Israel cracks down on Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza UMM AL-FAHM, Israel (AP) — In the year since the war in Gaza broke out, Israel's government has been cracking down on dissent among its Palestinian citizens. Authorities have charged Palestinians with “supporting terrorism” because of posts online or for demonstrating against the war. Activists and rights watchdogs say Palestinians have also lost jobs, been suspended from schools and faced police interrogations. Palestinians make up about 20% of Israel's population. Many feel forced to self-censor out of fear of being jailed and further marginalized in society. Others still find ways to dissent, but carefully. Israel's National Security Ministry counters that, “Freedom of speech is not the freedom to incite.” Israel says rabbi who went missing in the UAE was killed TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel says the body of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found, citing Emirati authorities. The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Sunday said Zvi Kogan was killed, calling it a “heinous antisemitic terror incident.” It said: “The state of Israel will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death." Kogan went missing on Thursday, and there were suspicions he had been kidnapped. His disappearance comes as Iran has been threatening to retaliate against Israel after the two countries traded fire in October. Hezbollah fires more than 180 rockets and other projectiles into Israel, wounding at least 7 BEIRUT (AP) — Hezbollah has fired at least 185 rockets and other projectiles into Israel, wounding seven people in the militant group's heaviest barrage in several days. The attacks in northern and central Israel happened Sunday in response to deadly Israeli strikes in central Beirut on Saturday. Meanwhile, negotiators pressed on with cease-fire efforts to halt the all-out war. Lebanon's military says an Israeli strike on a Lebanese army center in the southwest killed one soldier and wounded 18 others. Israel's military has expressed regret and said its operations are directed solely against the militants. Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister condemned the latest strike as an assault on the U.S.-led cease-fire efforts. The rising price of paying the national debt is a risk for Trump's promises on growth and inflation WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has big plans for the economy. He also has big debt problem that'll be a hurdle to delivering on those plan. Trump has bold ambitions on tax cuts, tariffs and other programs. But high interest rates and the price of repaying the federal government’s existing debt could limit what he’s able to do. The federal debt stands at roughly $36 trillion, and the spike in inflation after the pandemic has pushed up the government’s borrowing costs such that debt service next year will easily exceed spending on national security. After Trump's Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key roles WASHINGTON (AP) — During the campaign, President-elect Donald Trump had hailed what would become Project 2025 as a conservative roadmap for “exactly what our movement will do." Trump pulled an about-face when Project 2025 became a political liability. He denied knowing anything about the “ridiculous and abysmal” plans, even though some were written by his former aides and many allies. Now, after winning the 2024 election, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the effort he temporarily shunned. Trump has tapped Russell Vought for an encore as director of the Office of Management and Budget; Tom Homan, his former immigration chief, as “border czar;” and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of policy. Forecasts warn of possible winter storms across US during Thanksgiving week WINDSOR, Calif. (AP) — Forecasters in the U.S. have warned of another round of winter weather that could complicate travel leading up to Thanksgiving. California is bracing for more snow and rain this weekend while still grappling with some flooding and small landslides from a previous storm. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for California's Sierra Nevada through Tuesday, with heavy snow expected at high elevations. Thousands remained without power in the Seattle area on Saturday after a “bomb cyclone” storm system hit the West Coast earlier in the week, killing two people. Parts of the Northeast and Appalachia also began the weekend with heavy precipitation. Pakistan partially stops mobile and internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns” as supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan gear up for a protest in the capital. The government and Interior Ministry made the announcement on X, which is banned in Pakistan. Sunday's protest is to demand Khan's release. He has been in prison for more than a year but remains popular. His supporters rely heavily on social media and messaging apps to coordinate with each other. Pakistan has already sealed off Islamabad and shut down major roads and highways connecting the city with Khan's power bases. Here's what to know about the new funding deal that countries agreed to at UN climate talks BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — In the wee hours Sunday at the United Nations climate talks, countries from around the world reached an agreement on how rich countries can cough up the funds to support poor countries in the face of climate change. But it’s a far-from-perfect arrangement, with many parties still unsatisfied but hopeful that the deal will be a step in the right direction. Japan holds Sado mines memorial despite South Korean boycott amid lingering historical tensions SADO, Japan (AP) — Japan has held a memorial ceremony near the Sado Island Gold Mines despite a last-minute boycott of the event by South Korea that highlighted tensions between the neighbors over the brutal wartime use of Korean laborers. South Korea’s absence at Sunday’s memorial, to which Seoul government officials and Korean victims’ families were invited, is a major setback in the rapidly improving ties between the countries. The Sado mines were listed in July as a UNESCO World Heritage Site after Japan moved past years of disputes with South Korea and reluctantly acknowledged the mines’ dark history. Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83 NEW YORK (AP) — Chuck Woolery, the affable, smooth-talking game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble” who later became a right-wing podcaster, skewering liberals and accusing the government of lying about COVID-19, has died. He was 83. Mark Young, Woolery’s podcast co-host and friend, said in an email early Sunday that Woolery died at his home in Texas with his wife, Kristen, present. Woolery, with his matinee idol looks, coiffed hair and ease with witty banter, was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978. He teamed up with Young for the podcast “Blunt Force Truth” and became a full supporter Donald Trump.
