An Ignoble Experiment: The 7: What to know about the Tesla recall; Republicans’ impeachment inquiry; a meatball to feed 25 people; and more

2023/12/14

By Hannah Jewell
with Jamie Ross

Good morning. It's Thursday, Dec. 14, and I might do all my holiday shopping at "bin stores" this year. Now let's catch up.

Why? Republicans have not said what alleged crimes they would try to impeach Biden for, and they haven't shown evidence that he benefited financially from his son Hunter's foreign deals.
The vote: No Democrats supported the move yesterday. And it's unclear whether Republicans have the votes, or political will, to impeach. (See how your representative voted here.)
What else happened? Hunter Biden defied a House subpoena to testify behind closed doors.

What drug? Mifepristone, which is used in more than half of U.S. abortions. The court should decide by the end of June whether to restrict it, it announced yesterday.
What it means: The issue of reproductive rights is returning to the high court for the first time since it overturned Roe v. Wade last year.
What else to know: The court will hear a case that could undo hundreds of charges stemming from Jan. 6, 2021 attack — including against former president Donald Trump.

What to know: The president's first in-person meeting with the group lasted over two hours yesterday. At least eight Americans remain captive in the Gaza Strip.
What else to know: Images of Palestinian men stripped and detained by Israeli soldiers have drawn condemnation. A U.S. official called them "deeply disturbing."

What to know: The bill, passed yesterday, prohibits hormone therapy, puberty blockers and gender reassignment surgery. It now goes to the governor.
What it means: Transgender youths in states with similar bans who had been traveling to Ohio for care may soon need other options.

Why? The cars' Autopilot systems do not have enough controls to prevent misuse, U.S. safety regulators determined. (Here's what to do if your car is affected.)
The problem: Tesla drivers are able to engage Autopilot on roads where it can't reliably operate, like those with cross-traffic — with sometimes deadly consequences.

Why? The Federal Reserve left interest rates flat again yesterday — raising the possibility that they could lower them in 2024. The last rate hike came in July.
What it means: There's fresh optimism in financial markets, spurred by a belief that the economy is cooling just enough to lower inflation without triggering a recession.

(Ikea UK and Ireland)

What you're looking at: A giant version of the Swedish furniture retailer's cult-favorite cafeteria meatballs. This one can feed up to 25 people, the company said.
This isn't a joke: As part of a holiday contest, Ikea is giving away 30 of the meaty orbs and 30 veggie options. (If you don't win, here's how to make your own regular-size meatballs.)

Before you go … not into meatballs? Try one of our 20 most popular recipes of 2023.

And finally … test your news knowledge with The Post's daily quiz, On the Record. Click here to play. Or try our word game, Keyword.

You're all caught up. See you tomorrow.