Following a Senate vote, eight Democrats joined Republicans to end a government shutdown without securing significant concessions. This move sparked outrage from progressives and other lawmakers, who accused the Democrats of capitulation. Critics lamented the failure to address rising healthcare premiums or restore Medicaid funding, while the deal offered only a “meaningless” promise of a vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies. The vote has been interpreted as a missed opportunity to stand up against Trump’s policies, especially after recent electoral wins showed the electorate’s desire for resistance.
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A powerful explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday evening resulted in at least ten fatalities and numerous injuries, occurring within a Haryana-registered vehicle. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the National Security Agency (NSA) are investigating all possible angles surrounding the blast, which occurred at a traffic signal. Authorities have taken the registered owner of the vehicle into custody for questioning, although officials have clarified that this incident is not connected to a recent arrest of an interstate terror module. High alerts have been issued across several cities, including Mumbai, Kolkata, Noida, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, with increased security measures and intensified surveillance in place.
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The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by Kim Davis, the former Kentucky county clerk, who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples due to her religious beliefs. Davis’s appeal, which sought to overturn the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, drew attention amidst concerns about the court potentially revisiting the landmark ruling. Though Davis argued her religious freedom was violated, the court did not address the larger question of overturning the Obergefell decision, as the court has a conservative majority and Justice Alito, who authored the abortion ruling, indicated he was not pushing for Obergefell to be overturned. The justices dismissed the appeal without comment, leaving the 2015 decision intact.
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Former Rep. Joe Walsh criticized the Senate’s actions regarding the government shutdown, questioning the outcome’s alignment with voter expectations. Walsh specifically targeted the eight Democratic senators who voted in favor of a Republican funding bill to end the shutdown. He indicated that Democrats were not standing up for their voters. The procedural vote took place on November 10, 2025.
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China’s new K-visa program aims to attract skilled science and technology workers, mirroring the U.S.’s H-1B visa, amidst tightening U.S. immigration policies. This initiative reflects China’s ambition to become a global leader in advanced technologies, addressing a skills gap in key sectors like AI and semiconductors. While the K-visa presents opportunities, it also raises concerns among Chinese job seekers about increased competition. Despite the new visa, challenges such as language barriers, internet censorship, and existing geopolitical issues may hinder China’s ability to attract top international talent compared to other Western economies.
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Democrats are expressing outrage over the agreement to reopen the federal government without securing key health care provisions. This discontent is largely directed at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, with many criticizing his leadership and strategy during the negotiations. Progressive Democrats, including those running for Senate, are calling for his replacement, citing his inability to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. Schumer, while vocal in his opposition to the deal on the Senate floor, has remained silent in response to the calls for his ouster.
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After three weeks in prison, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was released and allowed to serve the remainder of his sentence at home. He had been convicted of criminal conspiracy regarding illegal campaign funding from Muammar Gaddafi’s regime. While he denies any wrongdoing and is appealing the verdict, the court has imposed strict conditions on his release, including prohibiting him from contacting any officials in the Justice Ministry and others involved in the case. Sarkozy, who served as France’s president between 2007 and 2012, has previously been convicted in separate cases, with retrials scheduled for next year.
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In a recent move, a Justice Department official announced that former U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned several of his allies, including Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows, who were accused of supporting efforts to overturn the 2020 election. This “full, complete, and unconditional” pardon, detailed in a signed proclamation, also included conservative lawyers and individuals involved in submitting false certificates. The pardons, explicitly excluding Trump himself, underscore his ongoing attempts to reinterpret the election results, a move that follows similar pardons for those charged in the January 6th riot. This action, described as a step towards “national reconciliation,” targeted individuals facing state charges, while Trump himself had an indictment abandoned due to his victory over Kamala Harris.
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The Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal from Kim Davis, the former Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, leaving the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision intact. This decision comes amidst concerns from LGBTQ advocates about the conservative court potentially revisiting the 2015 same-sex marriage ruling, especially after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. While the court did not explain its reasoning, the denial of the appeal maintains the constitutional right to same-sex marriage, leading to relief among LGBTQ+ advocates. The case focused on technical questions regarding religious protections, but the primary concern was whether the court would reconsider the Obergefell decision.
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The Senate agreement to end the government shutdown sparked outrage among Democrats, who viewed the deal as a failure to address key priorities like healthcare funding. Lawmakers and progressive groups criticized the agreement for not adequately resolving healthcare extensions and for caving to Republican pressure. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries vowed to oppose the measure, and other representatives echoed these concerns, describing the plan as a “surrender” and a “lousy deal”. The plan included a temporary funding extension and a promise of a December vote on Obamacare tax credits, but faced significant opposition within the Democratic party.
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John Q. Hosedrinker