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A group of veterans who played key roles in the private evacuation of thousands of Americans from Afghanistan in 2021 spoke out in defense of Pete Hegseth , President-elect Donald Trump 's defense secretary pick. Hegseth's nomination has come under heavy scrutiny, putting into question the viability of him passing the Senate. Several leading veterans have come to his defense, including former Force Recon Marine Chad Robichaux. WHAT MAGA AND THE GOP WILL LOOK LIKE IN A POST-TRUMP ERA Robichaux's and his team evacuated over 17,000 people in the wake of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, an act recognized by Congress. In an interview with the Washington Examiner, he threw his full support behind Hegseth. He took particular aim at senators hesitant on voting for his confirmation, hitting them for not being hesitant when confirming current Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. HOW TRUMP COULD IMPACT THE PENTAGON "That's the same Senate that's saying that [Hegseth] maybe had a few too many drinks, or whatever he did, is the same one that was silent when [Austin] left Americans behind, and when I say left Americans behind — thousands of Americans behind, in Afghanistan, when he left thousands of Americans stranded in Africa when he left thousands of Americans stranded in Ukraine," he said. Robichaux said that he had seen a groundswell of support for Hegseth, among groups previously apolitical. "There is a huge push from the military . Well, I've never seen this before," he said. "I've been around the military for 30 years. I've never seen [people] in the Marine Corps for four years, putting on social media who they want to be their secretary of defense. Most of the time, they don't even know who their secretary of defense is." "Everyone wants him in, mainly because he doesn't have a star," Robichaux said, referring to generals' stars. BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, CONGRESS, AND UNIONS TRY TO ‘TRUMP-PROOF SCIENCE’ He argued that generals were too separated from the regular troops to carry out their mission effectively, and that soldiers preferred one of their own. "Pete doesn't have to doesn't have to have lead at a strategic level. He doesn't have to have a star. He's a leader. He's he's got the right vision," Robichaux said. "And when he sits in this situation room and the nation needs him to make a decision, he's not going to do it in a silo." "He's going to be surrounded by the right people to make the right decision, to do their jobs, and that's very important for the American people to understand. He's not a Fox News host. He's a guy that served his country and in combat twice, Iraq and Afghanistan," he said. Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) echoed this sentiment, praising Hegseth's qualifications while bashing Austin. “Pete Hegseth is exactly the kind of leader we need as Secretary of Defense. He’s a combat veteran who’s led men in battle, holds degrees from Princeton and Harvard, and has the courage to take on the root causes of our military recruitment crisis, like the destructive and divisive focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion," he told the Washington Examiner. TRUMP’S ‘NO TAXES ON OVERTIME’ PROPOSAL: WHAT TO KNOW Mills put the full blame of the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan on Austin, over which he filed articles of impeachment against him. "I filed articles of impeachment against Austin for his dereliction of duty because leadership matters. When Austin failed to do his job, veterans like myself who stepped in to rescue American families left behind. Pete Hegseth’s leadership, integrity, and experience are exactly what this nation needs to restore accountability and strength to the Department of Defense," he concluded. Benghazi contractor Mark "Oz" Geist also lent his support to Hegseth. "As a warfighter, Pete Hegseth stands out because he gets what it takes to win on the battlefield—he’s lived it. His firsthand experience in Iraq and Afghanistan means he understands the realities of combat, the importance of morale, and the need for a lethal, well-trained force ready to fight and win," he told the Washington Examiner in a statement. Geist contrasted Hegseth to Austin, arguing that Austin's focus had been on "bureaucracy and social agendas" to the detriment of combat effectiveness. "He knows that strength, clarity of purpose, and a no-nonsense approach are what it takes to dominate any adversary, making him a leader who would ensure the military is always ready for the next fight," he said. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER After former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz dropped out as Trump’s attorney general nomination, the primary target of scrutiny landed on Hegseth. Reports emerged of past sexual assault allegations, financial mismanagement, and a drinking on the job. On Sunday the New Yorker published an article based on a whistleblower’s seven-page report detailing numerous allegations against Hegseth while he served as the president of Concerned Veterans for America from 2013 to 2016. He's pushed against the allegations, but promised Senators that he wouldn't drink if confirmed for the post. Trump’s team has publicly stood by him, decrying the accusations as false and politically motivated.Net zero plans for Armed Forces could ‘put soldiers at risk’France celebrated the re-opening of on Saturday at a special church service that featured a standing ovation for the