European rallies urge end to antisemitism as pro-Palestinian demonstrations call for relief for Gaza

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:03 GMT

European rallies urge end to antisemitism as pro-Palestinian demonstrations call for relief for Gaza LONDON (AP) — Thousands of people joined vigils in Berlin and London on Sunday to oppose antisemitism and support Israel, while in Paris and other cities, thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators demanded a cease-fire and relief for people in besieged Gaza.Some of those who gathered in front of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate carried Israeli flags or posters with photos of some of the more than 200 people seized by Hamas as hostages during the militants’ deadly Oct. 7 incursion into Israel.“It is unbearable that Jews are living in fear again today — in our country of all places,” President Frank-Walter Steinmeier told the crowd, estimated at 20,000 by organizers and 10,000 by police. “Every single attack on Jews, on Jewish institutions is a disgrace for Germany. Every single attack fills me with shame and anger.”Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz inaugurated a new synagogue in the eastern city of Dessau and said he was “outraged” by the upsurge in antisemitism since the confli...

Sunday Brunch: Reclaimed Bar & Restaurant

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:03 GMT

Sunday Brunch: Reclaimed Bar & Restaurant Chef Craig Bell from Reclaimed Bar & Restaurant joined Sunday Brunch with WGN Weekend Morning News.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Weekend Break: Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:03 GMT

Weekend Break: Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up Join Weekend Break at Jack's Pumpkin pop-up with Christine Flores.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Georgia plea deals spell danger for Trump, co-defendants

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:03 GMT

Georgia plea deals spell danger for Trump, co-defendants (The Hill) - Former President Trump’s co-defendants in Georgia have begun splintering, with two lawyers key to Trump's efforts to overturn the election agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors.Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) late this week secured plea deals from Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, the highest-profile defendants to flip so far in the sprawling racketeering case. Both agreed to testify truthfully against their co-defendants, including Trump.Legal experts said they weren’t surprised by the deals, arguing they would increase the legal jeopardy facing other defendants and raise the pressure for them to also consider taking plea deals.“The real import of this plea is the signal it sends to the other defendants,” said Chris Mattei, a former federal prosecutor.“Number one, that your time is running out for you to cooperate, because as cooperators come in and plead guilty, the prosecution continues to build its case and may not have a need to cooperate with ot...

American basketball player injured after "brutal beating" in Poland

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:03 GMT

American basketball player injured after WARSAW, Poland (AP) — An American basketball player at a professional Polish women's club was beaten and left with a head injury midweek with the attacker later detained, according to officials and reports in Polish media on Sunday.Mikayla Cowling, who plays for VBW Arka Gdynia, was attacked late Wednesday in a music club in Gdansk, a city in northern Poland, according to the RMF FM broadcaster, which also quoted the club saying the “brutal beating” left her with a fractured eye socket, among other injuries.Gdansk is a neighboring city to Gdynia on the Baltic coast.“I am outraged that such a shameful situation has occurred. Violence and aggression are unacceptable and must be opposed,” Gdynia Mayor Wojciech Szczurek said Sunday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “Fortunately, the police quickly caught the attacker. We wish the player good health!” Los Angeles Rams wide receiver robbed at gunpoint: reports The attack happened after a EuroCup women’s match where the Gdyn...

US upping Middle East presence due to risk of attacks on American troops

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:03 GMT

US upping Middle East presence due to risk of attacks on American troops (The Hill) - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Sunday that the United States is upping its presence in the Middle East because of the risk of escalated attacks on American troops."What we're seeing is a prospect of a significant escalation of attacks on our troops and our people throughout the region," Austin said on ABC's "This Week." "And because of that, we're going to do what's necessary to make sure that our troops are in that position and they were protected and that we have the ability to respond."He also said that upping the military presence in the region will "send another message to those who would who would seek to widen this conflict." In response to potential attacks from Hezbollah in Lebanon and from Iran, the administration has told any other groups seeking to get involved "don't." Blinken dodges question on whether US has asked Israel to delay ground operation "If any group or any country is looking to widen this conflict and take advantage of this very unfor...

