The X Factor 2014: Week Three As It Happens

Music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, has admitted to assaulting his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie, born Casandra Ventura. The video statement, shared via his Instagram account, comes two days after CNN published CCTV footage of the assault that took place in a Los Angeles hallway in March, 2016. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] In a video shared with his 20 million Instagram followers, Combs, 54, said: “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you gotta do that.

ATLANTA — President Joe Biden on Sunday told the graduating class at Morehouse College that he heard their voices of protest over the Israel-Hamas war, and that scenes from the conflict in Gaza have been heartbreaking. “I support peaceful nonviolent protest,” he told students, some who wore keffiyeh scarves around their shoulders on top of their black graduation robes.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates— A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country’s foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] The likely crash came as Iran under Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei launched an unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel last month and has enriched uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. Iran has also faced years of mass protests against its Shiite theocracy over an ailing economy and women’s rights — making the moment that much more sensitive for Tehran and the future of the country as the Israel-Hamas war inflames the wider Middle East. Raisi was traveling in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.

Workers at a Mercedes Benz plant in Alabama voted against joining the United Auto Workers union Friday, potentially stalling hopes of a rapidly growing organizing wave for autoworkers in the southern United States. Via CNN: The result was a close outcome. Out of the valid votes counted, 56% of workers voted “no,” while 44% voted “yes” for unionization, according to Mercedes-Benz.

Wisconsin Republicans are so very confused about where they stand on ballot drop boxes, they don't even know their own position anymore. For decades, Republicans were all for drop boxes and wanted them in every county. Then when Trump lost in 2020 and blamed, in part, voter fraud because of drop boxes, the Republicans were dead set against them.

Welcome to Sunday morning at C&L! We're glad you're here. Pull up a chair and let us know what's on your mind. Open thread below - Karoli read more