Whats New?

The leader of France’s far-right National Front says voters rejected the “old political class” in regional elections that put her party top.
BBC News – Europe

Schools, hospital services and travel are disrupted after Storm Desmond brings flooding to parts of north-west England, while Cumbria Police say a man’s body has been found after a river search.
BBC News – UK

The US Supreme court has refused to take up a case brought by gun owners challenging an Illinois city’s ban on so-called assault weapons.
BBC News – US & Canada

A long-time US member of al-Shabab is arrested while trying to escape the group in Somalia, a local official tells the BBC.
BBC News – Africa

The A’s and right-handed reliever Ryan Madson have agreed to a three-year, $ 22 million deal, a source confirmed to MLB.com’s Jane Lee.
OAK Homepage News

OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec.
Oklahoma City Thunder

Greece’s parliament approves a budget for 2016 that includes sharp spending cuts and some tax increases amid economic recession.
BBC News – Business

Yemen: Aden Governor Jaafar Mohammed Saad is killed in a bomb attack on his convoy, security sources say.
BBC News – Middle East

The wreck of the San Jose, a treasure-laden Spanish galleon sunk by the British 300 years ago, has been found off the Colombian city of Cartagena, President Juan Manuel Santos announces.
BBC News – Latin America & Caribbean

French voters go to the polls in regional elections with the far-right National Front hoping to make gains three weeks after the Paris attacks.
BBC News – Europe

Flood waters are expected to reach their peak between 09:00 and 12:00 GMT after heavy rain from Storm Desmond hit northern England and southern Scotland.
BBC News – UK

President Barack Obama says the US “will not be terrorised” by the deadly San Bernardino shootings, which the FBI is treating as a terror act.
BBC News – US & Canada

Three suicide attacks have hit an island on Lake Chad, killing at least 27 people, security sources say.
BBC News – Africa

Six months prior to the 2016 Draft, the class is beginning to take shape. MLBPipeline.com’s Top 50 Draft Prospects list reflects what that class looks like at present, led by four pitchers — New Jersey prep lefty […]

Each night in the NBA presents its own unique cha
Oklahoma City Thunder

Rare is it that the A’s stay quiet at the Winter Meetings, what with ongoing roster reconstruction headed by a tireless front office that seemingly never stops no matter the time of year.
OAK Homepage News

US jobs growth remained solid in November as the economy added 211,000 jobs, which could now signal a December interest rate rise.
BBC News – Business

Sixteen people have been killed in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, after firebombs were thrown into a restaurant after a dispute, officials say.
BBC News – Middle East

Ecuador’s legislature approves several controversial constitutional amendments, including one allowing the president to be re-elected indefinitely.
BBC News – Latin America & Caribbean

Police are seeking two new suspects accused of aiding Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam, the Belgian prosecutor’s office says.
BBC News – Europe