Republicans made their picks for party leaders in the U.S. Senate and House, as President-elect Trump announced new nominees, including Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general.

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks with Republican strategist Scott Jennings about Republican leadership in in the U.S. Senate and House.

States run by Democrats are making preparations to oppose and fend off Trump administration polices — especially on immigration.

President-elect Trump announced he intends to nominate Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general, putting a fierce critic of federal law enforcement in charge of the Justice Department.

The Friday bout pits the 58-year-old former heavyweight champ against a much younger opponent whose fame is rooted in social media.

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Penn State labor and employment relations professor Paul Clark about blue-collar voters and their decision to back President-elect Trump in this election.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says President-elect Trump wants "measurable impacts" toward ending chronic disease within two years. About 60% of Americans suffer from at least one chronic disease.

NPR's Steve Inskeep asks the Brookings Institution's Jon Valant about President-elect Trump's campaign promise to close the Department of Education.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries speaks with NPR's Michel Martin about his new book "The ABCs of Democracy," and Democrats' outlook following the 2024 election.

Aldis Hodge stars as the latest on-screen version of James Patterson's sharp police detective.

At least two young Christian girls have been abducted and abused in Pakistan within the last three months, sparking concerns over the vulnerability of minority girls and the barriers to justice they face.

Conservatives in Canada have accused the government of banning military chaplains from reciting prayers in accordance with their faith during Remembrance Day ceremonies across Canada, an accusation liberals have denied. 

Christian groups in South Korea are calling on the World Evangelical Alliance to put on hold plans for its next General Assembly in Seoul next year.

Nancy O'Brien Simpson Death by a thousand cuts.  There are as many postmortem reasons for the Trump landslide as there are pundits.  It was a historic comeback with inroads in every demographic group.  However, Trump did not win by millions of new voters joining the Trump Train he won because Democrats stayed home and did not vote for Kamala Harris.  Trump gained about 300,000 new voters and Democrats lost three million voters from the 2020 election.   This is my take on the top five reasons why the Democrats did not show up for Harris.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to Western allies asking them for help after Russia's most recent attack on Kyiv. "It is crucial that our forces have the necessary means to defend the country from Russian terror. I am grateful to each of our partners who help us. Timely delivery of interceptor missiles for our air defense, fulfilling agreements on defense systems, and electronic warfare production and supply are, without exaggeration, lifesaving efforts," Zelensky wrote on X. In the morning, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported explosions in the Ukrainian capital. A threat of a missile attack was declared in the city. It was later reported that explosions took place in Kyiv's suburbs.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that the allies would continue helping Ukraine to prepare the country for the continuation of the conflict with Russia in 2025. The North Atlantic Alliance should adjust itself to "changes in Ukraine's needs" and the situation on the battlefield. The US Secretary of State made such statements amid reports about North Korean troops fighting Ukrainian forces on the front lines. Blinken also called on the allies to "respond harshly". NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who supports the idea of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, calls for the continuation of the "bloody massacre," Maria Zakharova, an official representative for the Russian Foreign Ministry said, RIA Novosti reports.

The Saraya al-Quds* group, a military wing of the radical Islamic Jihad* movement (a terrorist organization banned in Russia), released a new video of Alexander Trukhanov, a Russian citizen, who was kidnapped on October 7, 2023. The video of the hostage posted on the Telegram channel of the terrorist group shows the man speaking Hebrew. The man complains about the difficult situation the hostages found themselves in. They do not have enough water and have run out of hygiene products, the man said. Fearing Israeli bombings and missile attacks, Trukhanov called on the Israelis not to forget about the hostages. He also urged the people of Israel to go to rallies and advocate for a ceasefire so that hostages could return home.

Famous Russian journalist, chef and TV presenter Alexey Zimin died. He was 52. The reason for the journalist's death remains unknown. Alexey Zimin was born in Dubna, a suburban town near Moscow, on December 13, 1971. He held the position of deputy editor-in-chief of Afisha Magazine. Zimin also founded Afisha Eda food publication and served as editor-in-chief of Afisha Mir, GQ and Gourmet magazines. The journalist hosted "Cooking with Alexey Zimin" show on NTV channel organised and organised food festivals. Zimin also opened several cafes, bars and restaurants.

Twelve soldiers escaped from a military unit in the Novosibirsk region of Russia on November 13. The servicemen pogromed the military unit when escaping. One of the escapees was filming others smashing windows and breaking furniture. "Look, there's a riot going on here. A riot, yehoo! [I'm sick of] it all," the man can be heard saying filming his reflection in a mirror. Another soldier in the background shouts: "Come on, break all the windows!"

The Ukrainian military received US-made shells for Soviet 2S7 Pion self-propelled guns. Kyiv had used up its stocks of Soviet shells for Pion cannons in 2022, and the system had not been used much since then. 203-millimeter 100-kilo shells are suitable for use with Pion guns. It is believed that Ukraine received the required shells from the US. During World War II, the United States produced the 203-millimeter M115 howitzer before the M110 system was developed in the 1950s. It was actively used during the Vietnam War. The system was decommissioned from the US Army during the 1990s. This fact suggests that there were 203-millimeter shells left in the arsenals, and the United States could thus help Ukraine with the supply of ammunition.

In 2011, Vladimir Putin, who then served as the Prime Minister, at a meeting with Joe Biden, who then served as the Vice President, suggested breaking stereotypes and introducing a visa-free regime between Russia and the United States. Joe Biden responded positively to the idea. Needless to say that Putin's suggestion did not receive any practical development at all.  Many in Russia advertise the Trump agenda these days not so much in the hope for the US-Russian relations to improve, but simply because the name of the US President-elect still makes headlines all over the world.   Moscow's PR agency Glavpiar sent an official appeal to President Putin with a proposal to reward Donald Trump for winning the election in order to improve the relations between Russia and the United States, Moskvichmag publication reports. 

A road bridge collapsed between the villages of Izumrudnoye and Maslovo in Crimea, two people were hurt. According to the Russian Emergencies Ministry, the bridge collapse occurred over railway tracks, all services are working on the scene. At the time of the accident, a car and an eighteen-wheeler were traveling across the bridge. It is believed that the bridge could not withstand the weight of the truck and collapsed.

Fresh out of the boxed crate ex Birmingham factory, UK, the BSA badge stood out distinctively. In bright White it was pure English,. Especially when it contrasted with the British Racing Green petrol tank. One could already smell the oil and grease that housed the engine and transmission assembly. I did. After the straw packaging had settled, Gino, my Italian mechanic and friend, emerged fresh from the clutter. At that moment, his countenance shone. His voice cracked with joy. “You makka good choice. But not a Moto Guzzi.” Fair enough. He, like all Italians, had a distinct preference for Ferrari Red. That color predilection even extended to their motorcycles. Gino was not finished. He continued his soliloquy. Gino had more to wisdom to convey. “Bruh... Stay off the main highway. You like to race. Take the first country road exit. There’s a good one. About a mile east.”

On November 13, a US missile base was officially opened in Poland. The base is located in the town of Redzikowo, just 230 kilometers from the border with Russia's Kaliningrad enclave. During the ceremony, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said that the event was of "historic significance for the security of Poland, the United States and NATO." "Current conflicts, for example in Ukraine or the Middle East, show us how important air and missile defense is,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

A "rare and complex" British Challenger 2 tank that Ukraine received from the UK was spotted in the Kursk region of Russia. "The destruction of a heavy British Challenger 2 tank, a rather rare and complex tank to operate, by the marines of our 155th brigade indicates the concentration of enemy efforts," Two Majors Telegram channel said. The fact that such rare military hardware was transferred to the Russian region indicates the intention of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to use all opportunities to hold positions in the Kursk region, authors of the channel added.

[Politics] :
President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to depart Thursday for an eight-day, five-night trip to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) summit in Peru and the Group of 20(G-20) summit in Brazil. The presidential office said Thursday that President Yoon will hold a trilateral summit with U.S. President Joe ...

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[Domestic] :
The annual College Scholastic Ability Test(CSAT) is taking place at some 13-hundred test sites across the nation on Thursday.  The state-administered college entrance exam, known in Korean as the Suneung, begins with a Korean language test at 8:40 a.m., followed by tests on math, English, Korean history ...

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[International] :
California State Sen. Dave Min has won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, adding one more Korean American voice to the country’s legislature. According to CNN and other media on Wednesday, Min, a Democrat, defeated Republican Scott Baugh and was poised to win the seat for California’s 47th ...

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[Inter-Korea] :
South Korea’s spy agency said Wednesday that North Korean troops dispatched to Russia have moved to the front-line region of Kursk and are “already engaging in combat” against Ukraine. The National Intelligence Service(NIS) said North Korean soldiers dispatched to Russia have moved to the Kursk ...

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[Domestic] :
The head of the panel that devised the college entrance exam said this year’s test excluded so-called killer questions. Choe Joong-chul, chief of the 2025 College Scholastic Ability Test(CSAT) committee, made the statement Thursday in a press briefing, saying this year’s questions maintained an ...

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[Politics] :
The top diplomats from South Korea and the United States will hold talks on Friday in Peru, on the sidelines of the joint meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) ministers for trade and foreign affairs. According to Seoul’s foreign ministry on Thursday, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul will ...

[more...]

[Politics] :
President Yoon Suk Yeol said his first official trip to Latin America carries great significance for the expansion of South Korea’s vision as a “global pivotal state” toward the Latin American region. The president, who is set to depart for Peru and Brazil to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic ...

