At Least Five Or Six Scuffles Reported During Las Vegas Rally

A Donald Trump rally in Las Vegas turned ugly Monday night when protesters shouting "black lives matter" and "Muslims matter" were pulled from the venue by security, exchanged punches and kicks with members of the crowd and were reportedly confronted by an audience member who shouted "light that motherf---er on fire!" MSNBC reporter Benjy Sarlin also reported that the following words were shouted as a BLM protester was dragged away: "he's a Muslim guy," "kick his ass," "shoot him!," "bitch" and the Nazi salute "Sieg Heil." Trump, who reportedly could become "healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency" (at least according to his very effusive doctor), got a crucial endorsement for his temporary ban on Muslim immigrants on Monday when former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin blasted the "liberal media" for distorting the Don's proposal.

Bergdahl Faces Court Martial And Possibly Life

Army sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, 29, who deserted his post in Afghanistan in 2009 and was rescued after being held by the Taliban for five years, will face the strongest sanction available, a general court marital, for his actions. Bergdahl was charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy last March and could face up to life in prison for the misbehavior charge. No date has been set for Bergdahl's next hearing. The influential podcast "Serial" will focus on the Bergdahl case.

Debate Night: The top nine Republican presidential candidates will take the stage tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET in Las Vegas for the last debate of the year, with Donald Trump boasting all-time high poll numbers even as Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is surging ahead of the real estate magnate in the crucial early caucus state of Iowa.

Quick Take: Reports were thin at press time, but according to CNN, French authorities apprehended "multiple people" on Tuesday morning (Dec. 15) in connection with the deadly January siege at the Hyper Cacher kosher grocery store in Vincennes. A 29-year-old man was also arrested in connection with last month's deadly terror attacks in Paris that left 130 people dead.

Apparently A Thing Now: A Thai man is looking at up to 37 years in prison for writing "sarcastic" posts on social media mocking Thai king Bhumibol Adulyadej's mongrel dog, Tongdaeng. The specific insult allegedly used by factory worker Thanakorn Siripaiboon was not revealed, but Tongdaeng (whose name means "copper") is reportedly a beloved figure in Thailand. Last week's #2 movie at the Thai box office was "Khun Tongdaeng: The Inspirations," an animated flick inspired by a 2002 book the king wrote about his pet.