5 things you need to know Monday
Obama visits Pentagon to ease concerns about terror-fighting strategy
President Obama prepares to visit the Pentagon on Monday with his national security team for an update on progress in the fight against the Islamic State. The visit is part of a series of events this week aimed at trying to allay concerns about his strategy for stopping the Islamic State abroad and its sympathizers at home. The U.S. fight against the terror group is intensifying. Data obtained by Paste BN shows U.S.-led air raids on Islamic State terrorists in Iraq and Syria have shifted from buildings and fixed sites to fleeting targets in recent months, reflecting advances by allied ground forces and an effort to disrupt the group's illicit trade in oil.
France's anti-immigration party falls short in regional elections
The final results from the second round of voting in France's regional elections are expected Monday as early returns show the far-right failed to repeat its strong showing of a week ago. The anti-immigration National Front led the two mainstream parties in regional voting on Dec. 6 with about 28% of the vote as it assailed the Socialist national government of President Francois Hollande for failing to thwart the terror attacks Nov. 13 in Paris and called for tighter limits on refugees streaming into Europe from the Middle East.
Ohio AG to seek injunction against Planned Parenthood
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine plans to file court papers seeking an injunction Monday that would prevent Planned Parenthood from disposing of fetal remains in landfills. The move comes after a four-month investigation of three Planned Parenthood facilities in the state. The probe began after undercover videos surfaced that allegedly showed Planned Parenthood representatives negotiating the sale of fetal organs.The investigation found no evidence the organization sold aborted fetuses, but DeWine said Planned Parenthood hired a company that heats the tissue to kill bacteria and then disposes of the remains in a Kentucky landfill. Planned Parenthood filed a federal lawsuit to "protect abortion access" in Ohio, and called DeWine's allegations false and inflammatory.
Adele returns in NBC concert special
The hugeness of Adele's voice may be matched only by the size of her TV audience when NBC airs Adele Live in New York City on Monday at 10 p.m. ET. Taped at Radio City Music Hall last month, the heavily previewed special marked the Brit's first show in four years and pulled generously from her three-album catalog, including her multimillion-selling 25. The Jimmy Fallon-hosted taping also attracted a galaxy of stars, including Jennifer Lawrence, Tina Fey, Matthew McConaughey and Donald Trump.
'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' has its Hollywood premiere
The Hollywood premiere of what could be the biggest movie of all time is slated for Monday night. As the Star Wars: The Force Awakens cast makes its way down the red carpet, fans will get an extra treat as new cast members Daisy Ridley and the droid BB-8 will be accompanied by life-size LEGO counterparts. For those of you not lucky enough to attend the event, the countdown continues. As old Master Yoda says, "Patience you must have, my young padawan."
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And, the essentials:
Weather: More snow is expected throughout the Rockies, as well as in the Northwest and California's Sierra Nevada range, while warm temperatures continue in the East.
Stocks: Global stocks oscillated on Monday.
TV tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at Childhood's End/The Expanse, Adele Live in New York City and Fargo.
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