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[Politics] :
The Supreme Court has upheld a suspended prison term for former Rep. Youn Mee-hyang, who was convicted of embezzling donations to an advocacy group for South Korean victims of sexual slavery during World War II. On Thursday the top court upheld the 18-month sentence, suspended for three years, after ...

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[International] :
China has named Dai Bing, deputy chief of its permanent mission to the United Nations, as the new ambassador to South Korea. According to diplomatic sources on Thursday, Beijing nominated the UN mission deputy to succeed former Ambassador Xing Haiming, who left the post vacant in July.  Dai’s career ...

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[Politics] :
President Yoon Suk Yeol has departed for South America to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) and Group of 20(G-20) forums. Ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon and floor leader Choo Kyung-ho, and presidential chief of staff Chung Jin-suk saw Yoon off when he boarded the ...

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[Politics] :
The leaders of South Korea, the United States and Japan will hold a three-way discussion on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) summit in Lima, Peru. According to Seoul’s presidential office, President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru ...

[more...]

[Domestic] :
A group representing families of South Koreans abducted by North Korea plans to launch leaflets toward North Korea from waters off the coast of Goseong, Gangwon Province. The group made the announcement Thursday, having called off plans to launch leaflets last month due to opposition from local ...

[more...]

[Domestic] :
The 2025 College Scholastic Ability Test(CSAT) is underway at some 13-hundred test sites across the nation on Thursday, with some 522-thousand taking part in the exams. The state-administered college entrance exam, known in Korean as the Suneung, began with a Korean language test at 8:40 a.m. Subjects also ...

[more...]

[Politics] :
A court review is underway for pretrial detention warrants for four people suspected of involvement in election nomination meddling involving first lady Kim Keon-hee, as well as illegal polling. The Changwon District Court started the warrant hearings Thursday afternoon for power broker Myung Tae-kyun, ...

[more...]

[Inter-Korea] :
The government reiterated that it will take “effective and phased” steps, in line with the principles of composure and restraint, in response to the battlefield deployment of North Korean troops in support of Russia in its war against Ukraine. Speaking to local reporters on Thursday, an official at ...

[more...]

[Politics] :
Anchor: The annual state-administered College Scholastic Aptitude Test took place Thursday. This year, around 522-thousand people registered to take the exam at one-thousand-282 locations across the country. That includes a record number of retakers, after the quota increased for medical school ...

[more...]

[Politics] :
A court has ordered a fine of one-point-five million won, or around one-thousand-100 U.S. dollars, for the wife of main opposition Democratic Party(DP) leader Lee Jae-myung upon convicting her of violating the election law during the 2022 presidential primaries. In its ruling on Thursday, the Suwon ...

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[Politics] :
The special counsel bill mandating an investigation for first lady Kim Keon-hee has passed in the National Assembly. The main opposition Democratic Party introduced the bill, its third attempt following presidential vetoes for previous bills, and all 191 lawmakers present voted in its favor in a plenary ...

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[Politics] :
The pilot project to restructure tertiary hospitals will continue, with the hospitals to focus on severe diseases, emergencies and rare diseases. Currently, 31 out of 47 tertiary hospitals are taking part in the project and nine more are set to join. The hospitals have reduced the number of ...

[more...]

[Inter-Korea] :
People who suffer damages as a result of North Korea’s trash balloon campaign will eventually be eligible for government compensation. The National Assembly passed an amendment to the Framework Act on Civil Defense during a plenary session Thursday, allowing the government to provide compensation for ...

[more...]

[Politics] :
The ruling People Power Party has decided to take steps to ensure that the National Assembly recommends candidates for the post of special inspector to look at allegations against members of the president’s family. The ruling camp adopted the party policy during a general meeting for its lawmakers on ...

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[Politics] :
Main opposition Democratic Party chair Lee Jae-myung says he will appeal a court decision to fine his wife one-point-five million won, or around one-thousand-100 U.S. dollars, for violating the Public Official Election Act.  Lee expressed deep regret over the Suwon District Court handing down such a ...

[more...]

[Politics] :
Four candidates have been shortlisted to succeed Supreme Court Justice Kim Sang-hwan who will retire on December 27. The top court’s committee on recommending candidates held a meeting on Thursday and decided to put forth four candidates out of a total 37 to Chief Justice Jo Hee-de.  The four ...

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[Economy] :
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said Thursday that the government will take “active measures” in the event of excessive volatility in the foreign exchange market, as the South Korean won weakened past the psychological threshold of 14-hundred won against the U.S. dollar. The minister made the “verbal ...

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[Economy] :
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose one-point-78 points, or zero-point-07 percent, on Thursday to close at two-thousand-418-point-86. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ slid eight-point-09 points, or one-point-17 percent, to close at 681-point-56.

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