Books Of The Times: Two Stories Harmonize In Lisa Halliday’s Deft Debut Novel

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump abruptly rejected a bipartisan plan Wednesday to prevent a Christmastime government shutdown, instead telling House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republicans to essentially renegotiate—days before a deadline when federal funding runs out. Trump’s sudden entrance into the debate and new demands sent Congress spiraling as lawmakers are trying to wrap up work and head home for the holidays.

NEW YORK — New York prosecutors are using a 9/11-era anti-terrorism law in their case against the man charged with gunning down UnitedHealthcare’s CEO outside a midtown Manhattan hotel. Luigi Mangione was indicted on charges of murder as an act of terrorism, under a state law that allows for stiffer sentences when a killing is aimed at terrifying civilians or influencing government. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] If it sounds like an unusual application of a terrorism law, it’s not the first time the statute has been applied to a case that wasn’t about cross-border extremism or a plot to kill masses of people. Mangione is jailed on other charges in Pennsylvania, where he is scheduled to appear at an extradition hearing Thursday that could clear the way for him to be brought to New York. Here are some things to know about the anti-terrorism law and the case surrounding the death of Brian Thompson. What does the law say? Mangione is charged with first-degree and second-degree murder counts that specifically refer to a New York law that addresses terrorism.

Fluid Truck, whose vehicle rental app made it a darling among Denver startups before post-pandemic overexpansion put it on a path to insolvency, will be sold. This week’s sale to Kingbee Rentals, a similar company in the Salt Lake City suburbs, allows Kingbee to acquire Fluid’s technology and its 100-plus employees.

By CHRIS MEGERIAN WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump delivered a likely death blow to bipartisan congressional budget negotiations on Wednesday, rejecting the measure as full of giveaways to Democrats after billionaire ally Elon Musk whipped up outrage toward the bill and cheered on Republican lawmakers who announced their opposition. Trump’s joint statement with Vice President-elect JD Vance, which stopped the bill in its tracks, punctuated a daylong torrent of social media posts by Musk attacking the legislation for what he described as excessive spending. “Stop the steal of your tax dollars!” Musk wrote on his social media platform X as he dangled primary challenges against anyone who voted for the budget deal, a threat Trump later echoed in a post of his own. The episode showcased the growing political influence of Musk, whom Trump has selected alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to spearhead the Department of Government Efficiency, a nongovernmental task force formed to find ways to fire federal workers, cut programs and reduce regulations. Rep.

Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (ankle) is expected to play on Thursday night against the Chargers after being listed as a full participant in Denver’s estimated injury report for the third straight day. Starting defensive end John Franklin-Myers (foot) and nose tackle D. J. Jones (finger) were also listed as full participants and expected to play in Denver’s prime-time showdown. Surtain sustained an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of last week’s win against the Colts.

Sixteen suspected Tren de Aragua gang members remained in federal custody Wednesday on immigration holds after a violent home invasion and kidnapping at Aurora’s Edge of Lowry apartments. All 16 suspects in custody are undocumented Venezuelan immigrants and are suspected of being members or associates of the Venezuelan prison gang, a U.