Lester Martínez-López, MD, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, joined by Air Force officials, toured the UNMC campus at the end of October as part of an ongoing partnership between the military and the university.

Dr. Martínez spent the morning with campus leaders before touring the Global Center for Health Security’s facilities, iEXCEL and the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit. He was joined by Brig. Gen. Robert Bogart, commander of the 711th&nbsp;Human Performance Wing; Col. Tory Woodard, commander of the&nbsp;U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine; and Col. Leslie Wood, chair of the en route care training department at the&nbsp;U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine; and others who oversee C-STARS sites across the nation, including in Omaha.

Dr. Martínez, with more than 30 years of military health experience, said he saw “a healthy relationship between the university and the Department of Defense, particularly the Air Force,” one that “sets the stage for further collaboration.”

During the tour, Dr. Martínez engaged with university officials, often asking questions at tour stops. He visited the National Quarantine Unit, took a look at ISTARI devices and enjoyed a presentation in the iEXCEL’s state-of-the-art holographic theater.

The visit was a chance to bring together critically important collaborators to discuss current initiatives and future opportunities, said Chris Kratochvil, MD, interim vice chancellor of external relations.

UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, met with the group&nbsp;at several points during the visit.

“The partnership between UNMC and the military continues to benefit our community and the country,” Dr. Gold said. “This visit allowed us to illustrate the results of several decades of that partnership and paved a way to expand that relationship in the future. The opportunity to serve the health security needs of our nation continues to be very important.”

Dr. Martínez and his team also heard from Lt. Col. Elizabeth Schnaubelt, MD, director of C-STARS Omaha. The visit was a chance to showcase work being done on campus, she said.

“It’s an opportunity to highlight our collaborative successes with our Nebraska partners and how we can better prepare our Department of Defense personnel,” Dr. Schnaubelt said. “The extraordinary accomplishments of Nebraska Medicine and UNMC in biocontainment care, education and training, research and innovation, provide a model and roadmap to advance readiness for high consequence infections and biological incidents.”

“Our partnership with UNMC is an opportunity to glean greater scientific knowledge,” Brig. Gen. Bogart said. “We as a nation are benefitting from it.”

“The country can really count on Nebraska and the university to help us with tough issues we’re going to be facing. There’s a true commitment, not just to Nebraska, but to the country.”

Photo caption:&nbsp;Lester Martínez-López, MD, assistant secretary of defense for Health Affairs tours iEXCEL during a recent visit to the UNMC campus. (Photo by Nicholas Harnack, 55th&nbsp;Wing Public Affairs, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699625657028.jpeg" alt="Lester Martínez-López, MD, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs" />
 <figcaption>Lester Martínez-López, MD, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs</figcaption>
 </figure>UNMCLester Martínez-López, MD, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, joined by Air Force officials, toured the UNMC campus at the end of October as part of an ongoing partnership between the military and the university.Dr. Martínez spent the morning with campus leaders before touring the Global Center for Health Security’s facilities, iEXCEL and the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit. He was joined by Brig. Gen. Robert Bogart, commander of the 711th&nbsp;Human Performance Wing; Col. Tory Woodard, commander of the&nbsp;U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine; and Col. Leslie Wood, chair of the en route care training department at the&nbsp;U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine; and others who oversee C-STARS sites across the nation, including in Omaha.Dr. Martínez, with more than 30 years of military health experience, said he saw “a healthy relationship between the university and the Department of Defense, particularly the Air Force,” one that “sets the stage for further collaboration.”During the tour, Dr. Martínez engaged with university officials, often asking questions at tour stops. He visited the National Quarantine Unit, took a look at ISTARI devices and enjoyed a presentation in the iEXCEL’s state-of-the-art holographic theater.The visit was a chance to bring together critically important collaborators to discuss current initiatives and future opportunities, said Chris Kratochvil, MD, interim vice chancellor of external relations.UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, met with the group&nbsp;at several points during the visit.“The partnership between UNMC and the military continues to benefit our community and the country,” Dr. Gold said. “This visit allowed us to illustrate the results of several decades of that partnership and paved a way to expand that relationship in the future. The opportunity to serve the health security needs of our nation continues to be very important.”Dr. Martínez and his team also heard from Lt. Col. Elizabeth Schnaubelt, MD, director of C-STARS Omaha. The visit was a chance to showcase work being done on campus, she said.“It’s an opportunity to highlight our collaborative successes with our Nebraska partners and how we can better prepare our Department of Defense personnel,” Dr. Schnaubelt said. “The extraordinary accomplishments of Nebraska Medicine and UNMC in biocontainment care, education and training, research and innovation, provide a model and roadmap to advance readiness for high consequence infections and biological incidents.”“Our partnership with UNMC is an opportunity to glean greater scientific knowledge,” Brig. Gen. Bogart said. “We as a nation are benefitting from it.”Dr. Martínez agreed.“The country can really count on Nebraska and the university to help us with tough issues we’re going to be facing. There’s a true commitment, not just to Nebraska, but to the country.”Photo caption:&nbsp;Lester Martínez-López, MD, assistant secretary of defense for Health Affairs tours iEXCEL during a recent visit to the UNMC campus. (Photo by Nicholas Harnack, 55th&nbsp;Wing Public Affairs, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska)

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs tours UNMC campus

BEIJING (AP) — A financial services business of China’s biggest bank says it was hit by a ransomware attack that reportedly disrupted trading in the U.S. Treasury market.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Financial Services handles trades and other services for financial institutions. A statement on its website seen Friday said the ransomware attack this week disrupted some of its systems but that it had disconnected parts of the affected systems to limit the impact from the attack.

The company, which is based in New York, said it was investigating and had reported the problem to law enforcement.

All Treasury trades executed Wednesday and repo financing trades on Thursday were cleared, it said. It said ICBC’s banking, email and other systems were not affected.

The company gave no further details but reports said the attack was by LockBit, a Russian-speaking ransomware syndicate that does not target former Soviet countries. It is one of the most efficient ransomware variants around, according to the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft. Active since September 2019, it has&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.emsisoft.com/en/38915/ransomware-profile-lockbit/" target="_blank">attacked thousands of organizations.</a>

BEIJING (AP) — A financial services business of China’s biggest bank says it was hit by a ransomware attack that reportedly disrupted trading in the U.S. Treasury market.Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Financial Services handles trades and other services for financial institutions. A statement on its website seen Friday said the ransomware attack this week disrupted some of its systems but that it had disconnected parts of the affected systems to limit the impact from the attack.The company, which is based in New York, said it was investigating and had reported the problem to law enforcement.All Treasury trades executed Wednesday and repo financing trades on Thursday were cleared, it said. It said ICBC’s banking, email and other systems were not affected.The company gave no further details but reports said the attack was by LockBit, a Russian-speaking ransomware syndicate that does not target former Soviet countries. It is one of the most efficient ransomware variants around, according to the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft. Active since September 2019, it has&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.emsisoft.com/en/38915/ransomware-profile-lockbit/" target="_blank">attacked thousands of organizations.</a>

Ransomware attack disrupts U.S. Treasury market trades

WASHINGTON (AP)— U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted multiple times in the last day, with three minor injuries reported, U.S. defense officials said Thursday.

The attacks took place as the U.S. conducted another airstrike against an Iranian weapons storage area Wednesday to try to convince Iranian-backed militant groups to cease the hostilities and avoid spurring a larger conflict

Within the past day, militants have launched two separate attacks using multiple rockets against U.S. and coalition forces operating at Green Village, Syria; a one-way drone attack was launched against U.S. and Coalition forces at Mission Support Site Euphrates, Syria; U.S. and coalition convoy encountered a roadside bomb near the Mosul Dam, in Iraq; and a one-way attack drone was launched at U.S. and coalition forces at the al Asad air base in Iraq.

There were three minor injuries reported in the Green Village attacks but all personnel returned to duty.

No other injuries or damage was reported in the strikes, according to defense officials who provided details of the attacks on the condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public.

According to deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh, U.S. and coalition forces have been attacked 46 times since Oct. 17, injuring 56 personnel. All have returned to duty, Singh said.

According to a statement Thursday from the Defense Department, U.S. force enhancements in the Middle East, include recently deployed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and Patriot missile defense systems, additional fighter squadrons, two carrier strike groups, and an Ohio-class nuclear-powered guided missile submarine, according to Dana Stroul, deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East.

"We also placed over 2,000 personnel and a range of units on a heightened state of readiness, some of which [were] subsequently deployed," Stroul said. "These deployments demonstrate our commitment to Israel's security, to regional stability, and to deterring those who seek to widen this conflict. It also bolsters the department's ability to respond quickly to the evolving security environment."

The department's commitment to Israel's right to defend itself from terrorism is "ironclad," and the department is working daily to help Israel do that, Stroul told lawmakers.

"We are working around-the-clock to determine which munitions and equipment from U.S. inventory can quickly be made available," Stroul said. "Air defense is a high priority, as are medical supplies, artillery, ammunition and precision-guided munitions. Deliveries are taking place on a near daily basis."

