- PoliticsHuffPost
National Security Aide Fired 1 Day After Melania Trump Called For Her Dismissal
Deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel has been fired, barely 24 hours after first lady Melania Trump publicly called for her dismissal. Melania Trump reportedly made the unprecedented request in response to a squabble with Ricardel over seating on a plane during the first lady’s trip to Africa last month and over the first lady’s staff’s attempt to use National Security Council resources. Not helping her case, CNN notes the adviser was also suspected of leaking unflattering stories about Trump officials she viewed as opponents and had a reputation for being brusque.
- LifestyleAOL.com
Wisconsin company gives employees handguns for Christmas: 'The perfect gift'
A Wisconsin family-owned company decided to forgo traditional cash bonuses this holiday season and, instead, opted to reward their employees' good performance with firearms. Ben Wolfgram, a co-owner of BenShot LLC, a glass manufacturer known for using bullets in their designs, told WISN his company gave each of its employees a gift card with which to purchase a gun rather than hand them the weapon. In doing so, Wolfgram says he made sure the unconventional gift complied with state law.
- PoliticsYahoo News
Howard Dean: Republicans will 'have a terrible time because they’re getting older and whiter'
Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean was pleased with the party’s performance in last week’s midterm elections — and not just because it regained control of the House. According to Dean, a much more important trend emerged. “There’s a huge grassroots movement in this country run by people who are mostly under 35,” Dean said.
- NewsYahoo News Video
Yahoo News Explains: Is the Vatican doing enough to address sexual abuse in the church?
The Vatican halted a plan by U.S. bishops to address the age-old sexual abuse issues plaguing the Roman Catholic Church. “At the insistence of the Holy See, we will not be voting on the two action items in our documentation regarding the abuse crisis,” said Cardinal Daniel DiNardo. America’s Catholic leaders hoped to vote on the first code of conduct for bishops.
- NewsHuffPost
Ryan Zinke Says California Wildfires Are Getting Worse But Won’t Mention ‘Climate Change’
After Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke visited Northern California communities hit by the Camp fire, the deadliest in state history, he acknowledged that wildfires are getting worse in the Golden State ― but managed to not say the words “climate change” once. “[Fire] season is getting longer, the temperatures are getting hotter,” Zinke said at a press conference Wednesday with California Gov. Jerry Brown. Noting that this was his fourth visit in a year to California in response to wildfires, Zinke said, “Each trip, I say this is the worst fire I’ve seen.
WorldAFPBrexit protests outside Downing Street as UK ministers debate deal
Brexit supporters and opponents rallied near Prime Minister Theresa May's Downing Street office on Wednesday as her cabinet debated the draft divorce deal inside. Pro-Brexit campaigners urged her to scrap the tentative agreement and make a clean break with European Union without paying a penny more into the EU budget.
- CelebrityHuffPost
Michelle Obama Says She And Barack Are 'Finding Each Other Again' In Post-White House Romance
Michelle Obama opened up about the struggles the two have been through in their relationship, considering the all-encompassing nature of being in politics and trying to have a family. “You go because you think the counselor is going to help you make your case against the other person,” she revealed in an OWN special with Oprah Winfrey tied to Michelle Obama’s new memoir, Becoming. It was about me exploring my sense of happiness and my voice ― the notion that you come to a relationship whole and that I couldn’t look to Barack and he couldn’t look to me to be everything,” she said.
- NewsAOL.com
Morning Brief: The top news and buzzy moments you need to know
As search crews found another body Wednesday in a house burned by a massive Southern California wildfire, officials fear many more deaths in the destructive blazes at both ends of the state that have now claimed 59 lives. It was a historic night for James as he passed Wilt Chamberlain for fifth on the all-time NBA scoring list midway through last night's game in the fourth quarter with 39 points. Singer Pink‘s husband Carey Hart‘s post — warning looters in Malibu, the location of the Woolsey Fire, that they “will be shot on” sight — has gone viral.
BusinessReutersFord, Walmart to collaborate on designing automated-vehicle delivery
Ford Motor Co, Walmart Inc and delivery service Postmates Inc will collaborate to design a service for delivering groceries and other goods to Walmart customers that could someday use autonomous vehicles, the companies said on Wednesday. The project is the latest to grow out of Ford’s broader effort to develop businesses that could use automated delivery vehicles. Ford was working with San Francisco-based Postmates already to develop delivery services that could employ automated vehicles.
- WorldYahoo News Photo Staff
U.S. troops help fortify southern border as migrant caravan approaches
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis defended the use of active duty troops on the U.S.-Mexican border, saying that in some ways it provides good training for war. The Pentagon chief said that within a week to 10 days the 5,800 troops currently deployed for the border mission will have accomplished all the tasks initially requested by Customs and Border Protection, although additional tasks are now being worked out between the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security. In addition to the 5,800 active duty troops in the border area, about 2,100 National Guard troops have been providing border support since April.
- EntertainmentHuffPost
Trevor Noah Provides 'Presidential Harassment' Training For House Democrats
With Democrats taking control of the House of Representatives, Trevor Noah noted on Wednesday’s “Daily Show” that they were ready to investigate President Donald Trump on a slew of matters. “Wow,” Noah said, “Mitch McConnell is brilliant. For that reason, he said, he had a video that Democrats would be required to watch, much like the sexual harassment videos that employers show to their employees.
- NewsYahoo News
Democrats and Republicans offer dueling narratives in recount as Thursday deadline nears
Demonstrators gather Wednesday outside the Broward County elections office where workers are recounting ballots. LAUDERHILL, Fla. – Florida Democrats stood outside the Broward County elections office Wednesday afternoon in 90-degree heat, demanding that the state’s recount go forward, while a handful of Republican protesters heckled them. Democrats beside Jones held signs that said, “Little Marco is Afraid of counting our VOTES,” and “Trump, Scott, Rubio Afraid of Democracy,” referring to Sen. Marco Rubio, Gov. Rick Scott, and President Donald Trump, who have said without evidence that Democrats are trying to use subterfuge to tilt the Florida election in their favor.