Belichick's bid to reshape UNC football latest sign of pro influence on college level
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were the stars of Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone spinoff 1883 , and now it's the turn of their daughter Audrey. Eagle-eyed fans have spotted the actress in episode five of the new series Landman , alongside Demi Moore, Ali Larter, and Billy Bob Thornton. The Paramount+ series is based on the 2019 Texas Monthly podcast Boomtown, which "takes you to the heart of the historic oil boom that is playing out in West Texas," and specifically across the Permian Basin — located in western Texas and southeastern New Mexico – which is now one of the world's most productive oil fields. Audrey makes an appearance midway through the episode, as Shelby, a neighbor of Ainsley Norris, "the wild and strong-willed seventeen year old daughter of Tommy Norris". In the scene, Ainsley is listening to Zach Bryan when Shelby calls out their shared fence to say she had "heard of the family". "Is your dad one of the oil dads?" Shelby asks to which Ainsley reveals that she was in town because her parents had canceled her spring break plans because "a bunch of tourists got killed" in Tulum. Ainsley is then invited to a patch party by Shelby, who shares that they "go out to the oil wells and bring kegs and circle up the cars on the patch and dance and blow off some steam". Audrey graduated from high school in 2020, and was reportedly attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, which has campuses in both New York City and Los Angeles. She has a passion for singing and photography, and shares pictures and videos on social media with fans. She is currently dating actor Manuel García-Rulfo, most well known to viewers of Netflix's The Lincoln Lawyer, and they have recently gone more public with their romance, with Audrey even joining Manuel at the Los Cabos International Film Festival where his new comedy film Una Historia de Amor y Guerra (A Story of Love and War), was screening. In photos shared by Edge Film on Instagram, Manuel and Audrey are seen posing next to each other; Manuel, wearing a monochromatic beige look, has his arm around her, and she's wearing a cinched black dress with chunky white heels. Audrey also shared the picture and added a red heart emoji.The Federal Government has emphasised the need for the regulation and professionalisation of the private security sector in Nigeria. The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who stated this, said “the private security sector is an emerging sector, not just in Nigeria but across the globe.” He noted that with a country of over 200 million people, there is a need for private security to complement the efforts of the government. Dr. Tunji-Ojo made the remarks while hosting a delegation from DCAF Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, Switzerland, led by Head, Business and Security Division, Jean-Michel Rousseau, in Abuja, a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ozoya Imohimi, on Friday in Abuja said. He said the motivation for opening up the space for private security is not about the proliferation of companies but about the quality of services provided. He emphasised the need for private security companies to be promoted by people of value and competence. The Minister also highlighted the importance of technology in the private security sector, citing the use of CCTVs and other equipment. He talked about the need for regulators to understand that it is not about the number of companies licensed but about the quality of those companies. Dr. Tunji-Ojo assured that the Ministry is committed to working with stakeholders to build a robust system for the private security sector. He noted that the Ministry is already collaborating with international organisations to support governance reform processes in the security sector. The Minister’s call for regulation and professionalisation of the private security sector is a significant step towards enhancing national security and providing quality employment opportunities for Nigerians. Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Jean-Michel Rousseau, said the DCAF Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance and the African Law Foundation (AFRILAW ) recently co-organised a workshop for legislators from the ECOWAS region. He said the workshop focused on issues of private security regulation from the parliamentary side. According to him , the event was part of DCAF’s efforts to support governance reform processes in the security sector. As a Swiss foundation, DCAF provides advisory services and legal expertise to partner countries, including Nigeria. He said the workshop highlighted the growing role of the private sector in security and the need for effective regulation. Mr. Rousseau further said that with the presence of private security companies, there is a need to ensure they operate under a legal framework that gives priority to national security and public safety. READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNETOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into an investigation of mysterious drone sightings that have been reported in New Jersey and nearby states. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious activity of unmanned aircraft. He posted a copy of the letter on the social media platform X . “This leaves action surrounding the (drones) squarely on the shoulders of the federal government,” Murphy said. “More federal resources are needed to understand what is behind this activity.” Murphy and other officials have repeatedly stressed that there is no evidence that the aircraft pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus. The Pentagon also has said they are not U.S. military drones. The drones have drawn intense public concern and curiosity since residents first reported seeing them last month. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia said from four to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18, appearing from dusk till 11 p.m. The flying objects have been spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, but the number of reported sightings has grown greatly since then. Drones were also spotted in Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. The FBI, Federal Aviation Administration and other state and federal agencies involved in the investigation have not corroborated any of the reported sightings with electronic detection, and reviews of available images appear to show many of the reported drones are actually manned aircraft. They also say there have been no confirmed sightings in restricted air space. It’s also possible that a single drone has been seen and reported more than once, officials said. Some federal lawmakers have called on the military to “shoot down” the drones. The drones also appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker who was briefed by the Department of Homeland Security. In one case, a medevac helicopter was unable to pick up a seriously injured car accident victim in Branchburg Township in Somerset County late last month due to drones hovering near the planned landing zone, according to NJ.com. The FAA said Thursday that it does not have a report on this incident. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use but are subject to local and FAA regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified. Witnesses say the drones they think they have seen in New Jersey appear to be larger than those typically used by hobbyists.
AP News Summary at 10:21 a.m. ESTTOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into an investigation of mysterious drone sightings that have been reported in New Jersey and nearby states. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious activity of unmanned aircraft. He posted a copy of the letter on the social media platform X . “This leaves action surrounding the (drones) squarely on the shoulders of the federal government,” Murphy said. “More federal resources are needed to understand what is behind this activity.” Murphy and other officials have repeatedly stressed that there is no evidence that the aircraft pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus. The Pentagon also has said they are not U.S. military drones. The drones have drawn intense public concern and curiosity since residents first reported seeing them last month. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia said from four to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18, appearing from dusk till 11 p.m. The flying objects have been spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, but the number of reported sightings has grown greatly since then. Drones were also spotted in Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. The FBI, Federal Aviation Administration and other state and federal agencies involved in the investigation have not corroborated any of the reported sightings with electronic detection, and reviews of available images appear to show many of the reported drones are actually manned aircraft. They also say there have been no confirmed sightings in restricted air space. It’s also possible that a single drone has been seen and reported more than once, officials said. Some federal lawmakers have called on the military to “shoot down” the drones. The drones also appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker who was briefed by the Department of Homeland Security. In one case, a medevac helicopter was unable to pick up a seriously injured car accident victim in Branchburg Township in Somerset County late last month due to drones hovering near the planned landing zone, according to NJ.com. The FAA said Thursday that it does not have a report on this incident. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use but are subject to local and FAA regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified. Witnesses say the drones they think they have seen in New Jersey appear to be larger than those typically used by hobbyists.