Since the initial attack, Stroul said Hamas has been using civilians as human shields, has blocked the delivery of humanitarian aid, and continues to hold at least 200 civilians.

"The Department of State designated Hamas a foreign terrorist organization in 1997," she said. "Hamas is responsible for the abhorrent terrorist attack in Israel. And Israel is executing military operations to ensure that Hamas is never again able to perpetuate a terrorist attack like it did in October."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699564278384.png" alt="The USS Carney defeats a combination of Houthi missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in the Red Sea, Oct. 19, 2023. The Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet’s area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.&nbsp;Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Lau" />
 <figcaption>The USS Carney defeats a combination of Houthi missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in the Red Sea, Oct. 19, 2023. The Carney, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet’s area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.&nbsp;Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Lau</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP)— U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted multiple times in the last day, with three minor injuries reported, U.S. defense officials said Thursday.The attacks took place as the U.S. conducted another airstrike against an Iranian weapons storage area Wednesday to try to convince Iranian-backed militant groups to cease the hostilities and avoid spurring a larger conflictWithin the past day, militants have launched two separate attacks using multiple rockets against U.S. and coalition forces operating at Green Village, Syria; a one-way drone attack was launched against U.S. and Coalition forces at Mission Support Site Euphrates, Syria; U.S. and coalition convoy encountered a roadside bomb near the Mosul Dam, in Iraq; and a one-way attack drone was launched at U.S. and coalition forces at the al Asad air base in Iraq.There were three minor injuries reported in the Green Village attacks but all personnel returned to duty.No other injuries or damage was reported in the strikes, according to defense officials who provided details of the attacks on the condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public.According to deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh, U.S. and coalition forces have been attacked 46 times since Oct. 17, injuring 56 personnel. All have returned to duty, Singh said.According to a statement Thursday from the Defense Department, U.S. force enhancements in the Middle East, include recently deployed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and Patriot missile defense systems, additional fighter squadrons, two carrier strike groups, and an Ohio-class nuclear-powered guided missile submarine, according to Dana Stroul, deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East."We also placed over 2,000 personnel and a range of units on a heightened state of readiness, some of which [were] subsequently deployed," Stroul said. "These deployments demonstrate our commitment to Israel's security, to regional stability, and to deterring those who seek to widen this conflict. It also bolsters the department's ability to respond quickly to the evolving security environment."The department's commitment to Israel's right to defend itself from terrorism is "ironclad," and the department is working daily to help Israel do that, Stroul told lawmakers."We are working around-the-clock to determine which munitions and equipment from U.S. inventory can quickly be made available," Stroul said. "Air defense is a high priority, as are medical supplies, artillery, ammunition and precision-guided munitions. Deliveries are taking place on a near daily basis."Since the initial attack, Stroul said Hamas has been using civilians as human shields, has blocked the delivery of humanitarian aid, and continues to hold at least 200 civilians."The Department of State designated Hamas a foreign terrorist organization in 1997," she said. "Hamas is responsible for the abhorrent terrorist attack in Israel. And Israel is executing military operations to ensure that Hamas is never again able to perpetuate a terrorist attack like it did in October."

US Troops in Syria and Iraq come under more attacks

WASHINGTON– Three individuals have been arrested in connection with operating sophisticated high-end brothels in greater Boston and eastern Virginia. 

Commercial sex buyers allegedly included elected officials, high tech and pharmaceutical executives, doctors, military officers, government contractors that possess security clearances, professors, attorneys, scientists and accountants, among others, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The following defendants have been charged with conspiracy to coerce and entice to travel to engage in illegal sexual activity:&nbsp;

Han Lee and Junmyung Lee were arrested Thursday morning and will appear in federal court in Boston later Thursday. James Lee was arrested in the Central District of California and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.&nbsp;

According to the charging documents, from at least July 2020, the defendants operated an interstate prostitution network with multiple brothels in Cambridge and Watertown, Mass., as well as in Fairfax and Tysons, Va.&nbsp;

It is alleged that the defendants collectively established the infrastructure for brothels in multiple states which they used to persuade, induce and entice women – primarily Asian women – to travel to Massachusetts and Virginia to engage in prostitution.&nbsp;

Specifically, the defendants allegedly rented high-end apartment complexes as brothel locations, which they furnished and regularly maintained. The monthly rent for the brothel locations were as high as $3,664. It is further alleged that the defendants coordinated the women’s airline travel and transportation and permitted women to stay overnight in the brothel locations so they did not have to find lodging elsewhere, therefore enticing women to participate in their prostitution network.&nbsp;

The defendants allegedly advertised their prostitution network primarily on two websites – bostontopten10.com and browneyesgirlsva.blog – which offered appointments with women in either greater Boston or eastern Virginia, respectively. Both websites purported to advertise nude Asian models for professional photography at upscale studios as a front for prostitution offered through appointments with women listed on their websites. The websites listed the height, weight and bust size of women available for appointments and depicted nude and/or semi-nude photographs of each. The women listed as available on the websites updated frequently, with updates to include “coming soon” or “open” to reflect an impending arrival of new women arriving in the area.&nbsp;

Each website allegedly described a verification process that interested sex buyers undertook to be eligible for appointment bookings– including requiring clients complete a form providing their full names, email address, phone number, employer and reference if they had one.

It is further alleged that the defendants maintained local brothel phone numbers which they used to communicate with verified customers and schedule appointments via text message. In these text message exchanges, the defendants allegedly sent customers a “menu” of available options at the brothel, including the women and sexual services available and the hourly rate. Additionally, the defendants allegedly texted customers directions to the brothel’s location – a high-end apartments – where they engaged in commercial sex with the women.&nbsp;

According to the charging documents, the defendants charged sex buyers a premium price for appointments with the women advertised on their websites, which ranged from approximately $350 to upwards of $600 per hour depending on the services and were paid in cash. The defendants allegedly concealed the proceeds of the prostitution network through depositing hundreds of thousands of dollars of cash proceeds into their personal bank accounts and peer-to-peer transfers. Additionally, it is alleged that the defendants regularly used hundreds of thousands of dollars of the cash proceeds from the prostitution business to purchase money orders (in values under an amount that would trigger reporting and identification requirements) to conceal the source of the funds. These money orders were then used to pay for rent and utilities at brothel locations in Massachusetts and Virginia.

Over the course of the investigation, a wide array of buyers were identified, including, but not limited to, politicians, high tech and pharmaceutical executives, doctors, military officers, government contractors that possess security clearances, professors, lawyers, scientists and &nbsp;accountants.&nbsp;

The investigation into the involvement of sex buyers is active and ongoing.

WASHINGTON– Three individuals have been arrested in connection with operating sophisticated high-end brothels in greater Boston and eastern Virginia. Commercial sex buyers allegedly included elected officials, high tech and pharmaceutical executives, doctors, military officers, government contractors that possess security clearances, professors, attorneys, scientists and accountants, among others, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.The following defendants have been charged with conspiracy to coerce and entice to travel to engage in illegal sexual activity:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Han Lee, a/k/a “Hana,” 41, of Cambridge, Mass.;</li><li>James Lee, 68, of Torrance, Calif.; and</li><li>Junmyung Lee, 30, of Dedham, Mass.</li>
 </ul>Han Lee and Junmyung Lee were arrested Thursday morning and will appear in federal court in Boston later Thursday. James Lee was arrested in the Central District of California and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.&nbsp;According to the charging documents, from at least July 2020, the defendants operated an interstate prostitution network with multiple brothels in Cambridge and Watertown, Mass., as well as in Fairfax and Tysons, Va.&nbsp;It is alleged that the defendants collectively established the infrastructure for brothels in multiple states which they used to persuade, induce and entice women – primarily Asian women – to travel to Massachusetts and Virginia to engage in prostitution.&nbsp;Specifically, the defendants allegedly rented high-end apartment complexes as brothel locations, which they furnished and regularly maintained. The monthly rent for the brothel locations were as high as $3,664. It is further alleged that the defendants coordinated the women’s airline travel and transportation and permitted women to stay overnight in the brothel locations so they did not have to find lodging elsewhere, therefore enticing women to participate in their prostitution network.&nbsp;The defendants allegedly advertised their prostitution network primarily on two websites – bostontopten10.com and browneyesgirlsva.blog – which offered appointments with women in either greater Boston or eastern Virginia, respectively. Both websites purported to advertise nude Asian models for professional photography at upscale studios as a front for prostitution offered through appointments with women listed on their websites. The websites listed the height, weight and bust size of women available for appointments and depicted nude and/or semi-nude photographs of each. The women listed as available on the websites updated frequently, with updates to include “coming soon” or “open” to reflect an impending arrival of new women arriving in the area.&nbsp;Each website allegedly described a verification process that interested sex buyers undertook to be eligible for appointment bookings– including requiring clients complete a form providing their full names, email address, phone number, employer and reference if they had one.It is further alleged that the defendants maintained local brothel phone numbers which they used to communicate with verified customers and schedule appointments via text message. In these text message exchanges, the defendants allegedly sent customers a “menu” of available options at the brothel, including the women and sexual services available and the hourly rate. Additionally, the defendants allegedly texted customers directions to the brothel’s location – a high-end apartments – where they engaged in commercial sex with the women.&nbsp;According to the charging documents, the defendants charged sex buyers a premium price for appointments with the women advertised on their websites, which ranged from approximately $350 to upwards of $600 per hour depending on the services and were paid in cash. The defendants allegedly concealed the proceeds of the prostitution network through depositing hundreds of thousands of dollars of cash proceeds into their personal bank accounts and peer-to-peer transfers. Additionally, it is alleged that the defendants regularly used hundreds of thousands of dollars of the cash proceeds from the prostitution business to purchase money orders (in values under an amount that would trigger reporting and identification requirements) to conceal the source of the funds. These money orders were then used to pay for rent and utilities at brothel locations in Massachusetts and Virginia.Over the course of the investigation, a wide array of buyers were identified, including, but not limited to, politicians, high tech and pharmaceutical executives, doctors, military officers, government contractors that possess security clearances, professors, lawyers, scientists and &nbsp;accountants.&nbsp;The investigation into the involvement of sex buyers is active and ongoing.

