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🚨 ICYMI heADLINES 🏀 Down goes Cleveland: The Celtics beat the Cavaliers, 120-117, in NBA Cup action to hand the Cavs their first loss and halt their historic 15-0 start. Only the 2015-16 Warriors (24-0) won more consecutive games to start a season. ‌ 👋 Coaching departures: The Bruins fired Jim Montgomery amid an underwhelming 8-9-3 start; Gerardo "Tata" Martino is leaving Inter Miami for personal reasons following the club's record-breaking campaign. ‌ 🏀 Tuesday triple-doubles: Russell Westbrook (12-10-14) became the first NBA player with 200 triple-doubles; Marquette's Kam Jones (17-13-10) did it all for the Golden Eagles in an upset win over No. 6 Purdue. Get to know the name. ‌ ⚾️ Managers of the Year: Cleveland's Stephen Vogt (age 40) won AL Manager of the Year just two years after retiring as a player; Milwaukee's Pat Murphy (age 65) won the NL award in his first season as an MLB skipper. ‌ 📺 Comcast spinoff: Comcast is expected to announce today that it will spin off its cable networks (MSNBC, USA, CNBC, etc) into a separate company. The NBC broadcast network and Peacock will remain with Comcast, as will Bravo. 🏀 EAST VS. WEST NBA IMBALANCE: WEST IS BEST, AGAIN (Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports) The NBA has two conferences. So far this century, one has been far superior to the other. ‌ Decades of dominance: Western Conference teams are 37-18 against Eastern Conference teams this season, putting the West on pace to finish with the better head-to-head record — and thus the better overall record — for the 23rd time in the past 26 seasons. ‌ Yes, you read that right: The East has had a better winning percentage than the West just three times this century: 2008-09 (.505), 2021-22 (.501) and 2022-23 (.509). During that time, Western Conference teams have also won nearly twice as many championships (16 of 25). ‌ The disparity is on full display in the current NBA standings: The East has four teams with winning records (Cavaliers, Celtics, Magic, Knicks), while the West has 11 (Warriors, Thunder, Lakers, Rockets, Nuggets, Suns, Timberwolves, Clippers, Mavericks, Grizzlies, Kings). If the NBA didn't have a salary cap and the West had more big-spenders, that might explain their consistent superiority. But there are actually more small market teams in the West, notes Sportico's Lev Akabas, and the median East and West team valuation is virtually identical. So what's behind this imbalance? I discussed some theories with two of Yahoo Sports' NBA experts, Kevin O'Connor and Tom Haberstroh. A few of my favorites… ‌ The East has had more consistently bad teams, which has hurt the conference's overall performance. The data supports this theory: Of the 10 teams with the worst record this century, eight are in the East, including the bottom three (Wizards, Hornets/Bobcats, Knicks). The West has better weather, which attracts better players. There's probably some truth to this, and the data once again backs it up: The West has produced more All-NBA players than the East every single year since 1999. The West has better decision-makers. "It's all about upstairs," says Haberstroh. "Historically, the best GMs and decision-makers have been in the West — Sam Presti in OKC, R.C. Buford in San Antonio — and while players come and go, they're a constant." Bottom line: Conference/league imbalance isn't unique to the NBA. The NFC won 13 straight Super Bowls from 1984-96; the AL has won 28 of the last 36 MLB All-Star Games. Theories can help diagnose these anomalies (i.e. the AL has had a larger concentration of power hitters, which translates well to the ASG), but there's still an element of flukiness that can't be explained. 🧠 WALLTIMORE RANDOM THOUGHT Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena can't make the catch against the large left field wall at Camden Yards, which will now be moved back in. (Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) The Orioles moved back the left-field wall at Camden Yards in 2022, creating the "Great Wall of Baltimore." Three years later, they're moving it back in and lowering the height. ‌ Which got me thinking: What if it became the norm for MLB teams to customize their ballpark dimensions each season to best fit their rosters (and best defend against their rivals)? Part of why the O's moved the wall back was to limit homers by AL East righties. Now they're moving it back, in part, because they have better pitching and more righty sluggers of their own. ‌ To be clear, I don't see this actually happening. It's just fun to imagine. Food for thought: What's one change you'd make to your favorite team's ballpark?

Manuscript Mystery Among the most memorable accounts in the Gospels is that of Jesus’s raising of Lazarus from the dead in John 11. We learn little, however, about the character of Lazarus himself; more prominent are the sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, who initially request that Jesus heal their sick brother and, after his death, bear witness to his resurrection. In her article entitled “The Mystery of Mary and Martha” in the Winter 2024 issue of BAR, Elizabeth Schrader Polczer points out that some early copies of John’s Gospel exhibit unusual treatments of the sisters of Lazarus, which together suggest that an early version circulated in which there was only one sister, Mary—sometimes thought to be Mary Magdalene—while Martha was added later. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/bible-interpretation/manuscript-mystery/? When Was the Hebrew Bible Written? Was the Hebrew Bible written earlier than previously thought? That’s what a 2016 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests. The study was led by Tel Aviv University (TAU) doctoral students Shira Faigenbaum-Golovina, Arie Shausa and Barak Sober. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/news/when-was-the-hebrew-bible-written/? The Philistines: Urban Invaders or Emergent Immigrants? The Philistines have long been a mysterious force in the history of the ancient Levant, with few records detailing their early years in the lands of the Bible. The organized, urban nature of Philistine sites in later periods has led some scholars to suggest that they entered the land as invaders, bringing with them a highly developed urban culture. A recent study published in the journal Levant, however, pushes back against this theory. The study, which examined archaeological finds from several Philistines cities, concluded that Philistine urbanization occurred gradually and only took place after they entered the southern Levant and were integrated with the local Canaanite community. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/the-philistines-urban-invaders-or-emergent-immigrants/?

November 20, 2024 By German Lopez Good morning. Today, we’re covering the escalating war in Ukraine — as well as Trump’s appointments, Gaza’s wounded and Rafael Nadal’s retirement. An ATACMS missile. John Hamilton/White Sands Missile Range, via Associated Press A new phase The war in Ukraine is escalating quickly and unpredictably. Ukraine is now using U.S.-made missiles to strike inside Russia, with President Biden’s permission. Russia has raised the threat of nuclear weapons. It has also sacrificed thousands of troops to take more territory in eastern Ukraine, achieving its largest gains in more than two years. At the same time, an end to the war seems closer than ever. Donald Trump has promised to negotiate a truce quickly once he takes office in January. Given how much Ukraine depends on the United States, Trump could force Ukraine to accept a deal. These things — the recent escalations and a potential end to the war — are related. As Russia and Ukraine prepare for a potential peace deal, they are working to improve their negotiating positions. That reality has kicked off a dangerous and urgent phase of the war, although one that could last only a few months. Today’s newsletter will explain the recent events and what could come next. Ratcheting up The recent events in Ukraine can be summarized as a series of escalations. After Ukraine lost territory on its eastern front, it opened a northern front this past summer in the Russian region of Kursk. It grabbed Russian territory for the first time in the war, and has managed to hold the land. Russia then recruited more than 10,000 soldiers from North Korea to try to reclaim the area. Washington saw North Korea’s involvement as a big deal. After all, Russia has warned the West against sending any of its own troops in Ukraine’s defense. Yet Russia turned around and got outside help. In response, the United States has allowed Ukraine to fire American-made long-range missiles into Russian territory. Ukraine did so for the first time yesterday, hitting an ammunition depot. The specific missiles, known as ATACMS, do not have the range to hit Moscow. “U.S. officials do not want to see ATACMS flying at the Kremlin,” said my colleague Julian Barnes, who covers international security. “That’s not what this is about.” Instead, Ukraine can use the missiles to weaken Russian advances and hold territory in Kursk and elsewhere. Source: The Institute for the Study of War With American Enterprise Institute’s Critical Threats | By Samuel Granados and Leanne Abraham Why are U.S. officials so cautious about how Ukraine uses these weapons? Russia’s actions yesterday offer an explanation. It declared the right to respond with a nuclear weapon to an attack by a nonnuclear nation (Ukraine, presumably) that’s supported by a nuclear-armed country (the United States). Since the beginning of the war, Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, has used the threat of nukes to deter Western involvement. To some extent, the threat has worked. It previously kept Americans from supplying ATACMS and fighter jets, for instance. Putin is not actually closer to using nukes, American officials say. But the consequences of a nuclear conflict are so large — potentially world-ending — that even a tiny or slightly growing risk is alarming. Seeking the best deal There’s another factor behind Biden’s decision to let Ukraine strike inside Russia: the coming Trump administration. Trump has indicated that he will not offer the same level of military support to Ukraine that Biden has. He wants to end the war as soon as possible. He will likely try to force both sides to negotiate