firefighters who saved the 12th-century landmark from destruction during a 2019 blaze. A two-hour service attended by incoming US president Donald Trump among other world leaders began with the archbishop of Paris knocking on the doors of the cathedral three times. "Notre Dame, model of faith, open your doors to bring together the far-flung children of God in joy," archbishop Laurent Ulrich commanded, banging with a wooden staff crafted from a roof beam that survived the inferno five years ago. Trump could be seen sitting on the front row as guest of honour next to French President Emmanuel Macron, with invitees marvelling at the freshly cleaned walls, new furniture and state-of-the-art lighting installed as part of the overhaul. In a short speech, Macron expressed the "gratitude of the French nation" for the restoration work, achieved at frenzied speed over the last five years. France had "rediscovered what great nations can do -- achieve the impossible", he said. One of the most moving moments came when firefighters in their protective gear walked through the congregation to thunderous applause as the word ("Thank you") was beamed on the intricate facade and famous belltowers of the Gothic masterpiece. Small crowds of Parisians and tourists braved wet weather and high winds outside to witness the renaissance of a monument, which came close to collapsing due to the intensity of the inferno that toppled its roof and spire. "I find it really beautiful, even more so now that the spire has been restored," Marie Jean, a 27-year-old dentist from southwest France, told AFP outside. The reconstruction effort cost around 700 million euros ($750 million), financed from donations, with the re-opening achieved within a five-year deadline despite predictions it could take decades. Workers had to overcome problems with lead pollution, the Covid-19 epidemic, and the army general overseeing the project falling to his death while hiking in the Pyrenees last year. Saturday's service featured classical music, the cathedral's choir as well as the "re-awakening" of the 8,000-pipe organ which is considered the voice and soul of the cathedral. A televised public concert planned outside featuring Chinese piano virtuoso Lang Lang and possibly US singer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams had to be pre-recorded on Friday night because of the stormy weather. Held up as an example of French creativity and resilience by Macron, Notre Dame's renaissance so soon after the fire comes at a difficult time for the country. The sense of national accomplishment in restoring a symbol of Paris has been undercut by political turmoil that has left France without a proper government since last week when Prime Minister Michel Barnier lost a confidence vote. Macron is hoping the re-opening might provide a fleeting sense of national pride and unity -- as the Paris Olympics did in July and August. He scored a major coup by attracting Trump along with around 40 heads of state and government, including Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who was given a round of applause as he entered Notre Dame. Macron hosted three-way talks with Zelensky and Trump at the presidential palace shortly before the ceremony, with future US military support for Ukraine's war effort against Russia's invasion expected to have been discussed. Trump has vowed to end the nearly three-year Ukraine war when he takes office on January 20, sparking fears in Kyiv that he will force Ukraine to make territorial concessions to Russia. "It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that," Trump told reporters as he prepared to sit down for talks with Macron. One surprising absentee on Saturday was Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church. He sent a message addressed to the French people and weighed into a row about whether the place of worship and tourist attraction should remain free to enter. The "immense" numbers set to visit Notre Dame should be welcomed "generously and free of charge", he said, clearly opposing a proposition from the French culture ministry to charge for entry. Elon Musk, the world's richest man and one of Donald Trump's closest allies, made a surprise appearance Saturday at the ceremony marking the re-opening of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. The boss of Tesla, SpaceX and social media network landed during the afternoon at Le Bourget airport north of Paris, which is frequently used by private jets, an airport source told AFP, asking not to be named. Musk was then present inside the cathedral for the ceremony on Saturday evening to mark its re-opening after the 2019 fire. His attendance had not previously been announced. He took a picture of the cathedral's immense doors before entering and also had an exchange inside with Trump who was sitting in the front row. "Magnificat Cathedrale," he posted on X with a video of the cathedral's vaulted roof. The exact cause of the 2019 blaze has never been identified despite a forensic investigation by prosecutors, who believe an accident such as an electrical fault was the most likely reason. On Sunday, the first mass with 170 bishops and more than 100 Paris priests will take place at 10:30 am (0930 GMT), followed by a second service at 6:30 pm which will be open to the public. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.
Fulks puts up 26, Milwaukee defeats IU Indianapolis 88-81NoneNone
