Keeping a home clean during the busy holiday season can be made easier with the right tools, like these cordless vacuums available at HSN. The Shark Vertex is a versatile option with a bendable wand for hard-to-reach areas, while the HyperSweep handheld vacuum is perfect for quick cleanups on various surfaces. The Shark Freestyle Max is equipped with LED lights for enhanced visibility, and the Shark Matrix IQ Robot Vacuum offers automated cleaning via a companion app. These vacuums, all currently on sale, also make for practical and useful gifts for anyone on your list.
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American travelers are increasingly finding themselves in conversations about US politics while abroad. Content creator Lauren Gay has frequently been confronted with questions and commentary regarding US politics during her travels, a sentiment echoed by other Americans. Some travelers, like Nicole Hernandez, have developed strategies like deflection or preparing pre-planned responses to navigate these potentially sensitive exchanges. Tour companies and travel advisors note that this is a current issue, however, the desire for tourism, especially American tourism, is still prevalent abroad.
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U.S. Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva is anticipated to be sworn in this week. Her swearing-in was delayed by House Speaker Mike Johnson despite Grijalva winning a special election in September. Grijalva and the Arizona attorney general filed a lawsuit against the U.S. House of Representatives. Johnson claimed the delay was due to the House not being in full session, but Grijalva and her supporters suggested it was related to her pledge to sign a discharge petition on the Epstein files.
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Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat, was one of the 40 who voted against the deal to end the shutdown, citing concerns about a lack of protections for healthcare and democracy. He argued the deal conceded to President Trump without securing any real benefits, potentially emboldening him. Murphy expressed concern over the internal divisions within the Democratic party, emphasizing the need for unity to combat the President’s actions, and hinting at potential leadership changes. He highlighted the public’s desire for Democrats to stand firm on healthcare protections and the party’s responsibility to adhere to those mandates.
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Taake, previously charged with sex crimes in Texas, was convicted of assaulting a police officer at the Capitol with bear spray and a whip during the January 6th riots. Despite the severity of his actions, which occurred while he was out on bond, Taake’s time served for the January 6th charges was credited toward his earlier sex crimes due to a blanket pardon, resulting in a significantly reduced sentence. He displayed no remorse for his actions and denied responsibility. His actions at the Capitol were deemed violent and not protected by the First Amendment.
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Thailand has halted the implementation of a peace agreement with Cambodia, mediated by the United States, following a landmine incident that injured two Thai soldiers along the border. This decision has the potential to escalate existing tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, as the agreement was intended to foster stability. The landmine explosion, coupled with the agreement’s suspension, presents a challenge to regional peace efforts in Southeast Asia.
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Senator Shaheen stated she kept leadership informed throughout the process leading up to the shutdown. She emphasized that the Democrats’ primary concern was rising healthcare costs. The response to the question indicates either that Schumer was insincere in his opposition to the continuing resolution or that he lacks control over his party. Ultimately, this raises questions about the effectiveness of Democratic leadership.
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Amidst the ongoing government shutdown, the Trump administration has returned to the Supreme Court seeking to halt full payments in the SNAP program, despite lower court rulings to the contrary. The administration’s request follows a whirlwind of legal action regarding food aid for 42 million Americans, with states facing uncertainty on how to proceed. While the Supreme Court has temporarily paused full payments, the outcome remains uncertain as Congress considers a funding package to resolve the shutdown. Several states are voicing concerns about “catastrophic operational disruptions” should the government not reimburse them for benefits already authorized, leaving millions waiting for their SNAP payments.
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A federal judge rebuked the Trump administration for failing to comply with an order to fund SNAP benefits during the government shutdown, citing the president’s own statements as evidence of defiance. Despite the judge’s directive for full payment by Friday, the administration appealed the ruling and benefits remained unpaid, leaving millions without food assistance. The judge had previously pointed out the administration’s intent to withhold the payments for political reasons and highlighted the precedent of SNAP funding continuing during past shutdowns. An administrative order from Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson halted the lower court’s ruling, allowing the government to continue withholding funds while the appellate court reviews the matter.
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During the government shutdown, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced criticism for distributing a taxpayer-funded video blaming Democrats, which some airports declined to air. Public Citizen filed a Hatch Act complaint, alleging the video and other government communications violated ethics laws prohibiting the use of government resources for partisan purposes. Ethics experts believe the administration’s actions demonstrate a disregard for ethical norms, and note that enforcement is difficult as agencies are dominated by Trump loyalists. While the administration claims it is simply sharing the truth, experts believe the administration’s disregard for ethical norms has resulted in personal profit and constitutional issues.
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John Q. Hosedrinker