Obama's staff picks, and more

Obama's staff picks: 14 down, 10 to go

Barack Obama has named 14 of the 24 Cabinet and top staff members in his administration. At this point in their transitions, Bill Clinton had filled only one position and Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan only two.

The New York Times

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Deaths in Mexican drug war higher than U.S. fatalities in Iraq

Some 6,285 Mexicans have died in drug-related violence since early 2007, when Mexican President Felipe Calderón declared war on drug traffickers. That’s more than the number of U.S. fatalities in the Iraq war.

Los Angeles Times

Predator drones planed for Canada-U.S. border

Predator drones, which have played a major role in targeting terrorists in Pakistan’s tribal regions, will be deployed along the vast, largely open Canada-U.S. border starting in January.

Associated Press

D.C. Council passes special booze law for inauguration

With millions of people expected for Barack Obama’s inauguration on Jan. 20, the D.C. City Council has passed emergency legislation that will allow restaurants, bars, and nightclubs to serve alcohol until 5 a.m.—three hours later than usual—from Jan. 17 to Jan. 21.

The Washington Post

Males are harder hit by the recession than females

Some 1.1 million fewer men are working in the U.S. than a year ago, while the number of women working has increased by 12,000. The industries that men dominate, such as investment, construction, and manufacturing, are particularly hard hit by the recession.

The Boston Globe