Today's Headlines: Conor Lamb Wins Pennsylvania House Seat, Giving Democrats a Map for Trump Country

Stephen Hawking Dies at 76; His Mind Roamed the Cosmos View in [Browser]( | Add nytdirect@nytimes.com to your address book. [The New York Times]( [Most Popular]( | [Video]( | Subscribe: [Digital /]( [Home Delivery]( [My Account]( [Today's Headlines]( Thursday, March 15, 2018 IN THIS EMAIL: [Top News](#0) | [Editors' Picks](#2) | [Today’s Videos](#4) | [World](#5) | [U.S.](#6) | [Politics](#7) | [Business](#8) | [Technology](#9) | [Sports](#10) | [Arts](#11) | [New York](#12) | [Media & Advertising](#13) | [Fashion & Style](#14) | [Obituaries](#15) | [Editorial](#16) | [Op-Ed](#17) | [CUSTOMIZE »]( [] Top News [Conor Lamb Wins Pennsylvania House Seat, Giving Democrats a Map for Trump Country]( [Conor Lamb Wins Pennsylvania House Seat, Giving Democrats a Map for Trump Country]( By ALEXANDER BURNS and JONATHAN MARTIN Mr. Lamb’s performance in a southwestern Pennsylvania House race rattled Republicans and showed Democrats how to win back Trump voters. [Stephen Hawking Dies at 76; His Mind Roamed the Cosmos]( [Stephen Hawking Dies at 76; His Mind Roamed the Cosmos]( By DENNIS OVERBYE A physicist and best-selling author, Dr. Hawking did not allow his physical limitations to hinder his quest to answer “the big question: Where did the universe come from?” [National School Walkout: Thousands Protest Against Gun Violence Across the U.S.]( [National School Walkout: Thousands Protest Against Gun Violence Across the U.S.]( By VIVIAN YEE and ALAN BLINDER In a coordinated action, students left their classrooms and sometimes marched in the streets a month after 17 people were killed in a Florida high school. For more top news, go to [NYTimes.com »]( ADVERTISEMENT [Get the Morning Briefing in Your Inbox]( [Get the Morning Briefing in Your Inbox]( What you need to know to start your day, delivered Monday through Friday. [Sign up »]( [] Editors' Picks [U.S. Kept Silent About Its Role in Another Firefight in Niger]( World | Exclusive [U.S. Kept Silent About Its Role in Another Firefight in Niger]( By CHARLIE SAVAGE, ERIC SCHMITT and THOMAS GIBBONS-NEFF Two months after four American soldiers were killed in the West African country, a group of Green Berets and local forces killed 11 ISIS militants in a previously undisclosed battle. [Stephen Hawking, Force of Nature]( Opinion | Op-Ed Contributor [Stephen Hawking, Force of Nature]( By LEONARD MLODINOW His true strength was more than just his disembodied intellect. [] QUOTATION OF THE DAY "We have grown up watching more tragedies occur and continuously asking: Why? Why does this keep happening?" [KAYLEE TYNER]( a 16-year-old junior who walked out of class in protest of gun violence, at Columbine High School in Colorado, where 13 people were killed in 1999. [] Today’s Videos [Conor Lamb Tops G.O.P. Rival in Pennsylvania]( [[Video]Video: Conor Lamb Tops G.O.P. Rival in Pennsylvania]( By CHRIS CIRILLO, AINARA TIEFENTHÄLER and ROBIN LINDSAY Conor Lamb, a Democrat, narrowly won a House special election in a Pennsylvania district that President Trump won by 20 percentage points in 2016. [Stephen Hawking, Pop Culture Icon]( [[Video]Video: Stephen Hawking, Pop Culture Icon]( By CAMILLA SCHICK Stephen Hawking, one of the greatest physicists of our time, died on Wednesday. He is immortalized by his brilliant research, but also by his pop culture appearances. [Students Walked Out. Here Are Their Videos.]( [[Video]Video: Students Walked Out. Here Are Their Videos.]( By BARBARA MARCOLINI, AARON BYRD and BEN LAFFIN High school students across the United States left their classrooms on Wednesday morning to draw attention to gun violence in schools. ADVERTISEMENT [] World [Theresa May Expels Russian Diplomats. But Now Comes the Hard Part.]( [Theresa May Expels Russian Diplomats. But Now Comes the Hard Part.]