Donald Trump

Happening Today: Colin Kaepernick, Wildfires, Health Care, James Corden

What to Know

  • Colin Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL, alleging he remains unsigned as a result of collusion by owners following his protests
  • President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are set for an interesting meeting at the White House
  • Television talk show host James Corden is facing a backlash over jokes he made about film producer Harvey Weinstein

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Colin Kaepernick Files Grievance Against NFL

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL, alleging that he remains unsigned as a result of collusion by owners following his protests during the national anthem. Kaepernick started a national conversation about political activism by athletes last season when he decided to sit, and then kneel, during the anthem to bring attention to mistreatment of African-Americans by police. Other players have continued the protests this season, prompting an angry response from President Donald Trump, who said players should be fired for not standing during the anthem. Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers at the end of last season and remains a free agent despite a rash of injuries and poor play at the quarterback position. Mark Geragos, one of Kaepernick's attorneys, said in a statement posted on Twitter on Sunday that he filed the grievance "only after pursuing every possible avenue with all NFL teams and their executives." The NFL players' union said it would support the grievance, which was filed through the arbitration system that's part of the league's collective bargaining agreement.

Calif. Turns Corner in Battling Wildfires as Winds Steady

California fire authorities said they have turned a corner in battling several of the wildfires that have devastated wine country and other rural parts of Northern California over the past week. Some counties were preparing to let more evacuees return to their homes amid improving weather. The winds that have been fanning the deadliest and most destructive cluster of wildfires in California history did not kick up overnight as much as feared. The wildfires that erupted last weekend have killed at least 40 people — 22 in Sonoma County, eight in Mendocino County, six in Napa County and four in Yuba County — and destroyed at least 5,700 homes and other structures. Roughly 75,000 people were under evacuation orders, down from nearly 100,000 the day before. A total of 217,556 acres — nearly 340 square miles — has burned statewide since the firestorm ignited, according to Cal Fire.

More Than 300 Killed in Deadliest Single Attack in Somalia's History

The most powerful bomb blast ever witnessed in Somalia's capital killed more than 300 people with around 300 others injured, the country's information minister said, making it the deadliest single attack in this Horn of Africa nation. The toll could continue to rise. In a tweet, Abdirahman Osman called the attack "barbaric" and said countries including Turkey and Kenya had already offered to send medical aid. Hospitals were overwhelmed a day after a truck bomb targeted a crowded street near key government ministries, including foreign affairs. As angry protesters gathered near the scene of the attack, Somalia's government blamed the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group for what it called a "national disaster." However, Africa's deadliest Islamic extremist group, which often targets high-profile areas of the capital, had yet to comment. Al-Shabab earlier this year vowed to step up attacks after both the Trump administration and Somalia's recently elected president announced new military efforts against the group. Doctors at Mogadishu hospitals struggled to assist badly wounded victims, many burned beyond recognition.

Chill in the Air as Mitch McConnell Meeting With President Trump on Health Care

President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are set for an interesting meeting at the White House. Trump blames the Kentucky Republican for the health overhaul failure. Trump hints at tantalizing deals with Democrats and watches his former strategist work from outside the administration to bulldoze the Republican establishment on Capitol Hill. There will be a chill in the air when Trump, a public official since January, and McConnell, first elected to Congress in 1984, sit down for lunch. "Mitch McConnell's not our problem. Our problem is that we promised to repeal and replace Obamacare, and we failed. We promised to cut taxes and we have yet to do it," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a member of Congress since 1995. "If we're successful, Mitch McConnell's fine. If we're not, we're all in trouble. We lose our majority and I think President Trump will not get re-elected."

James Corden Catches Flak for Joking About Harvey Weinstein

Television talk show host James Corden is facing a backlash over jokes he made about film producer Harvey Weinstein. Corden made a string of quips about Weinstein and the sexual misconduct allegations against him during a black-tie Hollywood charity event. Video footage from the event shows Corden joking about about an invitation from Weinstein for a massage in his room and watching the mogul in "hot water" in a bathtub. As laughs and groans filled the audience, Corden said, "I don’t know whether that groan was that you liked that joke or you don’t like that joke. If you don’t like that joke you should probably leave now." Italian actress Asia Argento, one of Weinstein's accusers, chided Corden Sunday on Twitter, saying "shame on this pig." Weinstein has denied all allegations of nonconsensual relations.

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