News Wrap: Biden signs temporary spending bill to avert government shutdown

Amna Nawaz:

A government shutdown has been averted for now. President Biden signed into law a temporary spending bill to maintain funding for at least two more months, as Congress negotiates a long-term package. The bill notably does not include a White House request for wartime aid to Israel and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the country's military says it's making gains in the Kherson region. The Ukrainian Marine Corps claimed today more than one, 200 Russian troops have died in that operation and that they have destroyed dozens of Russian tanks, combat vehicles and artillery systems. Ukrainian troops aim to push Russian forces from the eastern bank of the Dnipro River. That could open a route to Russian-annexed Crimea.

Flooding in eastern Africa has now claimed the lives of at least 130 people. Heavy rains since October have inundated parts of Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia in what aid agencies have called a once-in-a-century event. People in Kenya had to hold onto ropes to cross streets today after downpours submerged parts of Mombasa.

Residents are frustrated their government hasn't done more to help.

Joseph Wanje, Mombasa, Kenya, Resident (through interpreter):

As you can see, everything has been damaged. Operations have stalled. Many people have been affected, and everywhere is flooded with water. We elected leaders, but we can't see any help. We're just asking the government to come and work on the drainage.

Amna Nawaz:

The deluge comes after parts of the region experienced their worst drought in four decades.

Back in this country, former first lady Rosalynn Carter is now in hospice care at her home in Plains, Georgia. The Carter Center said the 96-year-old, who's suffering from dementia, has been spending time with her family, including former President Jimmy Carter. Mr. Carter, who's 99, has been in home hospice care since February.

The head of the House Ethics Committee introduced a resolution to expel embattled Representative George Santos. That comes a day after the committee released a report citing — quote — "overwhelming evidence" that the New York Republican used campaign donations for personal expenses. The House won't vote on the resolution until after they return from their Thanksgiving break.

Honda is recalling more than 250,000 vehicles in the U.S. for potential crash risks. The automaker warned bearings could cause engines to lag or stall. The recall affects certain Honda Pilot SUVs, Odyssey minivans and Ridgeline pickup trucks, along with two different Acura models.

Wall Street closed out its third straight winning week today. The Dow Jones industrial average gained two points to close at 34947. The Nasdaq rose 12 points, and the S&P 500 added six.

And it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas today in Washington, with the arrival of this year's Capitol Christmas tree. The 63-foot Norway spruce made the journey all the way from West Virginia's Monongahela National Park. Each year, a different national park provides the tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The holiday tradition dates all the way back to 1964.