In 67 minutes of video, brutality followed by nonchalance
The 67 minutes of body camera and surveillance footage released in the death of a Memphis man at the hands of police give a glimpse of a harrowing night that oscillates between brutality and nonchalance. After capturing horrific images of Tire Nichols being punched, kicked, shocked, pepper-sprayed and dragged by officers, he is left bloodied in the street, unattended to, as officers chit-chat, complain, laugh and even exchange a fist-bump and back pat The video’s release has spurred protests around the country. Nichols, who was Black, is to be laid to rest at a funeral on Wednesday. Five officers, also Black, have been arrested and charged with murder.
Memphis police disband unit that fatally beat Tire Nichols
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The Memphis police chief has disbanded the city’s so-called Scorpion unit after some of its officers beat Black motorist Tire Nichols to death. The chief on Saturday cited a “cloud of dishonor” from newly released video of the fatal encounter. Police Director Cerelyn “CJ” Davis acted a day after the harrowing video emerged. She said she listened to Nichols’ relatives, community leaders and uninvolved officers in making the decision. The nation and the city are struggling to come to grips with the violence by the officers, who are also Black. The video renewed doubts about why fatal encounters with law enforcement keep happening despite repeated calls for change.
Russians gone from Ukraine village, fear and hardship remain
KALYNIVSKE, Ukraine (AP) — It has been over 11 weeks since Ukrainian forces wrested back part of Kherson province from Russian occupation. But liberation hasn’t diminished the hardship for residents, both those returning home and the ones who never left. In the peak of winter, the rural village not far from an active front line has no power or water. The sounds of war are never far. Still, residents have slowly tricked back to Kalynivske, preferring to live without basic services, dependent on humanitarian aid and under the constant threat of bombardment than as displaced people elsewhere in their country. They say staying is an act of defiance against the relentless Russian attacks intended to make the area unlivable.
Israeli-Palestinian cauldron tests US as Blinken visits
JERUSALEM (AP) — An alarming spike in Israeli-Palestinian violence and sharp responses by both sides are testing the Biden administration as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken plunges into a cauldron of deepening mistrust and anger on visits to Israel and the West Bank this week . What had already been expected to be a trip fraught with tension over differences between the administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new far-right government has grown significantly more complicated over the past four days with a spate of deadly incidents. Blinken’s high-wire diplomatic act begins Monday after he completes a brief visit to Egypt that has been almost entirely overshadowed by the deteriorating security situation in Israel and the West Bank.
Concerns over prayer breakfast lead Congress to take it over
WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Prayer Breakfast is one of the most visible and long-standing events that brings religion and politics together in Washington. But due to concerns the gathering had become too divisive, it’s now splitting from the private religious group that had overseen it for decades. The organizer and host for this year’s breakfast, which is scheduled for Thursday, will be a new foundation headed by former Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas. Sen. Chris Coons, a regular participant and chairman of the Senate ethics committee, says the move was prompted in part by concerns in recent years that members of Congress didn’t know important details about the larger multiday gathering that included the breakfast.
2 Palestinians killed by Israeli security in West Bank
JERUSALEM (AP) — Two Palestinian men died Sunday from gunshot wounds from Israeli security personnel in two recent incidents, the Palestinian Health Ministry says. The deaths were announced after Israeli police sealed up the east Jerusalem home of a Palestinian attacker who killed seven people and wounded three outside a synagogue. The move came near the close of one of the bloodiest months in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem in several years. The measures threatened to further raise tensions and cast a cloud over a visit next week by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The shootings followed a deadly Israeli raid in the West Bank on Thursday that killed nine Palestinians, most of them militants.
Trump opens 2024 run, says he’s ‘more committed’ than ever
COLUMBIA, SC (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has kicked off his 2024 White House bid with stops Saturday in New Hampshire and South Carolina, The appearances in the early-voting states mark the first campaign events since Trump announced his latest run more than two months ago. Trump tells party leaders in New Hampshire that “we’re starting right here” and he says he’s “more committed now than I ever way.” A sluggish start to a campaign he announced in November has left many questioning his commitment to running again. The opening events come at a critical point as rivals prepare their own expected challenges.
Iran says drone attack targets defense facility in Isfahan
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s Defense Ministry says one of its factories was attacked by drones in the central city of Isfahan. A statement carried by the state-run IRNA news agency says the attack occurred late Saturday and caused minor damage to a rooftop. It says three drones were shot down by Iranian air defenses. State media also reported a fire at an oil refinery near the northern Iranian city of Tabriz, saying one person was injured. It did not say what caused the fire or if it was related to the incident in Isfahan. A 5.9 magnitude earthquake also struck nearby, killing two people. Iran and Israel have long been engaged in a shadow war that has included covert attacks on Iranian military and nuclear facilities.
Novak Djokovic claims 10th Australian Open title, 22nd Slam
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic has claimed his 10th Australian Open championship and 22nd Grand Slam title overall by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5). The victory in Sunday’s final at Melbourne Park also allows Djokovic to return to No. 1 in the ATP rankings. The 35-year-old from Serbia did not compete in the Australian Open a year ago after being deported from the country because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19. Now he has run his winning streak at the hard-court tournament to 28 matches. His 10th trophy in Australia adds to a record he already held and his 22 major championships are tied with Rafael Nadal for the most by a man in the history of tennis.
Shiffrin must wait for record win 86 but takes slalom title
SPINDLERUV MLYN, Czech Republic (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin will have to wait for at least five more weeks before tying the World Cup record for most career wins with 86. The American skier finished second in a slalom and remained one victory short of Ingemar Stenmark’s Totally on the all-time overall winners list. The Swede competed in the 1970s and ’80s. Shiffrin’s next chance will be in March when she resumes World Cup racing after the Feb. 6-19 world championships in France. Shiffrin held a commanding first-run lead over Lena Dürr but was ultimately edged by 0.06 by the German skier.
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