
(AP Photo/Reba Saldanha, File)
Trump says he will renew efforts to replace ‘Obamacare’ if he wins a second term
NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump threatened over the weekend to reopen the contentious fight over the Affordable Care Act after failing to repeal it while in the White House, saying he is “seriously looking at alternatives” if he wins a second term.

Senate Republicans shrug off Trump's latest bid to scrap Obamacare
The congressional GOP tried during the former president's first term to repeal the health care law. Now he wants to try again -- and they're unmoved.


Bid to hold Trump accountable for Jan. 6 violence stalls at appeals court
The long-awaited D.C. Circuit ruling in a trio of civil lawsuits could influence Trump’s criminal cases as well.

Nikki Haley argues Donald Trump is always followed by 'chaos' before a large South Carolina crowd
Nikki Haley says former President Donald Trump causes too much chaos to be successful in a second White House term.


Supreme Court compels depositions for Arizona Republican leaders in voting law dispute
The U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision without dissent Monday that compels depositions for Arizona's top GOP lawmakers in a lawsuit over state proof-of-citizenship laws.

Retirements mount in Congress: Some are frustrated by "chaos," and others seek new careers — or rest
"People are lying a lot," says Rep. Ken Buck, a Colorado Republican. "And when you call out the lies, you're the bad guy."

Donald Trump is set to return to the witness stand in his civil fraud trial
Former President Donald Trump plans to testify again next month in his civil fraud trial. His lawyers said Monday that he will return to the witness stand Dec. 11.


Trump tells appeals court that threats to judge and clerk in NY civil fraud trial do not justify gag order | CNN Politics
Donald Trump urged a New York appeals court to continue to pause the gag order against him in his civil fraud trial, saying that threats to the judge and his law clerk do not “justify” limiting the former president’s constitutional right to defend himself.

Trump hints at expanded role for the military within the US. A legacy law gives him few guardrails
Experts in constitutional law and the military say the Insurrection Act gives presidents tremendous power with few restraints. Recent statements by former President Donald Trump raise questions about how he might use it if he wins another term.


‘Stop the price-gouging’: Biden hits corporations over high consumer costs
Big business and junk fees prove easy targets for the White House in the inflation blame game.

Trump loses bid to subpoena Jan. 6 committee material
Former President Donald Trump's legal team wanted to subpoena material from the House Jan. 6 select committee.


Russian forces advancing on Ukrainian town from all sides
Russian forces are intensifying their drive to capture the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, trying to advance on all sides after weeks of fighting, the town's top official was quoted as saying on Monday.
President Joe Biden plans to skip U.N. climate talks beginning this week in Dubai
President Joe Biden plans to skip the upcoming climate talks in Dubai, an event that is expected to draw heads of state and diplomats from more than 200 nations and the Vatican.


Complete darkness, little food. As Hamas releases hostages, what they say captivity was like
As the hostages freed by Hamas under a cease-fire deal adjust to freedom, their families have shared some details about what they experienced.
www.usatoday.com

Supreme Court holds Arizona GOP lawmakers must face deposition in voting lawsuit
Arizona's top state Republican lawmakers can't avoid being deposed about their support of state laws that require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, the Supreme Court held Monday.


How Hamas built a force to attack Israel on 7 October
BBC Arabic and BBC Verify have pieced together how armed groups came together to train for the assault.

Ukraine has a new way to get its grain to the world despite Russia's threat in the Black Sea
Increasing numbers of ships are streaming toward Ukraine’s Black Sea ports and heading out loaded with grain, metals and other cargo despite the threat of attack and explosive mines.


More Israeli hostages expected to be freed after Gaza truce extended
An Israel-Hamas truce in the Gaza Strip stretched into a fifth day on Tuesday as the two sides completed the release of Israeli hostages and detained Palestinians and looked poised to free more as the pause in fighting was extended by two days.

