Myanmar Holds Second Round of Elections

YANGON (AP) – Myanmar holds a second round of elections amid armed conflict in the country.
Correspondent Bernie Bennett has this report.

VERBATIM:
Myanmar resumed voting Sunday in the second round of its first general election in five years, expanding polling to additional townships, including some areas affected by the civil war between the military government and its armed opponents.

Polling stations opened at 6 a.m. local time in 100 townships across the country.

Many of those areas have seen clashes in recent months or remain under heightened security, underscoring the risks surrounding the vote.

The election is being held in three phases due to armed conflicts. The first round took place on Dec. 28 in 102 of the country’s total 330 townships, followed by the second phase on Sunday.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

GOP Voters Support Military Action in Venezuela

A new poll shows that Republicans embrace President Trump’s military mission in Venezuela. Correspondent Bernie Bennett has this report.

VERBATIM:
A new poll shows that once hesitant or disapproving of using the U.S. military to invade Venezuela, the vast majority of Republicans now say they approve of President Donald Trump’s miltary action and the stunning capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro.

Nearly three-quarters of Republicans said they somewhat or strongly support the U.S. using military force to invade Venezuela in a YouGov poll released Wednesday and conducted after last weekend’s operation.

In an Economist-YouGov survey conducted Jan. 2-5th, 53% of Republicans said they’d support such military force.

Bernie Bennett in Washington.

U.S. Launches Strikes Against ISIS

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. has launched another round of retaliatory strikes against the Islamic State in Syria following last month’s ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian interpreter in the country. Correspondent Bernie Bennett explains.

VERBATIM:
The large-scale strikes, conducted by the U.S. alongside partner forces, occurred around 12:30 p.m. ET, according to U.S. Central Command. The strikes hit multiple Islamic State targets across Syria.

Saturday’s strikes are part of a broader operation that is part of President Donald Trump’s response to the deadly ISIS attack that killed Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, and Ayad Mansoor Sakat, the civilian interpreter, in Palmyra last month.

The Pentagon said Saturday’s strikes were carried out alongside partner forces without specifying which forces had taken part.

Bernie Bennett, Washington.

Suspect Arrested in Multiple Shootings in Mississippi

WEST POINT, Miss. (AP) – Authorities in Mississippi have charged a 24-year-old man with murder after six people were killed in a series of related shootings Friday night. Reporter Bernie Bennett has details.

VERBATIM:
Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott says Daricka Moore shot his father, brother and uncle at one house before driving to another home and shooting the 7-year-old daughter of a cousin. He then allegedly drove to a church and shot the pastor and the pastor’s brother.

Sheriff Scott said at a Saturday news conference that evidence and witnesses indicate that Moore was the only shooter and no other injuries have been reported.

Moore was captured at a police roadblock after an hours-long search. Prosecutors say they plan to seek the death penalty. Moore is expected to be appointed a public defender on Monday.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

Americans Warned to Leave Venezuela

The U.S. warns Americans to leave Venezuela immediately as armed militias set up roadblocks. Details from reporter Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM:
According to the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, a new security alert issued Saturday urges Americans in Venezuela to leave the country immediately, citing security concerns and the U.S. government’s inability to provide emergency assistance.

The embassy said in a Jan. 10 security alert, “U.S. citizens in Venezuela should leave the country immediately.”

The warning cited reports of armed groups operating on Venezuelan roads.

Bernie Bennett in Washington.

Political Prisoners Released in Venezuela

A human rights group says the number of prisoners released in Venezuela has risen to 18, from nine on Friday afternoon. Details from reporter Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM:
The release of hundreds of political prisoners in the South American country is a long-running demand of human rights groups, international bodies and opposition figures, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado, who has several close allies imprisoned.

Both U.S. President Donald Trump and Venezuela’s top lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez, the brother of acting President Delcy Rodriguez, have said the releases are a gesture of peace. President Trump posted on Truth Social that he had canceled a second wave of attacks on Venezuela following cooperation from the South American nation.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

Senate to Hold a Vote on War Powers

The Senate is set to vote on a war powers measure following the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. This report from Bernie Bennett in Washington.