Subscribe to our newsletter Privacy Policy Success! Your account was created and you’re signed in. Please visit My Account to verify and manage your account. An account was already registered with this email. Please check your inbox for an authentication link. Support Independent Arts Journalism As an independent publication, we rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. If you value our coverage and want to support more of it, consider becoming a member today . Already a member? Sign in here. We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. If you value our coverage and want to support more of it, please join us as a member . What do we celebrate on Hanukkah? After quickly mentioning the miraculous jar of temple oil that burned for eight days, many sources will tell you it’s about the unlikely triumph of the Maccabees, who fought for Jewish religious freedom in the face of persecution by the Assyrians (Syrian Greeks) who then ruled the land of Judah. At the center of the holiday is the menorah, an eight-branched candelabra we light each night, adding one candle per day, until on the eighth and final night it’s ablaze in its full glory. But if you take a look at a collection of old-fashioned Italian and German menorahs, you’ll find a different figure again and again who goes unmentioned in the standard story: a lone woman, triumphantly raising a knife. This is Judith, a much earlier heroine, and the OG Jewish badass lady who was once commonly celebrated at Hanukkah time alongside the Maccabees. Her spear once shone in the candlelight, reflecting these menorahs’ intricate metalwork and illuminating another chapter in Jewish history — lost in the overlapping shadows of modern-day misogyny, assimilation, and Zionism. Her story, told in hundreds of permutations through the centuries, goes something like this: Judith is a young wealthy widow in the town of Bethulia during the time of the Maccabees when she takes it upon herself to save her people from the Assyrian army. She sheds her traditionally ragged and drab mourning clothes, dresses up in her finest fabrics and jewels, and creeps into the enemy’s camp with a sack of salty cheese and wine. Get the latest art news, reviews and opinions from Hyperallergic. Daily Weekly Opportunities Once in the center of camp, she slips into the tent of their general, Holofernes. Seemingly praising his military might, she offers him her delicious snacks — and perhaps a little more. Holofernes quickly gobbles up the cheese, failing to realize that its saltiness is making him thirstier than usual, leading him to drink quite a bit of wine. When he falls into a drunken sleep, Judith grabs his sword and slices off his head. She and her maidservant stuff his head into their sack, and the next morning they raise it on a spike for all to see. The Assyrian army bursts into chaos and fear, and soon they retreat. The siege on Bethulia is lifted, and, effectively, her people are saved. The Book of Judith is not in the Hebrew Bible — like the Books of Maccabees, it was incorporated into the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christian bibles and is included in the “Apocrypha” section of some Protestant bibles. Yet, sometime in the Middle Ages, Judith became a major Hanukkah heroine. Eventually, it wasn’t Judah the Maccabee but Judith who appeared in the center of menorahs , flanked by lions and mermaids, dressed in fine gowns, and always holding her signature dagger. And by the 16th century, some rabbis suggested snacking on cheese to honor her bravery, commemorating the salty tidbits that once felled Holofernes. Italianate Jews took to the task at hand with their usual culinary brilliance, combining the miracle of the oil with Judith’s tale by concocting delectable fried ricotta pancakes . Judith was especially popular in Italy — and not just among Jews. Depicted by dozens of Italian artists, she represented the triumph of an oppressed people over their oppressors. Some Italians saw parallels between the occupying Assyrian forces and the Medici oligarchy in Florence. So it’s little surprise that Artemisia Gentileschi, one of the few prominent women Baroque artists, drew inspiration from the story to depict herself murdering her rapist , painter Agostino Tassi. Perhaps the fascination that both Jewish and Gentile Jews had with Judith was another factor behind there being so many Italianate Menorahs featuring her form; often, non-Jewish craftspeople were actually creating ritual objects during that era, so they may have divulged in their shared love here in the form of these candelabras. Many sages compared Judith’s heroism with that of Esther, the legendary Persian Jewish queen who risked her life to save her people, and who is celebrated in the Book of Esther and on the holiday of Purim. Unlike the Maccabees, whose campaign against the Assyrians also included massacring scores of fellow Jews and other countrymen along the way, Judith achieved victory with no collateral damage. She went straight to the top — literally — and took care of business. So, why did we stop celebrating her? Especially when delicious fried ricotta pancakes were involved? Some have pointed to pure assimilation as the reason for her disappearance, as Jews began to change Hanukkah festivities to include gift giving in an attempt to emulate European and American Christmas. While that was certainly a factor, Hanukkah wasn’t a major holiday until the advent of late-19th century political Zionism. And under the leadership of figures like Max Nordau and Theodore Herzl, Zionist organizations were made up of Jews who had already attempted to assimilate in order to avoid antisemitic attacks for generations. This resulted in