US accuses Putin of orchestrating DNC hacking, plans to retaliate

The CIA and FBI believe that Vladimir Putin was directly involved in the cyber-attacks of the DNC that occurred during the election. The hacks released DNC correspondence including private campaign emails from John Podesta, a senior Clinton advisor. President-elect Donald Trump has expressed disbelief at the conclusion of the intelligence agencies. President Obama announced the U.S. is weighing possible responses to the hack.

For more: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-promises-to-take-action-over-russian-hacking/

Assad’s forces blast through rebels in Aleppo; evacuations of civilians underway

Pro-government Syrian forces, backed by Russian air power and Iranian militias, have broken through rebel lines in the city of Aleppo. Pro-government forces have been laying siege to the city for several months. The rebels are holding a few small areas amid intense building-by-building fighting. Civilians have been caught in the crossfire, and on social media have been saying goodbyes, as Assad’s forces closed in.

For more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/18/middleeast/aleppo-syria-evacuation/index.html

North Carolina GOP races to limit the power of incoming Dem. governor

In Raleigh the state GOP passed legislation to limit the power of the new Democratic governor, Roy Cooper. Cooper beat incumbent Pat McCrory by less than 10,000 votes in a bitter contest which involved a vote recount. The move has been widely condemned by Democrats, who accuse the Republicans of being sore losers. Protesters have been inside the statehouse, at least 37 times, hurling insults as legislation was being passed. Republicans have said that they are trying to establish the state legislature’s dominance over the Governor.  

For more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2016/12/17/nc-gop-strips-some-democratic-governors-power/95555182/

Craig Sager, beloved broadcaster for Turner Networks, dead at 65

Turner Networks broadcaster Craig Sager, famous for his extravagant suits, succumbed to myeloid Leukemia cancer on Thursday at age 65. The death has prompted a wave of tributes to the beloved broadcaster. He worked for CNN, TNT and TBS covering a variety of sports, and was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame a few days before he died.

For more: http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18286723/long-turner-sports-broadcaster-craig-sager-dies-age-65