Trump insists he isn't mixing up Obama and Biden as critics try to spotlight his gaffes
Trump wrote on social media that despite what critics claim, he hasn't repeatedly mixed up Barack Obama and Joe Biden's names

Video of Biden altered so speech appears unnaturally slow | Fact check
The video is altered in such a way that the pace of Biden's speech appears slower than it actually was.
www.usatoday.com
New Mexico Supreme Court upholds Democratic-drawn congressional map
The New Mexico Supreme Court has upheld a Democratic-drawn congressional map that divvied up a conservative, oil-producing region and reshaped a swing district along the U.S. border with Mexico.


Rep. George Santos could face expulsion from the House this week
The New York Republican survived an earlier effort to oust him from Congress, but a scathing Ethics Committee report has changed the minds of several of his colleagues.


Israel Gaza live news: Eleven Israelis and 33 Palestinians freed as truce extended - BBC News
Three-year-old sisters are among the latest Israeli hostages to be released, as the current truce is extended by two days.


Trump lawyers deny responsibility for ‘deluge’ of threats made against presiding law clerk and judge
Former President Donald Trump's attorneys addressed threats against Judge Arthur Engoron and his law clerk on Monday, denying responsibility.


West's de-risking starts to bite China's prospects
Foreign investors have been sour on China for most of this year, but data released over the past month has provided clear evidence of the negative impact de-risking strategies are having on the world's second-largest economy.
Israel and Hamas agree to extend truce for two more days, and to free more hostages and prisoners
Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend their cease-fire for two more days past Monday. That raises the prospect of an even longer halt to their deadliest and most destructive war, and further exchanges of militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.


X loses revenue as advertisers halt spending on platform over Elon Musk's posts
Social media platform stands to lose as much as $75 million in ad revenue as major companies withdraw spending.

Argentina's right-wing president-elect to meet with a top Biden adviser
Argentine President-elect Javier Milei is getting a meeting with a top Biden aide. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says Milei will sit down with White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Tuesday in Washington.


Donald Trump to be the last defense witness called in his civil fraud trial next month | CNN Politics
Attorneys for Donald Trump told the court Monday that they plan to call the former president to the stand on December 11 as their last witness in the New York civil fraud trial.


Nikki Haley says her momentum 'is real,' but do Republican voters want someone not named Trump?
Nikki Haley is among the GOP presidential candidates who are working to close the polling gap between themselves and Trump

North Korea, US envoys engage in rare, public sparring match at UN
The United Nations ambassadors of the United States and North Korea sparred at the Security Council on Monday over Pyongyang's first spy satellite launch and the reasons for growing tensions in a rare, direct, public exchange between the adversaries.
Deck the White House halls: Jill Biden wants holiday visitors to feel like kids again
Jill Biden has chosen a White House holiday décor that she hopes will inspire guests to feel like kids again. “Magic, wonder and joy” is her theme. Guests will walk underneath the branches of a tree to enter.


'Pointless' for Ukraine to have peace talks with Russia: US
Ukraine has nothing to gain from negotiations with Russia at this juncture, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s team.


Sandy Hook families offer to settle Alex Jones’ $1.5 billion legal debt
But they assailed Alex Jones for obfuscation and extravagance.


Australia begins crackdown on vaping, to ban import of single-use devices
Australia will ban imports of disposable vapes in January, the health minister said, the first step in a crackdown aimed at curbing the popularity of nicotine-filled devices among young people.

WATCH: Biden shifts blame away from administration after admitting prices 'still too high'
President Biden admitted that consumer prices were "still too high," but tried to shift the blame for them away from his administration and to corporations.
Blinken will return to Israel as the US hopes to see further extensions of the Gaza cease-fire
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return this week to the Middle East as the U.S. hopes to find a way to extend a cease-fire in Gaza and get more hostages released.


WATCH: Jean-Pierre gives terse response when questioned on possible staff shakeup amid Biden polling crisis
The White House issued a terse response to a question about whether there would be a staffing shakeup or strategy changes due to President Biden's bad poll numbers.

Indian rescuers say very close to reaching 41 men trapped in tunnel
Rescuers in India are just six or seven metres (20-23 feet) away from 41 men trapped in a collapsed highway tunnel in the Himalayas for more than two weeks, and are confident of drilling through to reach them on Tuesday, officials said.

'Granny, I've been shot,' said Palestinian student targeted in Vermont
With a bullet lodged in his spine, Hisham Awartani phoned his British-born grandmother after Saturday's shooting.

