets. Think twice before chasing While today's rally was nice, recent buying in smaller AI stocks seems like speculation, which could be dangerous. Navitas only reported $21.6 million in revenue last quarter with a $29 million operating loss, and actually guided for revenues to be down sequentially in the fourth quarter. While these new products may turn the ship around, investors should wait to see an actual upturn in results before chasing this rally.Kansas holds off Auburn for No. 1 in AP Top 25 as SEC grabs 3 of top 4 spots; UConn slides to No. 25 Kansas continues to hold the No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll. Auburn is pushing the Jayhawks in the latest poll after winning the Maui Invitational and checked in at No. 2. Two-time reigning national champion UConn nearly fell out entirely after an 0-3 week at Maui, falling from No. 2 to 25th. The Southeastern Conference had three of the top four teams with No. 3 Tennessee and No. 4 Kentucky behind the Tigers. The poll featured six new teams, headlined by No. 13 Oregon, No. 16 Memphis and No. 18 Pittsburgh. TCU, Duke climb into top 10, Notre Dame drops in women's AP Top 25; UCLA and UConn remain 1-2 TCU has its best ranking ever in The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll after a convincing win over Notre Dame. The Horned Frogs jumped eight spots to No. 9, the first time the school has ever been in the top 10. The Fighting Irish, who were third last week, fell seven spots to 10th after losses to TCU and Utah. UCLA remained No. 1, followed by UConn, South Carolina, Texas and LSU. USC, Maryland and Duke are next. Houston's Al-Shaair apologizes for hit on Jacksonville's Lawrence that led to concussion HOUSTON (AP) — Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair took to X to apologize to Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence after his violent blow to the quarterback’s facemask led to him being carted off the field with a concussion. Back in the starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained left shoulder, Lawrence scrambled left on a second-and-7 play in the second quarter of Houston’s 23-20 win on Sunday. He initiated a slide before Al-Shaair raised his forearm and unleashed on the defenseless quarterback. In the long post, Al-Shaair says "To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening.” Philadelphia ready to go the distance with RockyFest week dedicated to 'Rocky' movies PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rocky Balboa fans are ready to go the distance to honor Philly’s favorite fictional fighter almost 50 years after the first movie launched the enduring series of an underdog boxer persevering despite the odds. The city Rocky called home at last has a week dedicated to the box office heavyweight champion of the world a year after the inaugural Rocky Day was held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. RockyFest officially kicks off Tuesday and a series of events dedicated to the movies series are set to be held around the city. How to sum up 2024? The Oxford University Press word of the year is 'brain rot' LONDON (AP) — Oxford University Press has named “brain rot” its word of the year. It's defined as “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state,” especially from consuming too much low-grade online content. Oxford University Press said Monday that the phrase “gained new prominence in 2024,” with its frequency of use increasing 230% from the year before. It was chosen by a combination of public vote and language analysis by Oxford lexicographers. The five other word-of-the-year finalists were demure, slop, dynamic pricing, romantasy and lore. Oxford Languages President Casper Grathwohl said the choice of phrase “feels like a rightful next chapter in the cultural conversation about humanity and technology.” Scientists gather to decode puzzle of the world's rarest whale in 'extraordinary' New Zealand study WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Scientists and culture experts in New Zealand have begun the first-ever dissection of a spade-toothed whale, the world's rarest whale species. The creature, which washed up dead on a beach on New Zealand's South Island in July, is only the seventh specimen ever found. None has ever been seen alive at sea. Almost nothing is known about it but scientists, working with Māori cultural experts, hope to answer some of the many lingering questions this week, including where they live, what they eat, how they produce sound and how this specimen died. Hong Kong launches panda sculpture tour as the city hopes the bear craze boosts tourism HONG KONG (AP) — Thousands of giant panda sculptures will greet residents and tourists starting on Saturday in Hong Kong, where enthusiasm for the bears has grown since two cubs were born in a local theme park. The 2,500 exhibits will be publicly displayed at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, one of Hong Kong’s popular shopping districts, this weekend before setting their footprint at three other locations this month. The displays reflect Hong Kong’s use of pandas to boost its economy as the Chinese financial hub works to regain its position as one of Asia’s top tourism destinations. Violent hit on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence 'has no business being in our league,' coach says JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was carted off the field after taking a violent elbow to the facemask from Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. It prompted two sideline-clearing scuffles. Lawrence clenched both fists after the hit, movements consistent with what’s referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury. Lawrence was on the ground for several minutes as teammates came to his defense and mobbed Al-Shaair. Lawrence