( By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA and STEPHEN CASTLE The prime minister retaliated for the use of a nerve agent against a former spy, but Britain’s weakened government may find it hard to inflict much pain. [Hard-Charging Chinese Energy Tycoon Falls From Xi Government’s Graces]( [Hard-Charging Chinese Energy Tycoon Falls From Xi Government’s Graces]( By ALEXANDRA STEVENSON Ye Jianming cast himself as a new kind of private entrepreneur in China, but his company now faces legal challenges at home and in the United States. [Want to Be Happy? Try Moving to Finland]( [Want to Be Happy? Try Moving to Finland]( By MAGGIE ASTOR The Nordic nations are the happiest in the world, an annual report found. The United States dropped four spots to 18th. For more world news, go to [NYTimes.com/World »]( ADVERTISEMENT [] U.S. [Key Question in Pulse Trial for Orlando Gunman’s Wife: How Much Did She Know?]( [Key Question in Pulse Trial for Orlando Gunman’s Wife: How Much Did She Know?]( By PATRICIA MAZZEI Prosecutors said Noor Salman, the wife of Omar Mateen, helped him choose his target for murder and martyrdom. Her lawyers said she could not have known his plans. [Oklahoma Turns to Gas for Executions Amid Turmoil Over Lethal Injection]( [Oklahoma Turns to Gas for Executions Amid Turmoil Over Lethal Injection]( By TIMOTHY WILLIAMS If the plan is approved, it will be the first state to put prisoners to death using nitrogen gas, which starves the body of oxygen. [Teacher’s Gun Is Accidentally Fired During Public Safety Class, Injuring 3]( [Teacher’s Gun Is Accidentally Fired During Public Safety Class, Injuring 3]( By CHRISTINA CARON As President Trump doubles down on a proposal to arm school employees, two recent accidents involving guns fired by school officials have raised concerns. For more U.S. news, go to [NYTimes.com/US »]( [] Politics [Andrew McCabe, a Symbol of Trump’s F.B.I. Ire, Faces Possible Firing]( [Andrew McCabe, a Symbol of Trump’s F.B.I. Ire, Faces Possible Firing]( By KATIE BENNER, MATT APUZZO and ADAM GOLDMAN Mr. McCabe faces accusations that he was not forthcoming about F.B.I. media contacts. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is reviewing a recommendation that he be fired, just days before his retirement. [In Pennsylvania Election Shaped by Trump, Candidates Still Mattered]( [In Pennsylvania Election Shaped by Trump, Candidates Still Mattered]( By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON Some voters in a special House race supported Conor Lamb to express their dislike of the president. Others just liked Mr. Lamb better than his Republican opponent. [Emails Contradict Ben Carson’s Claims About $31,000 Dining Set for Office]( [Emails Contradict Ben Carson’s Claims About $31,000 Dining Set for Office]( By GLENN THRUSH Mr. Carson, the HUD secretary, had said the decision was handled by subordinates. But a message refers to “printouts of the furniture the secretary and Mrs. Carson picked out.” For more political news, go to [NYTimes.com/Politics »]( [] Business [Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos C.E.O. and Silicon Valley Star, Accused of Fraud]( [Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos C.E.O. and Silicon Valley Star, Accused of Fraud]( By KATIE THOMAS and REED ABELSON Ms. Holmes, the chief executive of the blood-testing company, agreed to a settlement in which she will be stripped of control. [Trump Picks CNBC’s Larry Kudlow as Top Economic Adviser]( [Trump Picks CNBC’s Larry Kudlow as Top Economic Adviser]( By MAGGIE HABERMAN, KATE KELLY and JIM TANKERSLEY The CNBC commentator, who would replace the former Wall Street executive Gary D. Cohn, said Mr. Trump “regards himself as a free trader.” [Toys ‘R’ Us Says It Will Close or Sell All U.S. Stores]( [Toys ‘R’ Us Says It Will Close or Sell All U.S. Stores]( By MICHAEL CORKERY After filing for bankruptcy, the retailer tried to find a path to profitability but was unable to overcome its debt load and an outdated business model. For more business news, go to [NYTimes.com/Business »]( [] Technology [Walmart Expands Online Grocery Delivery to 100 Cities]( [Walmart Expands Online Grocery Delivery to 100 Cities]( By TIFFANY HSU and NICK WINGFIELD The retail giant is accelerating its efforts in the online-grocery sector as rivals, led by Amazon, wage their own aggressive campaigns for control of America’s kitchen cupboards. [Tech Leaders Are Growing Up (Again). That’s a Good Thing.]