Here's the biggest news you missed this weekend
The latest on America's sexual assault epidemic
Every day, it seems there is a new allegation of sexual misconduct to reckon with. Now, it's music mogul Russell Simmons, who is responding to assault accusations detailed by The Los Angeles Times against him and filmmaker Brett Ratner. In the Times, Keri Claussen Khalighi, an aspiring model who was 17 when she met the music mogul, says Simmons asked for forgiveness decades after he allegedly assaulted her and coerced her to perform oral sex while Ratner was present. Simmons denies "the horrendous allegations." Also on Sunday, Transparent star Jeffrey Tambor said he isn't sure he can return to the show amid accusations of harassment. On Friday, Ryan Seacrest called sexual misconduct accusations against him "reckless." Gabby Douglas apologized for victim-blaming Aly Raisman, who recently revealed she was sexually abused by a USA Gymnastics team doctor. Lena Dunham apologized for her statement backing a Girls writer accused of sexual assault. And Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby defended Jameis Winston amid groping allegations.
A weekend of farewells
We said goodbye to several notable names in show business this weekend. Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry member Mel Tillis died at age 85 on Sunday, according to his publicist. In his six-decade career, he recorded more than 60 albums, notched three dozen top 10 singles and wrote several hit songs that are now regarded as classics. On Saturday, rock legend and AC/DC co-founder Malcom Young died at age 64, the band said. The Australian guitarist helped form the iconic rock band with his brother Angus in 1973 before releasing their debut album High Voltage in 1975. And actress Ann Wedgeworth died at age 83, her daughter said this weekend. In television, Wedgeworth was best known for her nine-episode role on the hit '70s sitcom Three's Company and as Merleen Elldridge in Burt Reynolds' 1990s sitcom Evening Shade, where she acted in four seasons.
Trump puts 'hold' on big game trophy decision
President Trump said in a Friday night tweet that he is putting on hold the controversial decision to lift a ban on importation of big-game trophies made from elephants, pending a review of "all conservation facts." Interior secretary Ryan Zinke confirmed the hold, adding he and Trump "both believe that conservation and healthy herds are critical." The announcement comes after the administration announced Wednesday that it was lifting an Obama-era ban on trophies from elephants killed in Zambia and Zimbabwe. The move sparked waves of outrage from animal-rights groups, conservation activists and social-media users.
More about that tax plan
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, wouldn’t say Sunday if she would vote against the current Republican tax plan under consideration in the Senate, but she ticked off a lengthy list of changes she hopes to see before any vote. The House approved a sweeping overhaul of the tax code crafted by the Republican majority on Thursday, and the Senate is working on a different plan that could come up for a vote after Thanksgiving. The two measures must be reconciled before they could be sent to President Trump. Here are the winners and losers in the tax bill that passed the House.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. leaves amid tributes and tears on final day in NASCAR Cup racing
Dale Earnhardt Jr. wiped the tears away as a tribute video played at the driver’s meeting ahead of his final race. As much as Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400 was about the final four drivers involved in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series — Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick — reminders that this would be the last race of the series’ most popular driver were inescapable in and around Homestead-Miami Speedway. Before the final four drivers were announced, Earnhardt was announced for the last time — which, as usual, drew the biggest ovation from fans —before he walked down a long platform. Earnhardt walked past the Cup trophy — something he was never able to win in his 19 seasons in the sports.
Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe defies expectations that he would resign
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe addressed the nation Sunday in a broadcast that was widely expected to feature his resignation but which ended without him announcing his intention to step aside after 37 years in power. Instead, the world's oldest head of state — he is 93 — said he intended to preside over his ruling ZANU-PF party's congress when that takes place in December. Earlier Sunday, the ZANU-PF party said he must resign as Zimbabwe's president by noon Monday or impeachment proceedings would begin, an ultimatum that was expected to accelerate his forced expulsion from the presidency.