Donald Trump has nominated Fox News commentator Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense. Hegseth, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, was prevented from guarding Joe Biden’s 2020 inauguration due to concerns about a “Jerusalem Cross” tattoo, which was deemed to be a sign of extremism by military officials. Hegseth claims the tattoo was misconstrued and that he was unfairly labeled as an extremist. This incident has raised questions about the military’s vetting process and the potential for bias against individuals with certain beliefs or symbols.
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Special Counsel Jack Smith and his team plan to resign before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, as the Justice Department generally does not charge sitting presidents with crimes. The looming question is whether Smith’s final report, detailing his charging decisions, will be made public before Inauguration Day. The report must be submitted to Attorney General Merrick Garland, who has the authority to release it. Although Smith’s office was moving forward with the election interference case against Trump, the Supreme Court’s ruling that Trump has immunity for some acts as president has hampered the investigation. Additionally, a case concerning classified documents was dismissed in July but remains on appeal.
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Alexei Zimin, a prominent Russian journalist and chef known for his outspoken criticism of the war in Ukraine, has been found dead in Belgrade, Serbia at the age of 52. Zimin, who had relocated to London in 2015 and launched a restaurant there, was a vocal opponent of the war and had been targeted by threats and cancellations following his anti-war stance. He had previously been a prominent figure in Russian media, working for publications like Afisha, GQ, and Gourmet, and had even hosted a popular cooking show before its cancellation in response to his anti-war statements. While the cause of his death remains unclear, the circumstances surrounding his passing raise concerns as the Kremlin has previously been accused of targeting anti-war critics and exiled Putin rivals abroad.
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Hvaldimir, a Beluga whale found off the coast of Norway wearing a Russian harness, has died. While some speculated the whale was a Russian spy, Dr. Olga Shpak, a Russian Beluga whale expert, believes Hvaldimir was being trained to guard a Kremlin military base in the Arctic Circle. However, she dismisses the notion of espionage, instead suggesting that Hvaldimir, known for his playful nature, escaped due to his “hooligan” tendencies. The whale’s death, discovered in September, is still under investigation, although no external injuries were observed.
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The author, deeply saddened by the outcome of the election, grapples with the political divide within her own marriage, particularly the stark contrast between her husband’s support for the winning candidate and her own disappointment. This division has caused her to question their future and to doubt the possibility of reconciliation, especially due to the profound differences in their views on the implications of the election for various groups, particularly women and minorities. She finds solace in her network of friends and family who share her concerns, and she vows to continue fighting for her beliefs, despite the pain and uncertainty. Ultimately, the author recognizes that the path forward lies in open communication and understanding, even in the face of deep disagreement.
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The Guardian has announced it will no longer post content on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, citing “often disturbing content” including far-right conspiracy theories and racism. The news organization believes the negative aspects of the platform outweigh the benefits, with the US presidential election campaign solidifying its decision. While the Guardian will not be posting on X, individual reporters will still be able to use the platform for newsgathering purposes, and the organization’s articles will still be accessible and shareable on X. The Guardian encourages readers to visit its website to access and support its journalism directly.
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Judge Juan Merchan has postponed his decision on whether to dismiss Donald Trump’s conviction on presidential immunity grounds until November 19th, following requests for a postponement from both the defense and prosecution. The delay comes after Trump, who was convicted of falsifying business records in a scheme to influence the 2016 election, was elected President of the United States. This decision raises unprecedented legal questions about the impact of Trump’s presidency on his ongoing criminal case, as prosecutors and defense attorneys grapple with the potential implications of Trump’s new role on the proceedings.
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Naoki Hyakuta, leader of the Conservative Party of Japan, sparked outrage with his radical proposals to address the country’s declining birth rate. During a podcast, he suggested policies including banning women over 18 from attending college, prohibiting marriage for women over 25, and even removing the uteruses of women over 30. While Hyakuta claims these were purely hypothetical, his co-host and senior party member Kaori Arimoto found the uterus removal suggestion too extreme, even hypothetically. After facing significant backlash, Hyakuta issued a public apology but defended himself, accusing media of taking his comments out of context. This is not the first time Hyakuta has been criticized for divisive statements, previously denying the Nanjing Massacre and opposing the LGBT Understanding Promotion Act.
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President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Fox News host Pete Hegseth as his defense secretary, a decision that has raised eyebrows and sparked concerns within the defense world due to his lack of experience in senior national security roles. Despite his background as an Army National Guard captain and a conservative commentator known for his “America First” stance, Hegseth’s lack of practical experience managing a large department with an enormous budget and handling complex global crises has raised questions about his ability to effectively lead the Pentagon. While some Republicans praised his combat experience and communication skills, others, including Democrats, expressed concern about his lack of experience and called for detailed plans and explanations on how he intends to handle the challenges facing the military. His nomination is sure to face scrutiny during Senate confirmation hearings, where senators will question his qualifications and vision for the future of the Department of Defense.
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Huangting Gong, 30, has been charged with murder, kidnapping, arson, and burglary in connection with the deaths of Jing Li and Kuanlun Wang. Gong allegedly owed the couple $80,000 and is accused of killing them in the Southern California desert on October 12th. Following the murders, Gong is accused of stealing $250,000 worth of luxury items from the couple’s home. He was arrested on November 5th and is being held without bail, facing a possible life sentence without parole if convicted. The charges include “special circumstances” enhancements due to the brutality of the crimes, which involved shooting both victims, burning their bodies, and burning their vehicles.
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John Q. Hosedrinker