Biden addresses state of Syria, Trump talks tariffs and the Mets land Soto

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says the sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad is a “fundamental act of justice” after decades of repression, but that it's “a moment of risk and uncertainty” for the Mideast. Speaking at the White House on Sunday, Biden credited action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syria's backers — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. 

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Russia media say ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad has fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally. The reports came hours after a stunning rebel advance swept into Damascus to cheers and ended the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule. 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump says he can’t guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won’t raise prices for American consumers. And he's suggesting once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday.

NEW YORK (AP) — Police don’t know who he is, where he is, or why he did it. As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack, not a random one. 

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Officials says two Turkish military helicopters have collided in midair, causing one of them to crash. Monday's crash in the southwestern province of Isparta left six military personnel dead, including one who died of injuries in a hospital. 

IZIUM, Ukraine (AP) — A volunteer group is trying to fulfill the holiday dreams of thousands of children living near the frontlines in Ukraine. The St. Nicholas’ Reindeers initiative publishes letters online detailing the children's wishes. 

In other news:

• The DNC chair candidates discuss Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and winning Latino voters.
• Military leaders are rattled by a list of 'woke' officers that a group urges Hegseth to fire.
• Trump receives a Paris welcome full of presidential pomp from France's Macron.
• Bureau of Prisons agrees to court monitor, public acknowledgement of staff-on-inmate sexual abuse.
• Kennedy Center pays tribute to Coppola, the Grateful Dead, Raitt, Sandoval and The Apollo.
• ‘Moana 2’ cruises to another record weekend and $600 million globally.
• Stolen ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in 'The Wizard of Oz' are auctioned for $28 million.
• Margie Szaroleta has the AP Entertainment Report, featuring an inconic prop from the Wizard of Oz.
• The college football playoff field is set. The Chiefs win another division title. The Vikings and Eagles keep pace with the NFC leading Lions, Baseball's biggest free agent chip has dropped and college basketball's top team goes down again.
• Earth's lands are drying out. Nations are trying to address it in talks this week.
• Hemingway look-alikes visit Cuba and some of the late writer's favorite places.
• South Korean prosecutors detain ex-defense chief over martial law imposition.
• Syrian rebels free prisoners from Assad's notorious dungeons who celebrate in Damascus streets.

—The Associated Press

About this program

Host Terry Lipshetz is managing editor of the national newsroom for Lee Enterprises. Besides producing the daily Hot off the Wire news podcast, Terry conducts periodic interviews for this Behind the Headlines program, co-hosts the Streamed & Screened movies and television program and is the former producer of Across the Sky, a podcast dedicated to weather and climate.

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Hot Off The Wire is a collection of news, sports and entertainment reports. The program is produced by Lee Enterprises with audio provided by The Associated Press.