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Climate Change, Immigration, Mars Landing: Your Monday Evening Briefing

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Here’s what you need to know at the end of the day.
(Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up .)
Good evening. Here’s the latest.
1. A road map for change.
A major scientific report on climate issued by 13 federal agencies over the holiday weekend says the U. S. will have to spend billions to protect against the effects of global warming.
In direct language, the 1,656-page assessment lays out the devastating effects of climate change on the U. S. economy, health and environment, including record wildfires in California, crop failures in the Midwest and crumbling infrastructure in the South. Above, an oil refinery in Norco, La.
Our climate reporter breaks down five ways scientists say the U. S. must adapt to protect coastlines, rebuild sewers and overhaul farming.
The findings of the congressionally mandated report are directly at odds with President Trump’s agenda of environmental deregulation, which he asserts will spur economic growth.
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2. Mexico’s incoming president built his career on helping the poor. But before he even takes office, thousands of migrants from Central America massing along the U. S. border are testing how he will live up to that .
President Trump wants to keep the migrants out of the U. S. while they apply for asylum, a process that could squeeze them into overcrowded shelters for months or years. Over the weekend, border patrol agents fired tear gas to prevent hundreds from reaching a crossing. Above, tear gas at the border near Tijuana, Mexico.
Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s dilemma: Should he stand up to President Trump and defend the migrants’ pleas? Or accept his demands — and the economic imperative of good relations with the U. S.?
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3. General Motors said it would halt production at five plants next year, leading to layoffs of 3,300 workers in the U. S. and 3,000 in Canada.
The company also aims to eliminate 8,000 salaried jobs, about 15 percent of its white-collar employees in North America.
The cuts reflect our changing tastes: Gas prices have remained low for several years, and buyers are shifting to bigger trucks and SUVs. Demand has tumbled for small and midsize cars — like the Chevrolet Impala and Buick LaCrosse — produced at plants that will be idled. Above, Canadian workers at a union hall waited for an update on their future.
“We are taking this action now while the company and the economy are strong to keep ahead of changing market conditions,” G.

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