Extra, Extra

Photo Finish: From devastating war scenes to Swift/Kelce midfield hugs, the NYT (Gift Article) captures the year that was. 2024
The Year in Pictures
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+ All Bets Are Off: Heather Cox Richardson: “It seems increasingly clear that the wealthy leaders who backed Trump’s reelection are not terribly concerned about his threats: they seem to see him as a figurehead rather than a policy leader. They are counting on him to deliver more tax cuts and deregulation but apparently are dismissing his campaign vows to raise tariffs and deport immigrants as mere rhetoric.” (I hope they’re right. But given Trump’s rhetoric, lawsuits, and cabinet picks, it sure sounds like a bad bet.) Related: After investigating January 6, House GOP sides with Trump and goes after Liz Cheney.

+ Glitchy Rich: “Elon Musk and his rocket company, SpaceX, have repeatedly failed to comply with federal reporting protocols aimed at protecting state secrets, including by not providing some details of his meetings with foreign leaders, according to people with knowledge of the company and internal documents.” This probably won’t be much of an issue after Jan 20. Meanwhile, Musk is now strong-arming Republicans to block the against the gov spending bill. (This is just the beginning.)

+ Tiking Timebomb: “The Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments on whether a bill that could ban TikTok violates the First Amendment. The arguments will take place on January 10th, just over a week before a potential ban could take effect.”

+ Fortune Favors the Gold: “War has shattered Sudan’s economy, collapsed its health system and turned much of the once-proud capital into piles of rubble. Fighting has also set off one of the world’s worst famines in decades, with 26 million people facing acute hunger or starvation. But the gold trade is humming. The production and trade of gold, which lies in rich deposits across the vast nation, has actually surpassed prewar levels — and that’s just the official figure in a country rife with smuggling … But instead of using the windfall to help the legions of hungry and homeless people, Sudan’s warring sides are wielding the gold to bankroll their fight, deploying what U.N. experts call ‘starvation tactics’ against tens of millions of people.” Declan Walsh in the NYT (Gift Article): The Gold Rush at the Heart of a Civil War.

+ Crash the Gaetz: In reversal, key House panel votes to release Matt Gaetz ethics report. Does it really matter now that he’s out of office and out of consideration for a cabinet post?

+ Abahamanation: Trump nominates ex-NFL star Herschel Walker as ambassador to Bahamas.

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