Thursday morning news: December 8, 2022

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kent Covington. 

Ukraine/Russia » Russia’s so-called special military operation in Ukraine is taking longer than Vladimir Putin expected.

PUTIN: [RUSSIAN]

Putin heard there acknowledging that a takeover he thought would take only days has turned into an 8-month war that many experts say Russia is losing.

He also suggested that Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons preemptively if his country is under threat.

State Dept spokesman Ned Price responded:

PRICE: Any loose talk of nuclear weapons is absolutely irresponsible. It flies in the face of the very statement that Russia formerly signed onto in January of this year.

Russia previously signed a statement saying there can be no winner in a nuclear war and that such a war must never be fought.

Border agent suicides » At a news conference on Capitol Hill Wednesday, lawmakers announced legislation to address an alarming number of suicides among U.S. Border Patrol Agents.

Republican Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales is part of the bipartisan group. He said the border crisis is taking a toll on agents.

GONZALEZ: What they’ve been exposed to 100% has an impact on you. It reminds me of my time in the military. These war-like situations leave an everlasting impact on you.

Democratic Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar said the bill would create a curriculum for employees at the start of their careers, provide resources, and instill the importance of mental health.

He also said it’s important to address the reasons why agents might not reach out for help.

CUELLAR: Might have a law enforcement officer that’s afraid that they might get a low mark on their record because they’re asking for help.

Fourteen agents have committed suicide this year.

Suspected German coup attempt » German police have arrested dozens of people, including a retired paratrooper and a former judge on Wednesday, accusing them of a violent plot to overthrow the government.

FRANK: [German]

German chief federal prosecutor Peter Frank told reporters Wednesday that authorities arrested 25 people in pre-dawn raids in Germany, Austria and Italy.

Authorities said the group planned a violent attack on the German parliament building.

Prosecutors said the group believes in an array of conspiracy theories and are adherents of a movement that rejects Germany’s post-WWII constitution.

China trade shrinks amid virus pressure, interest rate hikes » China’s economy is slowing down as imports and exports shrink. WORLD’s Kristen Flavin explains.

KRISTEN FLAVIN, REPORTER: One big reason for the slowdown is China’s incredibly strict COVID lockdowns, which the communist government is only now beginning to lift.

Global demand is also weakening as central banks in Europe, Asia, and the United States raise interest rates to rein in surging inflation.

Chinese exports in November sank 9% from a year ago to just under $300 billion. And imports fell roughly 11% to $226 billion.

The country’s global trade surplus narrowed by 2.5% from a year earlier to $70 billion.

For WORLD, I’m Kristen Flavin.

NC power station investigation » The state of North Carolina and Duke Energy are offering a reward of up to $75,000 dollars. That’s for anyone who can help authorities identify, arrest, and convict whoever shot up a power substation on Saturday, knocking out electricity to tens of thousands.

Governor Roy Cooper …

COOPER: I know that they are leaving no stone unturned in this investigation to find those who are responsible.

The FBI is assisting with the investigation. Authorities found more than 20 shell casings from a high-powered rifle from the scene of the crime.

More than 40,000 customers lost power, forcing schools and businesses to close. And leaving many without heat. Crews have been able to restore power to most of those customers, but thousands are still in the dark.

Taliban stages first public execution » The Taliban carried out its first public execution since reclaiming power in Afghanistan last year. WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has more.

JOSH SCHUMACHER, REPORTER: The man executed on Wednesday was convicted of killing another man.

The victim’s father carried out the execution, firing three shots from a rifle as hundreds of spectators looked on.

Separately, footage posted recently to social media reportedly shows a group of men whipping a woman for going shopping without male guardian.

During the previous Taliban rule, pre-9/11, the group regularly carried out public executions, floggings, and stonings.

The recent incidents suggest a continuing return to stifling Islamic Sharia Law.

For WORLD, I’m Josh Schumacher.

I'm Kent Covington. For more news, features, and analysis, visit us at wng.org. 

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