We probably could count the number of recipes that we shared on air and online in 2024 — but it could easily take us another year to do so. And while we don’t like to pick favorites, we couldn’t end the year without celebrating the incredible chefs, cookbook authors and social media stars who entered the TODAY kitchen. From and to newer faces like Tineke “Tini” Younger and , 2024 was filled with good food and even better company. A few recipes stood above the rest, though. We rounded up the top 20 recipes that TODAY readers came back to time and time again. The most popular of all? . The actor and mom of three joined her own mother in our kitchen to share their family’s favorite summer recipe. “I take it to every potluck because it’s easy and everyone loves it,” said Garner’s mother, Pat, in a earlier this year. Another mom we love to spend time with? Donna Kelce. While her topped our charts in , this year, we couldn’t get enough of her . These easy dinner rolls that marry sweet and savory flavors are made with store-bought crescent roll dough and jumbo marshmallows. “They’re really, really fun,” she said, adding that they’re a staple at her Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. Whether you’re looking for weeknight dinner inspiration or a crowd-pleasing dessert, these recipes will be memorable well beyond 2024. We welcomed Jennifer Garner and her mother into the TODAY kitchen earlier this year when they shared this recipe for a jammy blackberry crumble. It’s made with a whopping three cups of blackberries, plus a sweet almond topping. Chef Tineke “Tini” Younger broke the internet when she shared her go-to macaroni and cheese recipe. It calls for Dijon mustard and smoky paprika, which give it a sharp, flavorful edge, plus a trio of ooey-gooey cheese. Dress up a basic box of yellow cake mix with a bright and zesty twist: one package of lemon gelatin. It helps the cake to retain its moist texture with a sweet and tart flavor profile. During the cold weather months, stuffed cabbage is one of the best dishes to make. It’s also extremely labor-intensive. Enjoy all the flavors of Eastern European dish without any of the fuss, thanks to this seven-ingredient recipe. This is no ordinary crescent roll recipe. Donna Kelce shared her recipe for sweet marshmallow rolls with TODAY in November and within one month, it became one of our most popular recipes online all year. We’ve seen just about every way to , but this may be one of the best. It starts by spatchcocking the bird, which cuts the cook time by about half, followed by a luxurious herby cream sauce made with heavy cream, tarragon and mustard. An easy berry cake for hot summer days! Studded with two cups of berries and a generous, moist texture, this cake will disappear from your table in a flash. Of all the recipes she’s ever created, Ina Garten tells TODAY that this apple tart is her favorite. With a homemade pastry, layers of Granny Smith apples and apricot preserves, it’s easy to fall in love with this dessert. It’s no secret that our TODAY readers love a cozy, comforting chicken recipe that’s easy to boot. This one delivers on all fronts, which means it’s no surprise that it broke our top 20 most popular recipes in 2024. Inspired by the flavors and ingredients used in an Italian pasta salad, this tuna sandwich features basic pantry ingredients like marinated artichokes, capers, roasted red peppers and Calabrian chilies. It’s the ultimate easy lunch. Inspired by the popular takeout dish, this Mongolian-style beef bowl starts with flank steak, which is an inexpensive and flavorful cut of beef. The umami-packed sauce is made with coconut sugar, soy sauce, fresh ginger, garlic and sesame oil. Get ready for game day with Dylan Dreyer’s soup recipe, which will warm you up from the inside out. Thanks to convenient store-bought ingredients like canned beans and corn, canned diced tomatoes and chicken broth, it’s easy for busy parents to execute on a weeknight. Inspired by the classic French gratinée, this one-skillet dinner features caramelized onions, chicken thighs and lots of sharp melty cheese. It’s an easy, hands-off dinner that the whole family will enjoy. If you like snacking on leftover brownie batter in the bottom of a mixing bowl, then you’ll love inspired by that very treat. These bars are made with creamy peanut butter, coconut oil, almond flour, cocoa powder and melted chocolate chips. Emeril Lagasse’s son E.J. is sharing his take on a popular Portuguese pastry. It can easily be made at home, starting with frozen and thawed puff pastry. Make an easy orange-vanilla custard to fill the pastry cups and bake until browned. From the punchy, umami-packed dressing, sweet mango, crispy fried wontons, crunchy cabbage and meaty chicken, this salad has a little bit of everything. it’s one of Wolfgang Puck’s most popular recipes — and one of TODAY viewer’s favorites. This twist on a classic chicken salad sandwich will transport you to the Mediterranean — no plane ticket necessary. Instead of the usual celery, grape and mayo combo, this version features marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, Calabrian chile peppers and red wine vinegar. TODAY viewers can’t get enough of Dylan’s easy, flavorful and family-friendly recipes. This tomato risotto is no exception. Inspired by a recent trip to Italy, her recipe calls for tomato paste, bacon and sour cream. Dylan understands the importance of getting a nourishing and family-friendly dinner on the table in as little time as possible. Here, she takes advantage of store-bought Caesar dressing and pre-seasoned breadcrumbs to zhush up chicken cutlets. The is less than two months away! Practice your chicken wing cooking skills with this ultra-crispy version. “The fat from the mayo helps keep the chicken moist while all the spices penetrate into the wings,” says recipe developer Joe Sasto. Recipe Editor, TODAY