Nordau’s fantasy of “ Muscular Judaism :” a buff, manly “ new Jew ,” who took his fate into his own hands. Rather than fighting hatred through organized labor , this Jewish Übermensch would defy stereotypes of the “effeminate” and “weak” Ashkenazi Jew by breeding it out of himself. Especially after the Holocaust, former Haaretz writer Mira Shakin explained , “Zionism looked high and low for episodes from Jewish history that would be appropriate for the image of the ‘new Jew’ who takes his fate in his hands, in order to erase from the collective memory the ostensibly flaccid character of the Diaspora Jew with the shtetl aura, who ‘went like sheep to the slaughter.’” They found the perfect role models in the macho Maccabees. Today, soldiers in the Israeli military are commonly viewed as carrying on the Maccabees’ legacy. In enshrining the Maccabees as the sole heroes of Hanukkah, the largely secular early Zionists did not heed the warnings of the ancient sages who authored the Talmud. These rabbis refuted the violence of the Maccabees, from how they forced circumcisions on their neighbors to their ushering in the despotic Hasmonean dynasty. They saw that this violence led to nothing but more hardship. Or, as Rabbi Mike Rothbaum writes , “Born in violence, it became addicted to violence.” Instead of the Maccabees’ warfare, the rabbis recorded how when rededicating a desecrated temple, a tiny portion of oil that was only enough for one night miraculously lasted for eight. This is the reason for the menorah today. During the Shabbat service that falls during the holiday, we read from the Book of Zechariah, which says that God would bless the world, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit.” Perhaps the ancient rabbis could foresee the crimes wrought by the Israeli state’s army today, which tragically includes rampant misogyny and sexual violence — not only against Palestinians in countless horrifying events, but, to a remarkable degree , even against female soldiers themselves . They knew not only was this violence against God’s commandments, but that it would do nothing to make Jews safer. No wonder that a strong woman like Judith has been largely forgotten. Judith’s story shows that for those of us Jews who protest against Israel’s crimes, our spirit of revolution is already written into our tradition. It’s well past time that we remember Judith’s story, and start crafting new menorahs with her visage once again. We hope you enjoyed this article! Before you keep reading, please consider supporting Hyperallergic ’s journalism during a time when independent, critical reporting is increasingly scarce. Unlike many in the art world, we are not beholden to large corporations or billionaires. Our journalism is funded by readers like you , ensuring integrity and independence in our coverage. We strive to offer trustworthy perspectives on everything from art history to contemporary art. We spotlight artist-led social movements, uncover overlooked stories, and challenge established norms to make art more inclusive and accessible. With your support, we can continue to provide global coverage without the elitism often found in art journalism. If you can, please join us as a member today . Millions rely on Hyperallergic for free, reliable information. By becoming a member, you help keep our journalism free, independent, and accessible to all. Thank you for reading. Share Copied to clipboard Mail Bluesky Threads LinkedIn FacebookIt was no different for Jimmy Carter in the early 1970s. It took meeting several presidential candidates and then encouragement from an esteemed elder statesman before the young governor, who had never met a president himself, saw himself as something bigger. He announced his White House bid on December 12 1974, amid fallout from the Vietnam War and the resignation of Richard Nixon. Then he leveraged his unknown, and politically untainted, status to become the 39th president. That whirlwind path has been a model, explicit and otherwise, for would-be contenders ever since. “Jimmy Carter’s example absolutely created a 50-year window of people saying, ‘Why not me?’” said Steve Schale, who worked on President Barack Obama’s campaigns and is a long-time supporter of President Joe Biden. Mr Carter’s journey to high office began in Plains, Georgia where he received end-of-life care decades after serving as president. David Axelrod, who helped to engineer Mr Obama’s four-year ascent from state senator to the Oval Office, said Mr Carter’s model is about more than how his grassroots strategy turned the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary into his springboard. “There was a moral stain on the country, and this was a guy of deep faith,” Mr Axelrod said. “He seemed like a fresh start, and I think he understood that he could offer something different that might be able to meet the moment.” Donna Brazile, who managed Democrat Al Gore’s 2000 presidential campaign, got her start on Mr Carter’s two national campaigns. “In 1976, it was just Jimmy Carter’s time,” she said. Of course, the seeds of his presidential run sprouted even before Mr Nixon won a second term and certainly before his resignation in August 1974. In Mr Carter’s telling, he did not run for governor in 1966, he lost, or in 1970 thinking about Washington. Even when he announced his presidential bid, neither he nor those closest to him were completely confident. “President of what?” his mother, Lillian, replied when he told her his plans. But soon after he became governor in 1971, Mr Carter’s team envisioned him as a