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A curated weekday guide to major news and developments over the weekend. Here’s today’s news:
U.S. DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS
President Biden yesterday issued a “full and unconditional” pardon for his son Hunter Biden, who was set to be sentenced this month on federal gun and tax convictions. In a statement, Biden reversed his long-standing pledge that he would not grant such reprieve, saying, “Politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.” Following the announcement, Hunter Biden asked the federal judges overseeing his criminal cases to dismiss them. BBC News reports; Zach Schonfeld reports for The Hill.
A whistleblower report and other documents suggest President-elect Trump’s defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, was forced to step down from two previous leadership positions “in the face of serious allegations of financial mismanagement, sexual impropriety, and personal misconduct.” Jane Mayer reports for the New Yorker.
A former D.C. police lieutenant will stand trial in federal court today, accused of improperly warning Proud Boys leader Henry Tarrio about his impending arrest ahead of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots and lying to investigators about their communications. Spencer S. Hsu, Peter Hermann, and Tom Jackman report for the Washington Post.
At least six Democratic lawmakers, including four from Connecticut, said they were targeted with bomb threats over the Thanksgiving holiday. Police are investigating any potential connections to the treats sent to Trump officials last week, sources told CNN. Zachary Cohen and Holmes Lybrand report.
SYRIA’S REBEL OFFENSIVE
After capturing much of Aleppo on Saturday in a surprise offensive, rebel forces in Syria led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham captured the city’s airport yesterday, posing the most serious challenge to President Bashar al-Assad in years. Local officials and a British war monitor say the rebels now control a broad stretch of land across the Hama, Idlib, and Aleppo provinces. Muhammed Haj Kadour and Vivian Yee report for the New York Times; the Washington Post reports.
Airstrikes by the Syrian government and Russia killed at least 25 people in the country’s northwest, Syria’s opposition-run rescue service said today. The Syrian army and Russia said they targeted the insurgent groups’ hideouts. Meanwhile, Iran-backed militias entered Syria overnight from Iraq to strengthen Syrian army forces, sources say. Suleiman Al-Khalidi reports for Reuters.
ISRAEL-HEZBOLLAH
Israel’s Air Force said it struck alleged Hezbollah weapons smuggling sites near the Lebanon-Syria border crossing Saturday, claiming Hezbollah violated the recent U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement. Filip Timotija reports for The Hill.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR
Israel on Saturday said it had killed a World Central Kitchen (WCK) worker it accused of participating in Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks. A spokesperson for WCK said an Israeli strike on a vehicle killed three of its contractors, adding, “To the best of our knowledge, no WCK team members are affiliated with Hamas.” Tim Balk reports for the New York Times.
In a fresh ceasefire push, Egypt is in talks with Israel to reopen the Rafah border crossing with Gaza, Arab negotiators say. Summer Said and Omar Abdel-Baqui report for the Wall Street Journal.
Three people were crushed to death outside a central Gaza bakery supported by the World Food Program, the U.N. agency said Saturday. Separately, the U.N. aid agency for Palestinians (UNRWA) announced it is suspending deliveries through the main Israel-Gaza crossing due to security concerns. Vivian Ho and Bryan Pietsch report for the Washington Post; Christy Cooney reports for BBC News.
Hamas released a video Saturday with proof of life from U.S. citizen and hostage Edan Alexander. The footage, which an Israeli official said is a positive sign from Hamas, calls on Trump to negotiate for Alexander’s release. Separately, the IDF today confirmed the death of the missing U.S.-Israeli soldier, Omer Maxim Neutra. Barak Ravid reports for Axios; Jordana Miller reports for ABC News.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday approved the country’s new budget, including record spending on defense. Claudia Chiappa reports for POLITICO.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made an unexpected visit to Kyiv today, promising Germany would remain Ukraine’s biggest supporter in Europe and pledging €650 ($683) million in aid this month. Reuters reports.
A Kremlin critic serving time in jail for criticizing Russia’s war in Ukraine was sentenced to an additional three years on Friday. Thomas Mackintosh reports for BBC News.
U.S. PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION AND NEW CONGRESS
Lawmakers have expressed doubt over Trump’s plan to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray with Kash Patel, citing concerns that his appointment could undermine the agency’s independence. Holly Bailey, Mariana Alfaro, and Mark Berman report for the Washington Post.
In the latest appointment news, Trump on Saturday picked Charles Kusher, his son-in-law’s father, to serve as U.S. ambassador to France. Trump previously pardoned Charles Kushner in 2020 for convictions over filing false tax returns, retaliating against a witness, and making false statements. Trump also named businessman Massad Boulous, the father-in-law to his daughter Tiffany Trump, as his Middle East advisor. Lauren Floyd reports for Axios; Zach Montague reports for the New York Times.
GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS
Protesters rallied in Georgia’s capital for a fourth consecutive night yesterday, as pro-Western demonstrators opposed the government’s recent decision to suspend EU accession talks. At least 44 people have reportedly been hospitalized. The Guardian reports.
Chad, a longtime Western counterterrorism ally in Central Africa, has announced it is severing military ties with France. The move will likely see some 1,000 French troops exit in the country, where they have been supporting the country’s military in fighting rebel groups. Gabriele Steinhauser and Benoit Faucon report for the Wall Street Journal.
Kenya was fully aware of the plan to abduct and detain Uganda’s opposition leader Kizza Besigye during his visit to the country nearly two weeks ago, Uganda has alleged, citing intelligence correspondence. Wycliffe Muia reports for BBC News.
A Chinese commercial vessel and its crew is suspected of deliberately dragging an anchor for 100 miles to sever two critical data cables along the Baltic seabed. NATO warships have been surrounding the Chinese bulk carrier in international waters over the past week. Bojan Pancevski reports for the Wall Street Journal.
Tanzanian police are investigating the reported kidnapping of opposition youth leader Abdul Nondo, who was taken from a bus station yesterday by unknown assailants after he had been campaigning for his party’s candidates. Alfred Lasteck reports for BBC News.
With community support, Pakistani authorities have brokered a second ceasefire between warring Shiites and Sunni Muslims in a northwestern region bordering Afghanistan following deadly sectarian violence that killed at least 130 people in the past 10 days, officials say. AP News reports.
Mexican lawmakers voted last Thursday to abolish seven watchdog agencies, intensifying fears that President Claudia Sheibbuam is leveraging her sweeping electoral victory to undermine democratic checks and balances. Mary Beth Sheridan and Valentina Muñoz Castillo reports for the Washington Post.
Namibia’s main opposition party on Saturday said it will not recognize results from the recent general election, alleging there had been “glaring and undeniable” electoral “malpractice.” Damian Zane reports for BBC News.
U.S. FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The United States announced Saturday it has suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia over the country’s suspension of EU accession negotiations. Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing and Gabriel Gavin report for POLITICO.
China yesterday vowed “resolute countermeasures” to a recently approved $385 million U.S. arms sale to Taiwan. Reuters reports.
Canadian officials are bolstering border security following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s meeting with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence, a Canadian source told Axios, days after Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods. Rebecca Falconer reports; Freddie Clayton reports for NBC News.
HOUTHI DEVELOPMENTS
U.S. Navy destroyers shot down incoming missiles and drones fired by Yemen’s Houthis that were targeting the warships and three U.S. vessels they were escorting through the Gulf of Aden, the U.S. military said. There were no injuries or damage to the ships involved. AP News reports.