News Wrap: In annual news conference, Putin vows to continue war in Ukraine

Geoff Bennett:

The day's other headlines begin in Russia, where President Vladimir Putin held his annual year-end press conference.

During the marathon session, more than four hours this year, Putin reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the war in Ukraine and hedged on the question of a potential arms race with the U.S.

Stephanie Sy reports.

Stephanie Sy:

An annual glimpse into the mind of Russia's strongman, complete with Cold War-era missile threats and denials that any of his policies have failed, including in Syria. That's despite the recent ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who Putin backed during the 14-year civil war and who was forced to flee to Russia. Putin said he has yet to meet with Assad.

With Moscow's influence in the region sharply curtailed and the future of its two military bases in Syria unknown, Putin dismissed any notion of defeat to an NBC reporter.

Vladimir Putin, Russian President (through interpreter):

You and those who pay your salaries would like to present everything that is happening in Syria as some kind of failure, a defeat for Russia. I assure you it is not true. We maintain relations with all the groups that control the situation there, with all the countries in the region.

The overwhelming majority of them tells us that they would be interested in keeping our military bases in Syria. I don't know. We will have to think about it.

Stephanie Sy:

The Russian president also vowed to continue the war in Ukraine, agreeing to come to the negotiating table only if Ukraine submits to concessions.

Vladimir Putin (through interpreter):

We are ready to negotiate, but the other side needs to be ready for both negotiations and compromises.

Stephanie Sy:

Russia has captured over 26,000 square miles of Ukrainian territory since the launch of its full-scale offensive nearly three years ago. Ukraine has struggled to keep up with Russia's onslaught of manpower.

Today, Ukraine launched six U.S.-made ATACMS and four British Storm Shadow missiles into Russia's Rostov region, almost all of which Russia said were shot down. Putin also alluded to turning up the heat in an arms race with the U.S., claiming that the new hypersonic Oreshnik missile recently used on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro cannot be intercepted by Western air defenses, despite analysts' claims to the contrary.

He suggested a missile duel might be in order.

Vladimir Putin (through interpreter):

How about they propose to us to conduct some kind of technological experiment, a high-tech duel of the 21st century? Let them name some object, let's say, in Kyiv, concentrate all their air defense and missile defense forces there, and we will hit it with Oreshnik and see what happens. We are ready for such an experiment.

Stephanie Sy:

With president-elect Trump set to take office in less than a month and promising to make a deal to end the war, Putin denied he would be in a weaker position when and if they do meet and said they had not spoken in four years.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Stephanie Sy.

Geoff Bennett:

Also today, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson returned to New York as he faces additional federal murder charges.

It came just after suspect Luigi Mangione waived extradition in a court in Pennsylvania. That's where he was arrested while on the run earlier this month. Mangione was flown back to New York City this afternoon, where he'd already been indicted on state charges. He was taken to a federal court to face charges, including two counts of stalking, one count of murder, plus a firearms offense.

Manhattan's district attorney said that the state and federal cases could proceed simultaneously.

Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney:

As we allege, the defendant in that case brazenly shot Mr. Thompson twice in Midtown Manhattan. It was targeted, premeditated, and meant to sow terror. Speaking generally, we have had state prosecutions and federal prosecutions proceed as parallel matters, and we're in conversations with our law enforcement counterparts.

Geoff Bennett:

One of Mangione's federal charges, murder by firearm, includes the possibility of the death penalty. Prosecutors have not said whether they'd seek that punishment.

In Madison, Wisconsin, new details are emerging about the shooting this week at Abundant Life Christian School. Authorities say the 15-year-old suspect who's accused of shooting and killing two people before shooting herself brought two handguns with her to school that day. The individual had also been in contact with a man in California who authorities say was plotting a separate shooting at a government building.

And we're learning the identities of the victims. They are 14-year-old Rubi Patricia Vergara, who had attended Abundant Life since kindergarten, and 42-year-old Erin Michelle West, a teacher at the school. Two other students are still in critical condition.

Amazon workers at seven facilities across the nation walked off the job this morning. They're aiming to pressure the retailer into contract negotiations during this busy holiday rush. The strikes are taking place at seven Amazon warehouses in California, Illinois, New York and Georgia.

Protesters:

Worker!

Protesters:

Power!

Protesters:

Worker!

Protesters:

Power!

Geoff Bennett:

Workers were out well before the sun came up forming picket lines by the dozens. They're demanding higher pay, better benefits and safer working conditions. And they acknowledge that the timing could affect customers.

Josh Black, Amazon Warehouse Associate:

We don't want this to be something that makes the customer suffer. We want everybody to have a great Christmas. But we feel like Amazon has forced us into this, so whatever impacts we have, whatever packages are late, I just want everyone out there to remember that this is because Amazon's refusing to come to the bargaining table.

Geoff Bennett:

Amazon says the strikes will not affect its operations during the holiday period.

Nearly 200 tons of food, water and other aid arrived by Navy ship today to the devastated islands of Mayotte five days after a massive tropical cyclone tore through the French territory. The deliveries coincided with a visit from French President Emmanuel Macron.

At least 31 people are confirmed dead and more than 200 critically injured, but authorities fear the death toll is actually much higher. Reactions to Macron's visit were mixed, with some demanding more help.

Abdou Houmadou, Mayotte Resident (through interpreter):

Mayotte doesn't necessarily need your presence, but what Mayotte needs is your help, your support. What you spent in coming here from Paris to Mayotte would be better if you had used it to help the population.

Geoff Bennett:

Meanwhile, dramatic new footage has emerged of frantic scenes in the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. People had to rush to safety after a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck its capital on Tuesday.

At least 10 people have been confirmed dead so far. That number is expected to rise as search crews from Australia, New Zealand and France search through the rubble. The U.N. says nearly 1,000 people have been displaced.

On Wall Street today, stocks ended mostly unchanged after yesterday's sell-off. The Dow Jones industrial average just barely managed to end in positive territory, adding 15 points. The Nasdaq slipped by nearly 20 points. The S&P 500 was little changed on the day.

And we have a follow-up to a story we brought you last week. The oldest known complete stone tablet of the Ten Commandments has sold at auction for more than $5 million. The auction house Sotheby's had expected more like $1 million to $2 million. The 155-pound marble slab is inscribed with the commandments in Paleo-Hebrew script and is believed to be about 1,500 years old. The buyer, who remained anonymous, plans to donate it to an Israeli institution.