national player. They were encouraged in part by the May 31 Time magazine cover depicting Mr Carter alongside the headline “Dixie Whistles a Different Tune”. Inside, a flattering profile framed Mr Carter as a model “New South” governor. In October 1971, Carter ally Dr Peter Bourne, an Atlanta physician who would become US drug tsar, sent his politician friend an unsolicited memo outlining how he could be elected president. On October 17, a wider circle of advisers sat with Mr Carter at the Governor’s Mansion to discuss it. Mr Carter, then 47, wore blue jeans and a T-shirt, according to biographer Jonathan Alter. The team, including Mr Carter’s wife Rosalynn, who died aged 96 in November 2023, began considering the idea seriously. “We never used the word ‘president’,” Mr Carter recalled upon his 90th birthday, “but just referred to national office”. Mr Carter invited high-profile Democrats and Washington players who were running or considering running in 1972, to one-on-one meetings at the mansion. He jumped at the chance to lead the Democratic National Committee’s national campaign that year. The position allowed him to travel the country helping candidates up and down the ballot. Along the way, he was among the Southern governors who angled to be George McGovern’s running mate. Mr Alter said Mr Carter was never seriously considered. Still, Mr Carter got to know, among others, former vice president Hubert Humphrey and senators Henry Jackson of Washington, Eugene McCarthy of Maine and Mr McGovern of South Dakota, the eventual nominee who lost a landslide to Mr Nixon. Mr Carter later explained he had previously defined the nation’s highest office by its occupants immortalised by monuments. “For the first time,” Mr Carter told The New York Times, “I started comparing my own experiences and knowledge of government with the candidates, not against ‘the presidency’ and not against Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. It made it a whole lot easier”. Adviser Hamilton Jordan crafted a detailed campaign plan calling for matching Mr Carter’s outsider, good-government credentials to voters’ general disillusionment, even before Watergate. But the team still spoke and wrote in code, as if the “higher office” were not obvious. It was reported during his campaign that Mr Carter told family members around Christmas 1972 that he would run in 1976. Mr Carter later wrote in a memoir that a visit from former secretary of state Dean Rusk in early 1973 affirmed his leanings. During another private confab in Atlanta, Mr Rusk told Mr Carter plainly: “Governor, I think you should run for president in 1976.” That, Mr Carter wrote, “removed our remaining doubts.” Mr Schale said the process is not always so involved. “These are intensely competitive people already,” he said of governors, senators and others in high office. “If you’re wired in that capacity, it’s hard to step away from it.” “Jimmy Carter showed us that you can go from a no-name to president in the span of 18 or 24 months,” said Jared Leopold, a top aide in Washington governor Jay Inslee’s unsuccessful bid for Democrats’ 2020 nomination. “For people deciding whether to get in, it’s a real inspiration,” Mr Leopold continued, “and that’s a real success of American democracy”.
For more than three decades, Springdale Heights resident Craig Thomas Broekman lived a law-abiding life - then he began using illicit drugs. or signup to continue reading His addictions have now led him to constant offending, culminating in full-time jail. Broekman's latest antics mean he must spend at least 12 months behind bars before becoming eligible for parole on November 1, 2025. Magistrate Melissa Humphreys imposed the sentence after Broekman pleaded guilty in Albury Local Court to charges of police pursuit, a second offence of disqualified driving and to using an unregistered and uninsured vehicle. Broekman also gave a positive oral fluid test result for methamphetamine, though has not yet been charged with a related offence - such matters are usually delayed while forensic testing of a sample is carried out. Nevertheless, Ms Humphreys said Broekman's drug habits provided a "relevant context" to his behaviour, given he also had an "appalling" rate of recidivism for driving matters. "It is clear that since 2020 he appears to have been involved in the use of illicit drugs," she said. Broekman has now racked up his ninth incident of driving while either disqualified or unlicensed. Defence lawyer Jaimee Simonsen told Ms Humphreys there was no doubt the offending committed by Broekman, who appeared via a video link to Junee jail, was serious. "Certainly, he's looking at a much longer period in custody," Ms Simonsen said. Police had clocked Broekman as disqualified when they saw him driving a black Volkswagen north along Wagga Road, Lavington, on November 2, 2024, about 6.35pm. Both vehicles had stopped for a red traffic light at the intersection of Kaylock Road. Broekman's window was wound down, he was recognised and police yelled at him to stop. But the lights changed to green and Broekman accelerated away, so police were forced to initiate a pursuit. Broekman's car hit 80kmh in a 60kmh speed limit zone, then he braked heavily as he swung left into Barlow Street. His excessive speed meant he immediately lost control of his car, which struck the concrete centre median strip and hit a road sign. But police said Broekman regained control and turned into Griffith Road, heading south at no less than 100kmh in a 50kmh zone. Soon after, police terminated the pursuit because it clearly was dangerous. Broekman's car was last seen heading south "at excessive speed", having been radar checked at 97kmh. Soon afterwards, a witness stopped police in Saville Street and told them he was seen speeding into Worsley Place in Lavington. Police arrived and saw Broekman standing by the car. He ran into Condon Place, so they chased him and placed him under arrest. Checks revealed the car was unregistered. Ms Humphreys said specific deterrence was essential in police pursuit cases as the courts continued to see serious examples of such offending "that place our community at extreme risk". Broekman was convicted and fined $500 and disqualified from driving for three years. He was also convicted and fined $1000 on an unrelated charge of contravention of an apprehended violence order. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementSAN ANTONIO (AP) — Davion Bailey had 19 points in Incarnate Word's 65-53 win against East Texas A&M on Saturday. Bailey had four steals for the Cardinals (5-4, 1-1 Southland Conference). Dylan Hayman went 5 of 11 from the field (1 for 3 from 3-point range) to add 11 points. Jalin Anderson had nine points and shot 2 of 9 from the field, including 0 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 5 for 7 from the line. The Lions (1-9, 0-2) were led in scoring by Scooter Williams Jr., who finished with 10 points. Mykol Sanchez-Vega added nine points for East Texas A&M. Josh Taylor finished with eight points. The Lions prolonged their losing streak to six in a row. NEXT UP Incarnate Word next plays Tuesday against Duke on the road, and East Texas A&M hosts South Alabama on Sunday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from .
On 29 November, after more than four hours of debate, MPs voted to pass the assisted dying bill by 330 votes to 275. Brought by Kim Leadbeater, the MP for Batley and Spen, this bill could see those with six months or less to live given the legal right to end their own lives. The former presenter and journalist, Esther Rantzen, who is herself signed up to Dignitas, led a public charge in support of the bill. But with the NHS and social care systems already buckling under huge pressure, is the UK really ready for such a serious change in the law? Megan Kenyon The new(ish) Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch ascended party ranks at warp speed, having only been elected as an MP in 2017. The gaffe-prone former Spectator employee once admitted to illegally hacking into Harriet Harman’s website to alter content to “say nice things about Tories”. Nonetheless she has wooed the party selectorate with assured performances on culture war issues. That’s an impressive achievement. Badenoch is a first-generation migrant and the first black leader of any major party in the UK. But since she assumed the role, it’s Reform that has capitalised on Labour’s dismal start in government. Jonny Ball I have committed more words to these pages about Charli XCX than I ever imagined possible . But the international superstar (“still a young girl from Essex”) was the cause célèbre of 2024. And her album Brat was proof of a singular creative principle: to last in our culture you must be convention-defying, not zeitgeist-riding. Mainstream music may be dominated by girls with guitars and forlorn Taylor Swift impressions, but Charli’s loud, bass-heavy, Asbo-pop (“should we do a little key?/Should we have a little line?”) was the soundtrack to the year. Finn McRedmond From fake explicit pictures of Taylor Swift to a fabricated clip of Sadiq Khan telling the British public to “get a grip”, deepfakes have caused havoc this year. These artificially generated images, videos or audio clips fool the viewer in to believing they’re observing the real thing. While they have gained ground in 2024, this particularly nefarious form of misinformation is likely to cause more issues in the coming years. And as the technology used to create them advances, the lines between fiction and reality could become even more blurred. Megan Kenyon 2023 was really Taylor Swift ’s moment in the sun, by 2024 we were used to the act: impossibly famous and beloved woman embarks on the biggest stadium tour of all time, and the crowd goes wild. In December the Eras tour finally ended to little fanfare, after 149 shows across five continents. Has her star burned too bright? I wouldn’t count on it. So long as she continues producing songs to a calibre that’s on a different cosmic plain to her peers, Swift will remain hegemonic. Finn McRedmond Keir Starmer ’s Labour won 63 per cent of Commons’ seats with 34 per cent of the vote. Nigel Farage ’s Reform has less than 1 per cent of seats despite winning one in seven votes. If support for Britain’s ablest political communicator is under-represented in Westminster Palace, it’s manifest on modern life’s truer stages: the streets and the screens. December this year was the first month people asked seriously if Farage will be the next prime minister – it won’t be the last. George Monaghan When Gisèle Pelicot waived her right to anonymity as the victim of France’s biggest-ever rape case, her name was seared into popular consciousness. Over the course of a decade, Pelicot’s husband Dominique drugged her at their home in the town of Mazan, southern France, and raped her, and invited other men from surrounding towns and villages to do so as well. In a gruelling four-month trial, Pelicot revealed her astounding strength of character. By going public, her hope is to change how victims of sexual violence are treated. As she told the court: “It