Today's Headlines: Trump Speaks With Taiwan's Leader, an Affront to China

[President Obama Is Handing a Strong Economy to His Successor] | View in [Browser] | Add [nytdirect@nytimes.com] to your address book. | [Unsubscribe] [The New York Times] [Most Popular] | [Video] | [Today's Headlines] Saturday, December 3, 2016 IN THIS EMAIL [NYT] [World] | [U.S.] | [Politics] | [Business] | [Technology] | [Sports] | [Arts] | [N.Y./Region] | [Travel] | [Today's Video] | [Obituaries] | [Editorials] | [Op-Ed] | [On This Day] | [CUSTOMIZE »] [Get The Times for as low as 99¢.] Top News [President-elect Donald J. Trump at the Carrier plant in Indianapolis on Thursday.] [Trump Speaks With Taiwan's Leader, an Affront to China] By MARK LANDLER and DAVID E. SANGER The president-elect spoke by phone with the president of Taiwan in the first such contact since the United States severed diplomatic relations with the island. [Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics] [President Obama Is Handing a Strong Economy to His Successor] By PATRICIA COHEN Employers in the United States added 178,000 workers last month, while the unemployment rate dropped to its lowest level in more than nine years. [Marjorie Kirk, editor of the University of Kentucky's campus newspaper, The Kentucky Kernel. The paper is being sued by the university in a continuing battle over whether records in a sexual assault allegation involving a professor should be disclosed.] [Campus Press vs. Colleges: Kentucky Suit Highlights Free-Speech Fight] By STEPHANIE SAUL The suit against a campus paper that reported a woman's allegation against a professor pits students seeking information and administrators concerned about privacy. For more top news, go to [NYTimes.com »] [Get the Morning Briefing in Your Inbox] What you need to know to start your day, delivered Monday through Friday. [Sign up »] ADVERTISEMENT Editors' Picks [Halictus ligatus, a type of sweat bee, covered in pollen from an unknown plant. The image was created by combining a stack of high magnification photographs.] SCIENCE | Trilobites [You're a Bee. This Is What It Feels Like.] We're taking you on a journey to help you understand how bees, while hunting for pollen, use all of their senses - taste, touch, smell and more - to decide what to pick up and bring home. OPINION | Op-Ed Contributor [Earth, the Final Frontier] By ADAM FRANK Trump may defund NASA climate research. That's a bad idea for the entire planet. QUOTATION OF THE DAY "The entire political structure is corrupt. It's like chasing rats out of one hole and straight into another." [MARCOS DEFRANCO], a civil police investigator in São Paulo, reacting to Brazilian lawmakers' move to gut the authority of prosecutors and judges investigating politicians in corruption cases. Today's Videos [[Video] Video: Barry Jenkins on "Moonlight"] The director explores why he chose to open the film with a drug deal. [[Video] Video: Mike Mills on "20th Century Women"] The director shares the importance of Jimmy Carter's 1979 "Crisis of Confidence" speech, with regard to his film - and the era itself. [[Video] Video: Los Beatlemaniacos] The Beatles broke up in 1970, but the spirit of the band still thrives in Mexico City. [Delores M. Hoffman (Ms. New York) backstage at this year's Ms. Senior America Pageant in Atlantic City.] [[Video] Video: Never Too Old for a Tiara] The Ms. Senior America pageant caters not to women on the cusp of adulthood but to those who have experienced life in all of its joys and sorrows. They're still kicking - and kicking high. World [President Michel Temer of Brazil in Brasília, the capital, in November. The country's leaders have been engaged in open political warfare for more than a year.] [Who's Taping Whom? Paranoia Infuses Brazil's Scandal-Ridden Politics] By SIMON ROMERO Much of the nervousness in the capital, Brasília, stems from a sweeping corruption investigation that, despite a change in administrations, has not gone away. [Sarah Olney of the Liberal Democratic Party defeated Zac Goldsmith, who had represented the