 High-end interstate prostitution network catered to elected officials

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Astronaut Frank Borman, who commanded Apollo 8's historic Christmas 1968 flight that circled the moon 10 times and paved the way for the lunar landing the next year, has died. He was 95.

Borman died Tuesday in Billings, Montana, according to NASA.

Borman also led troubled Eastern Airlines in the 1970s and early '80s after leaving the astronaut corps.

But he was best known for his NASA duties. He and his crew, James Lovell and William Anders, were the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4412e721713842b984817355fc291c12">first Apollo mission to fly to the moon</a>&nbsp;— and to see Earth as a distant sphere in space.

“Today we remember one of NASA’s best. Astronaut Frank Borman was a true American hero,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement Thursday. "His lifelong love for aviation and exploration was only surpassed by his love for his wife Susan.”

Launched from Florida’s Cape Canaveral on Dec. 21, 1968, the Apollo 8 trio spent three days traveling to the moon, and slipped into lunar orbit on Christmas Eve. After they circled 10 times on Dec. 24-25, they headed home on Dec. 27.

On Christmas Eve, the astronauts read from the Book of Genesis in a live telecast from the orbiter: "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep."

Borman ended the broadcast with, “And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas, and God bless all of you — all of you on the good Earth.”

Lovell and Borman had previously flown together during the two-week Gemini 7 mission, which launched on Dec. 4, 1965 — and, at only 120 feet apart, completed the first space orbital rendezvous with Gemini 6.

"Gemini was a tough go," Borman told The Associated Press in 1998. "It was smaller than the front seat of a Volkswagen bug. It made Apollo seem like a super-duper, plush touring bus."

In his book, "Countdown: An Autobiography," Borman said Apollo 8 was originally supposed to orbit Earth. The success of Apollo 7's mission in October 1968 to show system reliability on long duration flights made NASA decide it was time to take a shot at flying to the moon.

But Borman said there was another reason NASA changed the plan: the agency wanted to beat the Russians. Borman said he thought one orbit would suffice.

“My main concern in this whole flight was to get there ahead of the Russians and get home. That was a significant achievement in my eyes,” Borman explained at a Chicago appearance in 2017.

It was on the crew's fourth orbit that Anders snapped the iconic&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE-vOscpiNc&amp;t=1s">“Earthrise” photo</a>&nbsp;showing a blue and white Earth rising above the gray lunar landscape.

Borman wrote about how the Earth looked from afar: "We were the first humans to see the world in its majestic totality, an intensely emotional experience for each of us. We said nothing to each other, but I was sure our thoughts were identical — of our families on that spinning globe. And maybe we shared another thought I had, This must be what God sees."

After NASA, Borman's aviation career ventured into business in 1970 when he joined Eastern Airlines — at that time the nation’s fourth-largest airline. He eventually became Eastern’s president and CEO and in 1976 also became its chairman of the board.

Borman’s tenure at Eastern saw fuel prices increase sharply and the government deregulate the airline industry. The airline became increasingly unprofitable, debt-ridden and torn by labor tensions. He resigned in 1986 and moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico.

In his autobiography, Borman wrote that his fascination with flying began in his teens when he and his father would assemble model airplanes. At age 15, Borman took flying lessons, using money he had saved working as a bag boy and pumping gas after school. He took his first solo flight after eight hours of dual instruction. He continued flying into his 90s.

Borman was born in Gary, Indiana, but was raised in Tucson, Arizona. He attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in 1950. That same year, Borman married his high school sweetheart, Susan Bugbee. She died in 2021.

Borman worked as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, operational pilot and instructor at West Point after graduation. In 1956, Borman moved his family to Pasadena, California, where he earned a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from California Institute of Technology. In 1962, he was one of nine test pilots chosen by NASA for the astronaut program.

He received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor from President Jimmy Carter.

In 1998, Borman started a cattle ranch in Bighorn, Montana, with his son, Fred. In addition to Fred, he survived by another son, Edwin, and their families.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699579574625.png" alt="Astronaut Frank Borman-photo courtesy NASA" />
 <figcaption>Astronaut Frank Borman-photo courtesy NASA</figcaption>
 </figure>BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Astronaut Frank Borman, who commanded Apollo 8's historic Christmas 1968 flight that circled the moon 10 times and paved the way for the lunar landing the next year, has died. He was 95.Borman died Tuesday in Billings, Montana, according to NASA.Borman also led troubled Eastern Airlines in the 1970s and early '80s after leaving the astronaut corps.But he was best known for his NASA duties. He and his crew, James Lovell and William Anders, were the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4412e721713842b984817355fc291c12">first Apollo mission to fly to the moon</a>&nbsp;— and to see Earth as a distant sphere in space.“Today we remember one of NASA’s best. Astronaut Frank Borman was a true American hero,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement Thursday. "His lifelong love for aviation and exploration was only surpassed by his love for his wife Susan.”Launched from Florida’s Cape Canaveral on Dec. 21, 1968, the Apollo 8 trio spent three days traveling to the moon, and slipped into lunar orbit on Christmas Eve. After they circled 10 times on Dec. 24-25, they headed home on Dec. 27.On Christmas Eve, the astronauts read from the Book of Genesis in a live telecast from the orbiter: "In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep."Borman ended the broadcast with, “And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas, and God bless all of you — all of you on the good Earth.”Lovell and Borman had previously flown together during the two-week Gemini 7 mission, which launched on Dec. 4, 1965 — and, at only 120 feet apart, completed the first space orbital rendezvous with Gemini 6."Gemini was a tough go," Borman told The Associated Press in 1998. "It was smaller than the front seat of a Volkswagen bug. It made Apollo seem like a super-duper, plush touring bus."In his book, "Countdown: An Autobiography," Borman said Apollo 8 was originally supposed to orbit Earth. The success of Apollo 7's mission in October 1968 to show system reliability on long duration flights made NASA decide it was time to take a shot at flying to the moon.But Borman said there was another reason NASA changed the plan: the agency wanted to beat the Russians. Borman said he thought one orbit would suffice.“My main concern in this whole flight was to get there ahead of the Russians and get home. That was a significant achievement in my eyes,” Borman explained at a Chicago appearance in 2017.It was on the crew's fourth orbit that Anders snapped the iconic&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE-vOscpiNc&amp;t=1s">“Earthrise” photo</a>&nbsp;showing a blue and white Earth rising above the gray lunar landscape.Borman wrote about how the Earth looked from afar: "We were the first humans to see the world in its majestic totality, an intensely emotional experience for each of us. We said nothing to each other, but I was sure our thoughts were identical — of our families on that spinning globe. And maybe we shared another thought I had, This must be what God sees."After NASA, Borman's aviation career ventured into business in 1970 when he joined Eastern Airlines — at that time the nation’s fourth-largest airline. He eventually became Eastern’s president and CEO and in 1976 also became its chairman of the board.Borman’s tenure at Eastern saw fuel prices increase sharply and the government deregulate the airline industry. The airline became increasingly unprofitable, debt-ridden and torn by labor tensions. He resigned in 1986 and moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico.In his autobiography, Borman wrote that his fascination with flying began in his teens when he and his father would assemble model airplanes. At age 15, Borman took flying lessons, using money he had saved working as a bag boy and pumping gas after school. He took his first solo flight after eight hours of dual instruction. He continued flying into his 90s.Borman was born in Gary, Indiana, but was raised in Tucson, Arizona. He attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in 1950. That same year, Borman married his high school sweetheart, Susan Bugbee. She died in 2021.Borman worked as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, operational pilot and instructor at West Point after graduation. In 1956, Borman moved his family to Pasadena, California, where he earned a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from California Institute of Technology. In 1962, he was one of nine test pilots chosen by NASA for the astronaut program.He received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor from President Jimmy Carter.In 1998, Borman started a cattle ranch in Bighorn, Montana, with his son, Fred. In addition to Fred, he survived by another son, Edwin, and their families.