is not for us to have shame – it’s for them.” Megan Kenyon It has been more than a year since the 7 October attack on Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow of “mighty vengeance” against Hamas . This year, the conflict between Hamas and Israel has intensified; the death toll in Gaza has passed 45,000. The group ends the year leaderless and scattered after the death of Yahya Sinwar in October. But recent reports suggest that a ceasefire between the two sides could be imminent. Hamas said in a statement a deal could be possible if Israel stops setting new conditions. Megan Kenyon Half the world’s population went to the polls in 2024. And it wasn’t a great year for the guys in charge. Donald Trump swept back to power, the Conservatives suffered the worst defeat in their history, and figures as politically diverse as Emmanuel Macron and Narendra Modi were deprived of their majorities. As the post-Covid inflationary spiral ate away at take-home pay, voters looked to punish incumbents irrespective of left-right affiliations. Proliferating geopolitical crises have also added to the economic malaise and a gloomy world outlook. At least it isn’t just us. Jonny Ball For the first three quarters of 2024, Jeremy Clarkson was having a relatively quiet year. That was until Rachel Reeves announced the reduction of inheritance tax relief for farming families in the Budget. “Rachel Reeves. I literally daren’t comment,” Clarkson initially posted on X. Two hours later, he couldn’t help but comment: “Farmers. I know that you have been shafted today.” And like the very capable populist he is, the comments spurred action. Farmers twice took to central London to protest , with Clarkson – who previously admitted the tax relief was “critical” to him buying his own TV-famous farm – becoming the de facto leader of the movement. Harry Clarke-Ezzidio Fighting in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, has been ongoing for more than 18 months after a power struggle broke out between the main two factions of the country’s military regime. Since then, the conflict has evolved into what the UN has described as “one of the worst humanitarian nightmares in recent history”. Twenty-five million people have been displaced from their homes across Sudan, tens of thousands have died, and famine and disease have ravaged the population. As 2024 draws to a close, this merciless, consuming war continues to rage. Megan Kenyon After 14 years wallowing in opposition, Labour returned to power in July. Things can only get better, right? Not quite. Though the party’s 174-seat majority is broad, it is also shallow. Just about every type of voter who put their faith in Keir Starmer’s party now seemingly has an issue with the government: farmers on inheritance tax, pensioners on the winter fuel payment cut. This victorious year has ended on a dour note, with Reform closing the gap on both main parties in the polls, and Starmer forced to make what many have termed a “ reset ” of his government, just five months into a five-year term. Harry Clarke-Ezzidio Following June’s legislative elections, France ’s hung parliament has proved to be more than just a headache for Emmanuel Macron . The country is on to its fourth prime minister this year. Macron, only halfway through his second term as president, is batting off pressure from all sides. Marine Le Pen’s National Rally is making gains on the right and calls for Macron’s resignation followed the ousting of latest PM Michel Barnier in December . As the year ends, France’s political turbulence has yet to subside, and there is a question mark over the longevity of its president’s tenure. Megan Kenyon On 21 November, Judges at the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu , Israel’s prime minister. The move was met with outrage across the country. This has been a year in which Netanyahu’s self-styled role as Israel’s protector has been called into serious question. Internally, he faces trial for corruption and bribery charges (which he has emphatically denied) and has been accused of being a danger to democracy. Historically, Netanyahu has proved himself to be a resilient political operator, but are these challenges too much? Megan Kenyon It almost felt like a cultural display of Newton’s third law. As the glitter and glitz of the Eras tour (as Finn writes above) achieved an apogee, something like its musical opposite loomed into view: two dark, feuding, glowering Mancs in cagoules, reuniting for the first time since 2009. Oasis have a rare hold on our collective ear: if something like the Great British Songbook exists, they have made several contributions. To millions, the announcement of their return prompted an equally rare and enviable emotion: joy. Nicholas Harris Although the Post Office scandal came to a head in 2024, its origins go back a quarter of a century. The faulty Horizon IT software, first introduced to postal services in 1999, led to accounting shortfalls that saw 900 subpostmasters convicted of theft, fraud and false accounting through to 2015. This year, the passing of the Post Office Compensation Act gave those affected means of redress, while the ITV dramatisation brought the scandal to an audience of millions, leading to the former prime minister Rishi Sunak describing it as “one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in our nation’s history”. Harry Clarke-Ezzidio Donald Trump’s victory on 5 November was so resounding that even the deep blue hue of New York City has begun to fade. The US pollster Nate Silver noted that “almost no place