The Brief

Ranching Standoff Protest
Les Zaitz—AP

Armed Standoff in Oregon

Armed protesters are occupying a building at a national wildlife refuge in Oregon and asking militia members around the country to join them. The protesters went to Malheur National Wildlife Refuge following a rally in support of two Oregon ranchers

Iraqi protesters carry posters of Sheik Nimr al-Nimr during a protest in Baghdad, Iraq on Jan. 3, 2016.

Saudi Arabia Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Iran

Saudi Arabia announced it was severing diplomatic relations with Shiite powerhouse Iran amid escalating tensions over the Sunni kingdom's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. The move came hours after protesters stormed and set fire to the Saudi Embassy in Tehran

Chris Christie

Chris Christie Shifts Focus to Iowa

Despite initially focusing his campaign's efforts on New Hampshire, in recent weeks, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has shifted strategy as he eyes an opening in Iowa, not to win, but to place ahead of Bush

Vegas Police Investigating Chris Brown for Alleged Attack

Las Vegas police are investigating an allegation of battery against R&B singer Chris Brown. A woman said she was struck by Brown and that he had taken her cellphone, police said. Brown's representatives have denied the allegations

To match Insight MYANMAR-INDIA/

6.7 Magnitude Earthquake Hits India's Northeast

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit India's remote northeast region, causing damage to some buildings but there was no immediate word on casualties. There were reports of damage to a popular market in Imphal, the capital of Manipur state

President Obama Visits San Bernardino

Obama to Hold Town-Hall Meeting on Gun Violence

President Barack Obama announced he'll hold a town-hall meeting on guns after he meets with Attorney General Loretta Lynch about possible executive actions to curb gun violence. The town hall comes in response to the shootings in San Bernardino, Calif.

Whites Angrier About the News Than Other Groups

White people are angrier about current events and more pessimistic about “the American dream” than other racial groups, a new survey found. Those who said they felt angrier about current events are more likely to be Republican

Mideast Israel Investigating Israelis

Israel Indicts Jewish Extremists in Deadly Arson Attack

Israel indicted two Jewish extremists suspected in a July arson attack on a Palestinian home that killed a toddler and his parents — a case that has been unsolved for months and helped fuel the current wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence

The Force Awakens Passes Titanic at Box Office

Star Wars: The Force Awakens has surpassed Titanic to become the second highest-grossing movie of all-time domestically. The latest Star Wars flick has earned $686 million, according to Disney, passing Titanic, which brought in $658 million

Bernie Sanders Holds Press Conference With Activists In Chicago

Sanders Raises Over $33 Million Since October

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders raised more than $33 million during the past three months in his bid to win the Democratic nomination, his campaign said, just short of the amount brought in by rival Hillary Clinton during the same period

India Air Base Attack

2 Soldiers Killed in Attack on Indian Air Base

Suspected militants entered an Indian air force base near the border with Pakistan and exchanged fire with security forces for hours, leaving at least four gunmen and two Indian soldiers dead, officials and news reports said