The caucus vote is just the first of two key elections Pelosi needs to win. The full House formally votes on its next speaker on Jan. 3, the first day of Congress’ next session.
Magnus Carlsen Retains His Title As World Chess Champion
Carlsen, a 27-year-old Norwegian, has held the title since 2013. He defeated Fabiano Caruana, who would have been the first U.S. citizen to win the world title since Bobby Fischer.
Businessman Gives $1,000 Checks To Every Student At Paradise High School
The California town was largely destroyed by fire earlier this month. High school “was the first, last and only truly carefree time,” said Bob Wilson, who gave $1.1 million to students and staff.
Fed Chief’s Remarks On Economy And Interest Rates Cheer Investors
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said that the outlook for the U.S. economy remains solid and that interest rates are nearly within a “neutral” range, touching off a surge in stock prices.
A Trauma Surgeon Who Survived Gun Violence Is Taking On The NRA
When Joseph Sakran was 17, he was shot in the throat after a high school football game. That experience inspired him to become a surgeon — and to speak out against gun violence.
Fast-Tracking Logging On Federal Lands May Not Lessen Wildfire Risk
The current version of the Farm Bill includes House-backed provisions that would streamline logging projects on federal land. The administration argues logging could mitigate wildfire risk.
Supreme Court Appears Ready To Make It Harder For States To Confiscate Property
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday about one of the few remaining provisions in the Bill of Rights not yet applied to the states: the ban on excessive fines.
‘That’s How I Found Out I Was Dead’: Soccer Club Fakes Player’s Demise (Poorly)
Fernando LaFuente’s former team, Ballybrack FC in Dublin, says it made an “unacceptable mistake” by falsely reporting his death in an accident. He didn’t find out about it until coworkers told him.
Mexican Government Gives Jared Kushner Highest Honors, Angering Critics
The country’s government said the Order of the Aztec Eagle goes to the White House senior adviser for his role in trade talks, a move some Mexicans are calling a “humiliation.”
Margaret Atwood Is Writing A Sequel To ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
Atwood said that she was inspired by readers’ questions about the dystopian world of Gilead — and, she says, by “the world we’ve been living in.” It’s set to be released next September.
President Hits Mueller Hard After Report That Manafort Lawyer Briefed Trump Team
Trump’s account reposted a tweet featuring a meme that asked: “Now that Russia collusion is a proven lie, when do the trials for treason begin?”
Trump Is Expected To Extend U.S. Troops’ Deployment To Mexico Border Into January
The move would extend the rare deployment of active-duty troops at the U.S.-Mexico border, rather than only National Guard soldiers and personnel.
Russia Plans To Deploy More S-400 Missiles To Disputed Crimea Peninsula
Russia’s military already has three of the S-400 “Triumf” divisions on the Black Sea peninsula; it plans to have another in place and operational by the year’s end.
Lion Air Jet Was ‘Un-Airworthy’ In Lead-Up To Fatal Crash, Investigators Say
Indonesia’s transportation safety committee’s report addressed maintenance practices, pilot training and an anti-stall system on the Boeing 737. It did not identify a firm cause for the crash.
Authorities Describe ‘Confusion And Chaos’ At Borderline Bar Shooting In California
The FBI says they’ve found no evidence of “radicalization” of the shooter, Ian David Long, at the mass shooting at the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, Calif., earlier this month.
Tijuana Residents Grow Irritated By Influx Of Central American Migrants
In Tijuana, thousands of migrants are waiting for their turn for an interview with U.S. immigration officials. Most are camped out in a squalid sports complex that’s been turned into a shelter.
Why The Abortion Rate In Pakistan Is One Of The World’s Highest
Family planning researchers point to a number of reasons. The procedure itself is legal in Pakistan — but only in limited circumstances.
If Pelosi Returns As Speaker, So Would The GOP Playbook Against Her
Tying Democrats to Nancy Pelosi did not stop a blue wave in 2018, but many Republicans say she’s still a “toxic” figure whom they could use against her party in 2020 if Speaker Pelosi returns.
