North America

WASHINGTON (AP) — After securing seditious conspiracy convictions against two leaders of the Oath Keepers, the Justice Department will begin Monday to try to make its Capitol riot case against four others affiliated with the far-right extremist group.

Openings statements are expected in Washington’s federal court less than two weeks after Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the Oath Keepers, and Kelly Meggs, who led its Florida chapter, were convicted of seditious conspiracy for what prosecutors described as a violent plot to overturn President Joe Biden’s victory.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Young voters who have been critical to Democratic successes in recent elections showed signs in November’s midterms that their enthusiasm may be waning, a potential warning sign for a party that will need their strong backing heading into the 2024 presidential race.

NEW YORK, December 11. /TASS/: The US Orion spacecraft used in NASA’s Artemis I program has returned to Earth and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, according to a live broadcast on NASA’s website.

The spacecraft completed a test flight around the Moon with no crew and returned to Earth at 09:40 a.m. PST (08:40 p.m. Moscow time).

LONDON, Dec 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Post-Brexit Britain must look beyond its traditional allies to emerging powers in Latin America, Asia and Africa, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is set to say.

In a speech Monday at the Foreign Office, Cleverly will stress the need for long-term partnerships from trade to climate change, his office said.

The speech comes a fortnight after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the “golden era” of relations with China was over, but that his government would pursue “robust pragmatism” in dealing with global competitors.

WASHINGTON, Dec 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Biden administration is set to host about 50 African leaders in Washington for crucial conversations on health, democracy, climate change, and other topics.

Slated for Dec 13–15, the US-Africa Leaders Summit will provide heads of state the chance to discuss ways to fortify a mutually beneficial partnership that would create jobs and encourage sustainable growth.

MANAGUA, Dec 11 (NNN-TELESUR) — In the fertile mountains of Nicaragua, thousands of small-scale producers grow and process top-quality artisanal coffee, now with the added incentive of potentially breaking into the Chinese market.

“China is a huge gateway, a good sales opportunity,” said Eduardo Escobar, the executive secretary of the National Commission for the Transformation and Development of Nicaraguan Coffee Farming.
   

WASHINGTON, Kan., Dec 10 (Reuters) - Residents near the site of the worst U.S. oil pipeline leak in a decade took the commotion and smell in stride as cleanup crews labored in near-freezing temperatures, and investigators searched for clues to what caused the spill.

A heavy odor of oil hung in the air as tractor trailers ferried generators, lighting and ground mats to a muddy site on the outskirts of this farming community, where a breach in the Keystone pipeline discovered on Wednesday spewed 14,000 barrels of oil.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to play host to dozens of African leaders in Washington this week as the White House looks to narrow a gaping trust gap with Africa — one that has grown wider over years of frustration about America’s commitment to the continent.

NEW YORK (AP) — Caleb Williams brought sizzle, excitement and star power back to Southern California football.

And now the Heisman Trophy, too.

Williams, the dynamic quarterback who was the catalyst for the Trojans’ turnaround season, won the Heisman on Saturday night to make USC the first school to take home college football’s most prestigious player of the year award eight times.

Williams received 544 first-place votes and 2,031 points to easily outpoint TCU quarterback Max Duggan (1,420).

RENO, Nev. (AP) — A winter storm packing powerful winds, heavy rain and potentially several feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada shut down mountain highways, toppled trees and triggered flood watches and avalanche warnings on Saturday from the coast of Northern California to Lake Tahoe.

More than 250 miles (400 kilometers) of the Sierra remained under a winter storm warning at least until Sunday night or early Monday from north of Reno to south of Yosemite National Park.