Patch Morning Briefing: Obama Says He Would've Won, Nuclear Blunders, Simone Biles Honored

Good morning Patchers - Here's a look at some of what you need to know to make it through the day:

OBAMA SAYS HE WOULD HAVE WON

He thinks he would have beaten Trump. At the same time, he understands why Hillary Clinton ran the campaign that she did. In a sort-of exit interview with his former chief strategist and current CNN contributor David Axelrod, Obama said that he plans to stay active in the Democratic Party — and write a book. (Patch).

TENSIONS RISE IN MIDDLE EAST

On the heels of the United States choosing not to stop a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israel, Israel announced it would build even more homes in East Jerusalem. Saying it will not "turn the other cheek," Israel said it would cut ties with countries that had voted for the resolution. (New York Times).

OBAMA, JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER TO VISIT U.S.S. ARIZONA

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will become the fourth Japanese prime minister to visit Pearl Harbor - but the first to visit the U.S.S. Arizona memorial where nearly 1,200 died when it was sunk on Dec. 7, 1941. Abe's visit is in return for Obama's visit to Hiroshima this year. (CNN).

TRUMP SEES CHINA AS ENEMY, HIS HOTELS SEE OTHERWISE

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump often railed against China as the enemy. For the past eight years, though, his company has been trying to open hotels there - as many as 30. (Washington Post).

ESCALATION BETWEEN CHINA AND TAIWAN

"The threat of our enemies is growing day by day," the Taiwanese defense minister said as Chinese naval ships rounded the island during a military exercise. (Reuters).

QUICK HITS

Vera Rubin, Pioneer Astronomer, Dies (Patch)

Meteors and Eclipses: Your 2017 Calendar to Celestial Events (Patch)

Oregon State Trooper, Shot by Suspect, Battles for His Life (Patch)

BECAUSE WHO DOESN'T WANT NUCLEAR BLUNDERS?

A new report out of England says that the nuclear safety regulator there has ignored dozens of errors at power plants and military bases. These include a torpedo accidentally fired by a Navy warship at a nuclear submarine dock and 70 safety incidents at the United Kingdom's main nuclear warhead base (Times of London).

PROBLEMS AHEAD FOR SOME OF TRUMP'S CABINET PICKS

With five billionaires and a half-dozen multi-millionaires nominated for Cabinet positions in the Trump administration, chances are they will face "what is likely to be one of the most arduous and expensive Senate confirmation process in recent history." That, according to the Wall Street Journal.

MEANWHILE - TEAM TRUMP READIES FOR A FIGHT (OR TWO)

With all these possible confirmation battles looming on the horizon, the Trump transition team is setting up a war room - complete with researchers and public relations executives. (Politico).

THAT THERE WASN'T HACKING MAY HAVE BEEN DUMB LUCK

A new study shows that even though there has been no evidence of vote rigging in the recent presidential election, that may be evidence that the country dodged a bullet more than anything else. A new study looks at problems including 11 states where the majority of voters cast ballots that are stored electronically - no backups kept in case there needs to be a recount. (Associated Press).

OLYMPIAN SIMONE BILES - AP FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

She bounded her way to a gold medal over the summer in Rio, and now Simone Biles has another accolade - Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year. She received 31 of 59 possible votes. Second place went to fellow Olympian, swimmer Katie Ledecky. She had 20 votes. (Patch).

DIAMONDS + COPPER + SULFUR = THINNEST WIRES POSSIBLE

So what? you ask. By making the thinnest wires possible — ever — scientists have created a situation where smaller electronic circuits can me made, allowing smaller and smaller devices with even more computing power. (QZ).

BOFFO BOX OFFICE AS 2016 CLOSES ON LAST YEAR'S RECORD

With movies like "Rogue One," 2016 is ending on a very strong note for Hollywood. With one week to go, last year's record $11.1 billion seems set to fall. The box office has been helped by strong PG movies such as "Zootopia," "The Secret Life of Pets," "Sing" and "Moana." (Deadline Hollywood).

That's what's happening in the world this morning. Thanks for reading - have a great day and see you back here Wednesday morning - on the Patch.

Photo - Agencia Brasil Fotografias via Wikimedia Commons