Delaware County's top prosecutor becomes fifth Democrat to run for Pennsylvania attorney general
Delaware County's twice-elected top prosecutor will run for attorney general of Pennsylvania in 2024.


First testimonies shed light on conditions endured by Hamas’ Israeli hostages | CNN
The hostages released from Gaza are now giving a glimpse into their lives in captivity since October 7.

Celebrities, politicians among those named in sex abuse suits filed under NY's Adult Survivors Act
For a year, New York’s Adult Survivors Act gave adults claiming they had been sexually assaulted a chance to file civil lawsuits, no matter how long ago the assaults occurred.


5 things to know as Congress heads into whirlwind sprint to the end of the year
Lawmakers are returning from their Thanksgiving break Monday with much work to accomplish and relatively little time to accomplish it in.
Qatar is the go-to mediator in the Mideast war. Its unprecedented Tel Aviv trip saved a shaky truce
The hostage deal had seemed on the verge of unraveling. Hamas had accused Israel of failing to keep its side of the bargain and Israel threatened to resume its lethal onslaught on the Gaza Strip.


Florida grand jury calls for new tax to curb illegal immigration
The grand jury report calls for what it describes as a “modest” fee charged to customers similar to one imposed by the state of Oklahoma.


Major brands are not only pausing ads on Elon Musk’s X. They’re stepping away from the platform altogether | CNN Business
The exodus from X is bleeding beyond just major advertisers.


Supreme Court divided on how firearm sentencing law applies to criminal drug offenders
The Supreme Court appeared split on Monday about how to apply sentencing guidelines to defendants in gun cases who've committed drug offenses with since-decriminalized substances, setting up a potentially divided ruling as the nation grapples with rising crime rates in major cities.


New details emerge in shooting of students of Palestinian descent; moms speak out
A 48-year-old man arrested in the Burlington, Vermont, shooting of three college students of Palestinian descent pleaded not guilty.
One year after protests shook China, participants ponder the meaning of the brief flare of defiance
A year ago, Li Houchen was on the streets of Shanghai, hollering “Freedom!” to protest China’s harsh “zero COVID” controls and growing authoritarianism.


Young Thug's lyrics used against him as gang trial starts
The Grammy-winning rapper is accused of co-founding a violent street gang in Atlanta, Georgia.


Jimmy Carter, currently in hospice, plans to attend late wife Rosalynn Carter's memorial
Rosalynn Carter will be memorialized starting Monday in Georgia after dying last week at the age of 96

Major Trump donors who soured on him after 2020 and Jan. 6 now insist he's their best choice
Trump recently got a surprise endorsement from Bernie Marcus and is gradually getting more support from other former donors

US rights advocates launch hunger strike for Israel-Hamas ceasefire
Actor Cynthia Nixon joins activists and state legislators outside White House in protest against US backing of Gaza war.

In South Carolina homecoming, Haley’s ‘town hall’ turns into a full-blown rally
The former South Carolina governor is still running far behind Donald Trump in the state.

Pope Francis getting antibiotics intravenously for lung problem, limiting appointments, Vatican says
The Vatican says Pope Francis is receiving antibiotics intravenously to treat a lung inflammation but that he doesn't have pneumonia.


Cyberattack on US hospital owner diverts ambulances from emergency rooms in multiple states | CNN Politics
A cyberattack that diverted ambulances from hospitals in East Texas on Thanksgiving Day is more widespread than previously known and has also forced hospitals in New Jersey, New Mexico and Oklahoma to reroute ambulances, hospital representatives told CNN on Monday.


Firebrand pol under fire for suggesting Palestinians be relocated
Dutch politician Geert Wilders is facing condemnation from Arab states for arguing that "Jordan is Palestine," suggesting Palestinians should be relocated to Jordan.

Jimmy Carter and all living former first ladies to attend Rosalynn Carter’s memorial service | CNN Politics
Former President Jimmy Carter is expected to attend the Tuesday memorial service for his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, in Atlanta, his grandson told CNN – a tribute that will also be attended by all of the living former first ladies.