Frank Borman, commander of the first Apollo mission to the moon, has died

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/winnebago-tribe-to-get-back-1600-acres-of-land-once-taken-for-proposed-recreation-area-along-missouri-river/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska stands to receive 1,600 acres of land that was taken a half century ago for a recreation area that never materialized.

The land, on the Iowa side of the Missouri River, would be returned under a bill introduced recently in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and her fellow Iowa and Nebraska senators — Pete Ricketts, Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst.

The chairman of the Winnebago Tribe, Victoria Kitcheyan, said the return will be a “historic and beautiful moment” for her tribe, whose reservation is located north of Omaha.

“We have been waiting for this wrong to be made right,” Kitcheyan said in a press release that expressed thanks to the Nebraska and Iowa senators.

The land was taken via eminent domain in 1970s as part of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers effort to stabilize the banks of the Missouri River and to establish a recreation area.

A portion of the property on the Nebraska side of the river was eventually returned to the Winnebago Tribe, but two tracts of land on the Iowa side of the river remain under Corps control.

Fischer said it was wrong for the Corps to seize the land back in 1970 and “it’s time to make this right.”

The land is managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources as wildlife areas. In a recent management renewal agreement with the Army Corps, it was anticipated that the property would be returned to the tribe.

Messages left with the Winnebago Tribe to inquire about future plans for the land were not immediately returned Thursday.

A press release from Fischer’s office says the Bureau of Indian Affairs will hold the land in trust for the tribe.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699560876522.jpeg" alt=" Missouri River in Cass County. (Courtesy of the Nebraska State Patrol)" />
 <figcaption> Missouri River in Cass County. (Courtesy of the Nebraska State Patrol)</figcaption>
 </figure>Paul Hammel<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/winnebago-tribe-to-get-back-1600-acres-of-land-once-taken-for-proposed-recreation-area-along-missouri-river/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN — The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska stands to receive 1,600 acres of land that was taken a half century ago for a recreation area that never materialized.The land, on the Iowa side of the Missouri River, would be returned under a bill introduced recently in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and her fellow Iowa and Nebraska senators — Pete Ricketts, Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst.The chairman of the Winnebago Tribe, Victoria Kitcheyan, said the return will be a “historic and beautiful moment” for her tribe, whose reservation is located north of Omaha.“We have been waiting for this wrong to be made right,” Kitcheyan said in a press release that expressed thanks to the Nebraska and Iowa senators.The land was taken via eminent domain in 1970s as part of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers effort to stabilize the banks of the Missouri River and to establish a recreation area.A portion of the property on the Nebraska side of the river was eventually returned to the Winnebago Tribe, but two tracts of land on the Iowa side of the river remain under Corps control.Fischer said it was wrong for the Corps to seize the land back in 1970 and “it’s time to make this right.”The land is managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources as wildlife areas. In a recent management renewal agreement with the Army Corps, it was anticipated that the property would be returned to the tribe.Messages left with the Winnebago Tribe to inquire about future plans for the land were not immediately returned Thursday.A press release from Fischer’s office says the Bureau of Indian Affairs will hold the land in trust for the tribe.

Winnebago Tribe to get back 1,600 acres of land once taken for proposed recreation area along Missouri River

WASHINGTON —Before his Thursday trip to&nbsp;Belvidere, Illinois, to celebrate a labor deal with autoworkers, President Biden spoke to the media on Israel and another looming government shutdown.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?531777-1/president-biden-comments-reporters-joint-base-andrews">Click here to watch</a> the exchange or read the text released from the White House.

Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mr. President, why the delay in getting hostages out?

THE PRESIDENT:&nbsp; We’re hopeful.&nbsp; Things are moving along.

Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Did you ask for a three-day pause to Netanyahu?

THE PRESIDENT:&nbsp; You know I’ve been asking for a pause for — for a lot more than three days (inaudible).

Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Did you ask him to pause for three days to get the hostages out for that length of time?

THE PRESIDENT:&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; I’ve ask- — asked for even a longer pause for some of them.

Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mr. President, we’re eight days from a shutdown — the shutdown — government shutdown.&nbsp; Just eight days.&nbsp; Can you give us an update on what you’re thinking on how to — to move past that?

THE PRESIDENT:&nbsp; I wish the — the House would just get to work.&nbsp; I’m not being facetious.&nbsp; I mean, this is not a political statement.&nbsp; The idea we’re playing games with a shutdown at this moment is just bizarre.&nbsp; And I think that we ought to be able to combine Ukraine and Israel.&nbsp; We ought to be able — and I’m open to discussions on the border, and I’ve already made some proposals.&nbsp; But there’s just no need for any of this.

Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Will you be bringing up the issue of an endorsement, Mr. President, with Shawn Fein?

Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Will you be bringing up the issue of an endorsement with Shawn Fein when you meet him?

THE PRESIDENT:&nbsp; Will I bring up the endorsement?

Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The issue of an endorsement.&nbsp; He has a — the UAW hasn’t endorsed you yet.

THE PRESIDENT:&nbsp; Oh, no.&nbsp; They’re going to be fine.

Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mr. President, were you frustrated with Prime Minister Netanyahu that he has not listened more to some of the things you have asked him to do?

THE PRESIDENT:&nbsp; It’s taking a little longer than I hoped.

Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; They’re taking a little bit longer?Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Do you support the UAW’s efforts to unionize Tesla and Toyota, Mr. President?&nbsp;THE PRESIDENT:&nbsp; Absolutely.&nbsp;Thank you.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699563758150.png" alt="Photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Before his Thursday trip to&nbsp;Belvidere, Illinois, to celebrate a labor deal with autoworkers, President Biden spoke to the media on Israel and another looming government shutdown.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?531777-1/president-biden-comments-reporters-joint-base-andrews">Click here to watch</a> the exchange or read the text released from the White House.Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mr. President, why the delay in getting hostages out?THE PRESIDENT:&nbsp; We’re hopeful.&nbsp; Things are moving along.Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Did you ask for a three-day pause to Netanyahu?THE PRESIDENT:&nbsp; You know I’ve been asking for a pause for — for a lot more than three days (inaudible).Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Did you ask him to pause for three days to get the hostages out for that length of time?THE PRESIDENT:&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; I’ve ask- — asked for even a longer pause for some of them.Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mr. President, we’re eight days from a shutdown — the shutdown — government shutdown.&nbsp; Just eight days.&nbsp; Can you give us an update on what you’re thinking on how to — to move past that?THE PRESIDENT:&nbsp; I wish the — the House would just get to work.&nbsp; I’m not being facetious.&nbsp; I mean, this is not a political statement.&nbsp; The idea we’re playing games with a shutdown at this moment is just bizarre.&nbsp; And I think that we ought to be able to combine Ukraine and Israel.&nbsp; We ought to be able — and I’m open to discussions on the border, and I’ve already made some proposals.&nbsp; But there’s just no need for any of this.Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Will you be bringing up the issue of an endorsement, Mr. President, with Shawn Fein?THE PRESIDENT:&nbsp; Pardon me?Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Will you be bringing up the issue of an endorsement with Shawn Fein when you meet him?THE PRESIDENT:&nbsp; Will I bring up the endorsement?Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The issue of an endorsement.&nbsp; He has a — the UAW hasn’t endorsed you yet.THE PRESIDENT:&nbsp; Oh, no.&nbsp; They’re going to be fine.Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mr. President, were you frustrated with Prime Minister Netanyahu that he has not listened more to some of the things you have asked him to do?THE PRESIDENT:&nbsp; It’s taking a little longer than I hoped.Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; They’re taking a little bit longer?Q&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Do you support the UAW’s efforts to unionize Tesla and Toyota, Mr. President?&nbsp;THE PRESIDENT:&nbsp; Absolutely.&nbsp;Thank you.

🎥 Biden talks Israel and another looming government shutdown

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/11/08/nebraska-civil-rights-panel-examines-covid-19-impacts-on-youth-mental-health/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;A Nebraska panel on civil rights continued diving into the effects of COVID-19 on K-12 education Wednesday with a focus on youth mental health.

This was the third public meeting of the Nebraska Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, which is tasked with determining civil rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and possible recommendations to the national group. The advisory committee hosted two forums this summer, including a look into&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-civil-rights-panel-considers-constellation-of-outcomes-of-covid-19-on-k-12-education/">e-learning and Nebraska’s digital divide</a>.

Jen Pollock of the Nebraska School Psychologists Association said there is a dramatic national workforce shortage, particularly in education. Still, teachers cannot be expected to be mental health experts.

“They are experts in the content,&nbsp;and that’s what we need them to be,” Pollock said.&nbsp;

Schools could have a tiered system of support, however, which Pollock said includes building safe classroom environments for and positive relationships with students, reinforcing clear and high expectations and adopting rigorous course instruction.

Liesel Hogan, a licensed mental health practitioner who works in Educational Service Unit #3 with Pollock, said the impacts of shortages have direct student impacts. ESU #3 is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.esu3.org/Admin/about">Nebraska’s largest ESU</a>, serving 18 school districts.

Schools require relationships, and trust and rapport among students and teachers are vital, Hogan added. If relationships don’t exist, students are less successful, and teachers can instead come to feel like “glorified babysitters,” according to Hogan.