some sort of truce, even if Ukraine doesn’t regain its territory in the process. That means Ukraine is running out of time to improve its negotiating position. If it can hold on to parts of Kursk, maybe it can trade the area for more of its eastern territory held by Russia. In other words, Ukraine’s strength at the bargaining table depends on fending off Russian and North Korean troops in the coming months. Russia is trying to improve its own hand, too. It has pushed farther into eastern Ukraine despite staggering losses. (As of last month, the war had left 600,000 to 700,000 Russian troops dead or wounded, Western officials estimate.) Russia continues its brutal campaign knowing that every inch of land it claims now could be kept for good. All of this adds up to a bit of a paradox: Peace may be around the corner, but the fighting could get bloodier as both sides try to position themselves for a more favorable deal. For more The U.S. has closed its embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, and told employees to shelter in place, warning that Russia was planning a significant air attack. Biden authorized the provision of some land mines to Ukraine, The Washington Post reports. Kyiv has sought the weapons — which Russia uses liberally on the front line — since the beginning of the war. The U.S. has grown used to Russia’s threat of nuclear weapons, David Sanger writes. Along some stretches of the front, Kyiv’s forces are outnumbered by more than six to one. THE LATEST NEWS Trump Appointments Linda McMahon Maddie McGarvey for The New York Times Trump will tap Linda McMahon to lead the Department of Education. McMahon, a former professional wrestling executive, is a longtime Trump donor and was co-chair of his transition team. Trump chose Mehmet Oz, the celebrity surgeon who unsuccessfully ran for Senate in 2022, to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Howard Lutnick, chief executive of a Wall Street firm, is Trump’s pick to be commerce secretary. Lutnick has defended Trump’s plans for imposing tariffs on imports. A hacker gained access to damaging information about Matt Gaetz, Trump’s selection for attorney general, including testimony from a woman who said that she had sex with Gaetz when she was 17. Trump, who was found liable for sexual abuse, has named to his administration four men accused of sexual misconduct in some form. (The men all deny the accusations). Trump seeks a Treasury secretary who can achieve possibly conflicting goals: implement tariffs and still keep the stock market booming. Trump wants the option to appoint his choices without Senate vetting, potentially testing the Constitution. Read about the maneuver, known as “recess appointments.” More on Trump Prosecutors proposed delaying the sentencing in Trump’s Manhattan criminal case until he’s out of office. Trump’s lawyers want to dismiss his conviction. Republicans have started to prepare legislation that would extend Trump’s tax cuts, lower corporate taxes, fund border enforcement and cut spending. But passing the bills could be difficult. Trump joined Elon Musk for a SpaceX Starship launch in Texas. The test flight showed a mix of progress and setbacks for the company. More on Politics Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, wants to bar transgender women from using women’s restrooms in the Capitol. The proposal targets Sarah McBride, a Democrat who is the first openly transgender member of Congress. Harris’s campaign produced, but chose not to air, ads about transgender rights. Some Democrats now say that was a mistake. Kamala Harris earned seven million fewer votes in this year’s election than Biden did in 2020. Those losses were just as consequential as Trump’s gains. California voters rejected a ballot measure that would have raised the minimum wage there. It took weeks to count votes. The Los Angeles City Council voted to prohibit city resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement. Israel-Hamas War In Doha, Qatar. Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times The war in Gaza has left many with horrific wounds. The Times spoke with some of them. Benjamin Netanyahu offered $5 million and safe passage out of Gaza to anyone who returns a hostage being held there. The Israeli military has issued more than 1,000 arrest warrants for ultra-Orthodox conscripts who have not responded to draft orders, CNN reports. More International News The Brazilian authorities accused members of an elite army unit of planning to assassinate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva shortly before he was to become president. The Norwegian police said that they had arrested the son of the country’s crown princess on suspicion of rape. As Trump prepares to re-enter the global stage, world leaders are seeking stability with China. That is complicated by several issues, including the fate of Taiwan. Other Big Stories A culture of concealment: Google, to avoid antitrust suits, systematically told employees to destroy messages. Executives in charge of the National Association of Realtors, a nonprofit, used company money to see Broadway shows, ride in chauffeured cars and enjoy other perks, a Times investigation found. The New York region is experiencing drought — the dry weather makes the area vulnerable to wildfires. Read what to know. Asheville, N.C., has drinkable tap water again, 53 days after Hurricane Helene. A 17-year-old in California is believed to be the youngest person to pass the state’s bar exam, beating the previous record-holder: her older brother. Opinions Trump needs someone on his team who shares his views on tariffs. His former U.S. trade representative is that person, Matthew Schmitz writes. Right-wing influence over social media platforms won Republicans the election, Julia Angwin argues. Here are columns by Bret Stephens on Gaetz and Republican morality, and Thomas Friedman on Trump’s plan for Israel and the Palestinians. The Thanksgiving Sale is on. Time to subscribe to Cooking. Cooking answers “What’s for dinner?” deliciously, every day. Explore thousands of easy five-star recipes. Save on your first year of Cooking. MORNING READS A subway mosaic by the artist Keith Godard. Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet for The New York Times I ❤️ NY: “I liked New York as a tourist. I fell in love with it as a tour guide.” New tastes: Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic are changing people’s appetite for junk food. ‘Airplane ear’: Here’s why your ears feel clogged while flying — and how to avoid it. Lives Lived: Arthur Frommer’s “Europe on 5 Dollars a Day: A Guide to Inexpensive Travel,” first published in 1957 and annually updated (and adjusted for inflation) for the next 50 years, changed the idea that European travel was reserved for wealthy Americans. He died at 95. SPORTS Rafael Nadal Jorge Guerrero/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Retirement: Rafael Nadal’s professional tennis career has ended. His final match was a 6-4, 6-4 defeat at the Davis Cup. “I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one. So we close the circle,” he said. N.B.A.: The Cleveland Cavaliers are no longer undefeated. They lost, 120-117, to the defending champion, the Boston Celtics. ARTS AND IDEAS Rylee Arnold and Stephen Nedoroscik. Eric McCandless/Disney, via Getty Images The format of “Dancing With the Stars” hasn’t changed much since the reality show premiered 20 years ago — a professional dancer teams up with a celebrity to perform each week. Its viewership, though, is starting to change. For years, the show was a hit with older audiences; in 2022, the average viewer was nearly 64 years old. But the past two seasons have finally grabbed hold of Gen Z viewers, thanks to TikTok and a younger crop of dancers. More on culture “Rust” will premiere at a film festival in Poland. The movie’s cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, was fatally shot when a gun held by Alec Baldwin went off. The late-night hosts discussed Trump’s cabinet picks. “Sean Duffy sounds like every character in a Ben Affleck movie,” Jimmy Fallon said. THE MORNING RECOMMENDS … David Malosh for The New York Times Season oyster crackers with a ranch-inspired mix to make fire crackers, beloved in the South. Improve your home’s energy efficiency. Cut a crusty loaf with one of these knives. GAMES Here is today’s Spelling Bee. Yesterday’s pangram was heavily. And here are today’s Mini Crossword, Wordle, Sudoku, Connections and Strands. Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Times. See you tomorrow. —German P.S. Have you ever ghosted someone? The Times wants to hear from you about why. Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. Reach our team at themorning@nytimes.com. Editor: David Leonhardt Deputy Editor: Adam B. Kushner News Editor: Tom Wright-Piersanti Associate Editor: Lauren Jackson News Staff: Desiree Ibekwe, Sean Kawasaki-Culligan, Brent Lewis, German Lopez, Ian Prasad Philbrick, Ashley Wu News Assistant: Lyna Bentahar Saturday Writer: Melissa Kirsch

⚖️ Legal struggle for Google's browser Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios The Justice Department is expected to present proposals today to limit Google's power in the wake of an August court ruling that the giant abused its search monopoly, Axios managing editor for tech Scott Rosenberg writes. Why it matters: Google's leaders will be distracted by the government's antitrust assault, just as the firm faces the greatest challenge in its history from the OpenAI/Microsoft alliance. The DOJ will ask the presiding judge to force Google to sell off or spin out the Chrome browser, according to a Bloomberg report. It's also likely to urge the judge to demand that Google license its search results and data to third parties and competitors. "Break up Google" is one scenario that no longer seems to be in play, and the government has decided not to seek the sale or spinout of Google-owned Android, the world's most popular mobile operating system. 🖼️ The big picture: Estimates of Chrome's market share vary but they all give Chrome billions of users on mobile and desktop — and half or more of the global browser market. Chrome is baked into the Android mobile operating system and has long served as a key starting point for Google searches. More recently, it has become a way for Google to funnel users toward its Gemini AI services. Owning Chrome lets Google follow users' online activity in ways that help it target the ads that make up the foundation of its business. 🔎 Between the lines: Extracting Chrome from Google would require finding a buyer willing to pay up to $20 billion, per Bloomberg. If Google tries to set Chrome up as an independent company, the product — currently distributed free and supported by Google's advertising profits — would need to find a revenue source. Much of Chrome's popularity rests on the convenience of its integration with Google's search and other products. As Daring Fireball author John Gruber put it: "It's like saying I have to sell my left foot. It's very valuable to me, but of no value to anyone on its own." Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google's VP for regulatory affairs: "The DOJ continues to push a radical agenda that goes far beyond the legal issues in this case ... The government putting its thumb on the scale in these ways would harm consumers, developers and American technological leadership at precisely the moment it is most needed."

