Judge upheld Trump's felony conviction, but reported no prison time

A New York judge today issued a ruling upholding Donald Trump's criminal conviction in his secret trial. The judge also indicated that he was inclined to spare the president-elect any punishment.

Judge Juan Merchan indicated he favored a so-called absolute release from Trump's sentence, a rare and lenient alternative to prison or probation. He set the sentencing date for January 10, rejecting Trump's request to overturn the jury's verdict.

An unconditional release would solidify Trump's criminal status just before his inauguration on January 20, while mitigating the consequences of his crimes. Trump would be the first to wear this designation in the Oval Office.

Trump is now expected to ask an appeals court to intervene and postpone the sentencing. A Manhattan jury convicted him in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records, finding that he sought to cover up a sex scandal that threatened to derail his 2016 presidential campaign. He faces up to four years in prison in this case.

Mike Johnson was re-elected Speaker of the House

Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, was re-elected this afternoon to the House leadership post.

Three right-wing Republicans, and all Democrats, initially opposed Johnson. Finally, after rallying against Johnson, two of the three Republican holdouts agreed to support his candidacy. This relatively quick acquiescence was a major victory for Johnson and Donald Trump, but it foreshadows challenges that Republicans could face with such a slim majority in the House.

Being elected president was probably the easy part, our congressional correspondent Catie Edmondson told me, adding that the chaotic vote portends tough times ahead for Johnson.

Surgeon General Called for Cancer Warnings About Alcohol

The U.S. surgeon general released a report today urging Congress to require alcoholic beverages to carry labels warning drinkers of cancer risks, similar to those on cigarette packages. He pointed to a growing body of research linking alcohol consumption, sometimes even within recommended limits, to various types of cancer.

The move is the latest salvo in a fierce debate over the risks and benefits of moderate alcohol consumption, as the influential Dietary Guidelines for Americans are set to be updated. For decades, moderate alcohol consumption was associated with fewer heart attacks and strokes. But alcohol directly contributes to 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 deaths each year, the surgeon general said.

South Korean police unsuccessfully attempt to arrest president

About 100 criminal investigators and police officers entered a hilly Seoul compound this morning in an effort to do something that has never been done before in South Korea: arrest a sitting president. Prosecutors were seeking to question President Yoon Suk Yeol on insurrection charges after he abruptly declared martial law last month.

However, authorities were prevented from accessing the president's residence by Yoons' security forces. After a dramatic five-and-a-half hour standoff, officials stood down and said they were discussing the next step.

More news Nikki Glaser wants to make you laugh at the Golden Globes

Veteran comic Nikki Glaser had a big year in 2024. She burst into the mainstream with the Tom Brady roast and she released a knockout HBO special. But perhaps her biggest moment will come on Sunday, when she prepares to host this year's Golden Globes.

To prepare, Glaser honed his jokes over the past month with the help of two writers' rooms and 91 tests at comedy clubs. Our reviewer Jason Zinoman followed it.

American Primeval takes away the glory of the Wild West

Director Peter Berg doesn't consider his new Netflix series, American Primeval, set in Utah Territory in 1857, to be a western. There are no saloons or cowboys and the atmosphere is anything but nostalgic.

Instead, Berg's goal, which can be seen in almost every tainted frame, is brutal authenticity, even though the series is largely fiction. You're getting a little closer to some of the origin stories of how our country was formed, Berg said. These origin stories are very violent.

Come for the football, stay for the mayonnaise

Tonight, under the lights of a 75,000-seat stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, two college football teams will compete for the chance to see their head coach bathed in five gallons of celebratory mayonnaise. Does this sound weird and disgusting? That's kind of the point.

In recent years, Dukes Mayo has sponsored a playoff game to market its product. There will be mayonnaise eating competitions, a mayonnaise race, mayo bobbing and, of course, the mayonnaise bath.

Have a strangely joyful weekend.

Thanks for reading. I'll be back Monday. Matthew

Kirsten Luce was our photo editor today.

We appreciate your comments. Email us at [email protected].

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

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