Senate Foreign Relations chair does not support conditions on U.S. aid to Israel
Ben Cardin also said he doesn't support pursuing a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Palestine.


Stephen Colbert cancels late night shows after experiencing ruptured appendix
Stephen Colbert has canceled his late night show after experiencing a ruptured appendix. The host expressed gratitude to his doctors and family for their support.


3M, DuPont defeat massive class action over forever chemicals
A U.S. appeals court on Monday handed 3M , Corteva Inc subsidiary E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co and other manufacturers of toxic so-called "forever chemicals" a big win in their fight against legal liability for the substances, rejecting a lower court's ruling that would have allowed about 11.8...

Border Patrol takes drastic action as thousands of immigrants illegally enter Tucson daily
Border Patrol leadership in the Tucson region of Arizona is calling for "all hands on deck" to respond to an "unprecedented surge" of illegal immigrants, the Washington Examiner has learned.


North Korea's Kim received photos taken by spy satellite of White House, Pentagon -KCNA
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un received photos of the White House, Pentagon and U.S. aircraft carriers in the naval base of Norfolk, taken by its recently launched spy satellite, state media KCNA said on Tuesday.
Diplomatic spat over the Parthenon Marbles scuttles meeting of British and Greek leaders
A diplomatic spat has erupted between Greece and Britain after the U.K. canceled a planned meeting between Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Greek premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis.


DeSantis courts donors for new political group after tensions flared among allies
Ron DeSantis will meet this week with high-dollar Republicans to try to cement their support for the newest organization supporting his presidential bid

At least three killed as storm hits Russia, Ukraine’s Black Sea coast
Hundreds of thousands of people without power as fierce storm devastates infrastructure.

Israel-Gaza updates: Israel says ground operation underway in southern Gaza
Updates on the Israel-Hamas war.

Billionaire Ken Langone to meet with Nikki Haley, becoming latest GOP donor to weigh supporting her White House bid | CNN Politics
Billionaire Ken Langone plans to meet with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley next week, becoming the latest prominent Republican donor to publicly weigh backing her White House bid.

Poland's president swears in a government expected to last no longer than 14 days
Poland’s president has sworn in a government that isn’t expected to last more than 14 days. It's a tactical maneuver that allows the conservative Law and Justice party to hang onto power a bit longer.


Rosalynn Carter lies in repose in Atlanta as mourners pay their respects
A tribute service will be held on Tuesday, and her husband of 77 years, former President Jimmy Carter, is expected to attend.


As Young Thug trial begins, prosecutors allege rapper is 'proclaimed leader' of criminal street gang
Prosecutors alleged that Young Thug is a "proclaimed leader" of an alleged criminal street gang known as "Young Slime Life" or "YSL." The rapper has pleaded not guilty.

White House scraps Christmas fireplace stockings after Biden acknowledges grandchild for first time
The White House is ditching a tradition of hanging stockings for President Biden's grandchildren just four months after he acknowledged his seventh grandchild for the first time.
6 teenagers go on trial for their alleged role in the 2020 beheading of a French teacher
Six teenagers go on trial in Paris for their alleged role in the beheading of a teacher who showed caricatures of the prophet of Islam to his class.


5 questions about the latest disease outbreak in China
It’s more likely the bill is coming due for China’s prolonged Covid lockdown than a novel virus emerging.


Kenya flooding death toll rises to 76, with thousands marooned by worsening rains
Kenya's government is urging people living in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground as heavy rains and flash floods continued to wreak havoc across East Africa

Arab states, EU agree on need for two-state solution to Israel crisis
Arab states and the European Union agreed at a meeting in Spain on Monday that a two-state solution was the answer to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, with EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell saying the Palestinian Authority should rule Gaza.

French court opens case against teens over beheading of teacher
The teacher was killed in 2020 outside his school in Paris, after sharing cartoons of Prophet Muhammad in class.

Israel-Hamas war: Details begin to emerge of life in captivity after some hostages are freed
It's been three days since Israel and Hamas declared a truce, allowing for the release of hostage, and details are beginning to emerge about life in captivity.
Brazil's Lula picks his justice minister for supreme court slot
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has picked Justice Minister Flávio Dino to fill an empty seat on the country’s top court.


