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Here's the biggest news you missed this weekend


Iran general Qasem Soleimani's death stirs wide fallout

The killing of powerful Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani has prompted fears of violence and chaos across the Middle East as national security experts warned it could galvanize Iran's proxy forces and put a target on Americans across the globe. "The entire world will need to be on high alert for months or, more likely, years," said Jon Alterman, senior vice president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

President Donald Trump on Saturday offered Congress a defense of his decision to kill Soleimani as required under the War Powers Act of 1973, which requires formal notification to Congress within 48 hours of military-style action. Late Sunday, Trump threatened to "quickly and fully strike back" if Tehran launches a retaliatory attack — suggesting that a U.S. response might be "disproportionate." 

Al-Shabab attacks military base used by US forces in Kenya

Al-Shabab extremists overran a key military base used by U.S. counterterror forces in Kenya before dawn Sunday, killing three American Department of Defense personnel and destroying several U.S. aircraft and vehicles before they were repelled, U.S. and Kenyan authorities said. The attack on the Manda Bay Airfield was the al-Qaida-linked group’s first attack against U.S. forces in the East African country, and the military called the security situation “fluid” several hours after the assault. Five attackers were killed, Kenyan military spokesman Paul Njuguna said.

'1917' surprises with Golden Globes win for best drama

The 77th annual Golden Globe Awards was one heck of a show on Sunday. From Brad Pitt to Laura Dern to Joaquin Phoenix to Awkwafina, many of film and TV’s biggest stars took home the top honors. What else went down? "1917" surprised with a Golden Globe win for best drama, beating out "Joker" and "The Irishman;" Jennifer Lopez didn’t win her category, and her dress also failed to impress; Host Ricky Gervais didn’t cause as much of a ruckus as expected; and “Succession” scored wins for best drama series and a best actor win for lead Brian Cox. Oh, and did we mention that Pitt made a “Titanic” joke during his acceptance speech, nodding at his “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” co-star Leonardo DiCaprio? Like we said, one heck of a show. 

5 dead, dozens hurt as crash shuts down 86 miles of Pennsylvania Turnpike

At least five people were killed and scores more injured Sunday in a massive crash that involved two tractor trailers, a tour bus and passenger vehicles and shut down almost 100 miles of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in both directions. The crash occurred at about 3:30 a.m. ET Sunday near mile marker 86 on the westbound side of the highway. Pennsylvania State Police spokesperson Stephen Limani said the bus was struck by two tractor-trailers, then another truck and a passenger car. Photos from the scene show the bus on its side, along with battered Fedex and UPS trucks with packages scattered on the highway. The National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating. 

Real quick

'Scale of the disaster is enormous': Bush fires, politics heat up as Australia burns

The prime minister of Australia, feeling the political heat from devastating bushfires that have swept across a wide swath of his nation for months, unveiled a two-year plan Sunday aimed at expediting recovery from the historic blazes. "The scale of the disaster is enormous," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. And the toll has been high: At least 24 people killed and 2,000 homes destroyed. Authorities in New South Wales estimated that 500 million birds, reptiles and other animals have died in the blazes. Sunday brought a brief respite with calmer winds and a break in the heat. But, authorities warn the fires will continue their rampage for months.

NFL playoffs: Patriots go home early, Brady calls retirement ‘unlikely’

The NFL playoffs kicked off with two nail-biting games on Saturday. First, a back-and-forth, overtime thriller saw the Houston Texans overcome a 16-0 third quarter deficit to beat the Buffalo Bills, 22-19. Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson orchestrated a 73-yard game-winning drive in overtime to add to the Bills’ history of postseason heartbreaks. The New England Patriots were shown up by running back Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans in the Saturday night game, losing by a final of 20-13. After the game, legendary Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said he’s uncertain on his future, but called retirement “pretty unlikely.” The New Orleans Saints' title hopes were dashed Sunday in the biggest upset of the wild card round. The Minnesota Vikings used quarterback Kirk Cousins' overtime touchdown pass to escape New Orleans with a 26-20 win.

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Contributing: Associated Press