Syrian rebel forces were approaching the country’s third largest city of Homs, raising the prospect of the country’s capital city Damascus being cut off from coastal areas that are a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad. Chris Livesay reports. Source

President Biden is said to be considering a wave of preemptive pardons to protect President-elect Donald Trump’s high-profile opponents from his possible retribution. But some Democrats argue these types of pardons could set a dangerous precedent. Ed O’Keefe has details. Source

A judge dismissed the second-degree manslaughter charge in the Daniel Penny trial after the jury said twice Friday that they were unable to reach a unanimous vote on it. Penny is charged in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely aboard a New York City subway last year. Alice Gainer has more. Source

The manhunt is widening for the gunman in the killing of United HealthCare CEO Brian Thompson. More than 48 hours after that brazen shooting in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, police now believe the man they are looking for has left New York City, sources say. Lilia Luciana has the latest developments. Source

Elon Musk was the largest donor in the 2024 election cycle, spending at least $277 million to back President-elect Donald Trump and other Republican candidates. Source

Spotify released its 2024 Wrapped year in review this week, naming Taylor Swift as the most-streamed artist of 2024. Spotify’s pop senior editor Talia Kraines joins CBS News to break down this year’s music. Source

Excitement is in the air in Paris as the Notre Dame Cathedral prepares to finally reopen this weekend after a devastating fire almost destroyed it in 2019. CBS News reporter Elaine Cobbe has the latest. Source

Nine college football conference champions will be decided by the end of this weekend. The Georgia Bulldogs will take on the Texas Longhorns for the SEC Championship, while Oregon will take on Penn State in the Big Ten Championship on CBS and Paramount+ at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. CBS Sports college football writer Will Backus has more. Source

It’s the end of an era for Taylor Swift’s record-breaking “Eras Tour” this weekend in Canada after 20 months and nearly 150 shows spanning five continents. Meanwhile, the upcoming Dolly Parton Broadway musical announced an open casting call. Lamar Dawson, SiriusXM radio host, breaks it all down. Source

Thousands of people have been forced to leave parts of central Syria as rebel forces advance on the country’s third-largest city of Homs. It would be a major win for the rebels, who have also captured the city of Aleppo. CBS News national security contributor Sam Vinograd joins with analysis. Source