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.

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.

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.

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.

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.