VERBATIM:
Virginia Democrat Sen. Tim Kaine said he will force a vote next week to block further military action against Venezuela without congressional approval in the wake of President Donald Trump’s operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he expects “further briefings from the administration on this operation as part of its comprehensive counternarcotics strategy.” House Speaker Mike Johnson added that the Trump administration is working to schedule briefings for lawmakers when they return.

I’m Bernie Bennett in Washington.

Trump Cabinet Wants Regime Change

The Trump administration’s strikes on Venezuela and capture of President Nicolas Maduro represent a major victory for foreign policy hawks in President Donald Trump’s Cabinet. Bernie Bennett reports from Washington.

VERBATIM: They include Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, who have advocated for an increase in pressure against Venezuela over the last few months in the name of ousting a leader they decried as an authoritarian drug trafficker.

It remains to be seen if those advocating regime change in Venezuela will get what they want. A hand-picked ally of Maduro, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, is currently ruling the country and it is unclear whether a democratic transition will ultimately materialize. Mr. Trump said the U.S. would run the country in the interim.

Bernie Bennett, Washington.

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Venezuela Protests in New York

Venezuelans across New York City have mixed reactions to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro. While some people are elated, others are wondering what is next for their homeland. Bernie Bennett reports.

VERBATIM:
Marilla Moreira fled Venezuela almost 30 years ago during the Chavez era and hasn’t visited family in 15 years. She says she wants to go back to see her older brother and give him a hug and a kiss.

She’s one of many people who live in Queens who fled Venezuela. On Saturday, she celebrated with friends and is hoping a new leader will mean a better life for a new generation.

A group of people demonstrated in Times Square Saturday afternoon against U.S. intervention in Caracas. They said the intervention isn’t about drug trafficking or democracy; it’s about stealing oil and dominating Latin America.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

Zelenskyy Thanks Canada

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday confirmed that Canada will give his country a new assistance package after he spoke with European leaders amid peace talks. Bernie Bennett has this report.

VERBATIM:
Zelenskyy stopped in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and thanked Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for joining him in “speaking with our friends from Europe” about bringing the war between Ukraine and Russia to an end.

Carney told reporters that “a just and lasting peace” needs a “willing Russia.” He condemned Russia’s strikes on Kyiv on Saturday, which killed at least one person and left over 20 people hurt.

Carney announced a further “2.5 billion dollars worth of economic assistance that helps unlock financing from the IMF, World Bank and the Euriopean Bank fro reconstruction and development.”

Bernie Bennett in Washington.

Musk Slams Mamdani for Fire Chief Choice

Tech billionaire Elon Musk slams New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani for appointing a non-firefighter to lead the city’s fire department. Reporter Bernie Bennett has more.

VERBATIM:
The former White House adviser wrote in a post on the social platform X, which he controls, “People will die because of this. Proven experience matters when lives are at stake.”

Despite White House opposition, Mamdani is set to take office in January and has appointed Lillian Bonsignore, a veteran emergency medical services leader, to lead the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY).

Bonsignore, who came out of retirement to accept the post, would be New York’s first openly gay fire commissioner and the second woman to lead the department.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

Christmas Shopping was Different This Year

NEW YORK (AP) – The shopping rush leading up to Christmas is over and in its place, like every year, another has begun as millions of people hunt for post-holiday deals and get in line to return gifts that didn’t fit, or didn’t hit quite right. More from Reporter Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM:
Holiday spending using cash or cards through Sunday has topped last year’s haul, according to data released this week by Visa’s Consulting & Analytics division and Mastercard SpendingPulse.

But growing unease over the U.S. economy and higher prices have altered the behavior of some Americans. More are hitting thrift stores or other discounters in place of malls, according to data from Placer.ai. The firm tracks people’s movements based on cellphone usage.

And they’re sticking more closely to shopping lists and doing more research before buying.

I’m Bernie Bennett.

California Bullet Train Lawsuit

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – California this week dropped a lawsuit officials filed against the Trump administration over the federal government’s withdrawing of $4 billion for the state’s long-delayed high-speed rail project. Correspondent Bernie Bennett has details.

