Today's Headlines: The Wooing of Jared Kushner: How the Saudis Got a Friend in the White House

North Carolina’s ‘Guru of Elections’: Can-Do Operator Who May Have Done Too Much View in [Browser]( | Add nytdirect@nytimes.com to your address book. [The New York Times]( [Most Popular]( | [Video]( | Subscribe: [Digital /]( [Home Delivery]( [My Account]( [The New York Times]( Sunday, December 9, 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) | [Magazine](#13) | [Travel](#14) | [Real Estate](#15) | [Fashion & Style](#16) | [Obituaries](#17) | [Editorial](#18) | [Op-Ed](#19) | [CUSTOMIZE »]( [] Top News [The Wooing of Jared Kushner: How the Saudis Got a Friend in the White House]( [The Wooing of Jared Kushner: How the Saudis Got a Friend in the White House]( By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK, BEN HUBBARD, MARK LANDLER and MARK MAZZETTI The crown prince of Saudi Arabia cultivated Mr. Kushner’s friendship. The benefits to the U.S. are uncertain but it has paid off well for the Saudis. [North Carolina’s ‘Guru of Elections’: Can-Do Operator Who May Have Done Too Much]( [North Carolina’s ‘Guru of Elections’: Can-Do Operator Who May Have Done Too Much]( By RICHARD FAUSSET, ALAN BLINDER, SYDNEY EMBER, TIMOTHY WILLIAMS and SERGE F. KOVALESKI L. McCrae Dowless ran an operation that, despite his checkered past, drew little scrutiny — until he ended up in the middle of an election marred by fraud charges [Prosecutors’ Narrative Is Clear: Trump Defrauded Voters. But What Does It Mean?]( [Prosecutors’ Narrative Is Clear: Trump Defrauded Voters. But What Does It Mean?]( By PETER BAKER and NICHOLAS FANDOS President Trump’s lawyer minimized the importance of any potential campaign finance violations, but Democrats said they could potentially lead to impeachment. For more top news, go to [NYTimes.com »]( ADVERTISEMENT [Get New York Today in Your Inbox]( [Get New York Today in Your Inbox]( What you need to know to start your day in New York, including news, weather, free events and a look at the lighter side of life. [Sign up »]( [] Editors' Picks [In Bolivia, Morales’s Indigenous Base Backtracks on Support]( World [In Bolivia, Morales’s Indigenous Base Backtracks on Support]( By NICHOLAS CASEY Evo Morales was Bolivia’s first indigenous president, but as he seeks a fourth term, many question whether he still represents their interests. [Your Tax Dollars Help Starve Children]( Opinion | [Your Tax Dollars Help Starve Children]( By NICHOLAS KRISTOF The famine in Yemen could become the worst the world has seen in a generation. [] QUOTATION OF THE DAY "The biggest threats to the planet are the lack of U.S. climate leadership at home and the unwillingness of the U.S. to engage with China." [JOANNA LEWIS]( a China specialist at Georgetown University. [] Today’s Videos [These Are the Generals Who’ve Left the White House]( [[Video]Video: These Are the Generals Who’ve Left the White House]( By DAVID BOTTI President Trump appointed more generals to senior positions than any other modern president. But with John Kelly’s resignation, only one general remains. Here’s what happened. [What Sparked the ‘Yellow Vests’ Protests?]( [[Video]Video: What Sparked the ‘Yellow Vests’ Protests?]( By NILO TABRIZY Ignited by a fuel tax, the “Yellow Vest” movement has been gaining momentum over the past four weeks. Protesters have made their way from France’s countryside to Paris, and some are demanding the president’s resignation. ADVERTISEMENT [] World [U.S.-China Friction Threatens to Undercut the Fight Against Climate Change]( [U.S.