Newsletter: Today: Heated Debate Over Climate, Terror. China’s Big Boost.

I'm Davan Maharaj, editor of the Los Angeles Times. Here are some story lines I don't want you to miss today.

TOP STORIES

A Boost and a Burden for China

China's economy has had a daunting year, but the country got a symbolic victory when the International Monetary Fund agreed to add the yuan to its basket of elite global currencies. Right up there with the dollar, euro, pound and yen. Here's why it matters for China's image — and why it increases the pressure to reform.

Does Global Warming Breed Terrorists?

Critics say it's preposterous. Activists say the threat is real. Does climate change contribute to extremist violence? The question is all the more pointed as the big global warming conference gets underway near Paris. U.S. intelligence agencies and armed forces have been tracking the potential effects of such change on security for years. Here's what the CIA has to say.

The Slog of Fighting Homelessness

The L.A. City Council planned to "declare the homeless crisis an emergency." The mayor touted his staff's upcoming "battle plan." Things haven't turned out that way. What happened? Leaders say they are choosing a steady, methodical path to help the 26,000 homeless people in L.A. It's not happening quickly enough for some.

After Kobe: The Lakers' Rebuild Project

Kobe Bryant's plan to retire from the NBA at the end of this season means the Lakers will have a huge blank check to write for free agents. If the team's poor performance continues, it will also get a high draft pick. Will there be a silver lining to the Black Mamba's retirement? Plus: See how Bryant ranks among the all-time NBA greats in this graphic. 

Newhall Ranch: Back to the Drawing Board

Greenhouse gases and a fish called the unarmored threespine stickleback: Those were two major sticking points in the plan to build a new city about 40 miles northwest of downtown L.A. Now, developers have to redo the environmental impact report if they want to move forward. Read on to see how the California Supreme Court's decision could add years more to the decade-old project. 

CALIFORNIA

-- Hundreds bid goodbye at the funeral for a slain Downey police officer.

-- Two former L.A. County sheriff's deputies are sentenced to prison in the beating of a jail visitor.

-- Officials describe finding a baby buried alive in a crevice in Compton.

-- How will El Niño affect fish in the L.A. River? 

NATION-WORLD

-- The downing of a Russian warplane shines a light on Turkey's shadowy links to extremists.

-- An Israeli court convicts two teens in the grisly 2014 killing of a 16-year-old Palestinian.

-- A Dallas relief agency defies Texas' rejection of Syrian refugees.

-- Paul D. Ryan faces his first big test as House speaker: Avoid a federal government shutdown.

-- There's no such thing as a "male brain" or "female brain," and scientists have the scans to prove it.

BUSINESS

-- In a first, Cyber Monday sales were on pace to crack $3 billion.

-- The electric vehicle firm BYD is accused by labor and community groups of violating L.A.'s wage rules.

-- Wells Fargo's sales tactics are reportedly under investigation by the U.S.

-- Investments in Indian start-ups sizzle, but the market may soon cool. 

SPORTS

-- USC hires Clay Helton as football coach: Why the school got it right — or did it?

-- Dodgers can only hope Dave Roberts' hiring as manager turns out like Walter Alston's.

ENTERTAINMENT

-- Tessa Thompson welcomed the challenges of playing a hearing-impaired musician in "Creed."

-- Michael Caine is just waiting for an offer he can't refuse.

-- Theater review: "Indecent" is a moving reminder of art's power to expose truths.

-- Fox tries to break the overnight ratings habit as TV viewing changes.

WHAT OUR EDITORS ARE READING

-- The Wall Street Journal dives deep on demographics and the future.

-- What's it like to be pregnant in prison? (Elle)

-- The Internet isn't available in about 95% of the world's languages. (The Atlantic)

ONLY IN L.A.

Cyborg reindeer. An alien Santa. Towering robots made of old appliances, lawn furniture and wood scraps. Kenny Irwin Jr. has a vision, and that vision is to string millions of lights at his father's Palm Springs home and let thousands of visitors explore his elaborate art display. Meet the man behind Robolights. 

Please send comments and ideas to Davan Maharaj.