Shkreli, CEO Reviled for Drug Price Gouging, Arrested on Securities Fraud Charges  —  32-year-old suspected of plundering Retrophin to pay debts

White House praises sweeping omnibus, tax deal  —  The White House gave a thumbs-up on Wednesday to a sweeping year-end deal on taxes and government funding.  —  “We feel good about the outcome, primarily because we got a compromise budget agreement,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters.

GOP chair probes if Cruz unveiled classified info during debate  —  A key Senate Republican is looking into whether Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) discussed classified information during Tuesday night's Republican presidential debate.  —  “I'm having my staff look at the transcripts of the debate right now …

Adelson son-in-law orchestrated family's purchase of Las Vegas Review-Journal  —  The son-in-law of billionaire casino owner Sheldon Adelson arranged the $140 million purchase of the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Adelson's behalf, sources confirmed Wednesday.  —  Patrick Dumont …

Strike Two For Pair of New York Times Reporters  —  Today, FBI director James Comey said that the San Bernardino shooters never talked openly about violent jihadism on social media: “So far, in this investigation we have found no evidence of posting on social media by either of them at that period …

Defense Secretary Conducted Some Official Business on a Personal Email Account  —  WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter relied on a personal email account to conduct a portion of his government business during his first months at the Pentagon, according to White House …

The GOP's worst nightmare: A runaway convention  —  With the Republican presidential debate in Las Vegas dramatizing again the divisions plaguing the GOP, the unfolding battle for the presidential nomination suggests the growing odds of a runaway convention that could choose an unelectable nominee …

Harvard placemat serves up social justice for Christmas  — The placemat was created by the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in collaboration with the Freshmen Dean's Office and were distributed in an undergraduate dining hall.  —  The Office for Equity, Diversity …

Wheaton College professor put on leave after wearing hijab in solidarity with Muslims  —  A tenured Wheaton College professor who wore a hijab in solidarity with Muslims was put on administrative leave Tuesday by the evangelical Christian school.  —  Larycia Hawkins, a Christian political science professor …

Funding deal hits backlash over increase in foreign worker visas  —  The $1.1 trillion omnibus bill includes language that would dramatically increase the number of visas available for foreign workers, setting off alarm bells among conservatives and labor unions.

Mistrial declared in trial of Officer William Porter in death of Freddie Gray  —  Protesters took to the streets on Wednesday evening, marching and chanting for justice in reaction to the mistrial in the case of Officer William Porter.  (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun video)

Introducing Transportation on Messenger  —  Messenger is your place to communicate seamlessly with everyone - from making plans with friends, sharing pictures and moments with your loved ones, sending money, and talking to your favorite businesses about a purchase or getting updates on your item's delivery.

The Paris agreement is another false ‘turning point’ on the climate  —  History, on the “right side” of which Barack Obama endeavors to keep us, has a sense of whimsy.  Proof of which is something happening this week: Britain's last deep-pit coal mine is closing, a small event pertinent to an enormous event …

Julie Bishop defends ASIO chief Duncan Lewis over calls schooling Coalition MPs  —  ASIO chief: ‘No guarantees’ against future attacks  —  ASIO director-general Duncan Lewis says intelligence and security authorities can offer ‘no guarantees’ there is no possibility of another terror attack in Australia.