National and International News-Monday, Dec. 18th

HOOD RIVER, Ore. (AP) - The identity of the climber found dead on Oregon's Mount Hood is expected to be released today. The search also resumes for two other climbers with the focus on possible descent routes in case they got down that far.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The nation gets a new defense secretary today. Robert Gates will take the oath of office in a private event at the White House, with a public swearing-in to follow at the Pentagon. Gates replaces Donald Rumsfeld, who stepped down over public dissatisfaction with the war in Iraq.

BEIJING (AP) - The United States says it will normalize relations with North Korea if it scraps its nuclear program. North Korea says it wants all sanctions lifted first. Talks are taking place in Beijing for the first time since the North tested a nuclear device in October.

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (AP) - No day off for the Discovery astronauts. An unplanned fourth spacewalk has been added today in hopes of getting a stubborn, half-retracted solar array to fold up. The space shuttle's return to Earth has been pushed back to Friday.

NEW YORK (AP) - The liberal talk radio network Air America Radio is on the verge of being sold. No word on who the prospective buyer is. The network was launched two years ago as an alternative to conservative talk radio but went bankrupt two months ago.