“I always say that there’s never too many adults who can love a student in order to get them back to where they need to be from a functioning standpoint,” Hogan said.

The pandemic also led to more anxiety, more school absences and a fear of the unknown, with fewer students wanting to learn to drive or leave home for social interactions. Many students feel a lack of motivation, she said, because many activities were halted during the pandemic.

“An object in motion stays in motion,” Hogan said.

Corey Lieneman, assistant professor in the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Psychiatry, said that since COVID-19, there has been a 25% increase globally in anxiety and depression.

Nationwide, about 20% of youths ages 3-17 have at least one mental or behavioral health disorder, and suicide is the second leading cause of death in children ages 10-14, Lieneman said. The rate of suicide among children ages 12-17 more than doubled from 2008 to 2020.

Brenda Bassingthwaite, associate professor at UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation, said each year has become progressively harder to consult in school settings.

This is because as students’ needs go unaddressed, new skills are harder for them to develop, Bassingthwaite said, and students instead adopt maladaptive behaviors such as destroying items or climbing on tables to gain attention or access to other opportunities.

“When we do not meet the needs of students early, the needs often grow and become more challenging to address,” she added.

Workforce shortages can lead to closing classrooms. Omaha Public Schools transferred children with special education needs to different schools this year because of a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/09/08/our-kids-are-in-their-hands-legislature-dissects-omaha-schools-special-education-staff-vacancies/">shortage of special education teachers</a>&nbsp;at three buildings. While there may be no other options, Bassingthwaite said, there will still be an impact on students.

There’s also information overload for adolescents, Lieneman said, whose brains are not yet developed to the point where they can absorb all the information presented to them.

For example, students could not fully understand the technological implications during the pandemic or understand the virus itself, said Lestina Saul-Merdassi, behavioral health counselor, youth program director and certified advocate at the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition.

The increase in technological use, fast-tracked by COVID-19, can also be concerning, Lieneman said. She noted that her child in middle school will have nearly 20 courses in the calendar year and most, if not all, have an online component with numerous links per class.

Lieneman offered some solutions to simplify education, such as:

Despite the challenges, Lieneman said, all panelists spoke on similar topics, suggesting a unified goal to improve student and teacher outcomes.

“It’s reassuring to know that we’re all kind of seeing the same things, and that helps me feel like we’re on a team,” Lieneman told the group, “and we’re going to be able to accomplish something together as a state.”

Members of the public can provide written comments to the Nebraska Advisory Committee before members forward a report to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Comments can be sent to Victoria Moreno at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="mailto:vmoreno@usccr.gov">vmoreno@usccr.gov</a>&nbsp;no later than Dec. 8.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699541256753.jpeg" alt=" Members of the Nebraska Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights meet via Zoom on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, for a panel discussion regarding COVID-19’s impacts on youth mental health in K-12 education. (Screenshot by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption> Members of the Nebraska Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights meet via Zoom on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, for a panel discussion regarding COVID-19’s impacts on youth mental health in K-12 education. (Screenshot by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/11/08/nebraska-civil-rights-panel-examines-covid-19-impacts-on-youth-mental-health/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;A Nebraska panel on civil rights continued diving into the effects of COVID-19 on K-12 education Wednesday with a focus on youth mental health.This was the third public meeting of the Nebraska Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, which is tasked with determining civil rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and possible recommendations to the national group. The advisory committee hosted two forums this summer, including a look into&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/nebraska-civil-rights-panel-considers-constellation-of-outcomes-of-covid-19-on-k-12-education/">e-learning and Nebraska’s digital divide</a>.Jen Pollock of the Nebraska School Psychologists Association said there is a dramatic national workforce shortage, particularly in education. Still, teachers cannot be expected to be mental health experts.“They are experts in the content,&nbsp;and that’s what we need them to be,” Pollock said.&nbsp;Schools could have a tiered system of support, however, which Pollock said includes building safe classroom environments for and positive relationships with students, reinforcing clear and high expectations and adopting rigorous course instruction.<h2>‘There’s never too many adults’</h2>Liesel Hogan, a licensed mental health practitioner who works in Educational Service Unit #3 with Pollock, said the impacts of shortages have direct student impacts. ESU #3 is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.esu3.org/Admin/about">Nebraska’s largest ESU</a>, serving 18 school districts.Schools require relationships, and trust and rapport among students and teachers are vital, Hogan added. If relationships don’t exist, students are less successful, and teachers can instead come to feel like “glorified babysitters,” according to Hogan.“I always say that there’s never too many adults who can love a student in order to get them back to where they need to be from a functioning standpoint,” Hogan said.The pandemic also led to more anxiety, more school absences and a fear of the unknown, with fewer students wanting to learn to drive or leave home for social interactions. Many students feel a lack of motivation, she said, because many activities were halted during the pandemic.“An object in motion stays in motion,” Hogan said.<h2>Increase in mental, behavioral concerns</h2>Corey Lieneman, assistant professor in the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Psychiatry, said that since COVID-19, there has been a 25% increase globally in anxiety and depression.Nationwide, about 20% of youths ages 3-17 have at least one mental or behavioral health disorder, and suicide is the second leading cause of death in children ages 10-14, Lieneman said. The rate of suicide among children ages 12-17 more than doubled from 2008 to 2020.Brenda Bassingthwaite, associate professor at UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation, said each year has become progressively harder to consult in school settings.This is because as students’ needs go unaddressed, new skills are harder for them to develop, Bassingthwaite said, and students instead adopt maladaptive behaviors such as destroying items or climbing on tables to gain attention or access to other opportunities.“When we do not meet the needs of students early, the needs often grow and become more challenging to address,” she added.Workforce shortages can lead to closing classrooms. Omaha Public Schools transferred children with special education needs to different schools this year because of a&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/09/08/our-kids-are-in-their-hands-legislature-dissects-omaha-schools-special-education-staff-vacancies/">shortage of special education teachers</a>&nbsp;at three buildings. While there may be no other options, Bassingthwaite said, there will still be an impact on students.<h2>Information overload</h2>There’s also information overload for adolescents, Lieneman said, whose brains are not yet developed to the point where they can absorb all the information presented to them.For example, students could not fully understand the technological implications during the pandemic or understand the virus itself, said Lestina Saul-Merdassi, behavioral health counselor, youth program director and certified advocate at the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition.The increase in technological use, fast-tracked by COVID-19, can also be concerning, Lieneman said. She noted that her child in middle school will have nearly 20 courses in the calendar year and most, if not all, have an online component with numerous links per class.Lieneman offered some solutions to simplify education, such as:<ul>
 <li>Eliminating or reducing some homework.</li><li>Starting school later in the day.</li><li>Increasing recreational and social opportunities.</li><li>Reducing technology use.</li><li>Setting developmentally appropriate expectations.</li><li>Prioritizing sleep, healthy eating and physical activity.</li>
 </ul>Despite the challenges, Lieneman said, all panelists spoke on similar topics, suggesting a unified goal to improve student and teacher outcomes.“It’s reassuring to know that we’re all kind of seeing the same things, and that helps me feel like we’re on a team,” Lieneman told the group, “and we’re going to be able to accomplish something together as a state.”Members of the public can provide written comments to the Nebraska Advisory Committee before members forward a report to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Comments can be sent to Victoria Moreno at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="mailto:vmoreno@usccr.gov">vmoreno@usccr.gov</a>&nbsp;no later than Dec. 8.

Nebraska civil rights panel examines COVID-19 impacts on youth mental health

NEW YORK (AP) — A new version of the popular diabetes treatment Mounjaro can be sold as a weight-loss drug, U.S. regulators announced Wednesday.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Eli Lilly's drug, named Zepbound. The drug, also known as tirzepatide, helped dieters lose as much as 40 to 60 pounds in testing.

Zepbound is the latest diabetes drug approved for chronic weight management, joining Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, a high-dose version of its diabetes treatment Ozempic. Both are weekly injections.

<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-medication-chronic-weight-management">The FDA approved Lilly's drug</a>&nbsp;for people who are considered obese, with a body mass index of 30 or higher, or those who are overweight with a related health condition, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. The drug should be paired with a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise, the FDA said.

In the U.S., at least 100 million adults and about 15 million children are considered obese.

The drugs tirzepatide in Zepbound and Mounjaro and semaglutide in Wegovy and Ozempic work by mimicking hormones that kick in after people eat to regulate appetite and the feeling of fullness. Both imitate a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, known as GLP-1. Tirzepatide targets a second hormone, called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, or GIP.

FDA’s approval was based on two large studies: More than 2,500 participants got different strengths of Zepbound and nearly 1,000 people got dummy shots over 16 months. Participants without diabetes who received the highest dose lost about 18% of their weight, or about 41 pounds (19 kilograms), compared to placebo. Those with diabetes, who have a harder time losing weight, cut about 12%, or nearly 27 pounds (12 kilograms), the FDA said.