eventually was helped to his feet and loaded into the front seat of a cart to be taken off the field. He was not transported to a hospital. He was quickly ruled out with a concussion, though. Al-Shaair and Jaguars rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones were ejected after the first altercation. Big Ten fines Michigan and Ohio State $100,000 each for postgame melee ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) — The Big Ten Conference has announced it fined Michigan and Ohio State $100,000 each for violating the conference’s sportsmanship policy for the on-field melee at the end of the Wolverines’ win in Columbus .A fight broke out at midfield Saturday after the Wolverines’ 13-10 victory when Michigan players attempted to plant their flag on the OSU logo and were confronted by the Buckeyes. Police used pepper spray to break up the players, who threw punches and shoves. One officer suffered a head injury when he was “knocked down and trampled while trying to separate players fighting." The officer was taken to a hospital and has since been released. Marshall Brickman, who co-wrote 'Annie Hall' with Woody Allen, dies at 85 NEW YORK (AP) — The Oscar-winning screenwriter Marshall Brickman, whose wide-ranging career spanned some of Woody Allen’s best films, the Broadway musical “Jersey Boys” and a number of Johnny Carson’s most beloved sketches, has died. He was 85. Brickman died Friday in Manhattan, his daughter Sophie Brickman told The New York Times. No cause of death was cited. Brickman was best known for his extensive collaboration with Allen, beginning with the 1973 film “Sleeper.” Together, they co-wrote “Annie Hall," “Manhattan” and “Manhattan Murder Mystery." The loosely structured script for “Annie Hall,” in particular, has been hailed as one of the wittiest comedies. It won Brickman and Allen an Oscar for best original screenplay.
Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk , an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. In today’s edition, senior national political reporter chats with the new 35-year-old chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus about where Democrats went wrong in the 2024 election. Plus, senior national political reporter Jonathan Allen breaks down why Pete Hegseth faces such a steep uphill climb to become the next defense secretary. Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here. Where House progressives’ new leader thinks Democrats went wrong By Sahil Kapur The Democratic Party messed up in the 2024 election, says Rep. Greg Casar of Texas, the newly elected chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and it needs a dramatic course shift to rediscover its brand and put winning “above being right.” In a wide-ranging interview with NBC News on Wednesday, one day before he was officially elected as chair, Casar laid out his vision for the future, saying that Democrats need to return to their roots as the party of the working class. That means welcoming voters who disagree with the left on cultural issues and not being “seen as preachy or disconnected.” Following a devastating defeat to President-elect Donald Trump that Casar insists was avoidable, the congressman said Democrats must refocus their core identity on helping workers and increasing wages — but do so “without throwing vulnerable people under the bus.” He rejected the view that Democrats need to turn against immigrants or transgender people after Trump campaigned heavily on those issues against Vice President Kamala Harris. Instead, Casar said Democrats should change course by redirecting such attacks and accusing the GOP of fueling culture wars to district voters from their agenda of helping the rich get richer. “The progressive movement needs to change. We need to re-emphasize core economic issues every time some of these cultural war issues are brought up,” Casar said. “So when we hear Republicans attacking queer Americans again, I think the progressive response needs to be that a trans person didn’t deny your health insurance claim, a big corporation did — with Republican help.” “We need to connect the dots for people that the Republican Party obsession with these culture war issues is driven by Republicans’ desire to distract voters and have them look away while Republicans pick their pocket,” he added. Casar, 35, from Austin, ran unopposed for progressive chair to take the reins from Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., who is term-limited. It’s a rapid rise for the native Texan and son of immigrants from Mexico, who was a labor organizer and Austin City Council member before winning his second term in the House last month. Casar’s remarks add to an intense debate within the Democratic Party in which some blame Harris’ defeat on the excesses of the left, imposing social litmus tests that alienated large swaths of working-class voters. Harris was dogged by some stances she took in her first run for president in 2019, most notably her endorsement of gender-affirming care for inmates , including those in the country illegally, paid by taxpayers, which Trump used to depict her as disconnected from ordinary Americans. Casar believes the median voter stands to the left of the Democratic Party’s mainstream on economic issues, and he admitted that, at least today, the median voter is more culturally conservative than his party. He said the solution is to lead without getting too far ahead of where that voter is on social issues. “I think we should lead the country, but we should never be more than an arm’s length ahead,” Casar said. “If we get more than a couple arms lengths ahead of the country, then you’re vulnerable to attacks from the Republicans.” Read more from the interview → A bad sign for Pete Hegseth’s prospects By Jonathan Allen It’s a bad sign for