Friday, September 27, 2024 |
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Friday, September 27, 2024 |
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Good Friday afternoon. Hurricane Helene has left death and devastation across the Southeast, Israel said it has struck Hezbollah’s central headquarters in Beirut, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams made his first court appearance today after he was indicted on corruption charges. Here is what’s in our Nightly Rundown. |
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Hurricane Helene leaves at least 33 dead, more than 4 million without power |
Helene is marching up the Southeast, carving a path of destruction that has left at least 33 people dead, after roaring ashore overnight as a Category 4 hurricane, the strongest storm on record to make landfall on Florida’s Big Bend. More than 4 million homes and businessare without power as Helene, now a tropical depression, unleashes “historic and catastrophic” flooding over the Southeast and Southern Appalachians, according to the National Hurricane Center. In Tennessee, massive flooding has trapped more than 50 people on the roof of a hospital. Ballad Health said the situation is “very dangerous,” and emergency responders and the National Guard are engaged in a “dangerous rescue operation.” Flash flood emergencies were declared in the Atlanta metro area, where first responders are using boats to conduct water rescues, as well as upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina, where an imminent dam failure is forcing evacuations. The Coast Guard has released dramatic video of a man and his dog rescued from the ocean after their 36-foot sailboat became disabled and started taking on water off the Florida coast as Helene made its approach. Follow Helene’s path with our storm tracker. |
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Israel says it struck Hezbollah’s central headquarters in Beirut |
The Israeli military said it has struck Hezbollah’s central headquarters hidden “under residential buildings” in southern Beirut, rattling Lebanon’s capital and sending large plumes of smoke over the city. The target of the strike was Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Iran-backed militant group, an Israeli official told NBC News. The IDF is still assessing whether he was killed. The number of casualties was not immediately available. The strike came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his country’s actions in Lebanon and Gaza, in a defiant speech to the United Nations General Assembly. Lashing out, Netanyahu called the U.N. a “swamp of antisemitic bile.” Israel’s air campaign has killed some 700 people across Lebanon since Monday, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. |
New York mayor pleads not guilty to federal corruption charges |
New York City Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty to federal corruption charges in a Manhattan courtroom today, as he faces mounting calls to resign from office. The judge allowed Adams to leave without posting bail, and ordered him not to have contact with any of the witnesses in the indictment. Federal prosecutors say Adams benefited from a nearly decade-long corruption scheme, that included more than $100,000 worth of free plane tickets and luxury hotel stays from foreign nationals and at least one Turkish government official. Adams had denied any wrongdoing and has vowed to stay in office. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has the power to remove Adams, said in a statement that she is reviewing her options, and that she expects Adams to “take the next few days” to “find an appropriate path forward.” |
Trump meets with Zelenskyy, Harris visiting southern border |
Former President Donald Trump met for the first time today in five years with Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy, and vowed to negotiate a deal to end Russia’s war on Ukraine that is “good for both sides.” Standing beside Zelenskyy in New York, Trump said they have “a very good relationship, and I also have a very good relationship, as you know, with [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin.” At a campaign event Wednesday, Trump slammed Zelenskyy for refusing to “make a deal” to end the war, and has suggested he may not continue providing military assistance to Ukraine if he’s re-elected to the White House. Vice President Kamala Harris, who met with Zelenskyy at the White House Thursday, took aim at Trump’s recent comments about Ukraine, calling them “proposals for surrender.” Harris is set to visit the southern border in Arizona this afternoon, where she is expected to hit back at Trump’s criticisms of her immigration policy. On Thursday, Trump pre-emptively slammed Harris’ border trip. “Anything she says tomorrow, you know is a fraud because she was the worst in history at protecting our country.” |
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What else we're watching: |
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The U.S. has indicted three Iranian nationals for hacking the Trump campaign, stealing emails and documents, and sharing them with the media, according to U.S. officials and a federal indictment. |
Maggie Smith, the two-time Oscar-winning actress known for her roles in the “Harry Potter” movies and “Downton Abbey,” has died at 89, her publicist and children confirmed. |
SNL is kicking off its 50th season this weekend, with host Jean Smart and musical guest Jelly Roll. |
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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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