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Ghislaine Maxwell trial, Cyber Monday, hunt for new Oklahoma coach: 5 things you need to know Monday

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USA TODAY

Ghislaine Maxwell's accusers say she sexually exploited them. Here's what her trial may reveal.

Opening arguments will begin Monday in the federal sex-trafficking trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, who is charged with helping her long-time companion, financier Jeffrey Epstein, recruit, groom and exploit girls as young as 14 years old for sexual abuse. The alleged incidents ran from 1994 to 2004, in locations including an Upper East Side residence in New York; an estate in Palm Beach, Florida; a ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico; and a residence in London. The question for the jury will be whether Maxwell procured underage girls for Epstein knowing he would abuse them. Maxwell has denied all charges. U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan estimated the trial could run through the holidays, including the days between Christmas and New Year. 

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The best Cyber Monday deals you can shop right now

Shoppers, get ready: Cyber Monday 2021 starts now! Our team at Reviewed compiled a comprehensive guide to answer all your questions about what, where and when to shop. From new Apple AirPods Pro for $169.99 to Nintendo Switch games starting at $39.99, these are the best Cyber Monday 2021 deals in tech, fashion and toys as well as the most jaw-dropping sales at popular retailers. Reviewed's product experts spend all year testing out the best of the best, so whether you're looking for Christmas gifts for your loved ones or just shopping for yourself, these are deals (and products!) you can trust. 

Cyber Monday 2021

US restricts travel due to new omicron COVID-19 variant 

The U.S. will limit travel from South Africa and several other countries due to the troubling new COVID-19 variant, omicron. The new restrictions take effect Monday, just weeks after the country reopened to international tourists with new entry rules. They apply to travelers from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are excluded. The policy was implemented out of an "abundance of caution'' in light of the new variant. The World Health Organization on Friday declared omicron a variant of concern. Despite the global worry, scientists cautioned that it's still unclear whether omicron is more dangerous than other versions of the virus that has killed more than 5 million people. 

Oklahoma searches for coach following Lincoln Riley's move to USC

The University of Oklahoma will resume its search for a new head football coach Monday after Lincoln Riley left to take the same position at USC. "Leaving OU was probably the most difficult decision of my life," Riley said in a statement released by Oklahoma on Sunday. "OU is one of the best college football programs in the country, and it has been forever. That's not going to change." As the head coach at Oklahoma, Riley had a 55-10 record and led the Sooners to four Big 12 titles and three appearances in the College Football Playoff. USC is hiring Riley amidst a 4-7 season and after it fired former coach Clay Helton two games into the campaign. 

Trial starts for Jussie Smollett on charges of staging 2019 hate crime attack

In January 2019, Jussie Smollett, a Black and openly gay actor, reported to Chicago police that he was the victim of a hate crime. Nearly three years later, Smollett is about to stand trial on charges that he staged the whole thing. Smollett was charged with staging the attack to further his career and secure a higher salary. And, police said, he hired two brothers from Nigeria to pretend to attack him for $3,500. Key witnesses will be the brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who say Smollett wrote them a check to stage the attack. They are expected to characterize Smollett as the star and director of an “attack” in full view of a surveillance camera that he mistakenly believed would record the whole event. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday, and Smollett has pleaded not guilty. 

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