5 things you need to know Wednesday
So many cars! Los Angeles Auto Show gears up
Through curtains of fog as music blares, a bevy of new car models will be revealed as the show floor opens Wednesday at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It's is the first of the season's big U.S. auto shows and dozens of car models are expected to debut. What will be big this year?SUVs of all stripes. Also look for formal introductions of the first SUV from Fiat Chrysler's Alfa Romeo brand, the Stelvio, and a new, subcompact from Ford, the EcoSport. Jaguar is debuting its electric I-Pace concept, which is slated to go more than 220 miles per charge. Paste BN will be there for all the big unveils, so follow along with our coverage. The show opens to the public on Friday.
Obama delivers globalization speech in Athens
Much about the rise of Donald Trump has to do with globalization. And that is what President Obama will be talking about in a speech Wednesday, the second day of his visit to Greece. “On both sides of the Atlantic, we face the task of ensuring that our political institutions and economic policies are responsive to our people, many of whom feel that they have been hurt by globalization and trade,” Obama said in an interview published Sunday in an Athens newspaper. The president also will take a tour of the Parthenon and other parts of the Acropolis. He then departs for Germany, followed by Peru.
NHL participation in 2018 Olympics is on the line
NHL players have participated in every Winter Olympics since 1998. But the 2018 PyeongChang Games might be played without them. The International Olympic Committee decreed that the NHL will have to pay transportation and insurance costs to send players. Wednesday’s meeting in New York between NHL officials, the International Ice Hockey Federation, USA Hockey, Hockey Canada and the NHL Players' Association could be viewed as the last chance to save the NHL relationship with the Olympics. No decision is expected until January, but this meeting will offer insight into whether there should be any optimism this is going to happen.
Republicans expected to shore up congressional leadership positions
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is expected to be re-elected Wednesday to the top leadership job by the Senate Republican Conference. The vote comes one day after Paul Ryan of Wisconsin was unanimously chosen for another term as House speaker by his Republican colleagues. The new Congress convenes in January and a final vote on House speaker will take place at that time. House Democrats, meanwhile, postponed their leadership elections after some members asked for more time to analyze the results of the election.
JetBlue flash sale drops many routes below $100 round trip
Planning to travel on JetBlue? Wednesday could be the day to book. The airline is having a two-day flash sale, which ends at 11:59 p.m. JetBlue's sale includes a variety of routes, with some one-way fares listed as low as $34 each way. Travel is good through March 9, though there are several blackout dates and some other fine print. If you’ve been hoarding vacation days, even outside of the JetBlue sale it could be a great time to plan a trip. These are some other amazing flight deals for early December.
And the essentials:
Weather: A winter storm will intensify over the Northwest and northern Rockies while the rest of the nation stays mild.
Stocks: Global stock markets were mixed Wednesday as investors awaited more policy details from President-elect Donald Trump.
TV Tonight: Wondering what to watch tonight? TV critic Robert Bianco looks at looks at Thanksgiving sitcoms on ABC and Chicago P.D. on NBC.
Be inspired: This hiking cat rules the "meowtains."
Most popular: See our top stories in one nightly digest on Facebook Messenger.
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