Trump signals an aggressive opening, threatening ‘jail’ for Cheney and others
WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump outlined an aggressive plan for opening his second term in an interview that aired Sunday, vowing to move immediately to crack down on immigration and pardon his most violent supporters while threatening to lock up political foes such as Liz Cheney.
Syrian rebels topple Assad who flees to Russia in Mideast shakeup
DAMASCUS — Syrian rebels seized the capital Damascus unopposed on Sunday after a lightning advance that sent President Bashar al-Assad fleeing to Russia after a 13-year civil war and six decades of his family’s autocratic rule.
USDA says it will start testing milk for H5N1 bird flu virus nationwide
LOS ANGELES — Nearly a year after a wild bird infected with H5N1 avian flu presumably passed its viral baggage to a dairy cow in the Texas panhandle — which has subsequently led to the infection of more than 700 herds nationwide and sickened at least 32 dairy workers — the nation’s agriculture department announced Friday that it will sample the nation’s milk supply to test for the virus.
Judge pauses sexual abuse lawsuit against Trump’s education secretary pick
A federal judge in Maryland has paused a lawsuit against Linda McMahon, the former World Wrestling Entertainment executive whom President-elect Donald Trump chose for education secretary, while another court weighs a recent state law involving such cases.
Syria’s government battles multiple rebel uprisings
President Bashar Assad’s political survival was under threat Saturday as the Syrian government battled opposition rebellions around the country and the strategic city of Homs was breached by the main rebel coalition, according to the fighters and a war monitor.
Nation and world news — at a glance— for December 8
Want a job in the Trump administration? Be prepared for the loyalty test.
NYC mayor says suspect identified in UnitedHealth executive’s murder
(Reuters) — Authorities have identified the man suspected of killing UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson and are closing in on him, New York City Mayor Eric Adams was quoted as saying on Saturday by the New York Post.
US unveils $988 million aid package for Ukraine including rockets and drones
The United States unveiled a $988 million aid package of new arms and equipment to Ukraine for its ongoing fight against Russia’s invasion on Saturday.
Notre-Dame Cathedral rises from ruins of fire
PARIS — The word “Merci” was projected on to the front of Paris’ Notre Dame cathedral as it reopened on Saturday, in thanks for its salvation after a devastating fire that brought the 860-year-old building close to collapse five years ago.
Melania Trump credits Barron Trump with helping his father win
In her first interview since her husband won the presidential election, former and future first lady Melania Trump said Friday that their son, Barron, had played an important role in President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, advising him to appear with media personalities popular with younger voters.
Cactus pear is a crop with potential in Italy’s parched south and beyond
Global warming, drought and plant disease pose a growing threat to agriculture in Italy’s arid south, but a startup founded by a former telecoms manager believes it has found a solution: Opuntia Ficus, better known as the cactus pear.
Trump and Macron can’t let go of their handshake duel
(Reuters) — U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron shared an intense series of handshakes on Saturday, reminiscent of the white-knuckled grip-off that marked a meeting between the two leaders more than seven years ago.
After Hunter Biden’s pardon, White House considers broader clemency
The White House is listening to demands for President Joe Biden to extend the same grace to thousands of people wronged by the U.S. judicial system as he did to his son Hunter, officials say.
World’s oldest known wild bird lays an egg at 74
The world’s oldest known wild bird, a 74-year-old Laysan albatross named Wisdom, is expected to welcome another baby chick in the coming months, astonishing scientists who have been tracking her since the Eisenhower administration.
South Korea’s leader survives impeachment vote after his power grab
South Korean lawmakers’ attempt to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol ended in failure on Saturday night, prolonging the political upheaval and uncertainty that has roiled the country since his short-lived imposition of martial law this past week.
Nation and world news — at a glance — for November 7
US milk to be tested for bird flu virus
Opposition grows to South Korea’s president as he faces impeachment
SEOUL, South Korea — President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea grew increasingly isolated Friday, after the head of his ruling party came out in support of impeaching the president and the country’s military said it would not follow any orders to reimpose martial law.
‘Car-sized’ drones spotted near Trump’s New Jersey golf club
The FBI has been investigating reports of mysterious “car-sized” drones flying across North Jersey at night over the last few weeks. Now, the agency’s asking the public for help.
Police believe gunman who killed insurance CEO has left New York City
New York City police believe the man who fatally shot a UnitedHealth top executive has left the city, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said on Friday, as the hunt for the gunman passed the crucial 48-hour mark.
Canada moves to protect Arctic from threats by Russia and China
OTTAWA, Ontario — Citing growing interest by China and Russia in the Arctic as global warming makes the region more accessible, Canada on Friday said it would focus on building stronger alliances with other nations in the region, particularly the United States.
