Dozens of people get sick after L.A. Times 101 Best Restaurants event

American hostage Austin Tice's siblings appeal for his release after 12 years missing in Syria, following President Biden's statement on U.S. efforts to bring him home. A team of U.S. officials, including Special Envoy Roger Carstens and Assistant Secretary Barbara Leaf, is in Damascus to gather information on missing Americans under the Assad regime and engage with Syrian people on their vision for the country's future, as well as meeting with U.S.-designated terrorist group Hayat...

The first U.S. diplomats to visit Syria since President Bashar Assad's ouster are in Damascus to meet with the country's new leadership. They are seeking information on the whereabouts of missing American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared years ago. The visit marks a significant diplomatic step in the relationship between the two nations. Full Article

A Michigan man stabbed the president of the company he worked for during a staff meeting in a possible copycat attack resembling the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The victim, Erik Denslow, underwent surgery and is in stable condition, while the suspect, Nathan Mahoney, was arrested shortly after the incident. Mahoney, who had worked for the company for only a few weeks, is facing charges of assault with intent to murder and fleeing, with...

SS-GreenLight Racing has announced Garrett Smithley as the full-time driver for the No. 14 Chevrolet Camaro in the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, marking his return to a full-time schedule since 2019. Smithley has a history with the team, securing a top-10 finish in 2020, and will be supported by longtime partner Trophy Tractor. Crew chief Jason Miller will guide Smithley, as the team aims to leverage technical alliances for competitive gains. Full Article

At the center of a looming government shutdown is a debate over the debt ceiling, with President-elect Donald Trump demanding it be addressed in funding legislation to avert a crisis. Republicans included a provision to suspend the debt ceiling for two years in a failed government funding proposal, leaving next steps uncertain. Failure to raise the debt limit could lead to default, with Trump urging action before he takes office and Speaker Mike Johnson facing...

A Barilla survey reveals a generational gap in pasta-making skills, with younger generations like Gen Z excelling at salting pasta water and avoiding olive oil in the pot. Chefs emphasize the importance of salting water properly for flavor and sauce adhesion, while warning against breaking spaghetti for optimal sauce retention and taste. Overall, the study shows that younger home cooks are more knowledgeable about pasta preparation techniques compared to older generations. Full Article