London borough of Richmond as a Conservative since 2010.] [Election in London, Seen as Gauge of 'Brexit' Zeal, Jolts British Government] By STEVEN ERLANGER and STEPHEN CASTLE In a London special election, a popular candidate aligned with the Conservatives lost to an opponent of leaving the European Union, raising issues about how deep Britain's departure will be. [Posters in Rome urged people to vote yes on Sunday in a referendum on a constitutional overhaul.] [Italy's Constitutional Referendum: What You Need to Know] By ELISABETTA POVOLEDO The Sunday vote, which could end up significantly altering the nation's charter, is a major test for Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, whose political career could hang in the balance. For more world news, go to [NYTimes.com/World »] ADVERTISEMENT U.S. [Michael T. Slager, right, a former police officer in North Charleston, S.C., arrived at the courthouse in Charleston on Friday for his murder trial.] [Jury Appears One Vote Short of Convicting Ex-Police Officer in Walter Scott's Death] By ALAN BLINDER "I cannot in good conscience consider a guilty verdict," one juror wrote the judge in the trial of Michael T. Slager. Deliberations are to resume Monday. [Bobby Bilk outside his apartment and car, which were destroyed by the wildfire.] [Gatlinburg Residents Return Home to Wildfire Destruction] By RICHARD FAUSSET The damage to the East Tennessee city left residents searching for courage as they faced uncertain questions about their future. [Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, right, arriving for a hearing at Fort Bragg, N.C., in July.] [Bowe Bergdahl, Facing Desertion Trial, Asks Obama for Pardon] By CHARLIE SAVAGE Lawyers for Sergeant Bergdahl are concerned he would not get a fair trial under President-elect Donald J. Trump, who has called him a "no-good traitor." For more U.S. news, go to [NYTimes.com/US »] ADVERTISEMENT Politics [Speaker Paul D. Ryan signing a measure in January to repeal major provisions of the Affordable Care Act. It was vetoed by President Obama.] [G.O.P. Plans Immediate Repeal of Health Law, Then a Delay] By ROBERT PEAR, JENNIFER STEINHAUER and THOMAS KAPLAN Congressional Republicans plan to move quickly to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but they are also likely to delay the effective date. [Gen. James N. Mattis met with U.S. Marines at Camp Rhino in Afghanistan in December 2001.] [James Mattis, Trump's Choice for Defense, Favors Working With Allies] By HELENE COOPER and ERIC SCHMITT The hawkish former head of United States Central Command views a tough American posture overseas as a deterrent to war, officials close to him say. [Silicon Valley Chiefs Notably Absent From Trump's Cabinet of Business Advisers] By MICHAEL J. de la MERCED The President's Strategic and Policy Forum is a bipartisan mix of business executives drawn from the worlds of finance, media and manufacturing. PODCAST [A Political Guide You Can Trust] The election is over. But the story has just begun. Michael Barbaro, a veteran political reporter, hosts The Run-Up, a weekly podcast that makes sense of American politics and government. [Available on iTunes]. For more political news, go to [NYTimes.com/Politics »] Business [At First Class Seating in Holland, Mich., employees built the arm sections of reclining chairs for movie theater.] [Trump's Tough Trade Talk Could Damage American Factories] By PETER S. GOODMAN, NEIL GOUGH, SUI-LEE WEE and JACK EWING If President-elect Donald J. Trump imposes steep tariffs on Chinese goods, he could harm the people he aims to help - American factory workers. [The headquarters of Aixtron, a maker of semiconductors, in Herzogenrath, Germany.] [Obama Moves to Block Chinese Acquisition of a German Chip Maker] By PAUL MOZUR The White House's intervention could set the stage for President-elect Donald Trump to take a tougher stance on foreign deals. [Jacqueline Cote, right, the lead plaintiff in the case, with her wife, Diana Smithson.] [Walmart Settles Discrimination Suit