10 things you need to know today: November 14, 2014

1. Obama prepares executive actions on immigration

President Obama plans to sidestep Congress and use his executive powers to change how immigration laws are enforced, according to administration officials. One of the moves, expected as early as next week, would shield up to five million undocumented immigrants from deportation. Republicans, calling the move "executive amnesty," are considering bills to counter Obama's executive actions in the first major test of their power since winning full control of Congress less than two weeks ago.

The New York Times The Washington Post

2. Another doctor stricken with Ebola heads to a U.S. hospital

A surgeon who contracted Ebola in Sierra Leone will be flown from West Africa to the United States for treatment, health officials said Thursday. The patient — Dr. Martin Salia, a legal U.S. permanent resident — is expected to arrive at the Biocontainment Unit at the Nebraska Medical Center on Saturday. Salia tested positive on Nov. 10 after treating Ebola patients at a Freetown hospital. The Nebraska center where he will be treated has already successfully treated two Ebola patients who contracted the often-deadly virus in Liberia.

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The Associated Press

3. Report outlines Secret Service's bungled response to White House intruder

A string of failures by Secret Service officers let an armed intruder hop a fence and run into the White House on Sept. 19, according to a Department of Homeland Security report. One officer reportedly was on his cell phone during the incident, while several others assumed alleged intruder Omar Gonzalez, who reportedly was carrying a folding knife, would be stopped by bushes inside the fence. One lawmaker called the missteps a "comedy of errors."

The New York Times

4. Obama criticizes law blocking Suu Kyi from Myanmar's presidency

President Obama said Friday that a law in Myanmar barring pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from running in a presidential election next year "doesn't make much sense." The statement, which Obama made in a joint appearance with Suu Kyi in Yangon, marked the latest effort by the Obama administration to push for political and economic reforms in the country, also known as Burma. The law prohibits Suu Kyi from becoming president because her two sons are foreign nationals.

Reuters

5. Senate Democrats keep Reid as leader despite criticism

Democrats returned Sen. Harry Reid to his leadership position after a four-hour meeting on Thursday. After Republicans routed Democrats and gained full control of Congress in midterm elections earlier this month, Reid's title will change from majority leader to minority leader. Several red-state senators pointedly announced that they had voted against Reid, saying voters wanted new leadership, although none of them proposed anyone else to take charge of the party's caucus.

Roll Call Politico

6. Oil prices fall below $80 per barrel

Crude oil prices dropped below $80 per barrel on Thursday for the first time in four years. The price of brent crude had already fallen by 30 percent since June before decreasing by another $2.46 on Thursday, to $77.92 per barrel. The decline came as China, the world's second biggest economy, released data on factory output and investment growth that supported recent indications it was headed for its weakest growth in two decades this year.

Reuters

7. Court orders New Jersey parents to contribute to estranged daughter's college tuition

A New Jersey judge on Thursday ordered two parents to contribute to their estranged adult daughter's Temple University tuition. The young woman — Caitlyn Ricci, 21 — sued and, if the parents comply with the judge's order, stands to collect $16,000 per year for her education. "What child does this? It's insane," said Ricci's mother, Maura McGarvey. Ricci's grandmother said, "How would you have a relationship with your parents if they don't want to contribute to college?"

6ABC.com

8. ISIS will issue its own money

The self-proclaimed Islamic State announced Thursday that it planned to start minting its own currency. The Islamist extremist group, which is using terrorism and ground warfare in a bid to establish a caliphate in Iraq and Syria, said the move would help it operate outside the "tyrant's financial system." ISIS said it would explain exchange rates and other details regarding the currency — two gold coins, three silver, and two copper — in a later statement.

CNN

9. Pope Francis orders construction of showers for the homeless in St. Peter's Square

Pope Francis is continuing his sometimes unconventional efforts to show compassion for the poor by building showers for the homeless in St. Peter's Square, a Vatican spokesman said Thursday. The three showers will be added in revamped public restrooms for Catholic pilgrims under the white colonnade leading into the Vatican's basilica, built in 1626. Construction is scheduled to begin next week.

The Washington Post

10. Trout and Kershaw named baseball's MVPs

The Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout was unanimously selected as the American League's Most Valuable player on Thursday. The star outfielder's hitting, base stealing, and fielding have made him arguably the best player in baseball, statistically, for three years running, but he was runner-up in MVP voting two years in a row. L.A. Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, fresh off winning the Cy Young Award, was named National League MVP. He is the first NL pitcher to win the MVP award since Bob Gibson in 1968.

Los Angeles Times