( The Shift [Tech Leaders Are Growing Up (Again). That’s a Good Thing.]( By KEVIN ROOSE Former whiz kids who made their fortunes in the tech industry are now settling down, seemingly more attuned to the power they wield. [The One Thing That Protects a Laptop After It’s Been Stolen]( [The One Thing That Protects a Laptop After It’s Been Stolen]( By WHITSON GORDON Here’s one thing you can do today so if your laptop is lost or stolen, your private, personal data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands too. For more technology news, go to [NYTimes.com/Technology »]( [] Sports [Bob Huggins Is March’s Author-in-Residence]( [Bob Huggins Is March’s Author-in-Residence]( By MARC TRACY The West Virginia coach is a fixture of the N.C.A.A. tournament. He has also written nine books. [Lose Now, Win Later? In Sixers, Knicks Have a Role Model]( On Pro Basketball [Lose Now, Win Later? In Sixers, Knicks Have a Role Model]( By HARVEY ARATON The long-term absence of Kristaps Porzingis and a visit by Philadelphia on Thursday offer lessons for the Knicks, and a reminder that losing doesn’t have to last forever. [Mike Schmidt’s Heir Apparent Is Nolan Arenado, Says Mike Schmidt]( On Baseball [Mike Schmidt’s Heir Apparent Is Nolan Arenado, Says Mike Schmidt]( By TYLER KEPNER At 26, Arenado, the Colorado Rockies slugger, has three seasons of 35 homers and 130 runs batted in, and five Gold Gloves. For more sports news, go to [NYTimes.com/Sports »]( [] Arts [When the Old Masters Were the P.R. Agents of the Rich and Powerful]( [When the Old Masters Were the P.R. Agents of the Rich and Powerful]( By CATH POUND From the 16th to the 20th centuries, the full-length portrait was the most expensive form of representation money could buy, conferring instant status. [In Its Own Quiet Way, I’m With Her Is a Supergroup]( [In Its Own Quiet Way, I’m With Her Is a Supergroup]( By JON PARELES The acoustic trio featuring Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Watkins is so collaborative, nobody is sure who wrote which part on its debut, “See You Around.” [From Coney Island Sideshows to an Operatic Debut at the Met]( [From Coney Island Sideshows to an Operatic Debut at the Met]( By COREY KILGANNON and JOHN TAGGART The Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Mozart’s “Così Fan Tutte,” set in 1950s Coney Island, uses sideshow and burlesque performers. For more arts news, go to [NYTimes.com/Arts »]( [] New York [Adhering to Family Tradition, Gotti’s Grandson Is Sentenced]( [Adhering to Family Tradition, Gotti’s Grandson Is Sentenced]( By ALAN FEUER Following in the footsteps of his forefathers, John J. Gotti, 24, is heading to federal prison. [De Blasio May Be Called to Testify in Long Island Corruption Trial]( [De Blasio May Be Called to Testify in Long Island Corruption Trial]( By BRIAN M. ROSENTHAL Defendants in the case may subpoena Mayor Bill de Blasio in an effort to discredit a key prosecution witness, Harendra Singh. [The New, Green Pride of St. Patrick’s Cathedral Is Underground]( [The New, Green Pride of St. Patrick’s Cathedral Is Underground]( By SHARON OTTERMAN A state-of-the-art geothermal system now provides the historic church, and its five million annual visitors, with heating and cooling. For more New York news, go to [NYTimes.com/NewYork »]( [] Media & Advertising [At the Fox News Site, a Sudden Focus on Women as Sex Offenders]( Media Memo [At the Fox News Site, a Sudden Focus on Women as Sex Offenders]( By JONATHAN GALINSKY After the harassment-related departures of executives and hosts, there was a spike in FoxNews.com articles on female teachers abusing students. [Harper Lee’s Estate Sues Over Broadway Version of ‘Mockingbird’]( [Harper Lee’s Estate Sues Over Broadway Version of ‘Mockingbird’]( By