In another recent study, the drug helped people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mounjaro-obesity-weight-loss-tirzepatide-ac4151fdfcd6ac17f502d1a14af4fff5">lose up to a quarter of their weight</a>, or 60 pounds (27 kilograms), when combined with intensive diet and exercise.

Overall, Zepbound appears to spur greater weight loss than Wegovy. Approved for weight loss in 2021, Wegovy helped people lose about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-obesity-lifestyle-business-health-c6f992d717c6461ef20f40e6d4ee9d25">15% of their weight</a>&nbsp;or 34 pounds (15 kilograms), according to study results.

“This would be the most highly efficacious drug ever approved for the treatment of obesity," said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine expert at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Touted by celebrities and on social media, semaglutide and tirzepatide drugs have already been in such demand that their manufacturers have struggled to keep up. Both have been listed on the FDA’s drug shortage site for months. All strengths of tirzepatide are currently listed as available, but a company spokesperson said that could vary by location and demand.

Side effects of the new weight-loss drug include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and other gastrointestinal problems. In the most recent published trial, about 10% of people taking tirzepatide dropped out of the study because of such problems, compared to about 2% of people taking dummy shots.

While experts lauded approval of Zepbound, they worried that it wouldn't necessarily mean greater access to the drug, which has been prescribed “off-label” to help people pare pounds.

“Most patients won't be able to afford Zepbound without insurance coverage and many health plans exclude obesity care,” said Dr. Katherine Saunders, an obesity expert at New York's Weill Cornell Medicine and co-founder of company focused on obesity treatment.

Eli Lilly and Co. said the list price will be about $1,000 a month, the same as Mounjaro. The drug is expected to be available in the U.S. by the end of the year, the company said. Dosing strengths are the same for Zepbound and Mounjaro.

Kelly Burns, 50, of St. Petersburg, Florida, lost nearly 100 pounds (45 kilograms) using tirzepatide after joining a study of the drug to treat obesity in 2021. When testing ended and she no longer had access to the medication, she struggled, but eventually lost another 50 pounds (23 kilograms).

“My whole life is completely different,” she said. Her health measurements improved and her confidence soared. Now that is is approved for weight loss, Burns plans to ask her insurance company about coverage.

“It would be ridiculous not to," she said, adding: “I want to stay this way as long as I possibly can."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699529461783.png" alt="Zepbound photo Eli Lilly" />
 <figcaption>Zepbound photo Eli Lilly</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — A new version of the popular diabetes treatment Mounjaro can be sold as a weight-loss drug, U.S. regulators announced Wednesday.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Eli Lilly's drug, named Zepbound. The drug, also known as tirzepatide, helped dieters lose as much as 40 to 60 pounds in testing.Zepbound is the latest diabetes drug approved for chronic weight management, joining Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, a high-dose version of its diabetes treatment Ozempic. Both are weekly injections.<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-medication-chronic-weight-management">The FDA approved Lilly's drug</a>&nbsp;for people who are considered obese, with a body mass index of 30 or higher, or those who are overweight with a related health condition, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. The drug should be paired with a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise, the FDA said.In the U.S., at least 100 million adults and about 15 million children are considered obese.The drugs tirzepatide in Zepbound and Mounjaro and semaglutide in Wegovy and Ozempic work by mimicking hormones that kick in after people eat to regulate appetite and the feeling of fullness. Both imitate a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, known as GLP-1. Tirzepatide targets a second hormone, called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, or GIP.FDA’s approval was based on two large studies: More than 2,500 participants got different strengths of Zepbound and nearly 1,000 people got dummy shots over 16 months. Participants without diabetes who received the highest dose lost about 18% of their weight, or about 41 pounds (19 kilograms), compared to placebo. Those with diabetes, who have a harder time losing weight, cut about 12%, or nearly 27 pounds (12 kilograms), the FDA said.In another recent study, the drug helped people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mounjaro-obesity-weight-loss-tirzepatide-ac4151fdfcd6ac17f502d1a14af4fff5">lose up to a quarter of their weight</a>, or 60 pounds (27 kilograms), when combined with intensive diet and exercise.Overall, Zepbound appears to spur greater weight loss than Wegovy. Approved for weight loss in 2021, Wegovy helped people lose about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-obesity-lifestyle-business-health-c6f992d717c6461ef20f40e6d4ee9d25">15% of their weight</a>&nbsp;or 34 pounds (15 kilograms), according to study results.“This would be the most highly efficacious drug ever approved for the treatment of obesity," said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine expert at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.Touted by celebrities and on social media, semaglutide and tirzepatide drugs have already been in such demand that their manufacturers have struggled to keep up. Both have been listed on the FDA’s drug shortage site for months. All strengths of tirzepatide are currently listed as available, but a company spokesperson said that could vary by location and demand.Side effects of the new weight-loss drug include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and other gastrointestinal problems. In the most recent published trial, about 10% of people taking tirzepatide dropped out of the study because of such problems, compared to about 2% of people taking dummy shots.While experts lauded approval of Zepbound, they worried that it wouldn't necessarily mean greater access to the drug, which has been prescribed “off-label” to help people pare pounds.“Most patients won't be able to afford Zepbound without insurance coverage and many health plans exclude obesity care,” said Dr. Katherine Saunders, an obesity expert at New York's Weill Cornell Medicine and co-founder of company focused on obesity treatment.Eli Lilly and Co. said the list price will be about $1,000 a month, the same as Mounjaro. The drug is expected to be available in the U.S. by the end of the year, the company said. Dosing strengths are the same for Zepbound and Mounjaro.Kelly Burns, 50, of St. Petersburg, Florida, lost nearly 100 pounds (45 kilograms) using tirzepatide after joining a study of the drug to treat obesity in 2021. When testing ended and she no longer had access to the medication, she struggled, but eventually lost another 50 pounds (23 kilograms).“My whole life is completely different,” she said. Her health measurements improved and her confidence soared. Now that is is approved for weight loss, Burns plans to ask her insurance company about coverage.“It would be ridiculous not to," she said, adding: “I want to stay this way as long as I possibly can."

FDA OKs powerful new tool for weight loss

LINCOLN, NEB. – Nebraska Farm Bureau has selected Ellen Hellerich as the 2023 recipient of its highest honor, the Silver Eagle Award. Hellerich has spent a lifetime breaking down the complexities of agriculture for students and teachers in classrooms across the state of Nebraska. Hellerich served as the statewide program coordinator for the Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) program from 1984 to 2011.

“For 27 years, Ellen developed AITC resources tied to state education standards to support teachers in connecting their students to their source of food, fiber, and fuel – agriculture. She conducted workshops and agricultural tours for teachers, worked with education majors at colleges and universities, and led student activities at festivals and expos, to increase awareness of the importance of agriculture. She created the Ag Pen Pal Program, which, over time, has connected more than 100,000 students with a Nebraska farmer or rancher,” said Mark McHargue, Nebraska Farm Bureau president.

Being the statewide AITC Program Coordinator was more than just a job for Hellerich. She had a natural talent for bringing agriculture and education together in a classroom for teachers and students. Her strong passion for agriculture kept her involved in AITC after her retirement.

“Ellen served as a consultant for the American Farm Bureau Foundation. In that position, Ellen developed curriculum materials for teachers to use with the Agriculture Book of the Year, which she helped to select. She also contributed to the National AITC Conference for several years. Ellen contributed to the first agricultural exhibits at the Lincoln and Hastings Children’s Museums. She provided exhibit consulting and programming at the Omaha Children’s Museum,” McHargue said.

During Ellen’s tenure with the AITC program, she worked to publish the children’s book “Why the Brown Bean was Blue” by Susan M. Pankey. She created “Putting the Pieces Together: Nebraska Agriculture Production Map” and helped design crop cards that correlate with the map. This eventually became the Nebraska Interactive Map Project, which is used by many classrooms today. The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation would not be the successful organization it is today without the strong start provided by Ellen Hellerich.

“Ellen was at the forefront of integrated learning or bringing several classroom subject areas together into a single activity or unit. She was also a champion for including hands-on learning opportunities for students. She has demonstrated outstanding leadership, provided exemplary service to Nebraska agriculture, and has left her mark on thousands of students and teachers in Nebraska. We are proud to recognize Ellen Hellerich as the 2023 Silver Eagle Award recipient,” McHargue said. The Silver Eagle Award will be presented during the Nebraska Farm Bureau Annual banquet Tuesday, Dec. 5 in Kearney.

Ellen and her husband Gary farm near Valparaiso and are longtime Lancaster County Farm Bureau members as well as donors to the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation and the NEFB- PAC. They grow corn and soybeans in rotation and raise Black Angus cattle.

Ellen and Gary raised children who stayed connected to agriculture. They have three grown children: Terri, Koren, and Vaden. Their children and spouses and grandchildren have pursued education and careers in veterinary medicine, food science and technology, meat distribution, livestock environmental compliance, and farm financial services. The Hellerich’s have six grandchildren and one great grandchild.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. More than 55,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nefb.org/" target="_blank">www.nefb.org</a>.

