Good Tuesday afternoon. Pro-Palestinian protests are spreading on college campuses nationwide as police make mass arrests, the judge in Donald Trump’s hush money trial questioned his attorney’s credibility, and Lester Holt has an exclusive interview this evening with FBI Director Christopher Wray. Here is what’s in our Nightly Rundown. |
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Students arrested as pro-Palestinian protests spread on college campuses |
Colleges from coast to coast are scrambling to confront the pro-Palestinian protests spreading on their campuses, as police arrest hundreds of students. Columbia University, where more 100 protesters were arrested last week, has announced that all classes will be hybrid until the end of the spring semester, citing safety concerns. About 120 people were arrested Monday night during demonstrations at New York University, after protesters threw bottles at officers, the NYPD said. At Yale University, nearly 50 student protesters were arrested Monday after setting up an encampment, the school said in a statement. And Harvard Yard has been closed until Friday afternoon in anticipation of student protests, the school paper reported. |
Judge blasts Trump’s lawyer, first witness resumes testimony at trial |
The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s hush money trial in New York issued a warning today to the defense, during a hearing on whether the former president violated his gag order in the case. The prosecution is asking Judge Juan Merchan to find Trump in contempt and fine him for allegedly violating his gag order, which prohibits him from attacking witnesses or jurors. When Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, said the former president had been carefully complying with the gag order, the judge told him, “You're losing all credibility with the court.” Merchan said he would “reserve a decision” on the gag order matter, and after a recess, the first witness David Pecker took the stand again to resume his testimony. Prosecutors say Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, was part of a scheme with Trump and his former attorney Michael Cohen, to “catch and kill” negative stories about Trump leading up to the 2016 election. For the latest updates on the Trump hush money trial, visit our NBC News live blog. |
Larry Nassar's victims reach $138.7 million settlement over botched FBI probe |
The Justice Department announced it has reached a $138.7 million settlement with more than 100 victims of former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar to resolve claims the FBI mishandled their sexual assault allegations. Olympic superstars Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and McKayla Maroney are among the victims who have accused the FBI of ignoring their allegations against Nassar. In 2021, the DOJ’s top watchdog released a report saying the FBI’s Indianapolis field office made “fundamental errors” and failed to notify other FBI offices or state or local authorities about the allegations against Nassar. “These allegations should have been taken seriously from the outset,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer in a statement announcing today’s settlement. “While these settlements won’t undo the harm Nassar inflicted, our hope is that they will help give the victims of his crimes some of the critical support they need to continue healing,” Mizer added. |
Senate advances foreign aid and TikTok ban |
The Senate advanced a $95 billion aid package today that will provide critical aid to Ukraine, as well as a measure that could ban TikTok nationwide, in an 80-19 vote. The package, which passed the House last weekend after months of gridlock, includes $60 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, and $8 billion for security in Taiwan. It would also ban TikTok in the U.S. unless the platform is sold by its Chinese parent company within nine months. In our NBC News Exclusive interview airing tonight, FBI Director Christopher Wray calls TikTok a “national security concern,” and said its parent company is “beholden to the Chinese government.” Wray said Americans should be concerned about TikTok’s “power, access, capability, [and] control” being used by China’s government. TikTok has denied the Chinese government could use the app to spy on Americans. |
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What else we're watching: |
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A low pressure system is bringing widespread rain from the Plains across the Midwest, and into the interior Northeast. |
President Joe Biden is in Tampa this afternoon, where he is taking aim at Florida’s new six-week abortion ban. |
Police are searching for a former police officer who is “armed and considered dangerous,” after two women were fatally shot and a 1-year-old boy was abducted in Washington state. |
Kensington Palace has released a new photo of Prince Louis to celebrate his 6th birthday. The palace said it was taken by his mother, Princess Kate, who announced she had been diagnosed with cancer last month. |
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Watch us this evening at 6:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. CT on NBC, or check your local NBC station listing. After the broadcast, access Nightly News video on NBCNightlyNews.com or the NBC News app. |
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