It’s just days before Christmas, but Washington is far from putting a bow on things and retreating until the new year. This poorly timed political upheaval can seem too daunting to track — especially if you’re traveling. So here are the basics, with links to our detailed coverage. And for a nightly rundown of the day’s top stories, subscribe to our Evening Briefing. A shutdown begins The federal government partly shut down at 12:01 a.m. Saturday after funding expired. The House and Senate adjourned for the evening Friday, ending any hopes of a last-minute compromise. Both chambers are expected to reconvene on Saturday at noon. Stay up-to-date with our live coverage. Funding was set to run out for several federal agencies, including the Agriculture, Commerce and Homeland Security Departments.Here’s what to expect from a government shutdown. At the heart of the battle is the wall at the border with Mexico that President Trump promised during the … [Read more...] about Christmas Is Near, but the News Won’t Stop. Here’s What to Follow.
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How We Publish In-Depth Stories on Big News, Moments After It’s Announced
In an effort to shed more light on how we work, The Times is running a series of short posts explaining some of our journalistic practices. Read more of this series here . President Trump could wait no longer. On Wednesday — a day after the midterm elections, with several races still too close to call — the president forced the resignation of his attorney general, Jeff Sessions. The New York Times quickly published a 1,300-word story, the first version of which had been written in July … of 2017. That was after President Trump lashed out at Mr. Sessions in an interview. And for the past 16 months, Peter Baker, the chief White House correspondent, has been updating the story, and waiting. “Every time something happened in the news that made us wonder if Sessions was about to resign or be fired, we would update it and make sure it was ready to go,” Mr. Baker said. It was a type of article known in the newsroom as an H.F.O. — “Hold for … [Read more...] about How We Publish In-Depth Stories on Big News, Moments After It’s Announced
Some Good News, and a Hard Truth, About Science
Shortly before turning 30, Prince Charles complained to the press about its seeming obsession with bad news. “Why don’t they, for a change, tell us how many jumbo jets landed safely at Heathrow Airport,” he groused. So, as a birthday gift, the Times of London printed a front page containing only good news. The death rate from suicide was declining, the paper reported, and in the previous week 8,000 marriages were performed, 12,200 babies were born, 92 percent of the first-class mail was delivered on time, and no banks collapsed. This news reached readers of The New York Times on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 1978. The item appeared on page C8, in a small story toward the back of the first issue of the paper’s new Science Times section, where the science stories gave way to social news and movie times for “Grease” and “Animal House.” Would the contents of that first Science Times have cheered the Prince? Some headlines, such as “Sociologists … [Read more...] about Some Good News, and a Hard Truth, About Science
The 29 most surreal lines from Donald Trump’s Fox News interview
(CNN)On Thursday, President Donald Trump sat down for an interview with Fox News personality Harris Faulkner. It was, um, chummy -- with Faulkner asking Trump questions like "What do you love about being President?" and "You have such energy for this." (Yes, I know the latter isn't a question at all.) I went through the transcript -- which covers the sentencing of his former attorney Michael Cohen, Trump's dealings with China and why he doesn't get better press -- and plucked out the, uh, "best" lines from the President. They're below. THE POINT -- NOW ON YOUTUBE! In each episode of his weekly YouTube show, Chris Cillizza will delve a little deeper into the surreal world of politics. Click to subscribe! 1. "I don't think -- and I have to go check. I don't think they even paid any money to that tabloid. I don't think we've made a payment to that tabloid." Trump's argument here -- I think -- is that because neither he nor the campaign ever paid the National Enquirer any … [Read more...] about The 29 most surreal lines from Donald Trump’s Fox News interview
Tencent finally gets some good news on gaming in China
Hong Kong (CNN Business)Tencent's gaming nightmare in China appears to be coming to an end. Shares in the Chinese internet giant, the world's largest gaming company, rose more than 5% Friday, after a government official signaled a prolonged freeze on approvals for new games is finally coming to an end. "Approvals for the first batch of games have been completed, and we are working to issue licenses," Feng Shixin, a senior official at the ruling Communist Party's publicity department said at a gaming conference Friday. The government had stopped issuing licenses that allow companies to make money from new online games earlier this year in China, the world's largest gaming market. The holdup was attributed to an overhaul of the government agencies that regulate the industry, but it also coincided with warnings from authorities about the violent content and addictive nature of some games. Tencent will check the ages of all its gamers The halt in approvals wiped billions off … [Read more...] about Tencent finally gets some good news on gaming in China