Russia is mounting a major offensive in the Kursk region, aiming to reclaim territory seized by Ukraine in a surprise incursion last August. Tens of thousands of Russian troops, including North Korean soldiers, are participating in the offensive, which has been anticipated for weeks. This comes as the two sides have exchanged an intense wave of drone attacks, resulting in civilian casualties. The offensive’s timing is significant, as it coincides with the election of Donald Trump, whose stance on the war and potential negotiations with Russia and Ukraine remains uncertain. The situation in Kursk is expected to be a key bargaining chip in any future peace negotiations.
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We at Mattel deeply regret an error on packaging for our “Wicked” dolls, which mistakenly printed a link to an adult website instead of the official “Wicked Movie” landing page. This mistake, primarily affecting US-sold dolls, is unacceptable and we are taking immediate action to correct it. We urge parents to discard or cover the packaging to prevent children from accessing the incorrect website, and we apologize for any distress this has caused.
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Israel has publicly acknowledged its responsibility for the September operation that detonated hundreds of pagers belonging to Hezbollah in Lebanon. This revelation, confirmed by an Israeli official to CNN, comes as a result of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s briefing to his cabinet, which was subsequently reported by Israeli media. The decision to publicly acknowledge Israel’s role appears to be a strategic move within the context of ongoing domestic political turmoil in Israel, potentially aimed at criticizing the military leadership and intelligence establishment, including former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, whom Netanyahu recently dismissed. The operation resulted in numerous casualties, including civilians, and was carried out despite opposition from senior security officials.
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Representative Byron Donalds, a Republican ally of President-elect Donald Trump, refuted the claim that Trump’s proposed tax plan will add trillions to the national debt. He argued that the estimate, based on “static modeling,” fails to account for economic growth spurred by lower tax rates. He further asserted that Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, initially projected to add trillions to the deficit, actually generated increased tax revenue due to economic growth. Donalds suggested that instead of focusing on the cost of Trump’s tax plan, attention should be directed toward eliminating Democratic spending programs, like tax credits for green energy initiatives in the Inflation Reduction Act.
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Donald Trump’s election victory has sent shockwaves through the global climate community, as his previous anti-climate policies and rhetoric threaten to derail international efforts to curb global heating. Experts warn that Trump’s administration could withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement, undermine UN climate frameworks, and roll back domestic climate regulations, potentially adding billions of tonnes of heat-trapping gases to the atmosphere. While cities and states within the US are committed to climate action, a Trump administration’s stance risks weakening global climate diplomacy and further jeopardizing the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The climate crisis is moving faster than our politics, and the urgent need for political action on climate change is more apparent than ever.
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Donald Trump has announced that Tom Homan, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will serve as “Border Czar” in his administration. This appointment, which follows Trump’s 2024 campaign promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, signifies a return to the aggressive immigration enforcement policies of his previous administration. Homan, a staunch advocate for increased border security and a vocal critic of “sanctuary cities,” played a key role in implementing these policies during his time at ICE, overseeing a significant increase in immigrant detentions and the separation of families at the border. His appointment signals a continuation of these hardline immigration policies under a second Trump presidency.
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President Trump has outlined a sweeping agenda for his first day in office, including actions to overturn criminal cases against him, pardon Capitol riot participants, dismantle the federal workforce, impose tariffs on imported goods, roll back protections for transgender students, increase fossil fuel production, negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, and initiate mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. These plans, while ambitious, face varying levels of feasibility and legal challenges. Some actions, like firing special counsel Jack Smith, are within his immediate power, while others, like mass deportations, require significant logistical and international cooperation. Trump’s agenda reflects his desire to reverse policies enacted by the Biden administration and implement his signature policies, signaling a sharp shift in direction for the country.
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Bernie Sanders recently criticized Democrats for their reluctance to engage with Joe Rogan, the popular podcaster, suggesting they are missing out on a crucial opportunity to connect with a vast and potentially persuadable audience. While some may interpret this as a “blast,” Sanders’ comments appear to be a more measured assessment of the Democratic party’s approach to outreach.
Sanders argues that Democrats should be actively engaging with platforms like Rogan’s podcast, not just because of its popularity, but because it offers an avenue to reach a demographic that has been drifting away from the party: young, politically unaffiliated men. Many of these listeners, Sanders points out, are open to progressive ideas, as evidenced by Rogan’s own support for issues like LGBTQ+ rights and universal healthcare.… Continue reading
President-elect Trump has demanded that the next Senate Republican leader agree to recess appointments, a tactic that allows the president to bypass the traditional Senate confirmation process. Trump argues that recess appointments are necessary to fill crucial positions within his administration quickly, citing delays experienced during his previous term. He has also urged Republicans to block Democrats from confirming judges during this period of transition. These demands mark a significant departure from the usual norms of Senate confirmation and may create tension between the president-elect and the incoming Senate majority leader.
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With Donald Trump’s inauguration looming, French and British leaders are set to meet in Paris on November 11th to urge the Biden administration to allow Ukraine to launch deep strikes inside Russia using Western weapons. This push, driven by the desire to solidify Biden’s foreign policy legacy before the change in administration, comes amid concerns about Trump’s less resolute stance on Ukraine, which has been marked by calls for a quick end to the conflict, potentially involving Ukrainian concessions. Despite Ukraine’s repeated requests for permission to utilize weapons such as ATACMs and Storm Shadows, the Biden administration has yet to approve such actions. This summit represents a last-ditch effort to secure approval before Trump assumes office.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood