Turbulent Tides: North Korean Losses, A High-Profile Trial, and AOC's Committee Defeat

Good Morning,

Hundreds of North Korean soldiers fighting on behalf of the Russian Federation have been killed in combat according to military officials, Luigi Mangione, the alleged assassin of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, is charged with terrorism, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez lost her bid to the House Oversight Committee to Gerry Connolly.

Top Stories

• A couple hundred North Korean troops killed, wounded in battles with Ukrainian forces (AP)

• Luigi Mangione sought to 'sow terror' in UnitedHealth executive killing, prosecutor says (RT)

• AOC loses bid to serve as top Democrat on House Oversight Committee (MSNBC)

• Dow tumbles more than 260 points for 9-day losing streak, its longest since 1978 (CNBC)

• Netanyahu says Israeli troops will occupy a buffer zone inside Syria for the foreseeable future (AP)

• Syria’s Rebel Leader Vows to Disband and Integrate Armed Factions (NYT)

• U.S. Fears Military Buildup by Turkey Signals Preparations for Incursion Into Syria (WSJ)

• No security threat from reported drone sightings, US federal agencies state (AJ)

• Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann charged in killing of seventh woman (CNN)

• Elon Musk, SpaceX face federal reviews over security, NYT reports (RT)

• Negotiators say Israel and Hamas are inching toward a ceasefire deal. This is what it may look like (AP)

• Bipartisan Deal Hits Delays as House Republicans Steam (WSJ)

• Exclusive: Some Republican senators reluctant on Gabbard for spy chief (RT)

• Assad gives account of last hours before leaving Syria (RT)

United States and Canada

• Drug cartel boss Osiel Cardenas, known for extreme violence, deported to Mexico (RT)

• Man who killed brother and 3 others set to be put to death in Indiana’s first execution in 15 years (AP)

• Chrystia Freeland Resigns, Threatening Trudeau’s Hold on Power (NYT)

• Canada pledges beefed-up border, immigration restrictions to appease Trump (RT)

• Biden Administration Agrees to Record $15 Billion Loan to PG&E (WSJ)

• Tech consultant found guilty of second-degree murder in stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee (CNN)

• US releases Guantanamo Bay detainee Bajabu to Kenya (AJ)

• A Postal Strike Means Fewer Gifts Under Canadian Christmas Trees (NYT)

• US to pay nearly $116M to settle lawsuits over rampant sexual abuse at California women’s prison (AP)

Africa

• At least 127, mostly civilians, killed in two days in Sudan bombardments (CNN)

• The Global War Machine Supplying Colombian Mercenaries to Fight in Sudan (WSJ)

• Benin grants citizenship to slave descendants (AN)

• Cameroon's Biya warns of disaster for Central Africa financial stability (RT)

• Former Ghana leader pulls off historic comeback after crucial presidential election (CNN)

• Is Francafrique ending? Why Senegal is cutting military ties with France (AJ)

• Hundreds Feared Dead After Cyclone Hits French Territory of Mayotte (NYT)

Middle East

• Two charged in connection with Iran-backed drone strike that killed 3 US troops in the Middle East (AP)

• Israeli airstrikes kill 14 Palestinians in Gaza, tanks push south (RT)

• Trump lauds ouster of Syria’s al-Assad as ‘unfriendly takeover’ by Turkiye (AJ)

• Freed prisoner who said he was a victim of the Assad regime was an intelligence officer, locals say (CNN)

• Blasts Rock Syria’s Coast Amid Heavy Israeli Strikes (NYT)

• What Islamist Control Spells for Syria’s Christians (WSJ)

• Israeli team in Doha talks on potential Gaza deal, official says (RT)

Indo-Pacific

• Australian state proposes ban on protests at places of worship to fight rising antisemitism (AP)

• China Races to Squelch Unrest as Signs of Economic Malaise Spread (WSJ)

• Ex-Bangladeshi Leader Orchestrated Mass Disappearances, Inquiry Finds (NYT)

• Malaysia PM appoints Thai heavyweight Thaksin his adviser on ASEAN (RT)

• British court names alleged Chinese spy who forged close ties to Prince Andrew (CNN)

• Sri Lanka’s president holds talks with Modi in India in first overseas visit (AP)

• Kyrgyzstan's president dismisses prime minister (RT)

Europe

• Ukraine and US say some North Korean troops have been killed fighting alongside Russian forces (AP)

• German Chancellor Scholz loses no-confidence vote, paving way for election (RT)

• Eurozone Economy Slows Again in Chilly End to Year (WSJ)

• Russian military has begun large-scale withdrawal from Syria, US and Western officials say (CNN)

• EU seeks assurances from Syria’s new leaders in exchange for dropping sanctions (AP)

• Western nations agree to 'disrupt and deter' Russia shadow fleet, Estonia says (RT)

• Badly damaged Russian tankers carrying thousands of tons of fuel spill oil near Black Sea (CNN)

Latin America

• Mexico makes record fentanyl bust days after Trump tariff threat (BBC)

• Venezuelan rights group reports 3rd in-custody death among people detained in post-election unrest (AP)

• Venezuela has freed 533 election protest detainees, attorney general says (RT)

• En medio de combates con el Ejército, murió integrante del ELN en Norte de Santander (SM)

• Bolivian prosecutors seek the arrest of former President Morales in sexual abuse case (AP)

• El régimen de Venezuela confirmó la detención del gendarme argentino y lo acusó: “Venía a cumplir una misión” (CA)

• Machado exige justicia tras muertes de tres presos políticos en custodia del gobierno de Nicolás Maduro (LN)