OPEC+ looking at deeper oil cuts ahead of Thursday meeting
OPEC+ is looking at deepening oil production cuts despite its policy meeting being postponed to this Thursday amid a quota disagreement between some producers, an OPEC+ source said on Monday.

DeSantis says Haley is shy on one-to-one debate: ‘Probably wouldn’t like’ it
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has responded to The Ingraham Angle’s offer to debate fellow Republican presidential nominee Nikki Haley, saying he doubts she’ll participate.


Southwest Airlines passenger opened emergency exit, climbed onto the wing while aircraft at gate in New Orleans | CNN
Police responded to a disturbance on plane in New Orleans when a man climbed on to a planes wing while it was still on a skyway at New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport


A brief history of Israel-Palestine conflict in 10 maps
As Gaza reels from Israel’s devastating bombardments, here’s a brief history of the conflict using maps and charts.

Who is Alina Habba? Defense attorney is Trump's voice in and out of court
Trump attorney Alina Habba, who worked in private law practice before starting her own practice in 2020, has become one of Donald Trump's strongest advocates.

Missiles fired from Yemen toward US warship that responded to attack on commercial tanker | CNN Politics
Two ballistic missiles were fired from Houthi rebel-controlled Yemen toward a US warship in the Gulf of Aden, after the US Navy responded to a distress call from a commercial tanker that had been seized by armed individuals, the US military said Sunday.

Irregular meals, benches as beds. As freed hostages return to Israel, details of captivity emerge
Details about the conditions of the released hostages' captivity in Gaza are emerging through stories their family members are telling. Relatives have said their family members were fed irregularly and lost weight.


Donald Trump's lawyers urge NY appeals court to overturn gag order, arguing fines were 'in a fit of pique'
Donald Trump's lawyers urged a New York appellate court to overturn a gag order in his civil fraud trial.
www.usatoday.com

Eric Adams dismisses Cuomo for mayor talk
The former governor is weighing options, but not expected to challenge Adams in a primary.


COVID variant BA.2.86 triples in new CDC estimates, now 8.8% of cases
A highly-mutated descendant called JN.1 could be to blame.


Trump to testify in his own defense in $250 million civil fraud trial
The planned Dec. 11 testimony was announced as Trump's lawyers argued that he's not responsible for threats made to the judge's law clerk in the New York case.


Wall St regulator adopts Dodd Frank rule against trader conflicts
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday adopted a financial crisis-inspired rule barring traders in asset-backed securities from betting against the same assets they sell to investors.
Sierra Leone's leader says most behind the weekend attacks are arrested, but few details are given
Sierra Leone’s president says most of the leaders of weekend attacks on the nation’s main military barracks and prisons have been arrested, but the capital remains tense.


Idaho asks Supreme Court to let abortion law that penalizes doctors to take full effect | CNN Politics
Idaho asked the Supreme Court Monday to allow its state abortion ban that imposes penalties on doctors who perform abortions to take full effect despite federal requirements for emergency room doctors.


Playbook PM: Biden and Trump put their sparring gloves on
And the Middle East war pause is extended.


Growing number of US children taking melatonin for sleep
The sleep aid can be used without a prescription in the US and more parents given it to their children.

Suspect in shooting of 3 men of Palestinian descent near the University of Vermont pleads not guilty
Police say three young men of Palestinian descent were shot and injured near the University of Vermont campus.


Black Americans should be treated like 'swing voters' as Biden struggles, pollster says
According to a Democratic pollster, Black voters should be treated like "swing voters" if Democrats are serious about helping President Biden win re-election in 2024.
Diplomas for sale: $465, no classes required. Inside one of Louisiana’s unapproved schools
Nearly 9,000 private schools in Louisiana don’t need state approval to grant degrees. They're unlike public schools, formal homeschooling programs or traditional private schools.


What is no-fault divorce, and why do some conservatives want to get rid of it? | CNN
Though no-fault divorce was first legalized more than 50 years ago, it has long been sneered at in conservative circles, who see it as a danger to the sanctity of marriage and the concept of the American family.


