Arctic blast hits post-Thanksgiving travel period
On one of the busiest days of the year, when millions of Americans head home after Thanksgiving, an Arctic blast has delivered snow, frost, and dangerously cold winds to the northern Plains, Midwest, and Great Lakes, making driving extremely difficult to impossible.
Lake effect snow bands and showers had formed downwind of the Great Lakes in northeast Ohio, far northwest Pennsylvania, western New York, and parts of northwest New York, according to a National Weather Service advisory published early Sunday, making travel dangerous. In the meantime, approximately 2 million people in some areas of Georgia and Florida are under freeze alert.
On Saturday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul cautioned residents against making needless trips. In order to assist local communities, over 100 National Guard personnel were stationed in western New York, she stated in a statement.
East of Lake Ontario, the most substantial snow accumulations are anticipated. The NWS reports that Erie, Pennsylvania, has received 30 inches of snow, the most so far.
Republicans prepare sweeping agenda for Trump’s second term
In the upcoming Trump administration, Republicans are planning to use the budget reconciliation process to draft a massive party-line bill that would enable them to approve spending and tax measures without the support of Democrats.
Removing clean energy funds from President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, strengthening border security, and prolonging the 2017 Trump tax legislation are among their top priorities.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise stated, “I’ve told all the freshmen and returning members: Be ready for a very busy first 100 days.”
Some Americans are concerned about how Donald Trump’s second-term program would affect their lives and means of subsistence.Small businesses are already getting ready for Trump’s threatened tariffs, and gay couples are hurrying to get married for fear that their rights may be revoked.
Notably, after Trump threatened to levy a 25% tax on Canadian exports, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Trump in Mar-a-Lago.
Iran offers backing to Syria as rebels take control of Aleppo in surprise push
Following the fast and unexpected takeover of Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, by thousands of militants, as well as the capture of neighboring towns and villages, Iran has pledged its support behind the Syrian government.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was quoted by the state-run IRNA news agency as saying, “We firmly support the Syrian army and government.” As in the past, the Syrian army will defeat these terrorist organizations once more.
Insurgents led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) organization have taken over Aleppo International Airport and now control most of Aleppo, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based war monitor. This is a surprising resurgence of activity following 13 years of civil conflict.
The U.S. has identified HTS as a terrorist opponent, so we certainly have concerns about that group, White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan told NBC News Meet the Press. Syria will continue to protect its stability and territorial integrity against terrorists and those who support them, according to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Meet the Press
Citing the lengthy history of the United States utilizing trade as a geopolitical tool, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., stated that he supports President-elect Donald Trump’s proposals to slap tariffs on imports from a number of countries, including Canada and Mexico.
Hagerty told Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker that it is a luxury to have access to our economy. When you stop to think about it, since World War II, we have used this economy as a strategic tool.
Of all the major economies in the world, the United States currently boasts the most open market. Hagerty went on to say, “We need to look very closely at countries that are not looking out for our best interests, that are allowing our borders to be crossed, and that use those tariffs as a tool to achieve our ends.”
Politics in brief
Trump declared on Saturday that he would appoint 44-year-old loyalist Kashyap Kash Patel, who has minimal substantial experience in federal law enforcement, as the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
To ban or not to prohibit? The future of TikTok is in doubt as an ideological split has surfaced over a ban as Trump chooses his Cabinet members and assembles his White House team.
Trans health care: On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will consider arguments about a law that would limit minors’ access to transition-related medical treatment. According to experts, the choice may have far-reaching effects for years to come.
The Latino vote: Among Hispanic men, Trump did better than anticipated throughout the election. They will soon be searching for results from their votes.
2024 polls: Compared to previous elections, presidential polling performed better in 2024.Here are the polls’ correct and incorrect answers.
The year of the veteran running back
After a rookie contract, NFL organizations often prefer to move on. Running back is one of the most injury-prone positions in the game, and players’ bodies deteriorate with more playing time.
The New York Giants’ decision to let Saquon Barkley become a free agent rather than sign him to a multiyear contract was therefore not shocking. They didn’t want to spend a significant portion of their wage budget on an elderly running back who had only recently suffered an ACL tear.
Barkley, however, has been practically unstoppable since joining the Philadelphia Eagles and is on track to surpass the league’s all-time record for rushing yards in a season.Additionally, he is not the only seasoned running back disproving those long-held notions.
General managers throughout the league are wondering if their performance is an exception or the beginning of something new.
A record-breaking holiday box office
Gladiator II and Wicked did well at the box office last weekend. By breaking records, Moana 2 helped make this holiday run the highest-grossing Thanksgiving weekend ever.
Since its release on Wednesday, the follow-up to Disney’s animated classic has made $221 million in North America, making it the greatest Thanksgiving debut and five-day opening ever.
Speaking to NBC News, Auli i Cravalho, who was just 16 years old when she narrated her breakthrough role as Moana, talked about the satisfaction she gets when she sees Pacific Islanders honored on the big screen.
Mulan’s Asian/Pacific Islander heritage and her commitment to family and culture struck a chord with me as I watched and rewatched the film. She was also the first princess to kick butt and dash off into combat! Even as I approach my 24th birthday, I continue to watch that movie, and she remains one of my favorites, Cravalho added.
In case you missed it
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Six people were pulled alive from
the rubble of a Missouri home that exploded
Saturday morning, authorities said. Three were critically injured.
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The mother of Israeli American hostage Edan Alexander told NBC News she was both shaken and relieved
to see her son in a Hamas-issued propaganda video
.
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Over a year after the Hawaii wildfires, homeowners
stuck between expiring financial assistance and rising rents
are unable to pay for rebuilding costs
.
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A new wave of laws and
mandates about religious curricul
a
in schools
is testing the bounds of what may be legally permissible.
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Bluesky is becoming a preferred platform for reporters, writers, activists and others
who feel X is a more
toxic
place
.
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Farmers packed into London streets around Parliament to protest
the new U.K. government
s decision to tax inherited agricultural property
.
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The sun has reached its solar maximum, meaning
more solar storms and spectacular auroras could be in store
over the next year.
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While it used to be
taboo to take a phone out during a movie
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, people posting from Wicked screenings has once again renewed debate over movie theater etiquette.