Obamacare Sign-Ups Lag As Trump Slashes Funds For Enrollment Help
The Trump administration is spending $10 million this year on health care navigators — down from $63 million in 2016. Nationwide, workers are scrambling to apprise people of insurance options.
For Defense Against Active Shooters, University Hands Out Hockey Pucks
The faculty union at Michigan’s Oakland University purchased 2,500 hockey pucks to be used as a potential weapon of last resort. The pucks also double as a fundraising tool.
Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith Wins Miss. Senate Runoff After Racially Charged Campaign
Revelations about Hyde-Smith in recent weeks revived memories of the state’s dark history of racism and violence. She prevailed over Democrat Mike Espy and has to run again in 2020 for a full term.
Google Tweaks Email Program That Assumed An Investor Was Male
When Google saw that one of its predictive text technologies assumed someone’s gender based on occupation, it blocked the technology from using all gender-based pronouns.
French President Holds Firm On Clean-Energy Goals, Despite Protests
A grassroots movement in France, the mostly working-class “yellow vests,” objects to new gasoline taxes. French President Emmanuel Macron says he sympathizes, but the tax will stand.
Honduran President’s Brother Arrested In Miami On Drug Trafficking Charges
The federal indictment alleges Juan Antonio Hernández — a former lawyer and congressman in Honduras — smuggled tons of cocaine into the U.S., aided by prominent politicians and law enforcement.
U.S. Seeing Lowest Level Of Unauthorized Immigrants In A Decade, Pew Study Says
A large decline in illegal immigration from Mexico means fewer unauthorized immigrants living in the U.S., and those already here are likely to be long-term residents, according to a new study.
Stephen Hillenburg, Creator Of ‘SpongeBob SquarePants,’ Has Died At 57
The underwater world of Bikini Bottom, where the action takes place, reflects Hillenburg’s deep interest in marine life. The show has been highly successful over nearly 20 years.
After Months Stuck Living In Airport, Syrian Finds Refuge Half A World Away
Hassan Al Kontar arrived in Canada eight months after posting his first pleas for help at a Malaysian airport. He didn’t have a visa to go anywhere else — until he found allies in an unlikely place.
McConnell Vows Congressional Response To ‘Abhorrent’ Khashoggi Slaying
McConnell told reporters that the CIA “basically certified” Saudi involvement at high levels in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi — breaking with President Trump, who said it was unclear.
Assange, Manafort Deny Report They Met. The White House Declined To Address It
The boss of WikiLeaks and Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman both said Tuesday they hadn’t met before the 2016 election, notwithstanding a news account that said Manafort had flown to London.
How To Make A Good Charitable Choice On Giving Tuesday — And Beyond
Charities are clamoring for your money. We’ve got some advice to help you sort through the appeals.
Trump Administration Threatens To Withhold Subsidies From GM
Angered by General Motors’ decision to idle plants and lay off thousands of workers, the Trump administration threatened to retaliate by withholding federal subsidies for the company’s cars.
Stalemate To Checkmate: After 12 Draws, World Chess Championship Will Speed Up
The event could give the U.S. its first champion since Bobby Fischer took the crown in 1972. Italian-American Fabiano Caruana will play world champion Magnus Carlsen.
London Police Release Video Of Officers’ Cars Hitting Mopeds, Triggering A Debate
Scotland Yard created a video montage that’s essentially a highlight reel of police cars pursuing mopeds and motorcycles — and bumping into them, sending their riders flying.
Silent Discos Are Not Silent Enough, Residents Of Edinburgh Complain
Critics say silent discos aren’t as quiet as the name implies, and that they can be a public menace when crowds rove the sidewalks, belting out lyrics to classic songs.
Cargill Tests Robotic Cattle Driver As A Way To Improve Worker Safety
Hundreds of injuries — and some fatalities — are caused by cattle each year. But a new robot might be able to emulate some sounds and actions of workers, keeping them safe from kicks and attacks.
We’re Living Longer … But A Medical Journal Sees Many Causes For Alarm
Life expectancy is up. The death rate for young children is down. So why is Dr. Richard Horton, editor of ‘The Lancet,’ worried about global health?