-China Friction Threatens to Undercut the Fight Against Climate Change]( By SOMINI SENGUPTA Distrust between the two biggest greenhouse gas emitters threatens to slow global action on climate change precisely at a time when the risks of climate catastrophe are rising. [French Police Crack Down on ‘Yellow Vests’ With Tear Gas and Over a Thousand Arrests]( [French Police Crack Down on ‘Yellow Vests’ With Tear Gas and Over a Thousand Arrests]( By ADAM NOSSITER, ALISSA J. RUBIN and AURELIEN BREEDEN The police took a more aggressive stance this weekend as more hard-core elements hijacked the demonstrations. They arrested nearly 1,400 people. [As Winter Arrives, Thousands of Migrants Are Trapped in Bosnia]( [As Winter Arrives, Thousands of Migrants Are Trapped in Bosnia]( By ANDREW HIGGINS Migrants sheltering in Bosnia report widespread violence by the border police in Croatia as Europe pushes to secure its frontiers. For more world news, go to [NYTimes.com/World »]( ADVERTISEMENT [] U.S. [What These Medical Journals Don’t Reveal: Top Doctors’ Ties to Industry]( [What These Medical Journals Don’t Reveal: Top Doctors’ Ties to Industry]( By CHARLES ORNSTEIN and KATIE THOMAS Academic research publications rely on doctors to voluntarily disclose their payments from drug and health companies in a lax reporting system some say is broken. [The Wildfire May Be Over, but Those It Burned ‘Live That Nightmare Every Day’]( [The Wildfire May Be Over, but Those It Burned ‘Live That Nightmare Every Day’]( By SARAH MASLIN NIR The battle goes on for people who suffered life-changing burns in California’s devastating Camp Fire. [Air Force Missed 6 Chances to Stop Gunman in Texas Church Shooting From Buying Weapons, U.S. Says]( [Air Force Missed 6 Chances to Stop Gunman in Texas Church Shooting From Buying Weapons, U.S. Says]( By CHRISTOPHER MELE Information about investigations and his conviction for domestic assault was not sent to the authorities as required, allowing him to pass firearms background checks, a report said. For more U.S. news, go to [NYTimes.com/US »]( [] Politics [John Kelly, Trump’s Chief of Staff, to Leave White House]( [John Kelly, Trump’s Chief of Staff, to Leave White House]( By ANNIE KARNI and MAGGIE HABERMAN The departure of John F. Kelly leaves the president with an ever-shrinking team of close advisers as he begins to navigate the new power structure on Capitol Hill. [Trump Administration Rolls Back Obama-Era Rules for School Lunches]( [Trump Administration Rolls Back Obama-Era Rules for School Lunches]( By JULIA JACOBS The Department of Agriculture announced its plans to lower nutritional standards for grains, flavored milks and sodium in school cafeterias. [Cory Booker Dips a Toe Into New Hampshire as 2020 Decision Nears]( [Cory Booker Dips a Toe Into New Hampshire as 2020 Decision Nears]( By SHANE GOLDMACHER “He’s the best friend New Hampshire Democrats had in 2018,” the chairman of the state Democratic Party said of Mr. Booker, the New Jersey senator who helped raise money for candidates there. For more political news, go to [NYTimes.com/Politics »]( [] Business [The Housing Boom Is Already Gigantic. How Long Can It Last?]( Economic View [The Housing Boom Is Already Gigantic. How Long Can It Last?]( By ROBERT J. SHILLER The economist Robert Shiller says the rise in housing prices is the third biggest since 1913. The biggest boom ended disastrously in 2006. [You Work With Liars!]( Work Friend [You Work With Liars!]( By CHOIRE SICHA A quick guide to the office fabulist. [When Answering the Phone Exposes You to Fraud]( Retiring [When Answering the Phone Exposes You to Fraud]( By ELIZABETH OLSON Regulators and companies are working vigorously to stop the spread of callers that try to get consumers — in particular, older people — to hand over money or private information. For more business news, go to [NYTimes.com/Business »]( [] Technology [Toxic Smoke Is Africa’s Quiet Killer. An Entrepreneur Says His Fix Can Make a Fortune]( [Toxic Smoke Is Africa’s Quiet Killer. An Entrepreneur Says His Fix Can Make a Fortune]( By PETER S. GOODMAN Eric Reynolds is betting his wood-pellet stove — and his company’s distribution system — can make billions by rescuing some of the poorest people on earth from toxic smoke. [James Dyson: ‘The Public Wants to Buy Strange Things’ ]( Corner Office [James Dyson: ‘The Public Wants to Buy Strange Things’]( By DAVID GELLES He made billions selling vacuums. Now he is backing Brexit, building an electric car — and making antiquated comments on ‘racial differences.’ [Orbiting, Another Thing for Online Daters to Worry About]( [Orbiting, Another Thing for Online Daters to Worry About]( By RAINESFORD STAUFFER Digitally observing a prospective love interest, or an ex, online is yet another way that people are confusing each other romantically. For more technology news, go to [NYTimes.com/Technology »]( [] Sports [The Woman Who Outruns the Men, 200 Miles at a Time]( [The Woman Who Outruns the Men, 200 Miles at a Time]( Courtney Dauwalter specializes in extremely long races. But her success in winning them has opened a debate about how men’s innate strength advantages apply to endurance sports. [Beauty Generation to Defend His Hong Kong Title]( [Beauty Generation to Defend His Hong Kong Title]( By AMANDA DUCKWORTH The gelding won last year and continues to improve. He is now the darling of the Hong Kong racing industry, and all eyes will be on him on Sunday. [U.S. Draws Sweden, Thailand and Chile at 2019 Women’s World Cup]( [U.S. Draws Sweden, Thailand and Chile at 2019 Women’s World Cup]( By ANDREW KEH The Americans, seeking their second straight World Cup title and fourth over all, will open the tournament against Thailand on June 11 in Reims. For more sports news, go to [NYTimes.com/Sports »]( [] Arts [Five Great Podcasts From 2018]( [Five Great Podcasts From 2018]( We asked our critics share the podcasts that they loved this year. [The Best Performances of 2018]( [The Best Performances of 2018]( By WESLEY MORRIS The movies and the plays and the TV shows are great, but what about the people in them? They’re right here — well, some of the very best are. For more arts news, go to [NYTimes.com/Arts »]( [] New York [‘I’m Petitioning … for the Return of My Life’]( [‘I’m Petitioning … for the Return of My Life’]( By JOHN LELAND When Phyllis Funke hit bottom, the court appointed a guardian to prop her up. The remedy is like prison, she said. But “at least in prison you have rights.” [The ‘Funky Soulfulness’ of New York’s Immigrant Nativity Scenes]( [The ‘Funky Soulfulness’ of New York’s Immigrant Nativity Scenes]( By HELENE STAPINSKI The presepio is to Italians what the Christmas tree is to Germans. And the legacy of Italian immigrants is on display all over the city this time of year. [How the Cashless Economy Shuts Out the Poor]( Big City [How the Cashless Economy Shuts Out the Poor]( By GINIA BELLAFANTE So-called fast casual restaurants, proliferating in cities, are increasingly resistant to accept cash. Local legislators now think that’s a problem. For more New York news, go to [NYTimes.com/NewYork »]( [] Magazine [The Best Actors of 2018]( [The Best Actors of 2018]( By A.O. SCOTT and WESLEY MORRIS We still crave movement on screen and this year’s great performances were magnificently physical. [The Everyday Ballet]( [The Everyday Ballet]( By JUSTIN PECK When ordinary acts become moments of extraordinary grace. [It’s Time to Study Whether Eating Particular Diets Can Help Heal Us]( On Medicine [It’s Time to Study Whether Eating Particular Diets Can Help Heal Us]( By SIDDHARTHA MUKHERJEE We rigorously research the medicine molecules we put in our bodies. We should be doing the same for the nutrients we ingest. For more magazine news, go to [NYTimes.com/Magazine »]( [] Travel [An Ancient Corner of Italy Finds the World on Its Doorstep ]( [An Ancient Corner of Italy Finds the World on Its Doorstep]( By DANIELLE PERGAMENT The southern region of Basilicata, its people poor and its food and history rich, has been named Europe’s Capital of Culture for 2019. [In China’s Land of Buddhas and Fortresses, Kindness Prevails ]( The 52 Places Traveler [In China’s Land of Buddhas and Fortresses, Kindness Prevails]( By JADA YUAN Traveling Gansu Province along the ancient Silk Road, our columnist gets by with a little help from her friends. [Basking in the Sun This Winter, for Less]( Frugal Traveler [Basking in the Sun This Winter, for Less]( By LUCAS PETERSON Tips and strategies for singles and families who want to enjoy warm weather on a sandy beach or on the deck of a cruise ship, and still not pay too much. For more travel news, go to [NYTimes.com/Travel »]( [] Real Estate [The New Normal: It’s a Buyer’s Market]( [The New Normal: It’s a Buyer’s Market]( By STEFANOS CHEN With the luxury real estate market in a funk and the rest of the market weakening, what works now? Price cuts, sweeteners and pop-up yoga classes. [Is Your House Ready for Holiday Guests?]