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10 Things to Know for Today

The Capitol Dome and the Capitol Christmas Tree are illuminated late Thursday evening as Congress works to pass a $1.1 trillion U.S. government-wide spending bill and avoid a government shutdown, in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. The Obama White House and House Republicans joined forces Thursday to pass the funding bill over clamorous protests from Democrats objecting that it would roll back bank regulations imposed in the wake of the economic near-meltdown of 2008. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) The Capitol Dome and the Capitol Christmas Tree are illuminated late Thursday evening as Congress works to pass a $1.1 trillion U.S. government-wide spending bill and avoid a government shutdown, in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. The Obama White House and House Republicans joined forces Thursday to pass the funding bill over clamorous protests from Democrats objecting that it would roll back bank regulations imposed in the wake of the economic near-meltdown of 2008. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

By Associated Press December 12, 2014 2 min read

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:

1. HOUSE APPROVES BILL FINANCING GOVERNMENT

The $1.1 trillion measure passed despite Democratic complaints that it would ease bank regulations imposed after the economy’s near-collapse in 2008.

2. WHICH QUESTION CIA CHIEF SAYS CAN’T BE ANSWERED

John Brennan cannot say whether the agency’s interrogation methods produced critical intelligence, but he believes the program stopped attacks and saved lives.