Over Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses] By NOAM SCHEIBER The $7.5 million agreement signals a shift in legal doctrine on discrimination against gays and lesbians, making it more likely to be considered sex discrimination. For more business news, go to [NYTimes.com/Business »] Technology [David O. Sacks, the chief executive of Zenefits, said little about why he was changing roles beyond saying that Zenefits was in a good position.] [Zenefits Chief Quitting and Is Said to Consider Trump Transition Team] By MIKE ISAAC and KATIE BENNER David O. Sacks, who was charged with turning the embattled start-up around, is said to be possibly joining Donald J. Trump's transition team. [Airbnb supporters at a rally outside City Hall in New York last year.] [Airbnb Ends Fight With New York City Over Fines] By KATIE BENNER The short-term room rental service settled a lawsuit it had filed over a state law that it said could have deterred hosts and impaired its revenues. [Angelababy, an actress who has endorsed Meitu's smartphones, is also known for her look, which many users aspire to recreate in their photographs.] [Meitu of China, Built on the Selfie, Could Be Worth $5.23 Billion in I.P.O.] By AMIE TSANG The company, known for its beauty-enhancing app and phones made for self-portraits, plans to raise up to $710 million with its listing in Hong Kong. For more technology news, go to [NYTimes.com/Technology »] Sports [Friends and family of the former N.F.L. player Joe McKnight gathered at the site of his fatal shooting in Terrytown, La., on Thursday.] [Man Who Police Say Admitted Shooting Joe McKnight Is Freed Without Charge] By DANIEL VICTOR Ronald Gasser, 54, had been held in the possible "road rage" episode in which the former N.F.L. player was killed. [Game 7 of the World Series lasted 4 hours 28 minutes but still attracted 40 million viewers.] [Labor Peace Helps Bolster Baseball's Bottom Line] By RICHARD SANDOMIR Television contracts and digital innovation - as well as old-fashioned fan interest - are generating a flood of revenue that is sustaining Major League Baseball. [Either St. John's Coach Chris Mullin, left, or Tulane Coach Mike Dunleavy, right, will end a five-game losing streak on Friday night.] [Tulane and St. John's Coaches Share a Goal: Returning Teams to Glory] By ADAM ZAGORIA Chris Mullin of St. John's and Mike Dunleavy of Tulane have much in common, including their game in New Orleans on Friday night. For more sports news, go to [NYTimes.com/Sports »] Arts [A selfie recently taken with Hillary Clinton.] Critic's Notebook [The Hillary Clinton Selfie as Political Salve, or Weapon] By AMANDA HESS Some supporters of the Democratic candidate have found comfort in Mrs. Clinton's makeup-free look and comfortable demeanor, while others remain stung by the loss. [A work by Zanele Muholi, the South African photographer and L.G.B.T. activist, in the Stevenson booth at Art Basel Miami Beach, where the talk has been about more than art.] Critic's Notebook [Politics and Commerce Collide at Art Basel Miami Beach] By JASON FARAGO Amid concerns about what challenges the art world might face, there are still many not-to-miss exhibitions at galleries and museums. [Tamara Mumford, left, and Eric Owens in ] [Review: A Newly Relevant 'L'Amour de Loin' at the Met] By ANTHONY TOMMASINI Kaija Saariaho's work, making its New York debut, is the second opera composed by a woman to be presented by the company. (The first was in 1903.) For more arts news, go to [NYTimes.com/Arts »] New York [Members of the Japanese double dutch team Big Up, including Tetsuya Kubota, center, practicing in Central Park on Thursday.] [As Double Dutch Wanes in New York, Competition Comes From Abroad] By LISA W. FODERARO With fewer New Yorkers practicing double dutch jump rope, an annual tournament at the Apollo Theater in Harlem will draw teams from France and Japan. [Cyrus R. Vance Jr., the Manhattan district attorney, wrote that one bill before the City Council would ] [Council Bill Could Make Campaign Fraud Easier in New York, Critics Say] By WILLIAM NEUMAN The