For Hong Kong’s arrested pro-democracy activists, justice must wait
Closing arguments are due to begin in high-profile trial of 16 pro-democracy figures nearly three years after arrests.
Putin signs Russia's largest national budget, bolstering military spending
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a national budget for the next three years that increases spending by around 25% and reportedly devotes a record amount to defense as the the country’s military operation in Ukraine drags on.


Biden offers apology to Muslim-American leaders for questioning Hamas death toll: report
New reports state President Biden apologized to several prominent Muslim-American leaders for publicly questioning the Palestinian death toll being reported by the Hamas-controlled Gaza Ministry of Health.

OnPolitics: Details emerge as hostages begin to be released by Hamas
Hostages are beginning to be released by Hamas under a cease-fire deal, and their families are sharing details about what they experienced.
www.usatoday.com

Meta deliberately targeted young users, ensnaring them with addictive tech, states claim
Meta wants children and teens on Facebook and Instagram as long as possible so it can collect and sell their personal data, state prosecutors allege.

Assailants in latest ship attack near Yemen were likely Somali, not Houthi rebels, Pentagon says
The Pentagon says the five armed assailants captured by U.S. forces after seizing a commercial ship near Yemen over the weekend were likely Somali and not Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.


Who is Javier Milei, Argentina's eccentric new president?
Argentina cast itself into uncharted territory when it voted in Javier Milei, an eccentric libertarian who has vowed to overturn the country's political order.


Sandy Hook families offer to settle Alex Jones' $1.5 billion legal debt for a minimum of $85 million
Families of children and educators killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting have made an offer to conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to pay only a fraction of the $1.5 billion in legal judgments they won against him

Elephant herd tramples car after baby struck along highway | CNN
A herd of wild elephants in Malaysia trampled on a car traveling along a major highway after it struck a baby in their group, local authorities said Monday.

Madagascar's main opposition candidate files a lawsuit claiming fraud in the presidential election
The main opposition candidate in Madagascar says he has filed lawsuits with the country’s highest court seeking to have the results of this month’s national election canceled and incumbent President Andry Rajoelina’s victory declared invalid.


Post-Thanksgiving leftovers crowd Congress' December plate
Chuck Schumer summed up the overall state of play in his letter: "Senators should be prepared to stay in Washington until we finish our work."

Police provided security, did not evacuate Jewish students at UC San Diego | Fact check
A pro-Israeli student group worked with police to provide preplanned security and escorts for a student government meeting, school officials said.
www.usatoday.com

First transatlantic flight using 100% green fuels to take off
The plane will fly from London to New York using 100% alternative sustainable aviation fuel.


Amazon smiles as it overtakes delivery giants UPS and FedEx as the new leader in private shipping
Amazon has claimed the title of the largest nongovernment delivery service in the nation, outperforming both UPS and FedEx in parcel volumes.


With seven weeks until Iowa caucuses, Republican primary stakes sharpen | CNN Politics
The Republican primary campaign is careening toward its final act, with seven weeks to go until the Iowa caucuses and former President Donald Trump the overwhelming favorite to claim his third consecutive GOP presidential nomination – and a rematch with the politically hobbled President Joe Biden.

A Dutch museum has sent Crimean treasures to Kyiv after a legal tug-of-war between Russia, Ukraine
An Amsterdam museum says historical treasures that were stored there for years during an ownership dispute sparked by Russia’s annexation of Crimea have been safely transported to Ukraine.

Hannity wants a red vs. blue state debate. Newsom and DeSantis have other plans.
Fox’s Sean Hannity will play referee to a pair of ambitious governors. California Democrat Gavin Newsom and Florida Republican Ron DeSantis have competing priorities for Thursday’s debate.


China aims to 'displace' the US as the global leader: Rep. Mike Gallagher
Wisconsin Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher said the U.S. got "complacent" with its national security, and that the Chinese Communist Party is "exploiting" that to "undermine" America.

Fani Willis's Young Thug RICO trial opens in turmoil
The long-awaited trial of Jeffrey Williams, best known as Grammy-winning rapper Young Thug, began Monday with severe delays and an angered judge, marking a tumultuous start to one of two high-profile racketeering cases being run concurrently out of Fulton County, Georgia.


