Extra, Extra
Bringing Out the Big Guns: “The United States said Wednesday that its embassy in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, had closed after receiving ‘specific information of a potential significant air attack.’ The decision came after Ukraine’s first strike on Russian territory with U.S.-supplied long-range weapons and President Joe Biden authorized the provision of antipersonnel land mines to Ukraine to help fight off Moscow’s forces.” Ukraine has also fired UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles into Russia for first time. These new rules of engagement seem to be a response to Trump’s election win. But they’re also related to recent gains Russia has made. BBC: Ukraine front could ‘collapse’ as Russia gains accelerate, experts warn.
+ Ozeating Picks: As the fights begin over some of Trump’s most egregious cabinet picks, there are new people on the list, including Matt Whitaker as NATO ambassador (notable for having “little evident foreign policy or national security experience”), former WWE executive Linda McMahon for education secretary (“In October, McMahon was named in a new lawsuit involving WWE. The suit alleges that she and other leaders of the company allowed the sexual abuse of young boys at the hands of a ringside announcer”), and celebrity physician Dr. Oz to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
+ Bathroom Brake: Meanwhile, the GOP transgender obsession is not reserved for elections. Mike Johnson institutes transgender bathroom ban for U.S. House. (The only Capitol bathroom behavior anyone should be concerned about is when insurrectionists took dumps in the hallways.)
+ Ceci N’est Pas Une Bargain: “René Magritte’s L’empire des lumières (1954) sold for $121.16 million at Christie’s yesterday, setting a new record at auction for the late French Surrealist.”
+ Kicking the Stuffing Out of High Prices: “Traditional economics suggest that you should charge more during periods of peak popularity. But every year retailers actually reduce turkey prices when demand is at its highest — and they still come out on top.” Why turkey gets cheaper around Thanksgiving.
+ Getting the Picture: Here are 19 charming winners from the Dog Photography Awards and the shortlisted images for the 2024 Close-Up Photographer of the Year.
