Two Russian tankers were severely damaged in the Kerch Strait after a storm, leading to a serious oil spill in the Black Sea. One tanker sank, with one fatality, while the other remained adrift. The vessels were carrying a total of nearly 9,000 tons of fuel oil. Assessments of the oil spill’s impact are ongoing. (AP)
ABC News agreed to pay $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by President-elect Donald Trump. The network will also make a $1 million payment for Trump’s attorney fees. As part of the settlement, ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos expressed regret for statements made during an interview with Rep. Nancy Mace. (UPI)
Sen. Chuck Schumer has urged the federal government to use better drone-tracking technology to identify and stop drones flying over New York and New Jersey. Concerns have grown as the government has not provided clear explanations about the drones’ operators. President-elect Donald Trump has also expressed concern. (AP)
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, 84, had successful hip replacement surgery after falling in Luxembourg with a congressional delegation. She is recovering well and expressed gratitude to medical staff. Pelosi sustained the injury during an official engagement marking the Battle of the Bulge anniversary. She is unable to attend remaining engagements. (ABC News)
President-elect Trump told Meet The Press last week that promising to lower grocery prices helped him win the election. “I won on groceries,” he said. “Very simple word, groceries.” But he told TIME days later that his second term won’t be a “failure” if he can’t deliver. “It’s hard to bring things down once they’re up. You know, it’s very hard,” Trump said. (ABC News)
