Everything you need to know this morning, curated by VICE.
US News
Republican Wins Georgia’s Special Election
Republican Karen Handel defeated Democrat Jon Ossoff in Georgia’s special congressional election. With almost all votes counted, Handel won by around 5 percentage points. The contest, hyped as a referendum on President Trump, was the most expensive race for a House seat in history, with the candidates raising a combined total of $56.7 million. Roughly $32 million went in favor of Ossoff’s campaign alone.—VICE News
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Travis Kalanick Forced Out as Uber CEO
Travis Kalanick resigned Tuesday as CEO of Uber, facing pressure from some of the company’s biggest investors. In a letter entitled “Moving Uber Forward,” the investor group essentially demanded that he quit. Kalanick, who will remain on the board, said he “accepted the investors request to step aside so that Uber can go back to building rather than be distracted with another fight.”—VICE News
US Shoots Down Iranian Drone in Syria
The US military said it shot down an Iranian-made drone that was threatening rebel coalition forces in southern Syria. The F-15 jet hit the armed drone “after it displayed hostile intent” near Tanf, a camp where US forces are training local fighters. An anonymous defense official said the drone was suspected of being sent by “pro-regime” forces.—AP
Trump Says China Tried but Failed to Handle North Korea
President Trump apparently believes China’s efforts to influence North Korea’s nuclear program and missile tests have been a noble failure. “While I greatly appreciate the efforts of President Xi & China to help with North Korea,” Trump tweeted, “it has not worked out. At least I know China tried!” American and Chinese officials meet Wednesday in Washington to discuss North Korea.—CNN
International News
King Salman’s Son Crowned a Prince in Saudi Arabia
In a major change to Saudi Arabia’s system of royal succession, King Salman has replaced his nephew with his son as the crown prince and heir to the throne. Mohammed bin Nayef, 57, will be replaced by Mohammed bin Salman, 31, who was also named deputy prime minister. Saudi Arabia’s Allegiance Council voted heavily in favor of the royal decree.—Al Jazeera
Wannabe Bomber Shot Dead in Belgian Station
Belgian soldiers fatally shot a would-be bomber at Brussels Central Station after he botched the detonation of a device that caused a small explosion, but no injuries. The man was carrying a shrapnel bomb that failed to properly explode, at least initially. “Something much worse has been avoided,” said Interior Minister Jan Jambon.—VICE News/Reuters/NYT
Militants Attack School in Southern Philippines
Gunmen attacked a school in the southern Philippines island of Mindanao, taking five people hostage during a fire fight with soldiers. A military spokesman has since said the attackers from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters group “have withdrawn from the area. The school area is again safe.”—CNN
Embattled Macron Ally Resigns from Cabinet
French justice minister François Bayrou has quit over a scandal plaguing his centrist MoDem Party about allegedly misusing EU funds. President Emmanuel Macron has been forced to rethink Cabinet positions for the party, allied to his own La République en Marche (LREM) movement, after two other MoDem ministers, Sylvie Goulard and Marielle de Sarnez, resigned this week.—BBC News
Everything Else
Mobb Deep Rapper Prodigy Dies at 42
Tributes have poured in from across the globe for the legendary Queens rapper and member of Mobb Deep Albert Johnson, better known as Prodigy, who has died at the age of 42. He had been in the hospital following complications with sickle cell anemia.—Noisey
Daniel Day-Lewis to Retire
Acting legend Sir Daniel Day-Lewis, the only performer to have won the Best Actor Oscar three times, announced he’s retiring from acting. His next appearance on the screen—in Paul Thomas Anderson’s forthcoming Phantom Thread—will apparently be his last.—VICE
‘Star Wars’ Spin-off Directors Fired
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have been let go as directors of the next Star Wars spin-off movie by Lucasfilm. The directors’ ideas for the Han Solo–focused film were reportedly at odds with those of screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan.—The Hollywood Reporter
T.I. to Star in New Jerry Bruckheimer Cop Show
Rapper and actor Tip “T.I.” Harris is set to star in a cop show called Atlanta’s Most Wanted for FOX. The artist, who plays the son of a crime boss who joins the vice squad, described it as “a passion project.”—Deadline
Spotify Reportedly Introducing ‘Sponsored Songs’
Spotify is said to be testing a new system that would allow record companies to pay to add songs to free users’ playlists. The “sponsored songs” will apparently be catered to users’ regular listening habits on the streaming service.—Noisey
Drew Barrymore Appears in New SZA Video
SZA has released the video for her album Ctrl‘s lead single “Drew Barrymore,” featuring a cameo by the song’s namesake. The actress meets SZA at the top of a staircase in the video, directed by Dave Meyers and shot in New York City.—i-D
