Category Archives: general

Trump urges Treasury Secretary Bessent to take Federal Reserve job

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By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) For the second time in two days, President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he would like to appoint Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to chair the Federal Reserve. Yet Bessent keeps saying he doesn’t want the job, Trump added, in comments to the U. S.-Saudi Investment Forum. “We’re thinking about him for the Fed, but he wants no part of it, he likes being secretary of the Treasury,” Trump said. “I think we’ll leave him so let’s cross your name off right, officially, right?” Trump has been sharply critical of the current Fed chair, Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May, for not cutting interest rates quickly enough. Trump’s pick as a replacement will almost certainly push for rapid interest rate cuts and likely institute wide-ranging changes in how the Fed operates. Bessent earlier this year published extensive criticisms of the Fed’s groundbreaking efforts to shore up financial markets and the economy after the 2008-2009 Great Recession and during the pandemic. Bessent is heading up the Trump administration’s search for a new Fed chair. Yet despite his protestations, he is also widely seen as a leading potential replacement for Powell. “He’s a top-tier candidate right now,” Stephen Moore, a senior economic adviser to Trump in his first term, said. Trump “wants to shake things up, so I think he wants an outsider.” Two of the five candidates Bessent has named are current Fed officials: Governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman. The other three would fit the outsider criteria: Kevin Hassett, currently a top White House economic official; Kevin Warsh, a former Fed governor who has been highly critical of the Fed; and Rick Rieder, a senior managing director at asset manager BlackRock. Late Tuesday, in an interview By mid-December, “the president will meet the final three candidates and hopefully have an answer before Christmas,” Bessent said. Associated Press Writer Fatima Hussein contributed to this report.
https://www.twincities.com/2025/11/19/federal-reserve-bessent/

Trump’s New Peace Deal for Russia-Ukraine War: Everything We Know

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Adding to his roster of international peace negotiations, President Donald Trump has reportedly proposed putting together a plan to end the over three-and-a-half-year war between Russia and Ukraine, according to several reports citing anonymous sources close to the matter. Why It Matters The plan reportedly would grant Russia expanded control over two eastern Ukrainian territories in exchange for security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe. Territorial sovereignty has been at the crux of the war since Russian President Vladimir Putin led a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which was launched years after Moscow annexed Crimea in 2014. The prospect of Russian land guarantees is viewed as a major concession and a concern for Ukraine and its supporters. The reported plan comes nearly a month after the Trump administration announced sweeping new sanctions targeting Russia’s oil industry and after the president said he was not, for now, considering a deal that would allow Ukraine to obtain long-range Tomahawk missiles from the United States for use against Russia. On the campaign trail in 2024, Trump repeatedly said he would end the Russia-Ukraine war on his first day in office. It comes after the president made headway on a peace plan between Hamas and Israel in Gaza. What To Know The plan, outlined in 28 points, would reportedly grant Russia parts of eastern Ukraine, in exchange for a security guarantee, Axios reported, citing a U. S. official familiar with the situation. Specifically, it outlines Russia as gaining de facto control of Luhansk and Donetsk, which are referred to as the Donbas, but Ukraine would not be asked to publicly acknowledge it. The U. S. and international community would recognize Crimea and the Donbas as Russian territory. Currently, the U. S. State Department considers Crimea Ukrainian, writing on its website, “The U. S. government recognizes Crimea is part of Ukraine; it does not and will not recognize the purported annexation of Crimea. Occupation authorities continue to impose the laws of the Russian Federation in the territory of Crimea.” The Axios report noted that in two other frontline regions, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, the “current lines of control would mostly be frozen in place, with Russia returning some land.” A Ukrainian official reportedly noted that the plan limits the size of the Ukrainian military and its long-range weapons in return for U. S. security guarantees. The report did not detail what the U. S. security guarantee entails. Two other countries are reportedly involved in the talks-Qatar and Turkey, Axios reported. Both parties played a key role in establishing Trump’s 20-point Israel-Hamas peace plan. On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky in Ankara. “We count on the strength of Turkish diplomacy, on [how] it’s understood in Moscow,” Zelensky said following their meeting, according to the Associated Press. A U. S. Army official confirmed to the Associated Press that Army Secretary Dan Driscoll was in Ukraine on Wednesday for negotiations. Axios reported earlier that Zelensky’s national security adviser, Rustem Umerov, met with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff last weekend. Financial Times reported that one of the lead architects of the deal is Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and a close ally of Putin. What People Are Saying Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday: “Moscow is open to continuation; Moscow is open to negotiations. The pause that has arisen is, in fact, due to the Kyiv regime’s reluctance to continue this dialogue.” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday, per Russia state media outlet Tass: “We count on the continuation of the Istanbul negotiations based on a pragmatic and result-oriented approach. We see them as an important basis for a peaceful resolution [of the conflict].” Representative Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, said in an X post on Wednesday: “I totally disagree with the Administration negotiating w/ the Russians & not the Ukrainians, and their plan to demand the Ukrainians accept the agreement as a “fait accompli.” Not involving the Europeans is foolish. The U. S. did this too with South Vietnam & the Afghan Government. This sounds like 1938 Munich.” Maria Avdeeva, a non-resident senior fellow in the Eurasia Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, said in an X post on Wednesday: “Seriously? Witkoff and Dmitriev in Miami drafting Russia’s demands for Ukraine calling it a ‘peace plan’? It’s beyond pathetic.” Michael McFaul, Stanford University professor and former U. S. Ambassador to Russia, said in an X post Frankly, I’m shocked.” What Happens Next It is unclear when the plan will be publicly revealed and if and when the parties will agree to the proposal.
https://www.newsweek.com/trumps-new-peace-deal-russia-ukraine-war-everything-we-know-11077463