NEFBLINCOLN, NEB. – Nebraska Farm Bureau has selected Ellen Hellerich as the 2023 recipient of its highest honor, the Silver Eagle Award. Hellerich has spent a lifetime breaking down the complexities of agriculture for students and teachers in classrooms across the state of Nebraska. Hellerich served as the statewide program coordinator for the Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) program from 1984 to 2011.“For 27 years, Ellen developed AITC resources tied to state education standards to support teachers in connecting their students to their source of food, fiber, and fuel – agriculture. She conducted workshops and agricultural tours for teachers, worked with education majors at colleges and universities, and led student activities at festivals and expos, to increase awareness of the importance of agriculture. She created the Ag Pen Pal Program, which, over time, has connected more than 100,000 students with a Nebraska farmer or rancher,” said Mark McHargue, Nebraska Farm Bureau president.Being the statewide AITC Program Coordinator was more than just a job for Hellerich. She had a natural talent for bringing agriculture and education together in a classroom for teachers and students. Her strong passion for agriculture kept her involved in AITC after her retirement.“Ellen served as a consultant for the American Farm Bureau Foundation. In that position, Ellen developed curriculum materials for teachers to use with the Agriculture Book of the Year, which she helped to select. She also contributed to the National AITC Conference for several years. Ellen contributed to the first agricultural exhibits at the Lincoln and Hastings Children’s Museums. She provided exhibit consulting and programming at the Omaha Children’s Museum,” McHargue said.During Ellen’s tenure with the AITC program, she worked to publish the children’s book “Why the Brown Bean was Blue” by Susan M. Pankey. She created “Putting the Pieces Together: Nebraska Agriculture Production Map” and helped design crop cards that correlate with the map. This eventually became the Nebraska Interactive Map Project, which is used by many classrooms today. The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation would not be the successful organization it is today without the strong start provided by Ellen Hellerich.“Ellen was at the forefront of integrated learning or bringing several classroom subject areas together into a single activity or unit. She was also a champion for including hands-on learning opportunities for students. She has demonstrated outstanding leadership, provided exemplary service to Nebraska agriculture, and has left her mark on thousands of students and teachers in Nebraska. We are proud to recognize Ellen Hellerich as the 2023 Silver Eagle Award recipient,” McHargue said. The Silver Eagle Award will be presented during the Nebraska Farm Bureau Annual banquet Tuesday, Dec. 5 in Kearney.Ellen and her husband Gary farm near Valparaiso and are longtime Lancaster County Farm Bureau members as well as donors to the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation and the NEFB- PAC. They grow corn and soybeans in rotation and raise Black Angus cattle.Ellen and Gary raised children who stayed connected to agriculture. They have three grown children: Terri, Koren, and Vaden. Their children and spouses and grandchildren have pursued education and careers in veterinary medicine, food science and technology, meat distribution, livestock environmental compliance, and farm financial services. The Hellerich’s have six grandchildren and one great grandchild.The Nebraska Farm Bureau is a grassroots, state-wide organization dedicated to supporting farm and ranch families and working for the benefit of all Nebraskans through a wide variety of educational, service, and advocacy efforts. More than 55,000 families across Nebraska are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve rural and urban prosperity as agriculture is a key fuel to Nebraska’s economy. For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nefb.org/" target="_blank">www.nefb.org</a>.

2023 Nebraska Farm Bureau Silver Eagle Award Honors  Nebraska’s first AITC Statewide Coordinator

WASHINGTON (AP) — As they face an increasingly urgent task to emerge as a clear alternative to former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, five Republican presidential candidates gathered Wednesday for the party's latest debate.

Trump, the overwhelming front-runner in the race,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rally-republican-debate-florida-cubans-hispanics-4bf3422ae0803cbe13f97238270cb510">skipped the event</a>, as he has the first two, citing his polling advantage. There was no shortage of noteworthy confrontations on stage, as the participants debated the Israel-Hamas war, the future of abortion rights and Trump himself.

But with the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses approaching, it seemed unlikely that the debate fundamentally changed the presidential nomination fight.

Wednesday marked the first time the presidential candidates gathered on a debate stage since war broke out between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel and Hamas</a>, resulting in a sharper foreign policy conversation compared to previous forums.

The contenders were unified in offering robust support for Israel and bemoaned antisemitism, especially on liberal college campuses. But they said virtually nothing about protecting Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

The GOP's familiar foreign policy split, however, resurfaced when the exchanges veered into the war in Ukraine, the possibility of China confronting Taiwan and how to handle Venezuela's oil market.

Former United Nations Ambassador&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Nikki Haley</a>, South Carolina Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tim-scott">Tim Scott</a>&nbsp;and former New Jersey Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/chris-christie">Chris Christie</a>&nbsp;all sounded traditional GOP notes, backing military aid to Ukraine, calling for vastly increased investment in the military and linking all the global conflicts.

Biotech entrepreneur&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vivek-ramaswamy">Vivek Ramaswamy</a>&nbsp;tried to set himself apart, claiming the rest of the stage was part of a bipartisan foreign policy establishment that blundered into repeated disasters in foreign wars. A longtime critic of aid to Ukraine, he followed up his condemnation of antisemitism by calling that country’s Jewish president “a Nazi.”

Florida Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ron-desantis">Ron DeSantis</a>&nbsp;seemed like he was straddling the divide. At one point, he dodged a question about Ukraine and China by talking about boosting security on the southern border and suggesting he’d deport immigrants from the Middle East.

The candidates all talked tough. But the party divide over the Ukraine war ran subtly through the night and it’s not clear they’d each act the same should they actually make it to the Oval Office.

All of the candidates are trying to overtake Trump, who is the dominant front-runner in the primary. But for the most part, they've spent the primary campaign avoiding any opportunity to take on the former president.

That became harder during the first debate hosted by a network that wasn't affiliated with the Trump-friendly Fox News. Moderators from NBC News opened by pressing the contenders to articulate why they — and not Trump — should become the Republican nominee.

There was hardly a robust takedown of Trump, who remains popular among the GOP base and hosted a rival event Wednesday. But DeSantis was the most forceful.

“Donald Trump’s a lot different guy than he was in 2016,” he said, declaring that Trump owed it to Republican primary voters to show up and explain his record.

But even DeSantis’ strong words spanned less than 30 seconds. And he stopped short of questioning Trump’s “balls” for skipping the debate, as he had in recent days.

The other candidates were less aggressive.

Asked why he’s a better nominee than Trump, Ramaswamy went so far as to blame Republican National Committee Chair&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ronna-romney-mcdaniel">Ronna McDaniel</a>&nbsp;— not Trump — for the GOP’s repeated losses in national elections since Trump won the presidency in 2016.

When she was asked about Trump, Haley made a passing reference of the national debt that piled up under his watch. Scott said the GOP needs to win over independent voters. Christie devoted one sentence to highlighting Trump’s legal troubles.

The lack of pointed attacks against Trump may underscore the difficulty of attacking someone who’s not onstage. But his rivals didn’t try hard either. Wednesday’s debate is the latest example for why Trump may have been smart to skip the debates altogether.

There were five candidates on the debate stage, but the vendetta between two of them stood out — Haley and Ramaswamy.

The two children of Indian immigrants have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haley-ramaswamy-indian-americans-republicans-2024-election-916a01928d35d083ec6c10bc11b41a5f">collided during previous debates</a>. But the tension intensified Wednesday night with Ramaswamy gleefully playing the role of aggressor. He took several initial digs at Haley — at one point he called her and DeSantis “Cheney in 3-inch heels,” a reference to controversial former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz, a congresswoman excommunicated from the GOP for her criticism of Trump.

But it was halfway through the debate, after Haley said she’d respond to Ramaswamy’s digs rather than answer a question about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vivek-ramaswamy-tiktok-republicans-china-2024-d2534384ff5b303d391fadba8e5b8824">banning Tik-Tok</a>, that Ramaswamy made his most shocking attack.

Noting Haley hadn’t answered the question, Ramaswamy said, “Her own daughter was using the app for a long time, so you might want to take care of your daughter first.”

Haley responded by forcefully telling Ramaswamy to “leave my daughter out of your voice.” She later said, “You're just scum.”

Ramaswamy has dominated all three of the debates with his pugnacious style. It hasn’t necessarily helped him politically — his biting attacks seem to turn off voters — but it drowns out all the other candidates. He’s also clearly gotten under the skin of his rivals, who spend precious time going after him.

Ramaswamy has even less of a path to victory than the rest of the very distant field, and each debate he dominates is another lost opportunity for anyone to change the trajectory of the GOP primary.

Republicans have had no answers on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortion</a>&nbsp;ever since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. In election after election, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-2024-elections-republicans-ohio-virginia-90255a62d83ad9f1d86b407c9455bb0a">several this week</a>, Democrats have used the issue to their advantage.

On Wednesday night, Haley, the only woman onstage, tried to give her party a path forward for navigating the delicate political issue.

Haley’s approach was decidedly softer and more personal than what the men onstage offered.

“I don’t judge anyone for being pro-choice, and I don’t want them to judge me for being pro-life,” she said, suggesting that she respected the decisions of states to protect abortion rights even if she didn’t agree with them.

