WORLD BRIEFS Pelosi to quit top post after Republicans take House

WASHINGTON—Democrat Nancy Pelosi, the trailblazing first woman to wield the Speaker’s gavel in the US House of Representatives, said Thursday that she will step down as party leader when Republicans take control of the chamber in January. “I will not seek reelection to Democratic leadership in the next Congress,” Pelosi said in an emotional speech on the House floor. “The hour has come for a new generation to lead the Democratic caucus.” The 82-year-old Pelosi’s departure from party leadership marks the end of an era in Washington and comes after Republicans secured the House majority in last week’s midterm elections.