Long Island school district ignored warnings about janitor’s ‘harmful sexual tendencies’ before he allegedly groped student in bathroom: suit

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A Long Island school district allegedly failed to protect a former student from a perv employee who locked him in a school bathroom and sexually assaulted him, a newly revealed lawsuit claims. The Massapequa school district is accused of knowing about janitor Michael Sodano’s alleged predatory tendencies and doing nothing to stop him before he groped the then-18-year-old high school senior in February, according to the student’s suit in Nassau County Supreme Court. “[The district], despite knowing of the inappropriate sexual, offensive, harmful tendencies of [Sodano], failed to exercise sufficient care and control in the hiring, retention, and supervision,” of the now-former staffer, the complaint states. It also alleges the district “failed to monitor and supervise [Sodano] as to prevent him from committing the offensive, harmful and unwanted acts.” Sodano allegedly preyed on the student whose name The Post is withholding as he is an alleged victim of sexual assault for weeks leading up the incident, obtaining his phone number by pretending to want to buy headphones off the teen, the suit claims. Not long after the pair started texting about the sale, Sodano’s messages allegedly took a sickening turn asking the then-highschooler for hugs and wanting to have a threesome, the suit detailed. After texting for weeks, Sodano allegedly told the student to meet him in the boy’s bathroom near his gym class so he could purchase the headphones without it giving the “impression of a drug deal,” court documents said. But when the student walked into the bathroom to sell the headphones, Sodano allegedly used his janitor keys to lock the door behind him and block the exit with his body, according to the complaint. Sodano then allegedly “bear-hugged” the student and started kissing him all over his face while grabbing his buttocks, the filing reads. The disgraced janitor was arrested the next day and arraigned in March on charges of forcible touching and third-degree sexual abuse, according to court documents. He has since pleaded not guilty on both charges and is due back in court on Friday. The teen’s lawsuit against the district which seeks an unspecified amount in damages was filed in July, but first reported by News12 on Wednesday. “We are aware of the allegations and the individual in question is no longer an employee of the district,” District Superintendent Dr. William Brennan told The Post in a statement. “All necessary background checks were conducted and passed in accordance with NYS law. The district does not comment on confidential student matters or those pertaining to litigation,” he said. Sodano’s attorney, Michael Langer, did not respond to The Post’s request for comment, but told Newsday his client was “wrongfully accused.” The student’s attorney, Matthew B. Lefkowitz, also did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
https://nypost.com/2025/11/19/us-news/former-student-sues-long-island-school-district-for-failing-to-protect-him-from-groping-by-janitor-suit/

Best Buy Is Offering Up to 60% off Select Samsung Storage External Hard Drives for the Holidays

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If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. When you’re working in big projects like editing photos and videos, or music production most laptops, even pro-level laptops, just don’t have enough storage space. Since media files are getting increasingly bigger and bigger, running out of storage for photos, videos, software, and documents can render your laptop virtually useless. But we’ve found a solution to all of your storage woes. Right now, Best Buy has all sorts of deals on top-of-the-line Samsung storage with savings up to a whopping 60% off list prices from the retailer. These external hard drives are premium, high quality, and durable, so you can keep everything important to you in your everyday carry backpack. These hard drives are tough and rugged, while they’re made from heavy-duty and premium materials. Storage capacity varies with space upwards of a massive 8TB, so there’s more than enough room for high-resolution HD photos, 4K Ultra HD videos, Hi-Fi music, and other files big and small alike. Ahead, you’ll find our picks for the best Samsung storage external hard drives at Best Buy. All Samsung external hard drives are compatible with Windows 11 and macOS laptops and desktops, as well as Apple iPhone and Apple iPad, and various Android smartphones and tablets. External hard drives have blazing fast with transfer speeds upwards of 2, 000 megabytes per second. This means you can transfer or watch a 4K video files with just about no lag or hiccups. And since these Samsung external hard drives are from Best Buy, you’ll get anyone of them shipped to you for free for My Best Buy members. If you’re not a member, you can sign up for free to take advantage of everything the retailer’s rewards program has to offer with perks such as free standard shipping. Learn more about My Best Buy here.
https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/tech/samsung-storage-external-drives-buy-online-1235467402/