Playbook: Inside the other year-end funding fight
And Hamas released of a third round of hostages yesterday

Russian FM says he plans to attend OSCE meeting in North Macedonia
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says he plans to travel to NATO member North Macedonia later this week to attend a conference of a top trans-Atlantic security and rights group, a trip that would mark his first visit to a NATO country since Moscow sent troops to Ukraine.


Trump is fighting an uphill battle in his fraud trial. But it could be years before penalties kick in.
A verdict is expected in December. Here's how the case is going — and what comes next.

US closes border crossing to vehicles and limits traffic at another in response to illegal entries
U.S. authorities say they are closing a Texas border crossing to vehicles and limiting traffic at an Arizona crossing to shift more resources to illegal entries.


How AI is bringing new options to mammograms, other breast cancer screenings
AI is bringing new options to breast cancer screenings, but doctors say it won't replace what they do — instead, it's a tool that research shows can help detect more cancers.

Japan and Vietnam agree to boost ties and start discussing Japanese military aid amid China threat
Japan and Vietnam have agreed to boost their security and economic ties in the face of China’s growing influence in the region.


Claim that Fox News reported on Mar-a-Lago foreclosure started as satire | Fact check
A spokesperson for Fox News says the claim is false. The claim originated on a social media account that routinely makes satirical posts.
www.usatoday.com

Thai groom kills four at wedding, including bride
Police say the shooter, who killed himself, was "quite intoxicated at the time".


Sen. Murphy open to placing conditions on aid to Israel, calls civilian death toll in Gaza ‘unacceptable’ | CNN Politics
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy on Sunday said he was open to placing conditions on any aid to Israel, with the aim of reducing civilian casualties in Gaza.

Elon Musk visits Israel to meet top leaders as accusations of antisemitism on X grow
Elon Musk has visited Israel, where he toured a kibbutz attacked by Hamas militants. The billionaire also met Monday with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who scolded him over content on his social media platform X.


US Navy responds to distress call after Israeli-owned tanker seized off coast of Yemen
The US Navy responded to a distress call from an Israeli-linked vessel in the Gulf of Aden Sunday, underscoring tensions in the region amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

Another carjacking foiled by a stick shift vehicle in DC area
Amid the crime wave of carjackings in the Washington, D.C., area, another group of would-be thieves were foiled when they attempted to steal a Porsche on Sunday after realizing they couldn't drive a stick shift.

US airports saw record passenger volumes, but fewer headaches, over Thanksgiving weekend
A record number of passengers traveled through U.S. airports over Thanksgiving weekend, the Transportation Security Administration said Monday.


Biden-blessed dark money group wired $15 million from Soros while president slammed secret donor world
A liberal advocacy group that doesn't disclose its donors and has been "ordained" by Joe Biden to support his 2024 reelection bid raked in more than $15 million from a lobbying shop in the George Soros philanthropy network despite the president pushing to outlaw "dark money," records show.


Should cars have built-in speed limits? Some think it’s time
The National Transportation Safety Board recommended that all new vehicles come equipped with technology to make speeding difficult or impossible.


Inflation is still on the menu at McDonald's and other fast-food chains. Here's why.
Fast-food prices have gone up faster than groceries, with McDonald's seeing fewer low-income customers as a result.

Stock market today: Asian shares mostly higher ahead of consumer confidence and price data
Shares are mixed in Asia after Wall Street benchmarks edged lower as investors looked ahead to updates on inflation and how American consumers are feeling about the economy.


Congress got its Christmas break — and will suffer for it in January
For the first time in ages, Congress isn't facing a Christmastime shutdown threat. But the 2024 fight is going to be even worse than usual.


Liberal reporter pushes Biden to meet with Stevie Wonder on racial issues: 'He's very concerned'
TheGrio reporter April Ryan asked Karine Jean-Pierre whether President Biden would be interested in speaking with Stevie Wonder to discuss racial issues.

How major US stock indexes fared Monday, 11/27/2023
Stocks edged lower on Wall Street as markets look ahead to updates on inflation and how American consumers are feeling about the economy. The S&P 500 fell 0.2% Monday.


