Author: NBC

Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, the hottest international free agent in baseball, is headed to the Los Angeles Dodgers, he announced on social media Friday. The 23-year-old right-hander said he signed a minor-league deal. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. “I have signed a minor contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers,” he said on Instagram in a translated post from Japanese to English. “It was a very difficult decision, but I will do my best to make it the right decision when I look back after my baseball career. I want to slip my sleeve on the Dodgers uniform at…

The first time O’Shea Jackson Jr. played Donnie Wilson, he was the unassuming driver for a seemingly impossible bank heist in 2018’s “Den of Thieves.”Seven years later, Jackson returns as Donnie in “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,” this time front and center with box office star Gerard Butler.“It was the feeling of being able to go back to a character and kind of revisit an old friend of yours,” Jackson told NBC News. “In the first one, Donnie is so under the radar. He’s so, just, out of the way, you don’t really want to pay too much attention to…

The ceasefire deal will be implemented in three phases over several weeks. Biden, who described the talks as “one of the toughest negotiations” he has ever experienced, said the agreement’s first phase will take more than six weeks as Hamas releases hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded. The first phase would also bring the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody and the repopulation of certain areas of Gaza. Hundreds of trucks of humanitarian aid would also be sent into Gaza daily.”During the next six weeks, Israel will negotiate the necessary arrangements to get phase two,…

Yoon, 64, also faces trial in South Korea’s Constitutional Court to determine whether to uphold his Dec. 14 impeachment by lawmakers, which suspended him from presidential duties.He did not attend the first day of proceedings Tuesday, citing security concerns. The hearing ended after about four minutes. A second hearing is set for Thursday.The warrant was executed far more smoothly Wednesday than during the first attempt, when Yoon’s presidential bodyguards faced off with law enforcement officers for almost six hours, saying they were required by law to protect the president. Investigators withdrew but said they would take all necessary measures in…

The requests of two prisoners who have taken the unusual step of asking a federal judge to nullify their death row commutations granted by President Joe Biden should be denied because the act of leniency doesn’t violate the Constitution, the Justice Department argued Monday in a court filing.The inmates — Shannon Agofsky, 53, and Len Davis, 60 — are being held in a federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana, where the U.S. government puts inmates to death. A week after Biden announced he was commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 prisoners on federal death row to life without…

Extreme fire conditions expected in L.A. area through WednesdayThe strengthening Santa Ana winds pose a challenge for firefighters as the battle against wildfires enveloping neighborhoods in Los Angeles County entered its sixth day.The wildfires have killed at least 16 people, and as of Sunday morning, officials said, at least 16 others have been reported missing.A red flag warning has been issued for parts of Southern California, where strong winds are expected to blow Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. “If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for very rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior,” the agency said.The city…

Oscar winner Barry Jenkins kicked off the new year the way he ended the old, with two films — “Mufasa: The Lion King” and “The Fire Inside” — in the top 10 at the box office.It’s a feat Jenkins — who co-wrote “The Fire Inside” with Rachel Morrison while editing his 2016 Oscar-winning film “Moonlight” — could never have planned. On the surface, the two films appear to have little in common.“Mufasa,” the big-budget Disney release, has a huge cultural imprint thanks to 1994’s “The Lion King,” which became one of the most profitable films of all time with acting…

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.Walker Hayes performs ‘Wednesdays,’ co-written with Hoda Kotb04:56Now PlayingWatch Hoda Kotb drive away in minivan after last TODAY show00:24UP NEXTHoda Kotb reads heartfelt thank you letter to TODAY fans04:20See Kathie Lee and Hoda reunite at Hoda’s TODAY farewell show06:01See Jimmy Fallon’s hilarious goodbye gift for Hoda Kotb03:30Jenna reads emotional sendoff letter to Hoda Kotb on her last day03:38Gayle King surprises Hoda Kotb at her TODAY farewell02:50See Kermit the Frog sing ‘Rainbow Connection’ for Hoda Kotb04:52Maria Shriver shares heartfelt words about TODAY’s Hoda Kotb03:31See Simone Biles surprise…

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.Ina Garten gives TODAY’s Hoda Kotb ‘repotting’ advice05:01Now PlayingUpdate your winter reading list with these picks03:59UP NEXTIna Garten gives a special cocktail toast to Hoda Kotb on TODAY02:27‘Sesame Street’ stars share sweet wishes for Hoda Kotb on TODAY04:16Social media star Tidy Dad shares cleaning and organizational tips04:33Jenna Bush Hager announces book imprint with Random House02:19Martha Beck shares 3-step approach to changing the way you think03:49Martha Beck details ways to use creativity to overcome daily anxiety05:10Dylan Dreyer unveils new book: ‘A Peek Out Your Window’01:42Is 2025 the…

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.Hoda & Jenna surprise mom helping her community with new truck!05:59Now PlayingRose Matafeo talks second standup special, ‘Moana 2,’ and more04:52UP NEXTHoda and Jenna try viral hacks for some of Hoda’s favorite things03:30Blake Shelton reveals a ‘missed’ shot with Hoda Kotb05:01Jenna Bush Hager announces book imprint with Random House02:19Diane Warren talks new documentary, songwriting, and more04:50Hoda Kotb posters line the plaza: See her reaction to the surprise!02:47Kyle Chandler talks ‘Back in Action,’ ‘Friday Night Lights,’ more04:58Taylor Kitsch talks about possible role in ‘Friday Night Lights’ reboot00:58Maria…