VERBATIM:
The U.S. Transportation Department slashed funds for the bullet train aimed at connecting San Francisco to Los Angeles in July. The Trump administration has said the California High-Speed Rail Authority had “ no viable plan ” to complete a large segment of the project in the farm-rich Central Valley.

The authority quickly filed a lawsuit, with Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom calling the federal government’s decision “a political stunt to punish California.”

The authority said this week that it would focus on other funding sources to complete the project, which is estimated to cost more than $100 billion.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

Winter Storm Flight Delays

Winter storms caused thousands of flight delays and hundreds of cancellations around the United States Saturday, with travelers warned to expect a second storm ahead of one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Reporter Bernie Bennett has this story.

VERBATIM:
Friday’s storm is wrapping up in the Northeast, where the National Weather Service issued winter warnings throughout New York and Connecticut. Light snow and wind may persist across the region throughout Saturday, with near or below freezing temperatures in areas like Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, and across the Northeast.

Nearly 800 domestic and international flights in the U.S. had been canceled just before noon on Saturday, with just under 4,000 delays. On Friday, more than 1,700 flights were canceled, with more than 9,000 delays, according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

Offshore Wind Project Lawsuit

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) – The developers of a Virginia offshore wind project are asking a federal judge to block a Trump administration order that halted construction of their project, along with four others, over national security concerns.

VERBATIM:
Dominion Energy Virginia said in its lawsuit filed late Tuesday that the government’s order is arbitrary and unconstitutional. The Richmond-based company is developing Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, a project it says is essential to meet dramatically growing energy needs driven by dozens of new data centers. A hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday on Dominion’s request for a temporary restraining order.

California Winter Storm Warning

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Southern California braced Thursday for another powerful storm system that could cause more flooding and mudslides a day after heavy rain and gusty winds were blamed for at least two deaths.

VERBATIM: Forecasters said the region could see its wettest Christmas in years, increasing the risk of debris flows in areas scorched by wildfires in January. Those burn scar zones have been stripped of vegetation by fire and are less able to absorb water.

On Wednesday, a falling tree killed a San Diego man. Farther north, a Sacramento sheriff’s deputy died in what appeared to be a weather-related crash.

San Bernardino County firefighters said they rescued people trapped in cars when mud and debris rushed down a road leading into Wrightwood, a resort town in the San Gabriel Mountains about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

EU Censorship

BRUSSELS (AP) – The European Union on Wednesday warned that it would take action against any “unjustified measures” after the U.S. State Department barred five Europeans it accuses of pressuring U.S. technology firms to censor or suppress American viewpoints. Details from Correspondent Bernie Bennett.

VERBATIM:
The Europeans were characterized by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as “radical” activists and “weaponized” nongovernmental organizations. They include the former EU commissioner responsible for supervising social media rules, Thierry Breton (TEER-ee breh-TONE).

The European Commission said that it “strongly condemns the U.S. decision to impose travel restrictions” and that it has requested clarification about the move.

Rubio wrote in an X post on Tuesday that “The Trump Administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”

Bernie Bennett, Washington.

Greta Thunberg Arrested in London

LONDON (AP) – Activist Greta Thunberg was arrested in central London Tuesday while supporting pro-Palestinian activists who are staging a hunger strike. Correspondent Bernie Bennett has detials.

VERBATIM:
The protest group Prisoners for Palestine shared a video showing the 22-year-old Swede holding a sign supporting the hunger strikers and their organization, known as Palestine Action. The British government earlier this year banned Palestine Action as a terrorist organization.

The activists were protesting their imprisonment while awaiting trial on charges related to a series of earlier demonstrations.

Thunberg has repeatedly been fined in Sweden and the U.K. for civil disobedience in connection with protests.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

Bondi Beach Hero

SYDNEY (AP) – A bystander seen in a widely circulated video disarming a gunman during a deadly shooting rampage at a popular Australian beach is being heralded as a hero who saved lives. Reporter Bernie Bennett explains.