Twins position breakdown: second base

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:03 GMT

Twins position breakdown: second base As the 2023 season began, Jorge Polanco was on the injured list and Edouard Julien was in Triple-A. By the time it ended, both were integral parts of the Twins’ lineup.Polanco, the veteran, returned to the field and was his reliable self when he was healthy, and Julien, the rookie, had seemingly cemented himself in the Twins’ plans for years to come.2023 RECAPWhen the Twins left spring training camp in March, Polanco stayed back in Fort Myers, Fla., rehabbing from a knee injury that had cost him the end of the 2022 season as well. Before he returned, the Twins had called up Julien and given him his first taste in the major leagues. When Polanco came back on April 21, Julien was optioned back to Triple-A.Julien returned to the majors a month later when Polanco landed on the injured list with a hamstring strain. When he returned, it was back to Triple-A again for Julien.Polanco came back and suffered another hamstring strain and this time Julien was in the majors for good, getting cal...

Wild reassign Sammy Walker to AHL Iowa

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:03 GMT

Wild reassign Sammy Walker to AHL Iowa Hours after a 5-4 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Wild on Sunday reassigned wing Sammy Walker back to their American Hockey League affiliate in Iowa.Walker, 24, a seventh-round pick in the 2017 amateur draft, played two games after being recalled in the wake of Matt Boldy’s upper-body injury, which has kept him out since he was hurt in a 7-4 loss at Toronto on Oct. 15.In his two games, Walker was a minus-2 with no points, and zero shots on goal, while the Wild went 0-1-1. In 11 NHL games dating to last spring, Walker has a goal and assist and is a minus-3. That last stat is of particular concern to the Wild because their defense has struggled in three losses.On Saturday, the Wild surrendered 54 shots to the Blue Jackets.The Wild seem likely to call up a different forward for Tuesday night’s game against Edmonton at Xcel Energy Center, probably a player with substantial NHL experience like Vinni Lettieri or Jujhar Kara.The former has a goal and two assists in four gam...

Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey, OLB Odafe Oweh active vs. Lions; Detroit CB Jerry Jacobs out

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:03 GMT

Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey, OLB Odafe Oweh active vs. Lions; Detroit CB Jerry Jacobs out The Ravens returned home for their first game at M&T Bank Stadium in a month Sunday and do so much healthier than their opponent, the Detroit Lions.Among the Ravens’ six inactive players, the only starter they are without is safety Marcus Williams (hamstring), who was ruled out Friday. Cornerback Kevon Seymour (ankle) is also inactive.Others who are not active include center Sam Mustipher, outside linebacker Jeremiah Moon, guard Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and Josh Johnson, who is the third/emergency quarterback.Meanwhile, cornerback Marlon Humphrey is active after being added to the injury report Saturday with an illness and listed as questionable. Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh is also back after missing the past four games with an ankle injury.The Lions (5-1), on the other hand, come in banged up.They are without their top running back, David Montgomery (ribs), as well as starting cornerback Jerry Jacobs, who suffered a knee injury in practice Friday and was ruled out Sunday...

A look behind the scenes of Gophers’ emotional win over Hawkeyes

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:53:03 GMT

A look behind the scenes of Gophers’ emotional win over Hawkeyes When P.J. Fleck did his customary crowd surfing atop players on Saturday night, the Gophers head coach didn’t have the highest elevation in the pink-walled visiting locker room at Kinnick Stadium.Minnesota defensive coordinator Joe Rossi had climbed on all fours onto the tops of the lockers and was banging their metal frames as the celebration hit higher decibel levels after the Gophers’ 12-10 win over Iowa.Rossi’s bird’s-eye view was one of countless snippets that emanated from Minnesota’s first victory in the Floyd of Rosedale rivalry game since 2014 and the U’s first win in Iowa City since 1999.Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis let out a big scream as he entered the locker room. A trio of Gophers — Anthony Smith, Tyler Stolsky and Joey Gerlach — were needed to carry the 98-pound pig trophy into the U’s confines. And one staffer talked about making a futile effort to find an makeshift ash tray to try to contain the victory cigars.Given the eight-year drought — including all six ...