Syria calls Netanyahu’s unannounced visit to Golan Heights ‘dangerous violation’ of sovereignty

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“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates affirms that this visit represents a new attempt to impose a de facto situation that contradicts relevant U. N. Security Council resolutions, and falls within the framework of the occupation’s expansionist policies, entrenched aggression, and its continued violations of Syrian territory,” the statement said. Netanyahu and other Israeli officials visited the Golan Heights to show support to troops based at an outpost in the buffer zone between Israel and Syria. “Today I visited the Golan Heights area in Syria, received an operational briefing and met with the fighters bravely defending Israel every day,” Netanyahu wrote on X. “Proud of our fighters.” The prime minister said Israel’s presence in the Golan Heights has “immense importance,” as the nation’s military keeps its borders safe from outside attackers. In response, Syria called on its southern neighbor to withdraw its troops from all Syrian land and emphasized that “all actions taken by the occupation in southern Syria are null and void.” Therefore, according to Syria, Israel’s actions in the Golan Heights have no legal backing under international law. “The Ministry calls on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities, curb the occupation’s practices, and compel it to fully withdraw from southern Syria in accordance with the 1974 Disengagement Agreement,” Syria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said. “It also stresses that Syria will continue defending its sovereignty and its inalienable rights until the full restoration of its territory.” U. N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres similarly said the “very public visit is concerning” while calling on Israel to respect its end of the 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria. Netanyahu went beyond the ceasefire line, which runs through the Golan Heights under the Israel-Syria ceasefire. UN APPROVES US-BACKED PEACE PLAN FOR GAZA, HAMAS SAYS PROPOSAL FAVORS ISRAELI OCCUPATION The agreement created a U. N.-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights between the two countries. Israeli troops seized that area after the downfall of Bashar Assad last December. After fleeing to Russia, the former Syrian president was succeeded by Ahmed al Sharaa.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/world/3892515/syria-netanyahu-visit-golan-heights-dangerous-violation/

Curry out, other stars questionable at Heat as Warriors’ tough schedule marches on

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The Warriors will be shorthanded Wednesday night when they face the Heat in Miami on the second night of a Florida back-to-back set. Steph Curry, who led Golden State with 34 points in Tuesday’s loss in Orlando, has been ruled out with an ankle injury that has been lingering since earlier in the Warriors’ road trip in San Antonio. Curry passed Vince Carter for No. 22 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Joining Curry in street clothes for the Miami game are Al Horford (toe injury management), Jonathan Kuminga (knee tendinitis) and De’Anthony Melton (ACL rehab). The Warriors have listed Jimmy Butler as questionable with a back strain, while Draymond Green and Buddy Hield are questionable to play due to illness. Horford played in Tuesday’s game and the Warriors have said he will not play both ends of a back-to-back this season as they aim to keep the 39-year-old healthy for the playoffs. Kuminga has not played since Nov. 12, when the Warriors beat the Spurs in San Antonio and he missed the second half with knee soreness. Butler left a Nov. 4 game against the Suns against Phoenix with back soreness and missed the next night’s game in Sacramento, but has played in each game since. That Nov. 5 game in Sacramento is the lone game this season in which the Warriors have sat all three of their veteran stars Curry, Green and Butler as they try to balance winning with rest for their players above age 35. Wednesday’s game will complete Golden State’s fifth back-to-back set of the season as the Warriors play their 17th game (12 on the road) in 30 days to open the season.
https://www.montereyherald.com/2025/11/19/steph-curry-injury-warriors-heat-schedule/

Larry Rhoden announces for Governor. Toby buys a hat.

