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After three rounds of voting, Rep. Kevin McCarthy fell short of earning enough votes to secure the House Speaker position. The Hill explains how the failure has embarrassed GOP lawmakers and delayed the 118th Congress.  After lying about his personal background and professional experience, Rep.-elect George Santos is set to be sworn in as a member of Congress. The Washington Post looks at his efforts to deceive voters and the possible punishment he may face. The Post also explains why prosecutors in Brazil are reopening a criminal fraud case against Santos from over a decade ago. The Wall Street Journal looks at how blurred lines between video games and gambling may have contributed to an increase in addictive behavior among young men and boys. In 1923, experts made predictions for what the world would look like 100 years later, including forecasts of 300-year lifespans and four-hour workdays. NPR looks at which came true. 

The House of Representatives votes on a new speaker today. How it will go is anyone’s guess. The Wall Street Journal explains. Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest in Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals and is hospitalized in critical condition. ESPN is tracking his health status.  The number of babies being born is expected to increase following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The Atlantic warns that the surge in births will be concentrated in states with poor infant and maternal health outcomes.  Studies suggest that practicing optimism can help keep our bodies healthier. Kaiser Health News explains how. 

The Washington Post reports on the final January 6 committee report, the Senate’s vote to pass a spending deal to avoid a government shutdown, and the changes to retirement-savings policy included in that bill. Recode reports on Elon Musk’s controversial leadership of Twitter. Time looks at the legacy of Dr. Anthony Fauci, as he prepares to step down from his government post after decades leading the fight against infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS and COVID. The Wall Street Journal reveals how “white elephant” gift exchanges got that name.

Reuters reports on the winter storm that’s bringing dangerous conditions across the country and threatening holiday travel. The Atlantic explains the obvious answer to homelessness and why everyone’s ignoring it. The Wall Street Journal looks at the Taliban move to bar Afghan women and girls from schooling. BBC News looks at protests against the move. MarketWatch has the story of why we’re seeing more Hanukkah movies lately. Vulture categorizes the 153 new holiday movies out this year.

As Ukrainian president Zelenskyy visits Washington, Reuters analyzes the fierce battle for the eastern city of Bakhmut. Politico has a preview of today’s final report from the January 6 committee. Read more at Bloomberg, including the document’s executive summary. Stat investigates why incarcerated people keep dying from hepatitis C, despite the existence of an effective cure. The Washington Post breaks down research that shows that you don’t need to drink eight cups of water a day.

The January 6 panel said Trump should be charged with four crimes related to the Capitol attack. Reuters has details. USA Today reports on the Supreme Court temporarily pausing the lifting of Title 42, a Trump-era immigration policy targeted by the Biden administration. Meanwhile, many American communities say they’re struggling to provide for incoming migrants. The Texas Tribune describes the situation in El Paso. China is experiencing a COVID surge that could see 800 million people infected over the next few months. NPR has the story. Bloomberg crunches the numbers on how the global bird-flu outbreak is helping drive up the cost of eggs. And Vox asks: Why don’t we vaccinate more chickens and turkeys? ‘Titanic’ director James Cameron is sick of hearing fans complain that Jack didn’t have to die. He tells the Toronto Sun that he has scientific proof that Jack and Rose couldn’t have both survived the shipwreck.

Argentina defeated France in a thrilling World Cup final. After the Whistle recaps a memorable end to the tournament. The final public hearing of the January 6 committee is expected to include a vote on whether to recommend that Trump be prosecuted. Bloomberg has more. Even though billions were pledged to bolster Puerto Rico’s infrastructure, residents continue to lose water and power after hurricanes. The Washington Post investigates. A new law in France requires owners to cover large parking lots with solar panels. Time break down what that would look like in America.

Microplastics are everywhere. This week’s In Conversation discusses what that means for your health. The Wall Street Journal examines alleged campaign-finance violations by disgraced crypto star Sam Bankman-Fried. Online retailers have many tricks to get you to buy more. Vox has tips on how to avoid being manipulated. After the Whistle previews the World Cup final between France and Argentina.

As tornadoes rip through the South, CNN reports on how the climate crisis may be changing the way they behave. USA Today looks at Biden’s announcement of trade and infrastructure investments in Africa, which took place at a summit with the continent’s leaders. NPR explains how the event comes as the leaders are also being heavily courted by China, Russia, and other nations. The Atlantic breaks down why the housing market is so tough right now. Have you ever wondered what Mars dust devils sound like? Popular Science has the tape, and explains why scientists are so excited.

A Washington Post goes inside U.S. government failures to address the fentanyl crisis — and the missteps that allowed it to get significantly worse. Ten years after the Sandy Hook shooting, gun-safety advocates can point to some wins. NBC News takes stock, while the Trace looks at how victims’ families turned their grief into advocacy. Babies who were born into pandemic lockdowns and extreme-hygiene rules will have different microbiomes. But does different mean bad? The Atlantic has the story. There’s a new phenomenon in air travel: the holiday-travel blob. And airlines and hotels are ready to cash in. Wired explains.