( Right at Home [Is Your House Ready for Holiday Guests?]( By RONDA KAYSEN Maybe we shouldn’t let house shame creep in and ruin our time with family and friends. For more real estate news, go to [NYTimes.com/RealEstate »]( [] Fashion & Style [These Men Are Waiting to Share Some Feelings With You]( [These Men Are Waiting to Share Some Feelings With You]( By HANNAH SELIGSON In meetings and retreats, chastened menfolk are working on their feelings. [Live-Streaming Your Broke Self for Rent Money]( [Live-Streaming Your Broke Self for Rent Money]( By MIKE VILENSKY Jovan Hill, 25, dropped out of college and is unemployed. So how does he pay for his Brooklyn apartment and marijuana habit? His social media followers chip in. [Tumblr Fans Abandon Ship as Tumblr Bans Porn]( [Tumblr Fans Abandon Ship as Tumblr Bans Porn]( By JONAH ENGEL BROMWICH and KATIE VAN SYCKLE Pornographic content, which had a large female viewer base on the site, will no longer be allowed. For more fashion news, go to [NYTimes.com/Fashion »]( [] Obituaries [Selma Engel, 96, Dies; Escaped Death Camp and Revealed Its Horror]( [Selma Engel, 96, Dies; Escaped Death Camp and Revealed Its Horror]( By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE Speaking to Russian reporters in 1944, she helped provide the first public, detailed account of Sobibor, where most Jews were instantly gassed or shot. [Palden Gyatso, Monk Who Suffered for a Free Tibet, Dies at 85]( [Palden Gyatso, Monk Who Suffered for a Free Tibet, Dies at 85]( By DANIEL E. SLOTNIK Mr. Gyatso said he endured decades of brutality in Chinese prisons. Once he escaped, he told the world his story and championed Tibetan independence. For more Obituaries, go to [NYTimes.com/Obituaries »]( [] Editorial [The High Cost of Shattering Democratic Norms]( [The High Cost of Shattering Democratic Norms]( By THE EDITORIAL BOARD Republicans in Wisconsin, Michigan and North Carolina seem intent on subverting the will of the voters. For more opinion, go to [NYTimes.com/Opinion »]( [] Op-Ed [A Photographer Goes Missing in China]( [A Photographer Goes Missing in China]( By ROBERT Y. PLEDGE Lu Guang’s images have shown the world China’s dark side. [I Like Joe Biden. I Urge Him Not to Run. ]( [I Like Joe Biden. I Urge Him Not to Run.]( By FRANK BRUNI He’s impeccably qualified. Ask Hillary Clinton how that worked out. [The Case Against Meritocracy]( [The Case Against Meritocracy]( By ROSS DOUTHAT An aristocracy that can’t admit it. [T.M. Landry and the Tragedy of Viral Success Stories]( [T.M. Landry and the Tragedy of Viral Success Stories]( By CASEY GERALD We focus on outliers and ignore systemic injustice. [Hate Amazon? Try Living Without It]( [Hate Amazon? Try Living Without It]( By NONA WILLIS ARONOWITZ My dad was a longtime labor activist. He despises what Jeff Bezos built, but he can’t quit it. For more opinion, go to [NYTimes.com/Opinion »]( Follow NYTimes [Facebook] [FACEBOOK]( [Twitter] [@NYTimes]( [Pinterest] [Pinterest]( [Instagram] [Instagram]( Get more [NYTimes.com newsletters »]( | Get unlimited access to NYTimes.com and our NYTimes apps. [Subscribe »]( ABOUT THIS EMAIL This is an automated email. Please do not reply directly to this email from NYTimes.com. You received this message because you signed up for NYTimes.com's Today's Headlines newsletter. [Unsubscribe]( | [Manage Subscriptions]( | [Change Your Email]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Contact]( | [Advertise]( Copyright 2018 The New York Times Company 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018