NewsAssociated PressAuthorities: Custody dispute played role in family's slaying
Authorities arrested a family of four Tuesday in the gruesome 2016 slayings of eight people from another family in rural Ohio, a crime that prosecutors suggested stemmed from a custody dispute. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said a grand jury indicted the four on aggravated murder charges and they could be sentenced to death if convicted.
- U.S.ABC News Videos
Fast food manager attacked by woman over ketchup
Police say they are searching for a McDonald's customer caught on surveillance video attacking two employees last month at a restaurant in Santa Ana, California.
- NewsHuffPost
Northern California Fire Victims Are Suing The Power Company
Northern California’s Pacific Gas & Electric Co. has once again found itself at the center of both a legal and literal firestorm as customers affected by the region’s latest deadly blaze seek to hold the utility accountable. In a lawsuit filed Tuesday in San Francisco County Superior Court, attorneys representing two dozen victims of Butte County’s Camp fire ― the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in state history ― say that PG&E is responsible for the blaze’s destruction because it did not sufficiently maintain its infrastructure or properly inspect power lines. “The Camp Fire was the result of PG&E’s continued practice of prioritizing profits over safety, wherein they failed to properly maintain and inspect their power lines knowing that the likely result was a fire that would pose risk of serious injury and/or death, and damage to property,” the lawsuit says.
- NewsThe Independent
California wildfires - live: Death toll climbs to 50 as strong winds bring new blazes near Los Angeles
The remains of six more victims of California’s most lethal and destructive wildfire in history were found on Tuesday, bringing the death toll to 48. Forensic teams with cadaver dogs spent the day combing through ash and charred debris in what was let of the town of Paradise, around 175 miles (280km) north of San Francisco. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said 100 National Guard troops were being sent in at his request to assist in the search for additional human remains left by the so-called Camp Fire.
- BusinessHuffPost
Can Sneakers Made From Recycled Plastic Save Our Planet?
Recycled plastic has become the material du jour for the fashion industry. But one area in which plastic has really taken off is footwear. Brands like Adidas, Rothy’s and Veja are just a few that are incorporating materials made of recycled plastic in
WorldAFP Relax NewsMacron in Morocco for opening of high-speed railway
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Morocco on Thursday to take part in the inauguration of a high-speed railway line that boasts the fastest journey times in Africa or the Arab world. The French leader, who was invited by King Mohammed VI, will attend a grand ceremony at Tangiers' newly renovated train station, with heavy security measures put in place. Macron will travel with the monarch on the high-speed train from Tangiers, a major port linking Africa and Europe, to the capital Rabat.
WorldReutersU.S. imposes sanctions for Khashoggi killing, Saudis seek death penalty
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctions were the first concrete response by the Trump administration to Khashoggi's death in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. Among those sanctioned were Saud al-Qahtani, who has been removed from his position as a top aide to the powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as the Saudi Consul General Mohammad al-Otaibi and members of a 15-person team Turkey has identified as being involved in Khashoggi's death. The sanctions do not target the Riyadh government, an important U.S. security and economic ally.
- LifestyleDelish
These Recipes Will Make Cranberry Sauce the Star of Your Thanksgiving
Every holiday spread needs some cranberries.From Delish
- PoliticsHuffPost
Republicans' First Big Post-Midterms Move: Keep U.S. In Yemen's Vicious Civil War
WASHINGTON ― With less than two months left at the helm of the House of Representatives, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Wednesday won his first vote since the midterm elections ― on behalf of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Almost all Republicans and a handful of Democrats voted with Ryan to strip privilege from a bill endorsed by top Democrats that would have ended U.S. support for the Saudis and their allies in the four-year civil war in Yemen. In other words, it’s now almost certain that the House won’t deal with the legislation ― and, more broadly, the conflict itself ― until Democrats take charge next year.
- U.S.Meredith Videos
8 Ohio Family Members Were Killed by Family of 4 After Custody Dispute, Prosecutors Say
A family of four arrested Tuesday in the gruesome slayings of eight people from another family in rural Ohio two years ago carefully planned the killings for months in a crime prosecutors vaguely explained as a custody dispute, authorities said.
WorldAssociated PressIsraeli elections seem likely after Lieberman's resignation
Israel's defense minister officially submitted his resignation on Thursday, leaving the government with the narrowest of parliamentary majorities and paving what looks like a clear path to early elections. Avigdor Lieberman dispatched a once-sentence letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, informing him of his decision to step down. The move, which takes effect in 48 hours, leaves Netanyahu with the support of just 61 out of 120 lawmakers.
- BusinessHuffPost
'Read The Room': Empire State Building Gets Ripped Over Amazon HQ Celebration
The Empire State Building was dragged on social media Tuesday over its celebration of Amazon’s controversial decision to locate its new headquarters in New York’s Long Island City.We’re celebrating @Amazon’s announcement of HQ2 coming to #NewYorkCity
NewsReuters'Progress is being made' against California's deadliest wildfire
Fire crews in northern California seized on improved weather conditions on Wednesday in their six-day-old battle to suppress the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in state history as National Guard troops were called in to help search for victims. The confirmed death toll from the Camp Fire stood at 48 as the footprint of the fire grew by 5,000 acres to 135,000 acres(55,000 hectares), even as diminished winds and rising humidity allowed firefighters to carve containment lines around more than a third of the perimeter. "Progress is being made," said Ken Pimlott, director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) at a news conference flanked by Governor Jerry Brown, U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and other officials.
