Today's Headlines: How Biden Changed His Mind on Pardoning Hunter: ‘Time to End All of This’

Tensions Rise Among Russia's Elite as Economic Growth Slows

View in browser December 3, 2024, 4:10 a.m. Eastern time Top News How Biden Changed His Mind on Pardoning Hunter: 'Time to End All of This' The threat of a retribution-focused Trump administration and his son's looming sentencings prompted the president to abandon a promise not to get involved in Hunter Biden's legal problems. Tensions Rise Among Russia's Elite as Economic Growth Slows The slowdown is worrying for the Kremlin but not serious enough to significantly hobble its war effort. Russia and Iran Pledge Support for Syria's al-Assad Against Advancing Rebels In just a few days, a patchwork of rebel forces has seized control of a broad stretch of land in the west and northwest of Syria. But it's unclear just how much support Syria's weakened allies can provide. Editors' Picks A Culture-War Battle Convulses a School Panel in Liberal Manhattan Maud Maron, a right-wing activist, introduced a resolution about transgender students' participation in sports. The fallout has derailed a parent council in one of Manhattan's largest school districts. Opinion | Biden's Pardon for His Son Dishonors the Office With the pardon of his son, President Biden added his name to the roll call of presidents who dishonored their office by misusing the pardon power. World A North Korean Voice That Kim Jong-un Would Like to Silence Kim Seongmin, who fled to South Korea in the 1990s, broadcasts to his homeland twice a day, delivering the kind of information Pyongyang is trying hard to suppress. Israel Builds Bases in Central Gaza, a Sign It May Be There to Stay In recent months, soldiers have demolished more than 600 buildings to create a buffer area and expanded a network of bases, a New York Times analysis of satellite imagery and video footage shows. What's Behind the Protests in the Country of Georgia? For days, pro-Western Georgians have clashed with police over the government's plan to suspend plans for European Union membership. See more world news U.S. Wisconsin Judge Strikes Down Limits on Public Sector Unions The 2011 law stripped most government workers in the state of collective bargaining rights and set off protests that lasted weeks. Trump Threatens 'Hell to Pay' Unless Gaza Hostages Are Freed Before Inauguration President-elect Donald J. Trump said in a social media post on Monday that the hostages must be released before his inauguration in January. Trump Wants to Shake Up Health Care. Many Americans Don't Mind. Some voters galvanized by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s pledge to "Make America Healthy Again" said they believed the health establishment was dismissive and even corrupt. See more U.S. news Politics Trump Doubles Down on Defiance After the Collapse of the Matt Gaetz Selection President-elect Donald J. Trump's decision to install Kash Patel as F.B.I. director indicates that he remains undaunted by Washington resistance as he appoints ideological warriors, conspiracy theorists and even relatives. Schumer Presses for F.B.I. Checks and Senate Consideration of Trump Nominees In a letter, the Democratic leader said members of his party would work with Republicans to consider the president-elect's nominees — but asserted they should undergo traditional Senate vetting. Democrats Sharply Criticize Biden's Pardon of His Son Lawmakers in the president's own party, many of them moderates, said his decision to pardon his son was selfish and would further damage Americans' waning faith in democracy and the rule of law. See more political news Business Investors Punish France Over Budget Turmoil The country's borrowing costs have soared over worries that a political showdown in Parliament over spending cuts and tax increases could topple a fragile government coalition. Volkswagen Unions Begin Short Strikes and Threaten More Workers at nine of the automaker's German factories walked off their jobs for several hours, and warned they would escalate the action if their demands went unmet. Stellantis and Samsung Will Get $7 Billion to Build Battery Factories The loan, from the Biden administration, was designed to withstand Republican attacks and will be used to make electric-car batteries in Indiana. See more business news Technology Supreme Court Hears Case on Flavored Vapes Popular With Teenagers The question for the justices was whether the Food and Drug Administration had acted lawfully in rejecting applications from makers of flavored liquids used in e-cigarettes. Intel's Chief Executive Is Out Amid Chipmaker's Struggles Pat Gelsinger stepped down after nearly four years at the helm of the onetime highflying company, Intel said Monday. How Juice WRLD Arrived in Fortnite An avatar for the singing rapper, who died in 2019, appeared at a special event in the video game to debut a new song alongside Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Ice Spice. See more technology news Arts Kendrick Lamar's 'GNX' Rockets to No. 1 on the Charts The rapper's surprise LP tops Billboard's album and singles charts, where "Squabble Up" blocked Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" from a historic 20th week of dominance. Broadway, Seeking Growth and Facing Challenges, Has a New Representative The Broadway League, an industry trade organization, named Jason Laks as its new president. "I think our mission has to be more than to make it 2019 again," Laks said. Stream These 6 Titles Before They Leave Netflix This Month A bunch of movies and TV shows are leaving for U.S. subscribers by the end of December. Here's a roundup of the best. See more arts news New York Closing Arguments Begin in Subway Chokehold Trial Daniel Penny was charged with manslaughter in the choking death of Jordan Neely, a homeless man who was shouting in a subway car, last year. New York Philharmonic Looks to Philadelphia for Its Next Leader Matías Tarnopolsky, who manages the Philadelphia Orchestra, will come to New York as the Philharmonic works to recover from a trying period. See more New York news Food Mushrooms, Long a Supporting Player, Find the Leading Role As restaurants around the country make the humble mushroom an essential main dish, home cooks can learn a few tricks for dinner, too. Can You Find Awe in Christmas Cookies? Adding a jeweled element to them helps. So does baking them with friends and family. Time to Eat a Salad Specifically this taverna salad, a five-star recipe from Lidey Heuck that's colorful and crunchy, sustaining and light. See more food news Science You Had a Hysterectomy. What Did the Doctor Leave Behind? Patients often are in the dark about which organs remain and which were removed — particularly the ovaries, which profoundly influence lifelong health. An Arctic Hamlet is Sinking Into the Thawing Permafrost Canada is losing its permafrost to climate change. The Indigenous residents of Tuktoyaktuk know they'll have to move but don't agree on when. See more science news Travel How to Choose an All-Inclusive Resort The number of all-inclusives has risen dramatically in recent years, with efforts to improve food and beverage quality and increase activities and amenities. 500-Year-Old Walls and a Haunting Past: Exploring the Haciendas of Central Mexico Within a few hours' drive of Mexico City, these centuries-old estates have become restaurants, museums, hotels and even water parks. In all of them, beauty and history linger. Follow the Lights to Miami's Hot New Neighborhoods Little River and MiMo, both once off travelers' radar, capture the creative flavor of the city. See more travel news Real Estate Curating a Two-Bedroom Museum of Her Own Life Betti Franceschi has lived in her art-filled Upper West Side apartment for decades. For her latest project, she published a book of photographs featuring dancers from her generation. $825,000 Homes in California A three-bedroom house with a pool in Palm Springs, a cute Victorian-era house in Nevada City, and a three-bedroom bungalow from 1925 in Torrance. See more real estate news Fashion & Style A Question No One Was Asking: What if Elon Musk Was on the Bulls? Scottie Pippen, a basketball star turned crypto fanatic, posted about how many championships Chicago would have won with Mr. Musk. The answers weren't kind. How Many Pairs of Black Pants Is Too Many? A reader asks about the ideal number of black pants to own. Our fashion critic provides guidance on how many essential wardrobe pieces one should have. Streetwear Goes Full Liberace In their bedazzled hoodies and crystal-embellished T-shirts, hype-driven shoppers may be the last true dandies left. See more fashion news T Magazine In Mexico City, an Artist Creates a Hidden, Light-Filled Sanctuary By gutting his townhouse, José León Cerrillo revealed endless possibilities. Beaded Bags for Your Next Holiday Party Embellished, shiny accessories are sure to spark chatter this season. A Jewelry House With an Affinity for Wild Animals David Webb's aquamarine-and-emerald horse bracelet nods to the brand's original equestrian motifs. See more on T Magazine Obituaries Bob Bryar, Former Drummer for My Chemical Romance, Dies at 44 He joined that pop-punk band in 2004 and played on its most successful album, "The Black Parade." See more Obituaries Opinion Michelle Cottle How Do You Like That Filibuster Now? The Senate can take steps to remain an independent power center in Trump's Washington. Guest Essay The Surprising Allure of Ignorance We want to know, but we also want not to know, sometimes fiercely so. Guest Essay Not Everyone Is Benefiting From Drops in Overdose Deaths Drug overdose deaths are finally declining. But it's going to take work to keep this trend going. Michelle Goldberg If Anyone Can Save the Democrats, It's Ben Wikler This Wisconsinite is the obvious choice for D.N.C. chair. Elahe Esmaili For Iranian Women, Can a Revolution Take Place at Home? Inspired by the movement for women's rights in Iran, Elahe Esmaili returns to her hometown to start her own resistance. Guest Essay I'm One of the Last Doctors in This Hospital in Gaza. I'm Begging the World for Help. Most of the medical staff at Kamal Adwan Hospital is gone. One of the last doctors working there shares his story. Guest Essay We Need to Talk Directly to Armed Groups About Sexual Violence Understanding and addressing the underlying beliefs and values that drive behavior in combat is crucial. See more Opinion Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. 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