Actor and former Hells Angels leader Chuck Zito flips out on NYC cops after he’s busted for bogus license plate

Luigi Mangione, accused in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, appeared in court Monday wearing an outfit that matched his attorney’s. Mangione, 26, donned a maroon sweater over a light shirt and chinos. His attorney, Karen Agnifilo, wore the same outfit, resulting in an unforeseen scene during the high-profile arraignment. Mangione entered a not guilty plea to all 11 counts, which include first-degree murder in support of terrorism. Addressing the courtroom microphone, he confidently proclaimed, "Not guilty." The hearing, overseen by Judge Gregory Carro, occurred at the New York State Criminal Courthouse in downtown Manhattan. The allegations arise from the shooting of Thompson on December 4 outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The event took place at an investor conference organized by UnitedHealth Group. Prosecutors claim the murder was planned in advance and linked to terrorism. If found guilty, Mangione could be sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole. High Security at CourtroomMangione was accompanied to the courtroom on the 13th floor by several officers. Courtroom security was noticeably increased, with six officers following the defendant. Mangione remained expressionless next to Agnifilo, who has openly denounced his treatment as politically motivated. Prosecutor Joel Sideman highlighted that the Manhattan District Attorney’s office has primary authority over the case. He mentioned that the case would advance in state court prior to any federal charges. Mangione is anticipated to be returned to federal detention after the state proceedings. Case Grips Public AttentionThe audacious murder and the ensuing five-day chase captured the public's fascination. Thompson, an influential person in the healthcare sector, was shot due to rising frustrations surrounding healthcare expenses and insurance plans. Certain critics of the industry have provocatively referred to Mangione as a "folk hero." Public officials, nonetheless, unanimously denounced the murder. Authorities have not yet revealed a reason for the assault. Unprecedented Legal and Media FocusThe coordinated outfits of Mangione and his lawyer attracted considerable notice. Legal specialists observed the rare coincidence, yet neither side mentioned it throughout the proceedings. Agnifilo has earlier stated that her client is being exploited as “political ammunition” by city leaders, such as the mayor of New York City. The subsequent hearing date has not been scheduled yet. Mangione stays in detention while prosecutors build their case. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow started the offseason by emphasizing the team's need to bolster the starting pitching staff. The front office has followed through with multiple noteworthy moves before the New Year. Boston's biggest deal thus far was in exchange for prospects Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery, Chase Meidroth, and Wikelman Gonzalez. Crochet gives the Red Sox a bona fide ace, something the rotation has lacked for the last several seasons. In free agency, the Red Sox have signed southpaw Patrick Sandoval and righty Walker Buehler. Both veterans come with injury concerns but add tremendous upside to Boston's previously lackluster rotation. So, what could the Red Sox' full starting rotation look like in 2025? Who could be the odd man out? Here's a closer look at the projected group: If Crochet proves more than a one-year wonder, he'll give the Red Sox a legitimate Cy Young contender atop their rotation. The 25-year-old has flat-out filthy stuff, including one of the best fastballs in the sport which averages 97.2 mph and tops out around 100 mph. A former reliever, Crochet took the hill 32 times last year during his first season in the White Sox rotation. He posted a 3.58 ERA (2.69 FIP) with 209 strikeouts and only 33 walks across 146 innings for the 121-loss ballclub. Chicago lightened the southpaw's workload in the second half of the campaign as he missed the entire 2022 season due to Tommy John surgery and pitched only 12.2 innings in 2023. Fear not though, Sox fans. Crochet doesn't expect to require an innings limit in 2025. “In terms of how long my leash will be, I hope to not even be wearing a collar come second half next year,” Crochet told reporters during his introductory press conference. Houck wasn't even expected to be part of Boston's 2024 rotation, but he found his way in following Lucas Giolito and Garrett Whitlock's season-ending injuries. The 28-year-old stepped up, emerging as the Red Sox' de facto ace with a 