"Iraqi forces said on Monday they had seized a strategic government complex in the western city of Ramadi from the Islamic State after a fierce weeklong battle to retake it, following a brutal seven-month occupation by the extremist group." [NYT]
Tornadoes, flooding and heavy snow killed at least 43 people across the Midwest. Over 1,275 flights were canceled and thousands more were delayed by the severe weather over the holiday weekend. [AP]
After shocking allegations that the Denver Broncos quarterback and other MLB and NFL stars used HGH, Manning issued a furious denial that contained confusing references to his wife’s possible involvement. [Lydia O'Connor, HuffPost]
"We haven't delivered." [WaPo]
"The foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan said Monday they had reached a deal meant to resolve a decades-long impasse over Korean women forced into Japanese military-run brothels during World War II, a potentially dramatic breakthrough between the Northeast Asian neighbors and rivals." [AP]
You’ll be hearing a lot more about the growing importance of Kazakhstan over the next few years. [WaPo]
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WHAT’S BREWING
The scientists leading the call to arms tell their side of the story. [WaPo]
The force is strong with this one. [Reuters]
No but really, who is her father? Oh and here's the Millenium Falcon, made of 7,500 Lego pieces. [HuffPost]
Before you become a cardiac arrest victim. [AP]
It's looking like the show's tenth season may be its last. [HuffPost]
Some strong pajama game at work here. [HuffPost]
"Round-the-clock coverage of global events means there is a constant supply of crisis and chaos for us to interpret. Stories of strings being pulled by hidden hands are a staple of our entertainment." [The Guardian]
WHAT'S WORKING
"How did this young girl, just having given birth, manage that trip at sea? How did she do all that walking? Where did she give birth? Wasn’t Mary just a kid too when she and Joseph took to the road?" [HuffPost]
For more, sign up for the What's Working newsletter.
ON THE BLOG
"I fumbled into the bathroom as I felt the numbness creep up the back of my neck like a penetrating fog, slowly inching to the front of my mind. In the moment, it was as if a light in my brain had been shut off." [HuffPost]
BEFORE YOU GO
~ Inside the refugee crisis -- in virtual reality.
~ Understanding the exceptions Obama makes for his special forces.
~ How the beheading of a nine-year-old girl has ignited the Hazaras community in Afghanistan.
~ A year in the life of an unraveling opioid addict.
~ How a drug-resistant form of malaria could lead to a "global comeback."
~ The New Yorker chronicles the rise of “SNL” star Leslie Jones.
~ A lot of people are using their noses to operate their Apple watches, proving laziness can always reach new heights.
~ When a stingray gives birth in your boat.
~ ICYMI, most Americans only live 18 miles away from mom.
~ Chrissy Teigen continues to capture hearts everywhere by telling off Internet commentators.
~ The Radiohead rejected Bond song is pretty darn spectacular.
~ More shirtless pictures of Vladimir Putin, this time from a calendar called, "All Year With The President Of Russia."
~ The comeback of the used bookstore.
~ And yes, everyone hurt themselves trying out their new hoverboards this holiday season. Just make sure yours doesn't catch fire.
Send tips/quips/quotes/stories/photos/events/scoops to Lauren Weber at lauren.weber@huffingtonpost.com. Follow us on Twitter @LaurenWeberHP. And like what you're reading? Sign up here to get The Morning Email delivered to you.