New Zealand smoking ban: Health experts criticise new government's shock reversal
Health experts are appalled as the new government plans to repeal the policy to fund tax cuts.


False claim that Doctors Without Borders medic helped terrorists | Fact check
A medic captured on video passing a firearm to another person was not a member of Doctors Without Borders. His vest was from another organization.
www.usatoday.com

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona misappropriates famous Reagan quote to tout big government
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona misinterpreted President Ronald Reagan when discussing the role of the government in people’s lives.


Closing prices for crude oil, gold and other commodities
Benchmark U.S. crude oil for January delivery fell 68 cents to $74.86 per barrel Monday. Brent crude for January delivery fell 60 cents to $79.98 per barrel.

Colorado River deal opens cash spigot for big farms
Billions of dollars of Inflation Reduction Act money meant to tackle drought looks likely to make it more expensive to clinch a broader deal critical to economies in several states.


University of Florida turns against Joe Ladapo
Colleagues say the state surgeon general rarely is on campus and has “sullied” the reputation of the flagship school.


CNBC host clashes with Democratic congressman over Israel-Hamas war
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., a supporter of a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, clashed with CNBC host Joe Kernen over Israel's response to Hamas terrorist attacks.
Google will start deleting 'inactive' accounts in December. Here's what you need to know
Have a Google account you haven’t used in a while? If you want to keep it from disappearing, you should check on it before the end of the week.


Honda recalls almost 304,000 Accords and HR-Vs over seat belt defect
The automaker said some vehicles from the 2023 and 2024 model years may be missing a component that tightens seat belts in a crash.


Attorney General Garland expresses 'hope' Hamas will release more American hostages 'in the days to come'
Attorney General Merrick Garland addressed the Americans taken hostage by Hamas in Gaza and how his office is hoping for more releases.
Rescuers use hand-held drills to free 41 workers trapped in an Indian road tunnel for over 2 weeks
Rescuers in India have started digging manually in hopes of reaching 41 construction workers who have been trapped in a collapsed mountain tunnel in the country’s north for over two weeks.


New Mexico Supreme Court deals GOP massive loss by rejecting appeal to congressional map
The New Mexico Supreme Court struck down a lawsuit from Republicans hoping to redraw the state's congressional map on Monday, ensuring the current map will remain in place for the remainder of the redistricting cycle.


Tesla sues Sweden as strikes target carmaker
The move comes after postal workers went on strike in sympathy with Tesla repair workers.


Health experts decry New Zealand’s reversal on world-first tobacco ban
The country’s new center-right coalition is repealing a ban on the sale of tobacco to anyone born after Jan. 1, 2009, which critics say will cost lives.


UNC shooting suspect found unfit for trial, sent to mental health facility
The University of North Carolina graduate student charged with fatally shooting his faculty adviser has been found unfit for trial after two mental evaluations

Why environmentalists are suing the National Park Service to prevent it from planting trees | CNN
The National Park Service wants to replant wildfire-devastated sequoia groves in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and environmentalists are suing.


Emergency rooms in at least 3 states diverting patients after ransomware attack
Ardent Health Services, which oversees 30 hospitals across the U.S., said it had shut down a significant number of its computerized services.


Sunak cancels Greek PM meeting in Parthenon Sculptures row
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who wants the Parthenon Sculptures returned, says he is "deeply disappointed".


'Mr. Big Stuff' singer Jean Knight dies at 80
Jean Knight, the New Orleans-born soul singer known for her 1971 hit “Mr. Big Stuff,” has died at the age of 80

Elizabeth Warren's 'epiphany' on ObamaCare's unintended consequences is overdue: WSJ
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has finally admitted that "ObamaCare has increased healthcare prices and industry consolidation," the Wall Street Journal wrote Friday.

Four killed in apparent murder-suicide at North Carolina homeless encampment
After a verbal altercation, the 40-year-old suspect allegedly shot two women and a man before turning the gun on himself.


Dolly’s ‘kindness is contagious’: Dallas cheerleaders recall country star’s NFL halftime show
Country legend Dolly Parton wowed fans across the United States with her NFL halftime show on Thanksgiving, including the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders who joined in on the show.