Manhattan district attorney is among those sharply criticizing proposals that would alter the city's campaign finance system. [Brian Coll, a former correction officer at the Rikers Island jail complex who is on trial in the 2012 death of Ronald Spear.] [Ex-Rikers Guard Kicked Ill Inmate to Death, Prosecutor Says at Trial] By BENJAMIN WEISER The prosecutor leveled her accusation against Brian Coll, a former correction officer accused of violating an inmate's constitutional rights. For more New York news, go to [NYTimes.com/NewYork »] Obituaries [Peng Chang-kuei in 2006.] [Peng Chang-kuei, Chef Behind General Tso's Chicken, Dies at 98] By WILLIAM GRIMES Mr. Peng, whose chicken has been called "the most famous Hunanese dish in the world," left a lasting mark on the food scene. [Andrew Sachs, who played the waiter Manuel in the BBC television series ] [Andrew Sachs, Hapless Waiter on the BBC Sitcom 'Fawlty Towers,' Dies at 86] By CHRISTOPHER MELE His earnest yet bumbling character, Manuel, was regularly recruited into the schemes of the hotel owner Basil Fawlty, played by John Cleese. [Sebastian Leone in 1970, the year he became the Brooklyn borough president.] [Sebastian Leone, Borough President Who Championed Brooklyn, Dies at 91] By ELI ROSENBERG Mr. Leone was borough president from 1970 to 1976, when Brooklyn did not enjoy the renown as a cultural center and thriving place to live that it has today. [Stephen W. Dunwell, left, and Erich Bloch with a model of an IBM computer that was announced in 1960.] [Erich Bloch, Who Helped Develop IBM Mainframe, Dies at 91] By SAM ROBERTS In 1964, he transformed computing with the System/360, the foundation for the modern operating system that would host various software programs. [Alice Drummond, shown in 1992, worked in theater, television and film productions.] [Alice Drummond, Character Actress, Dies at 88] By DANIEL E. SLOTNIK Ms. Drummond, a regular in Broadway and off Broadway productions in the 1960s and '70s, had roles in films like "Ghostbusters," "Awakenings" and "Doubt." For more obituaries, go to [NYTimes.com/Obituaries »] Editorial Editorial [An Experienced Leader for the Pentagon] By THE EDITORIAL BOARD Gen. James Mattis could serve as a voice of reason in the next administration. Editorial [Reduce Subway Fares for Poor New Yorkers] By THE EDITORIAL BOARD Transit costs have risen steeply, even as the earnings of low-income workers have stagnated. [Donald Trump took questions from veterans at the Commander-in-Chief Forum in New York in September.] Editorial [Vets Who Could Use an Assist From Mr. Trump] By THE EDITORIAL BOARD Building housing for homeless veterans in Los Angeles is a realistic goal that plays to the president-elect's strengths. For more opinion, go to [NYTimes.com/Opinion »] Op-Ed Op-Ed Columnist [Trump, Finally Explained] By GAIL COLLINS It's not real unless you see it on TV. Op-Ed Contributor [The General Who Should Lead the Pentagon] By THOMAS E. RICKS These are not normal times. Gen. James Mattis will be a restraint on Donald Trump's impulsiveness. [Maria Spelterini crossing the Niagara River gorge on a tightrope with two peach baskets on her feet in 1876.] Sporting [Confessions of an Amateur Tightrope Walker] By KATHERINE RUNDELL As long as there is gravity, there will be the temptation to try to get the better of it. For more opinion, go to [NYTimes.com/Opinion »] ON THIS DAY On Dec. 3, 1984, more than 4,000 people died after a cloud of gas escaped from a pesticide plant operated by a Union Carbide subsidiary in Bhopal, India. [See this Front Page] | [Buy this Front Page] FOLLOW US: [Facebook] [Facebook] | [Twitter] [@NYTimes] | [Pinterest] [Pinterest] | [Instagram] [Instagram] [NYT] Access The New York Times from anywhere with our suite of apps: [iPhone®] | [iPad®] | [Android] | [All] [.] Save 15% at [The NYTimes Store »] [.] Have questions? [Help Section »] [.] Visit our mobile website at [m.nyt.com »] About This Email This is an automated email. Please do not reply directly to this email. 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