Mike's Blog Round Up

LOS ANGELES — Erik and Lyle Menendez will have to wait until next year for a decision on whether they should have the possibility of freedom from prison more than 30 years after killing their parents, a judge said. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] The shotgun killings of Jose and Kitty Menendez on Aug. 20, 1989, in their Beverly Hills mansion captured the public’s attention.

ISLAMABAD — Supporters seeking the release of imprisoned Pakistani former premier Imran Khan on Tuesday broke through a ring of shipping containers locking down the capital Islamabad, while at least six people have died in protest-related violence. Protesters battled security forces and ignored a government threat to respond with gunfire. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] The dead included four members of the security services and one civilian who were killed when a vehicle rammed them on a street.

Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, is rolling back its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, joining a growing list of major corporations that have done the same after coming under attack by conservative activists. The changes, confirmed by Walmart on Monday, are sweeping and include everything from not renewing a five-year commitment for an equity racial center set up in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd, to pulling out of a prominent gay rights index.

LAHAINA, Hawaii — The mid-term exam isn’t complete. But in the first phase of the Colorado men’s basketball team testing itself against college basketball’s elite, the Buffaloes struggled. And the test is about to get even more difficult. The Buffs opened play in the Maui Invitational on Monday and were handed a harsh reality check by Michigan State, which got to the rim at will and out-toughed CU inside while handing the Buffs their first loss of the season, 72-56, at the Lahaina Civic Center. CU will have to regroup in a hurry, as it continues play in the tournament on Tuesday against second-ranked, two-time defending champion UConn, which was upset in overtime by Memphis in Monday’s opening game. Last week, Boyle described the three-game Maui trip as a “mid-term” exam for his club.

By JILL COLVIN and ROB GILLIES NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump threatened on Monday to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office as part of his effort to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the country from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, as one of his first executive orders. The tariffs, if implemented, could dramatically raise prices for American consumers on everything from gas to automobiles to agricultural products.

As the Broncos’ offensive menu continues to expand, Devaughn Vele is becoming one of the foremost beneficiaries. The rookie wide receiver is lining up all over the field, playing different spots and making an impact in several different ways. The seventh-round draft pick already had three catches in the first half of Denver’s 29-19 win at Las Vegas when head coach Sean Payton put him alone on the backside of a unique, 4-by-1 formation. The Broncos had Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin aligned into the boundary with running back Javonte Williams and jumbo tight end Matt Peart as an eligible receiver all to quarterback Bo Nix’s right. Vele pushed vertically up the field, gave a head-fake inside that kept cornerback Decamerion Richardson on his heels and then eventually snapped off his route to the inside.