NEWS OF THE DAY
_1 Terror financing sanctions: The Trump administration on Wednesday imposed sanctions on eight individuals and a business affiliated with the Islamic State in Yemen and with al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in the first coordinated action taken with a newly formed center to combat terrorist financing. The sanctions were unveiled by Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, ahead of a trip to the Middle East to strengthen the United States’ capacity to crack down on terrorist financing.
_2 Bipartisan health bill: Congressional budget analysts say a bipartisan health care bill would save the government money and it isn’t likely to have much impact — either way — on the number of people with coverage. Wednesday, the Congressional Budget Office issued its analysis of legislation sponsored by Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington. The bill’s main goal is to stabilize insurance markets by restoring payments to insurers for co-pays and deductibles abruptly terminated by President Trump. It also would allow for broader availability of low-premium plans. The CBO analysis found that the bill would reduce government deficits by $3.8 billion from 2018 to 2027, and would “not substantially change” the number of people with coverage. Earlier Republican efforts to repeal “Obamacare” would have made millions uninsured.
_3 Teen abortion case: An undocumented teen in federal custody ended her pregnancy Wednesday morning less than 24 hours after a judge’s order forced the government to allow the 17-year-old to be promptly transferred to an abortion facility. The announcement from the teenager’s attorneys puts an end to a case that highlighted the Trump administration’s new policy of refusing to “facilitate” abortions for unaccompanied minors. The teenager, identified only as Jane Doe in court papers, is being held in Brownsville, Texas, for illegally entering the country and was nearly 16 weeks pregnant. Texas law bans most abortions after 20 weeks. _4 Shooter’s brother arrested: Authorities say the brother of Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock has been arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of possessing child pornography. The arrest Wednesday of Bruce Paddock was confirmed by a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation but not authorized to discuss it publicly. The official said the child porn case predates the shooting. It wasn’t immediately known if Paddock, 58, has an attorney. _5 Bob Dylan’s guitar: A guitar played by Bob Dylan at notable concerts in the 1970s is expected to sell for more than $300,000 when it goes up for auction next month. Heritage Auctions of San Francisco says the 1963 Martin D-28 acoustic guitar that once belonged to the singer-songwriter will be offered up Nov. 11 in Dallas. The guitar is being offered at auction by Larry Cragg, who was Dylan’s guitar repairman when Cragg purchased it from him for $500 in 1977.