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.

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

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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)

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.

Fiscal deal winners and losers  —  The sweeping year-end tax and spending bills unveiled this week in Congress follow months of lobbying by industry and public interest groups and weeks of intense negotiations on Capitol Hill.  —  The final legislation, at nearly 2,250 pages …