VERBATIM:
Video footage posted to social media shows a passerby dressed in a white T-shirt and dark pants crouching behind a parked car before sneaking up behind a gunman, grabbing him and wrestling away his firearm. The bystander then points the weapon at the gunman, who falls to the ground.

The intervention drew wide praise, including from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns called it the “most unbelievable scene.”

Minns said in a statement, “A man walking up to a gunman who had fired on the community and single-handedly disarming him, that man is a genuine hero.”

Bernie Bennett reporting.

Hamas Leader Killed

JERUSALEM (AP) – Hamas on Sunday confirmed the death of a top commander in Gaza, a day after Israel said it had killed Raed Saad in a strike outside Gaza City. Reporter Bernie Bennett has detials.

VERBATIM:
The Hamas statement described Saad as the commander of its military manufacturing unit.

Israel had described him as an architect of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war in Gaza, and asserted that he had been “engaged in rebuilding the terrorist organization” in a violation of the ceasefire that took effect two months ago.

Israel said it killed Saad after an explosive device detonated and wounded two soldiers in the territory’s south.

Hamas also said it had named a new commander but did not give details, adding that it had the right to “respond to the occupation’s aggression.”

Bernie Bennett reporting.

Conservative Wins in Chile Election

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) – Chile’s governing coalition candidate concedes defeat to ultra-conservative José Antonio Kast in their presidential election. Bernie Bennett has this report.
VERBATIM:
Chile’s conservative opposition candidate, José Antonio Kast, has secured a thumping victory in the presidential runoff election. He defeated the candidate of the left-wing governing coalition by over 15 percentage points on Sunday.

According to electoral results with over 95% of the vote counted, Kast won more than 58% of the vote as Chilean voters overwhelmingly embraced his pledge to crack down on increased crime, deport hundreds of thousands of immigrants without legal status and revive the sluggish economy of one of Latin America’s most stable and prosperous nations.

Bernie Bennett reporting.

House Republicans Vote on Health Care

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate failed to get anywhere on the health care issue this week. Now it’s the House’s turn to show what it can do. Correspondent Bernie Bennet has details.

VERBATIM:
Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled a Republican alternative late Friday, a last-minute sprint as his party refuses to extend the enhanced tax subsidies for those who buy policies through the Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare, which are expiring at the end of the year. Democrats say those subsidies help lower the cost of coverage.

Johnson said in a statement announcing the package, “House Republicans are tackling the real drivers of health care costs to provide affordable care.” The Speaker said it would be voted on this week.

Bernie Bennett, Washington.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – A shooter dressed in black killed at least two people and wounded eight others at Brown University on Saturday during final exams on the Ivy League campus, authorities said, as police searched for the suspect. Reporter Bernie Bennett has this developing story.

(POSSIBLE OUTCUE:
President Donald Trump told reporters that he had been briefed on the shooting and “all we can do right now is pray for the victims.”)

VERBATIM:
The Ivy League school in Providence, Rhode Island, issued an active shooter alert and urged students and staff to take shelter Saturday, the second day of final exams.

Police say the suspect is a male in dark clothing who was last seen leaving the building. Police did not immediately release details about the victims’ conditions.

Mayor Brett Smiley agencies across the region are helping with the investigation.

BROWN UPDATE-smiey-a1-SATpm (:15)

Bernie Bennett reporting.

White House Brokers Ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand

President Donald Trump said Friday that Thai and Cambodian leaders have agreed to renew a truce after days of deadly clashes had threatened to undo a ceasefire the U.S. administration had helped broker earlier this year.

VERBATIM:
President Trump announced the agreement to restart the ceasefire in a social media posting following calls with the Prime Ministers of Thaliand and Cambodia.

The Republican President said that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim played an important role in helping him push Thailand and Cambodia to once again agree to cease fighting.

The original ceasefire in July was brokered by Malaysia and pushed through by pressure from Mr. Trump, who threatened to withhold trade privileges unless Thailand and Cambodia agreed. It was formalized in more detail in October at a regional meeting in Malaysia that Trump attended.

Bernie Bennett, Washington.