has seen a bigger increase in Trump support than the five boroughs [of New York City]”. In Queens, the city’s easternmost and largest borough – and Trump’s birthplace – 38 per cent of voters cast their ballot for the US president-elect compared with only 21.8 per cent in 2016. Though traditionally liberal, New Yorkers did not escape unscathed from inflation – the crucial issue that drove US voters to re-elect their former president. Queens is just a small example of a cosmic shift taking place in the US in 2024. Megan Kenyon Violent civil disorder is a comparably rare occurrence in Britain. But an unlucky 13 years on from our last spate of rioting, something even uglier reared its head. After the stabbing of three little girls in Southport and a frenzy of misinformation and speculation about the attacker, England faced a week of ethnic-sectarian conflict on its high streets. Politicians and commentators found the events impossible to parse. And, with the alleged murderer still on trial, the anger his actions unleashed is unlikely to fade. Nicholas Harris Following the launch of a major surprise offensive by the Islamist militant group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and allied rebel factions, more than 50 years of the Assad family’s rule in Syria came to an end. A civil war in the country has been ongoing since 2011, killing over half a million people and displacing millions more from their homes. Though Bashar al-Assad’s reign of terror is over (the toppled president has now fled to Moscow ), Syria’s future remains in flux. A new era for this war-torn nation is emerging. Megan Kenyon An old man was shot in the head, and 84 seconds later was on his feet with his fist raised to his adorers , crying, “Fight! Fight! Fight!”; they screamed “USA! USA! USA!” Come November, the American nation elected him president in the hope it might become strong, safe and great again. In January he will become the most powerful human on Earth for a second time, now with a loyal and organised team dedicated to imposing his vision on the world. George Monaghan In February 2025, it will have been three years since Russian troops marched across the border and into Ukraine, sparking a bloody conflict from which there has been little relief. The Ukrainian position has worsened this year, as Russia has, little by little, gained ground . Desertion among Ukrainian soldiers is on the rise and the election of Trump as US president has fuelled concern and uncertainty for president Volodymyr Zelensky. Hopes of a ceasefire in early 2025 are intensifying – but what comes next for Ukraine remains chillingly unclear. Megan Kenyon The Spanish province of Valencia was overcome by apocalyptic flash flooding in October which killed at least 214 people and left dozens unaccounted for. The crisis is one of the worst natural disasters in modern Spanish history and saw towns across the region swept by mud and rubble. Valencian officials have faced criticism after they took 12 hours to respond to a red weather warning, and the King and Queen of Spain were pelted with mud on a visit to the region . The floods’ intensity is a direct result of climate change in the Mediterranean and is a warning of extreme weather events to come. Megan Kenyon This Christmas is to be Justin Welby’s last as Archbishop of Canterbury. On 12 November, Welby resigned after the findings of a report into the Church’s handling of serial allegations of physical and sexual abuse by John Smyth. The report criticised Welby for failing to adequately address the abuse, which he was officially informed about in 2013. So ends the tenure of a consummate Church moderniser (women bishops were finally allowed under him). The race for Lambeth Palace and for Welby’s successor will begin in earnest in the new year. Megan Kenyon If you couldn’t bear the grovelling and fled to BlueSky in 2024, you likely weren’t a direct witness to X owner Elon Musk ’s courtship of Trump. The wooing worked: Trump returned to the platform on his way to winning back the White House, and appointed Musk to co-lead one of his government departments; Musk anointed himself “First Buddy”. “I can’t get him out of here,” Trump recently quipped about the tech billionaire. Will their honeymoon period end on X in 2025? You’ll need to dig out your old login details to find out. Harry Clarke-Ezzidio In case you’re not addicted to X/Twitter, Yimby stands for “yes in my back yard”, and it’s the name for a broad group of wonkish, very online, pro-building policy nerds angry at our complex planning system. They’ve hit the mainstream, with their ideas adopted by the Labour front bench and seemingly the entire think tank world. For the Yimbys, there’s nothing worse than a Nimby, who have, they say, have been given easy vetoes over development, exacerbating the housing crisis and making infrastructure upgrades like HS2 impossibly expensive. Jonny Ball The Zone of Interest , which won best picture at this year’s Academy Awards, exposes Rudolf Franz Ferdinand Höss, the commandant of Auschwitz, as the father of a relatively conventional bourgeois family. For much of the film the Hösses are celebrating birthdays, squabbling and enjoying their garden. Jonathan Glazer took from Martin Amis’s novel of the same title “the courage to portray the executioners as utterly normal people”. The result, said David Sexton in his New Statesman review , “leaves you feeling both utter dismay and your own implication alongside the perpetrators, rather than the victims.” George Monaghan [See also: The 20 best books of 2024 ] Related