Pete Hegseth’s defense secretary bid that he is now promising not to drink “a drop of alcohol” if the Senate confirms him for the job. There’s a precedent for the Senate rejecting a Pentagon pick — former Sen. John Tower in 1989 — after concerns over drinking came into focus. With Tower, there were other issues: alleged conflicts of interest. And Hegseth’s selection is in such deep trouble because he is also fighting a multifront war. His qualifications for the job are nontraditional. He’s never led an organization nearly the size of the Pentagon or served in a high-ranking post in the military. Instead of fighting a single battle, there are now at least four prongs for his critics to attack: lack of qualification, reports of alcohol abuse , alleged inappropriate treatment of women and an accusation of sexual assault , all of which Hegseth has denied. Any of those, if true, could be reason enough for the Senate to reject a candidate. Senators are not required to choose one reason — or any reason — to justify their votes against a nominee. More importantly, they don’t have to make any public pronouncement at all — not even a vote — if the majority leader doesn’t bring a nomination to the floor. Surely, some Republican senators hope that, as happened with Matt Gaetz’s selection to run the Justice Department, quiet threats to vote no are enough to scuttle the pick without them having to cast votes against President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee. But even if Hegseth gets a vote in January, a good rule of watching the Senate is that baggage tends to compound. Senators may be willing to defend Hegseth on any one of the marks against him. But all four? It will be a surprise to many in Washington if he’s confirmed. That’s all from the Politics Desk for now. If you have feedback — likes or dislikes — email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com And if you’re a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here .
DK Metcalf is happy to block as Seahawks ride streak into Sunday night matchup with Packers“Forced labor is a violation of basic human rights,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas said in a statement. “The United States is making progress towards the eradication of forced labor while supporting economic fairness, safeguarding human rights, and holding perpetrators accountable.” The law is named after the Uyghur Muslims of Xinjiang, a group that international investigations have found to be subjected to forced labor by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The group has also been targeted for persecution by the regime. “Today’s enforcement actions make it clear—the United States will not tolerate forced labor in the goods entering our markets,” Robert Silvers, undersecretary of Homeland Security for Strategy, Policy, and Plans and chair of the Federal Labor Enforcement Task Force. said in a statement. “The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act is a powerful tool in the fight against forced labor, and we are using it to its full potential. We urge companies to take responsibility, know their supply chains, and act ethically.” The Xinjiang region is rich in resources, including metallic minerals and arable land. The majority of the companies blacklisted in the latest batch, 23, were in the agricultural sector and produced products, including tomato paste, walnuts, and raisins, sold wholesale. Other companies dealt with metals. The state-owned Xinjiang Nonferrous Metals Industry Group Co. and its subsidiaries mine, smelt, and process gold, chromium, iron, and other metals. Xinjiang Zhonghe Co. focuses on electronic materials and aluminum alloy products. The United States has blacklisted companies in various sectors for the use of forced labor over the past two years. Lawmakers have also raised concerns over cotton goods imported from China, as some 90 percent of China’s cotton production is in Xinjiang, and investigators believe there is a high likelihood of making use of forced labor. However, many such goods come into the United States via fast fashion sold directly to the consumer. These individual imports are valued under $800 and, therefore, are not subject to stringent customs inspections under the “de minimis” provision. Earlier this year, lawmakers in both chambers proposed legislation to close what they described as a de minimis loophole exploited by Chinese companies. Still, there was little consensus over methods and implementation.
AP News Summary at 5:00 p.m. ESTLOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James has been ruled out of the Los Angeles Lakers' game at Minnesota on Friday night due to soreness in his left foot. James will miss his second straight game when the Lakers return from a four-day break to face the Timberwolves, the Lakers announced Thursday. The top scorer in NBA history was away from the team this week with an excused absence attributed to “personal reasons,” coach JJ Redick said Wednesday. It's unclear whether James will even make the quick round trip to Minnesota before the Lakers' next game at home against Memphis on Sunday. James missed his first game of his record-tying 22nd NBA season when the Lakers beat Portland at home last Sunday. That absence also was attributed to his foot injury. James is averaging 23.0 points, 9.1 assists and 8.0 rebounds for the Lakers (13-11), who have lost seven of 10 after a 10-4 start. The Lakers upgraded starter Austin Reaves to questionable for the game at Minnesota after he missed LA's previous five games with a pelvic bruise. Anthony Davis is listed as probable with left plantar fasciitis. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBARevealed, how voters' trust in the SNP collapsed in just a year (but in future ministers won't even ask about faith in public services!)