South Korea’s turmoil is the latest threat to a three-way Pacific alliance
TOKYO — When President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea visited the White House last year, he charmed the Washington establishment by singing Don McLean’s “American Pie.” When he flew to Tokyo to usher in a new era of conciliation with Japan, it was a genial visit, with the prime minister treating Yoon to “omurice,” a Japanese dish the South Korean leader likes.
The last time alcohol poisoned a defense nomination
The nominee for defense secretary was in trouble for carousing, transgressing with women and liquor.
China just showed Washington how it plans to fight the next trade war
BEIJING — When President-elect Donald Trump fired the opening shots in a trade war during his first term, Chinese officials often took days to respond, and Chinese businesses followed every threat with alarm.
Meet Lamb Chop, America’s hottest dog toy
Most toys that cross Foxie’s path rarely last. Rope toys are torn to shreds. Squeaky ones fall silent in her paws. Stuffies lose their eyes and ears once Foxie’s 12-pound frame gets hold of them.
The Midwestern roots, and woods, of NBA courts
AMASA, Mich. — Los Angeles Clippers fans are being wowed this season by the bells and whistles in the team’s new $2 billion home, the Intuit Dome. They can watch replays on the world’s largest double-sided scoreboard, sit in a 51-row section reserved for die-hard supporters and buy a jersey in the 5,000-square-foot team store.
Helping students find their way to college
Nomar Leonardo Melo Cabral was weeks into his first semester in college when an unexpected bill from New York’s Stony Brook University arrived in his inbox.
A final, whimsical holiday for the Bidens
WASHINGTON — While unveiling the official holiday decorations Monday, Jill Biden said she wanted to make the White House “come alive” for her last Christmas as first lady.
Indiana man looks out his window and finds 2 babies left in a ditch
Robert Deane was waiting for a package Monday at his home in Indianapolis when he looked out the window on the chilly, 27-degree afternoon. He noticed something unusual across the street.
Kash Patel has plan to remake the FBI into a tool of Trump
“Fire the top ranks of the FBI.” Encourage Congress to demand testimony exposing “every single bit of filth and corruption” at the agency, and withhold its funding “until the documents come in.” Prosecute leakers and journalists. Replace the national security workforce with “people who won’t undermine the president’s agenda.”
South Korea’s president backs down from martial law: What to know
President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea backed away from his surprise declaration of martial law hours after the decision drove thousands of protesters into the streets and prompted calls for him to resign.
Investigation into forced adoptions from Ukraine points finger at Putin
President Vladimir Putin of Russia and senior Kremlin officials “intentionally and directly” authorized a program of coerced fostering and adoption of Ukrainian children during the war in Ukraine, according to a Yale University report released Tuesday.
5 women win reparations from Belgium for crimes under colonial rule
A court in Brussels ruled on Monday that five mixed-race women, now in their 70s and 80s, were owed reparations from Belgium for crimes the state had committed against them under colonial rule in Belgian Congo.
Biden targets China’s chip industry with wider trade bans
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration announced Monday broader restrictions on advanced technology that can be sent to China, in an effort to prevent the country from developing its own advanced chips for military equipment and artificial intelligence.
Elon Musk’s $50 billion Tesla pay can’t be reinstated, Delaware judge rules
A Delaware judge Monday affirmed an earlier ruling that rescinded a giant pay package that Tesla had awarded its CEO, Elon Musk.
Hezbollah and Israel trade strikes, further testing cease-fire
JERUSALEM — Hezbollah fired at Israeli-controlled territory Monday for the first time since a cease-fire was reached last week, prompting Israel to launch a wave of airstrikes in Lebanon, as each side blamed the other for violating the tenuous truce.
Russia and Iran pledge support for Syria’s Assad against advancing rebels
CAIRO — Syrian President Bashar Assad’s staunchest allies, Russia and Iran, pledged unconditional support to his government Monday, sending warplanes and voicing diplomatic support as his forces attempted to repel a startling rebel advance in his country’s northwest.
Trump wants to shake up health care. Many Americans don’t mind.
As a nature-loving physical therapist in Boulder, Colorado, Colin O’Banion shops at farmers markets, grows organic squash in his backyard and thought he could never vote for Donald Trump.
Former defense minister accuses Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza
A former Israeli defense minister has accused Israel of committing war crimes and ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip, a rare critique from a member of the security establishment at a time of war.
Oxford’s 2024 Word of the Year is …
It’s not just you. Oxford University Press, publisher of the august Oxford English Dictionary, is also going a bit fuzzy between the ears.
Democrats weigh dumping Nadler, regrouping to counter Trump
WASHINGTON — House Democrats are considering pushing aside some of their most senior leaders from top posts in the next Congress, driven by a worry that aging members are not up to the task of countering President-elect Donald Trump and his loyal Republican allies in Congress.