ALEXANDRA ALTER and MICHAEL PAULSON The federal suit says that Aaron Sorkin’s script for the play, set this fall for Broadway, deviates too much from “To Kill a Mockingbird.” [CNN Moves Chris Cuomo to Prime Time]( [CNN Moves Chris Cuomo to Prime Time]( By MICHAEL M. GRYNBAUM Mr. Cuomo, a scion of the New York political dynasty, is set to replace Anderson Cooper at 9 p.m., as CNN tries to revive its prime-time viewership. For more media & advertising news, go to [NYTimes.com/Media »]( [] Fashion & Style [An Unwanted Kiss on ‘American Idol’]( [An Unwanted Kiss on ‘American Idol’]( By KATHERINE ROSMAN “I wanted my first kiss to be special,” said the contestant Benjamin Glaze. [Rebecca Miller on the Mother of All Subjects: Her Father]( With... [Rebecca Miller on the Mother of All Subjects: Her Father]( By MAUREEN DOWD Her new documentary for HBO confronts the complicated legacy of Arthur Miller, who wrote “Death of a Salesman” and married Marilyn Monroe. [Givenchy and Hepburn: The Original Brand Ambassadors]( [Givenchy and Hepburn: The Original Brand Ambassadors]( By VANESSA FRIEDMAN Before dressing for the red carpet became a business, this relationship defined the connection between a designer and his muse. For more fashion news, go to [NYTimes.com/Fashion »]( [] Obituaries [Stephen Hawking, in His Own Words]( [Stephen Hawking, in His Own Words]( By YONETTE JOSEPH “I’m not afraid of death, but I’m in no hurry to die. I have so much I want to do first.” [Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, Who Explored Babies’ Mental Growth, Dies at 99]( [Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, Who Explored Babies’ Mental Growth, Dies at 99]( By SANDRA BLAKESLEE In hospitals, clinics and books, he revolutionized our understanding of how children develop psychologically. [John Buchanan, Once a Deep South Centrist in Congress, Dies at 89]( [John Buchanan, Once a Deep South Centrist in Congress, Dies at 89]( By SAM ROBERTS He was one of the first Republicans elected to Congress from Alabama in the 20th century, but he became too progressive for his constituents. [Lefty Kreh, a Fly Fisherman With Few Peers, Is Dead at 93]( [Lefty Kreh, a Fly Fisherman With Few Peers, Is Dead at 93]( By MITCH KELLER A pre-eminent sport fisherman, he circled the world teaching, writing, speaking and appearing on TV — when he wasn’t reeling in his quarry. [Ethel Stein, Who Created Intricate Textile Art, Dies at 100]( [Ethel Stein, Who Created Intricate Textile Art, Dies at 100]( By NEIL GENZLINGER Ms. Stein studied historical weaving techniques, sometimes with a microscope, to create her art. She also had a noteworthy sock-puppet sideline. For more Obituaries, go to [NYTimes.com/Obituaries »]( [] Editorial [Having a Torturer Lead the C.I.A.]( Editorial [Having a Torturer Lead the C.I.A.]( By THE EDITORIAL BOARD Few American officials were so directly involved in the frenzy of abuse after 9/11 as Gina Haspel, President Trump’s choice to head the agency. [Character Was Destiny for Spitzer; Will It Be for Trump?]( [Character Was Destiny for Spitzer; Will It Be for Trump?]( By CLYDE HABERMAN From one “meanspirited” “bully” to another, each tripped up by sexual issues. For more opinion, go to [NYTimes.com/Opinion »]( [] Op-Ed [Tell the Truth About Our Longest War]( Contributing Op-Ed Writer [Tell the Truth About Our Longest War]( By SUSAN E. RICE Peace talks are the only way to end the war in Afghanistan. They also will probably not succeed. [Hot Times in the Arctic]( Op-Ed Contributor [Hot Times in the Arctic]( By CECILIA BITZ As temperatures turned unusually warm, the extent of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean reached new lows, offering a warning for the future. [Beware of Devin Nunes’s Next Move]( Op-Ed Contributors [Beware of Devin Nunes’s Next Move]( By CLAUDINE SCHNEIDER, ELIOT A. COHEN and NORMAN L. EISEN The House Intelligence Committee is done investigating. Now come the attacks against Robert Mueller. 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