Today is Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. Let's get caught up.
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DeSantis and Haley jockey for second and other takeaways from Iowa GOP debate
There were only two Republicans on the presidential debate stage Wednesday, as former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis met for the highest-stake faceoff yet just five days before the nominating process formally starts with Iowa's caucuses.
Haley and DeSantis' spirited debate came in the shadow of a live town hall held by the man who is dominating the primary contest, Donald Trump. The former president, of course, has stayed away from all five debates, holding a rival town hall Wednesday on Fox News. The one Republican candidate whose entire campaign has been based around stopping Trump, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, suspended his campaign just hours before the debate.
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Christie wasn't scheduled to be on the stage anyway as the field was whittled down to the only two candidates who are battling for a very distant second to Trump.
Here are takeaways from the event.
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Judge says Donald Trump won't give own closing argument at civil fraud trial after disputing rules
Donald Trump won't make his own closing argument after all in his New York civil business fraud trial after his lawyers objected to the judge's insistence that the former president stick to “relevant” matters and “not deliver a campaign speech.”
Judge Arthur Engoron nixed Trump's unusual plan on Wednesday, a day ahead of closing arguments.
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Speaker Johnson is facing conservative pushback over the spending deal he struck with Democrats
House Republicans are off to a raucous start in their first week back in Washington after an extended holiday break. Some are openly criticizing new House Speaker Mike Johnson. Others helped sink a routine procedural vote to express their displeasure with topline spending levels that Johnson negotiated with Democrats for the current fiscal year.
Most Republicans say they support Johnson, saying he is doing the best he can. But it took only eight Republicans to oust McCarthy — along with 208 Democrats. A similar revolt from just a handful of Republicans would leave Johnson vulnerable as well.
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Hunter Biden expected to plead not guilty in Los Angeles hearing on federal tax charges
Hunter Biden is expected to plead not guilty to nine felony and misdemeanor tax offenses. The charges stem from what federal prosecutors say was a four-year scheme to skip out on paying the $1.4 million he owed to the IRS and instead use the money to fund an extravagant lifestyle that by his own admission included drugs and alcohol.
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South Africa says Israel's campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide. What can the UN do about it?
Israel will defend itself in the United Nations' highest court starting Thursday against allegations that its military campaign in Gaza amounts to genocide.
South Africa asked the International Court of Justice to consider Israel's actions in light of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, drawn up in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust.
The case will likely drag on for years. Here are some details on the case and its ramifications.
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MORNING LISTEN
"The Ethical Life" hosts discuss why people are too quick to form opinions and why the latest hot take on social media does little to broaden our understanding of complex topics.
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TODAY IN HISTORY
In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed the Grand Canyon National Monument, and more events that happened on this day in history.
In 1987, Denver’s John Elway leads the Broncos on "The Drive," to secure a 23-20 overtime victory over the Cleveland Browns to win the AFC Cha…
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