3.12 ERA and 154 strikeouts in 30 starts (178.2 innings). His efforts earned him his first career All-Star nod. If Houck can duplicate his 2024 numbers, he'll give the Red Sox' new-look starting rotation a formidable 1-2 punch. The Red Sox to a one-year, $21.05 million contract on Monday. It's a low-risk, high-reward pickup for a pitching staff that desperately needed some star power. Buehler is a two-time All-Star with plenty of postseason experience, including World Series titles with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020 and 2024. He placed fourth in Cy Young award voting in 2021 but had a down season in 2022 before undergoing Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss all of 2023. In 2024, Buehler struggled in the regular season with a 5.38 ERA across 16 starts. He found his groove in the playoffs, however, posting a 3.60 ERA (2.77 FIP) in four appearances (three starts). He didn't allow a run in his six innings pitched during the World Series. If healthy, Buehler adds a ton of upside to Boston's talented rotation. He's a fan favorite in L.A. and will become one in Boston if he can help end the club's postseason drought. Bello enters his fourth big-league season still looking to break out. The former top prospect has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to live up to the lofty expectations that led Boston to s before the 2024 season. While his 2024 numbers leave plenty to be desired, Bello was one of three Sox starters to make 30 starts. With injury concerns throughout the rest of the rotation, he'll be counted on to do the same in 2025. Boston will hope Bello can pick up where he left off in the second half of the 2024 season, when he posted a 3.00 ERA in August and a 3.55 ERA in September. It's unclear whether Giolito will be ready for Opening Day, but he joins the list until further notice. The veteran righty signed with Boston last offseason but didn't make an appearance in 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Assuming he enters 2025 without any setbacks, Giolito gives the Red Sox another high-upside starter. The 30-year-old was an All-Star in 2019 and earned Cy Young votes in each season from 2019 to 2021. Giolito's biggest bugaboo is the long ball. He allowed a whopping 41 home runs during a rough 2023 season spent with the White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and Cleveland Guardians. Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey will be tasked with helping him cut that number significantly in 2025. Crawford looked like the Red Sox' "ace" to start the 2024 season but eventually regressed to the mean, finishing the year with a 4.36 ERA and 4.65 FIP. He led the majors with 34 homers allowed. The way Crawford ended the campaign may have cost him a spot in the rotation for 2025. With the additions of Crochet and Buehler, plus Giolito's return from injury, someone has to be the odd man out. Don't be surprised if Crawford is traded before Opening Day. If not, he could be moved to the bullpen and used sparingly as a spot-starter. Starting pitching depth appears to be a strength for Boston as we look ahead to 2025. There are several options if any of the current pieces of the injury-prone rotation go down. Richard Fitts, a top prospect acquired from the New York Yankees in last year's Alex Verdugo deal, highlights the list. The 25-year-old notched a 1.74 ERA across his first four big-league starts. Winckowski has primarily pitched out of the bullpen but made six spot starts for Boston last season. The Red Sox will hope to use him solely as a reliever in 2025, but he's another arm they can turn to if necessary. Criswell was a pleasant surprise after signing a $1 million contract with the club last offseason. The 28-year-old posted a 4.08 ERA in 26 appearances (18 starts). Whitlock should be used out of the bullpen in his return from an elbow injury, but he could step up as an occasional spot starter. He had a 1.96 ERA in four starts before having his 2024 campaign end prematurely. Priester was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates at the 2024 trade deadline in exchange for infield prospect Nick Yorke. A former top prospect himself, Priester only adds to the rotation's high upside despite entering 2025 with an uncertain role. Sandoval is this year's James Paxton for Boston. The 28-year-old is expected to miss the first half of the 2025 season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The Red Sox on Friday. Over six seasons with the Angels, he enjoyed his most productive campaign in 2022 as he posted a 2.91 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 148.2 innings. He has a 4.01 ERA across 107 games (100 starts).

Sportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78

ROME (AP) — Robert Lewandowski joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the only players in Champions League history with 100 or more goals. But Erling Haaland is on a faster pace than anyone by boosting his total to 46 goals at age 24 on Tuesday. Still, Haaland's brace wasn't enough for Manchester City in a 3-3 draw with Feyenoord that extended the Premier League champion's winless streak to six matches. Lewandowski’s early penalty kick started Barcelona off to a 3-0 win over previously unbeaten Brest to move into second place in the new single-league format. The Poland striker added goal No. 101 in second-half stoppage time. Ronaldo leads the all-time scoring list with 140 goals and Messi is next with 129. But neither Ronaldo nor Messi play in the Champions League anymore following moves to Saudi Arabia and the United States, respectively. “It’s a nice number,” Lewandowski said. “In the past I didn’t think I could score more than 100 goals in the Champions League. I’m in good company alongside Cristiano and Messi.” The 36-year-old Lewandowski required 125 matches to reach the century mark, two more than Messi (123) and 12 fewer than Ronaldo (137). Barcelona also got a second-half score from Dani Olmo. The top eight finishers in the standings advance directly to the round of 16 in March. Teams ranked ninth to 24th go into a knockout playoffs round in February, while the bottom 12 teams are eliminated. Haaland converted a first-half penalty to eclipse Messi as the youngest player to reach 45 goals then scored City's third after the break to raise his total to 46 goals in 44 games. Ilkay Gundogan had City's second. But then Feyenoord struck back with goals from Anis Hadj Moussa, Santiago Gimenez and David Hancko. Inter Milan beat Leipzig 1-0 with an own goal to move atop the standings with 13 points, one more than Barcelona and Liverpool, which faces Real Madrid on Wednesday. The Serie A champion is the only club that hasn't conceded a goal. Bayern Munich beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 — the same score from the 2020 final between the two teams. PSG ended with 10 men and remained in the elimination zone. The French powerhouse has struggled in Europe after Kylian Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid. Story continues below video Kim Min-jae’s first-half header was enough for Bayern, especially after Ousmane Dembelé was sent off in the 56th with his second yellow. Atalanta moved within two points of the lead with a 6-1 win at Young Boys. Charles De Ketelaere scored two and assisted on three other goals for Atalanta. Also, Arsenal kept red-hot striker Viktor Gyokeres quiet in a 5-1 win over Sporting Lisbon; and Germany star Florian Wirtz scored two goals and was involved in two more as Bayer Leverkusen boosted its chances of finishing in the top eight with a 5-0 rout of Salzburg. AC Milan followed up its win at Real Madrid with a 3-2 victory at last-place Slovan Bratislava in an early match. Christian Pulisic put the seven-time champion ahead midway through the first half by finishing off a counterattack. Then Rafael Leao restored the Rossoneri’s advantage after Tigran Barseghyan had equalized for Bratislava and Tammy Abraham quickly added another. Nino Marcelli scored with a long-range strike in the 88th for Bratislava, which ended with 10 men. Bratislava has lost all five of its matches. Argentina World Cup winner Julian Alvarez scored twice and Atletico Madrid routed Sparta Prague 6-0 in the other early game. Alvarez scored with a free kick 15 minutes in and Marcos Llorente added a long-range strike before the break. Alvarez finished off a counterattack early in the second half after being set up by substitute Antoine Griezmann, who then marked his 100th Champions League game by getting on the scoresheet himself. Angel Correa added a late brace for Atletico, which earned its biggest away win in Europe. Atletico beat Paris Saint-Germain in the previous round and extended its winning streak across all competitions to six matches. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Blake Snell and the Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized a $182 million, five-year contract. The reigning World Series champions announced the deal with the two-time Cy Young Award winner on Saturday. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Donald Trump threatens 100% tariff on the BRIC nationsTravis Hunter named AP player of the yearNo. 22 Illinois reaches 9 wins for first time in 17 years with 38-28 victory over Northwestern