Evan Koslof

Salvage crews remove large portion of commercial jet from river near DC Authorities have recovered and identified 55 of the 67 people killed in the crash

A large crane arrived at Potomac River to remove the tangled debris.

This follows the deadly midair collision b/w an American Airlines jet & a military helicopter last week, killing 67 people.

Investigators are hoping the black boxes can share what went wrong.

ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Breaking:

A White House senior administration official says NC native Keith Siegel will be one of the Americans released in the ceasefire deal.

Biden prepares farewell address from Oval Office as he cedes power to Trump Americans have dim views on his presidency, and Biden isn't leaving in the way that he wanted.

BIDEN FAREWELL ADDRESS:

After a half-century in public office, @POTUS is leaving office on Monday when Donald Trump is inaugurated.

Biden is set to deliver a farewell address tonight - to highlight his accomplishments - and write first draft of his legacy.

MORE: ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Blinken says Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal is 'on the brink' During his last public speech as secretary of state, Antony Blinken said the deal could happen within hours or days.

"On the brink of full and final agreement..."

After 15 months of war - Israel & Hamas appear close to deal to bring 33 hostages home as well as hundreds of Palestinian Prisoners.

It would also include withdrawal from population centers by Israeli military.

MORE: ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Biden says U.S. will cover California wildfire recovery cost for 180 days Biden convened key White House and administration officials on Thursday to receive a briefing on the federal response to the fires.

"We are with you. We're not going anywhere."

Biden holds briefing on Fed. response to California Wildfires at the #WhiteHouse.

Biden approved a 'Major Disaster' declaration & has pledged that the fed. government will cover 100% of emergency costs for next 180 days.

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Canada, Greenland and Panama Canal should be part of U.S., Trump says The president-elect said he wouldn't rule out the use of military force to claim Greenland and the Panama Canal

In sprawling News Conference, Trump made numerous headlines:

➡️ Pushed to rename Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America.
➡️ Called for U.S. takeover of Greenland & Panama Canal.
➡️ Suggested Wayne Gretzky for PM in Canada.
➡️ Promised "major pardons" for January 6 rioters.

bit.ly/3PqOYD7

Congress certifies Trump's election win four years after Jan. 6 attack The proceedings were far less eventful than in 2021, when rioters attacked law enforcement and attempted to reach lawmakers behind barricaded doors.

“Today we will not see the violence we saw four years ago."

#Congress formally certified the #Election of Donald Trump without any protests or disruptions like we saw during the #January6 Riot in 2021.

ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Johnson overcomes GOP opposition to retain House speakership on first vote Two Republicans changed their initial votes to support Johnson, putting him over the threshold needed to win

DRAMA ON THE HOUSE FLOOR:

Rep. Mike Johnson selected as House Speaker in dramatic fashion, as multiple GOP hold-outs changed their vote last minute to give him the gavel.

The vote cleared the way for the 119th Congress to be sworn in.

ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

House rejects Trump-backed plan on government shutdown, next steps uncertain House Speaker Mike Johnson didn't even get a majority, with the bill failing 174-235.

SHUTDOWN LOOMING:

➡️ New #GOP Proposal to extend funding for 3 months FAILS 235 - 174. (38 Republicans voted no).

➡️ This follows the collapse of an agreement b/w Dems & GOP on Wed after Elon Musk & Trump came out against it.

➡️ If no deal, shutdown starts 12:01am on Sat.

ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

House approves $895B defense bill with military raises, ban on transgender care The bill is traditionally bipartisan, but some Democratic lawmakers opposed the ban on transgender medical treatments for children of military members

NDAA PASSES:

Massive Defense Authorization Bill clears House by vote of 281 - 140:

➡️ Authorizes over $880 B in spending.
➡️ Pay raise of 14.5% for jr enlisted service members.
➡️ Provision banning gender-affirming care for trans children of service members.

ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Syrian PM says government still works; U.N. says public sector at complete halt Streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future

TOPPLING OF ASSAD REGIME:

In Damascus, Syria - there were celebrations, following the toppling of the brutal dictatorship of Bashar Al-Assad.

But what's next? And what do we know about 'HTS' - the designated terrorist group - that toppled the regime?

Full Story: specne.ws/tX2QSQ

Rep. AOC officially launches her bid to be the top Oversight Dem >>

"This is not a position I seek lightly ... we must focus on the Cmte’s strong history of both holding admins accountable & taking on the economic precarity & inequality that is challenging the American way of life"

Hegseth faces senators' concerns about his behavior, views on women in combat Hegseth has frequently said that women should not serve in frontline military combat jobs.

TRUMP LATEST:

➡️ Trump's pick for DOD Sect - Pete Hegseth - was on #CapitolHill for the 4th straight day, meeting with GOP Senators. (Banks/Rounds/etc)

➡️ Hegseth calls allegations of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement, & excessive drinking a 'smear' campaign.

ny1.com/nyc/all-boro...

Trump picks former Florida AG Bondi for attorney general after Gaetz withdraws Gaetz withdrew his nomination on Thursday amid sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls, which he has denied.

GAETZ OUT ➡️ BONDI IN:

Trump's controversial pick for #AttorneyGeneral - Matt Gaetz - pulls name from consideration.

"It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction."

Just hours later, Trump taps Former FL AG Pam Bondi.

Details: spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/jamestow...

Trump chooses former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker as NATO ambassador The president-elect has repeatedly expressed skepticism about the alliance

TRUMP TRANSITON:

Trump taps Matthew Whitaker for NATO Ambassador:

➡️ Former Acting AG in Trump's 1st term after Jeff Sessions fired.

➡️ Previously attorney in So. Dist. of Iowa.

➡️ Nato has played crucial role bolstering support for #Ukraine, which marked 1,000 days of war on Tue

bit.ly/3OlWCy9

Johnson urges Senate GOP to quickly approve Trump nominees Johnson said he spent the weekend with the president-elect talking about the GOP agenda ahead, noting Trump needs an “aggressive Cabinet."

TRUMP TRANSITION:

➡️ Trump taps TV host Dr. Oz to lead Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services

➡️ CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald Howard Lutnick picked as commerce sect.

➡️ JD Vance expected on Hill w/ nominees this week to push confirmations

➡️ More fallout from Gaetz Pick

FULL STORY: specne.ws/7sVY7K