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Now that Union Center’s own Governor Larry Rhoden has announced that he’s running for the job he currently has, it appears Toby Doeden now thinks he should change his image, bought a hat, and will start using AI in his videos to give the appearance that he can speak with a west river drawl. As he announces a “rocking western” event. Related.
https://dakotawarcollege.com/larry-rhoden-announces-for-governor-toby-buys-a-hat/

Our Most-Popular Recipes That EVERYONE (Even Your Vegan Cousin Or Keto Aunt) Can Enjoy This Thanksgiving

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Whether you’re hosting a big family Thanksgiving or are just hitting a few Friendsgivings this year, you know there’s going to be someone there who’s trying to avoid carbs, doesn’t eat meat, follows a gluten-free or vegan diet, or just wants to get some more veggies into their life. The traditional Thanksgiving menu doesn’t exactly work for many dietary restrictions, which is where these recipes come in. We’ve rounded up 18 festive, holiday-worthy meals that work for a variety of diets and preferences, so everyone at your Thanksgiving can enjoy the feast. From creative takes on the classics to side dishes, mocktails, desserts, and mains that will shake up the traditional Thanksgiving menu, these recipes ensure that no one will be missing out on the fun this year. Make or bring these for an extra-inclusive Thanksgiving-we know your keto aunt, vegan sister, sober friend, and everyone else at your table will be so thankful.
https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/thanksgiving/g69463562/special-diet-thanksgiving-recipes/

Larry Summers Asks Harvard Students For ‘Permission’ To Continue Teaching as Epstein Fallout Widens

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A former president of Harvard University, Larry Summers, continues to suffer fallout from his relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, with the prominent economist resigning from yet another corporate board position following the release of email correspondence between the two men. Mr. Summers, who served as Treasury Secretary under the Clinton administration and was President Obama’s director of the National Economic Council, announced on Wednesday his departure from the board of directors at the San Francisco-based artificial intelligence company, OpenAI. “In line with my announcement to step away from my public commitments, I have also decided to resign from the board of OpenAI,” Mr. Summers stated. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have served, excited about the potential of the company and look forward to following their progress.” His position at OpenAI is just one of many roles that Mr. Summers has stepped back from in the weeks since the federal government made public more than 20, 000 emails from Epstein’s estate that shed new light on Mr. Summers’ intimate relationship with the convicted sex offender. That includes his role as chairman of the board at the Center for Global Development and his board positions at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Yale’s Budget Lab, and the Brookings Institution’s Hamilton Project. Mr. Summers was also dropped from the New York Times Opinion section, where he was hired in January 2025 to serve as a contributing writer. The Times’ executive director for media relations stated on Tuesday that the outlet does not intend to renew his contract when it concludes at year-end. The released correspondence showed that Mr. Summers maintained regular contact with Epstein from 2013 through July 2019 years after the financier’s 2008 conviction on charges involving solicitation of prostitution from a minor exchanging messages on topics ranging from personal matters to professional advice. On several occasions Mr. Summers sought romantic counsel from Epstein, including regarding a woman he described as a mentee. “Think for now I’m going nowhere with her except economics mentor,” Mr. Summers wrote in November 2018. “I think I’m right now in the seen very warmly in rear view mirror category.” In one 2018 exchange, Epstein went as far as to refer to himself as Mr. Summers’ “wing man.” Mr. Summers’ was married at the time. The final email between the two was sent just one day before federal authorities arrested Epstein on new sex-trafficking charges in July 2019. Although Mr. Summers shared his plans to retreat from all public commitments, he will continue to teach at Harvard and serve as the director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School. This semester Mr. Summers is currently teaching five courses, including two large undergraduate economics classes. Mr. Summers, however, opened a Tuesday economics class by apologizing to his students for his association with Mr. Epstein and asking for the class’s “permission” to “go forward and talk about the material” for the course. “Some of you will have seen my statement of regret expressing my shame with respect to what I did in communication with Mr. Epstein and I’ve said I’m going to step back from public activities for a while,” Mr. Summers said in a video taken by a Harvard student and posted to social media. “But I think it’s very important that I fulfill my teaching obligations.” Also on Tuesday the chairman of Harvard’s economics department, Elie Tamer, sent an email to students expressing his regret for “the recent items that you have read about our faculty members.” Mr. Tamer, who refrained from directly naming Mr. Summers, apologized to students who “are hurt, angry or simply exhausted by the news” and emphasized the school’s commitment to creating a community where “students can learn, research, and work without fear of favoritism, coercion, or retaliation.” “We have been through a lot this past year and again, to you our students I say: you belong here,” he added. “You deserve advisors who champion your work and a community that chooses integrity. If you need anything-clarity, or simply a human conversation ask. I will show up.” Harvard, meanwhile, announced its decision to open a new investigation into Mr. Summers, who served as president from 2001 to 2006, and his relationship with Epstein. A Harvard spokesman told the Crimson on Tuesday that “the University is conducting a review of information concerning individuals at Harvard included in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents to evaluate what actions may be warranted.” Several other Harvard figures were also featured in the files, including Harvard Law School professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz, who served on Epstein’s legal team in a 2008 criminal case, and Mr. Summers’ wife, professor Elisa New.
https://www.nysun.com/article/larry-summers-asks-harvard-students-for-permission-to-continue-teaching-as-epstein-fallout-widens