And she made clear that the next Republican president would not be in position to institute a national ban on abortion without 60 votes in the Senate, which isn’t anywhere close to the horizon. Instead, she suggested Republicans in Washington work for what could be achievable: a ban on late-term abortions, policies that encourage adoption and increased accessibility of contraception.

“Let’s focus on how to save as many babies as we can and support as many moms as we can and stop the judgment. We don’t need to divide America over this issue anymore,” Haley said, drawing applause from the crowd.

Meanwhile, the men onstage offered more of the same message that failed to resonate with voters across Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania earlier in the week.

DeSantis attacked Democrats for supporting abortions without any time restrictions. Echoing the criticism, Scott said it was “unethical and immoral” to allow abortions up to the day of birth.

Haley’s message might be popular among some suburban women, a group the GOP has struggled with during recent elections, but it’s decidedly out of step with many activists that make up the Republican base. Still, her answer Wednesday night is a reminder why some Democratic officials fear her as a possible Biden opponent more than any of the other candidates.

After two more hours of likely also-rans arguing over mostly small differences, it seems clear that the Republican presidential contest is mainly a race to finish a distant second.

No one is even close to Trump and no one is trying to catch him. Instead, the candidates seem to be fighting over who can be the best alternative to him in the event the unthinkable happens to sideline the four-times-indicted, constitutionally challenged, 77-year-old front-runner.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699496384832.png" alt="Photo courtesy&nbsp; Haley campaign for President" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy&nbsp; Haley campaign for President</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — As they face an increasingly urgent task to emerge as a clear alternative to former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, five Republican presidential candidates gathered Wednesday for the party's latest debate.Trump, the overwhelming front-runner in the race,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-rally-republican-debate-florida-cubans-hispanics-4bf3422ae0803cbe13f97238270cb510">skipped the event</a>, as he has the first two, citing his polling advantage. There was no shortage of noteworthy confrontations on stage, as the participants debated the Israel-Hamas war, the future of abortion rights and Trump himself.But with the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses approaching, it seemed unlikely that the debate fundamentally changed the presidential nomination fight.Here are some debate takeaways:The foreign policy debateWednesday marked the first time the presidential candidates gathered on a debate stage since war broke out between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel and Hamas</a>, resulting in a sharper foreign policy conversation compared to previous forums.The contenders were unified in offering robust support for Israel and bemoaned antisemitism, especially on liberal college campuses. But they said virtually nothing about protecting Palestinian civilians in Gaza.The GOP's familiar foreign policy split, however, resurfaced when the exchanges veered into the war in Ukraine, the possibility of China confronting Taiwan and how to handle Venezuela's oil market.Former United Nations Ambassador&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Nikki Haley</a>, South Carolina Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tim-scott">Tim Scott</a>&nbsp;and former New Jersey Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/chris-christie">Chris Christie</a>&nbsp;all sounded traditional GOP notes, backing military aid to Ukraine, calling for vastly increased investment in the military and linking all the global conflicts.Biotech entrepreneur&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vivek-ramaswamy">Vivek Ramaswamy</a>&nbsp;tried to set himself apart, claiming the rest of the stage was part of a bipartisan foreign policy establishment that blundered into repeated disasters in foreign wars. A longtime critic of aid to Ukraine, he followed up his condemnation of antisemitism by calling that country’s Jewish president “a Nazi.”Florida Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ron-desantis">Ron DeSantis</a>&nbsp;seemed like he was straddling the divide. At one point, he dodged a question about Ukraine and China by talking about boosting security on the southern border and suggesting he’d deport immigrants from the Middle East.The candidates all talked tough. But the party divide over the Ukraine war ran subtly through the night and it’s not clear they’d each act the same should they actually make it to the Oval Office.Taking on TrumpAll of the candidates are trying to overtake Trump, who is the dominant front-runner in the primary. But for the most part, they've spent the primary campaign avoiding any opportunity to take on the former president.That became harder during the first debate hosted by a network that wasn't affiliated with the Trump-friendly Fox News. Moderators from NBC News opened by pressing the contenders to articulate why they — and not Trump — should become the Republican nominee.There was hardly a robust takedown of Trump, who remains popular among the GOP base and hosted a rival event Wednesday. But DeSantis was the most forceful.“Donald Trump’s a lot different guy than he was in 2016,” he said, declaring that Trump owed it to Republican primary voters to show up and explain his record.But even DeSantis’ strong words spanned less than 30 seconds. And he stopped short of questioning Trump’s “balls” for skipping the debate, as he had in recent days.The other candidates were less aggressive.Asked why he’s a better nominee than Trump, Ramaswamy went so far as to blame Republican National Committee Chair&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ronna-romney-mcdaniel">Ronna McDaniel</a>&nbsp;— not Trump — for the GOP’s repeated losses in national elections since Trump won the presidency in 2016.When she was asked about Trump, Haley made a passing reference of the national debt that piled up under his watch. Scott said the GOP needs to win over independent voters. Christie devoted one sentence to highlighting Trump’s legal troubles.The lack of pointed attacks against Trump may underscore the difficulty of attacking someone who’s not onstage. But his rivals didn’t try hard either. Wednesday’s debate is the latest example for why Trump may have been smart to skip the debates altogether.The Ramaswamy and Haley feudThere were five candidates on the debate stage, but the vendetta between two of them stood out — Haley and Ramaswamy.The two children of Indian immigrants have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haley-ramaswamy-indian-americans-republicans-2024-election-916a01928d35d083ec6c10bc11b41a5f">collided during previous debates</a>. But the tension intensified Wednesday night with Ramaswamy gleefully playing the role of aggressor. He took several initial digs at Haley — at one point he called her and DeSantis “Cheney in 3-inch heels,” a reference to controversial former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz, a congresswoman excommunicated from the GOP for her criticism of Trump.But it was halfway through the debate, after Haley said she’d respond to Ramaswamy’s digs rather than answer a question about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vivek-ramaswamy-tiktok-republicans-china-2024-d2534384ff5b303d391fadba8e5b8824">banning Tik-Tok</a>, that Ramaswamy made his most shocking attack.Noting Haley hadn’t answered the question, Ramaswamy said, “Her own daughter was using the app for a long time, so you might want to take care of your daughter first.”Haley responded by forcefully telling Ramaswamy to “leave my daughter out of your voice.” She later said, “You're just scum.”Ramaswamy has dominated all three of the debates with his pugnacious style. It hasn’t necessarily helped him politically — his biting attacks seem to turn off voters — but it drowns out all the other candidates. He’s also clearly gotten under the skin of his rivals, who spend precious time going after him.Ramaswamy has even less of a path to victory than the rest of the very distant field, and each debate he dominates is another lost opportunity for anyone to change the trajectory of the GOP primary.A path forward on abortionRepublicans have had no answers on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortion</a>&nbsp;ever since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. In election after election, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-2024-elections-republicans-ohio-virginia-90255a62d83ad9f1d86b407c9455bb0a">several this week</a>, Democrats have used the issue to their advantage.On Wednesday night, Haley, the only woman onstage, tried to give her party a path forward for navigating the delicate political issue.Haley’s approach was decidedly softer and more personal than what the men onstage offered.“I don’t judge anyone for being pro-choice, and I don’t want them to judge me for being pro-life,” she said, suggesting that she respected the decisions of states to protect abortion rights even if she didn’t agree with them.And she made clear that the next Republican president would not be in position to institute a national ban on abortion without 60 votes in the Senate, which isn’t anywhere close to the horizon. Instead, she suggested Republicans in Washington work for what could be achievable: a ban on late-term abortions, policies that encourage adoption and increased accessibility of contraception.“Let’s focus on how to save as many babies as we can and support as many moms as we can and stop the judgment. We don’t need to divide America over this issue anymore,” Haley said, drawing applause from the crowd.Meanwhile, the men onstage offered more of the same message that failed to resonate with voters across Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania earlier in the week.DeSantis attacked Democrats for supporting abortions without any time restrictions. Echoing the criticism, Scott said it was “unethical and immoral” to allow abortions up to the day of birth.Haley’s message might be popular among some suburban women, a group the GOP has struggled with during recent elections, but it’s decidedly out of step with many activists that make up the Republican base. Still, her answer Wednesday night is a reminder why some Democratic officials fear her as a possible Biden opponent more than any of the other candidates.The race for secondAfter two more hours of likely also-rans arguing over mostly small differences, it seems clear that the Republican presidential contest is mainly a race to finish a distant second.No one is even close to Trump and no one is trying to catch him. Instead, the candidates seem to be fighting over who can be the best alternative to him in the event the unthinkable happens to sideline the four-times-indicted, constitutionally challenged, 77-year-old front-runner.Even Christie, whose entire campaign was predicated on him being the only Republican brave enough to attack the former president, stayed quiet on Trump unless asked about him by the moderators.By now it’s clear that no one sees a path to actual victory in the primary. Instead, everyone is acting like their best bet is that the alternative universe of the debates, where Trump is not even on the stage, somehow becomes reality for Republican voters.That’s the only way these debates likely matter anymore. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned in the Trump era, it’s that you can never tell what will happen next.