💼 Workers feel stuck Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios Workers in the U.S. are running in place — feeling stuck in jobs with dimmed prospects for advancement, and seeing fewer opportunities to jump ship for something better, Axios Markets co-author Emily Peck writes. It's a sharp contrast to the heady days of 2022: Employees were quitting their jobs at record rates, open roles proliferated, and the possibility of a higher paycheck always seemed just around the corner. 🔂 The big picture: Employers are sitting tight with hiring, says Daniel Zhao, lead economist at job site Glassdoor. That means "fewer opportunities for workers to climb the career ladder," he says. They're still plugging away at the same role they've had for years, without the opportunity to move up internally or at a new company. 🗄️ By the numbers: 65% of the professionals surveyed by Glassdoor last month said they feel stuck in their current roles. "As workers feel stuck, pent-up resentment boils under the surface," Zhao writes in a report out Tuesday.

Trump's messy coalition Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios President-elect Trump's Cabinet increasingly resembles a European-style coalition government, staffed with a dizzying array of ideological rivals united — for now — by a grand MAGA vision. The incoming administration has a little something for everyone: isolationists and hawks, populists and bankers — even a couple of lifelong Democrats who ran for president against Trump, Axios' Zachary Basu writes. 😲 The big picture: Trump's picks suggest at least three factions in the new Republican coalition, with enough support to warrant representation in his administration. 1. "America First" nationalists: These are the true believers tasked with Trump's highest-priority portfolios. They include Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz, Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth, border czar Tom Homan and Stephen Miller, the border policy adviser who's incoming White House deputy chief of staff for policy. At 9 p.m. ET last night, Trump named transition co-chair Linda McMahon to head the Education Department, which he says he plans to dismantle. McMahon, co-founder and former CEO of WWE, headed the Small Business Administration in Trump's first term. Go deeper. 2. Establishment conservatives: The dominant forces in Trump's first Cabinet have been weakened, but not fully exiled. They're especially strong in foreign policy, with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) for secretary of State, Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) for national security adviser and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) for UN ambassador. 3. Dissident Democrats: The newest members of MAGA are among the most powerful, having endeared themselves to Trump's base as anti-establishment crusaders. They're also most likely to cause cracks in the coalition. Elon Musk has already clashed with at least one Trump adviser over Cabinet picks. RFK Jr.'s anti-pharma vision is at odds with several corners of the GOP. And Tulsi Gabbard has disparaged Republican hawks, including Rubio, as "warmongers." Keep reading. 💰 Scoop: New twist for Treasury Screenshot: Fox News (Hat tip: Angrej Singh) President-elect Trump is looking more seriously at Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) for Treasury secretary — giving Trump three serious options for one of the few roles where he's taking his time, transition sources tell me. Hagerty, a former private-equity investor who was Trump's ambassador to Japan, is one of three apparent finalists, along with former Fed governor Kevin Warsh and Apollo CEO Marc Rowan. Why it matters: Hagerty, 65, has credibility with Wall Street leaders, the markets, foreign leaders and Congress. And he owes his political career to Trump. "Respected, loyal and great on TV — the total Trump package," a top Republican source said. State of play: I'm told Trump enjoyed spending time with Hagerty at Mar-a-Lago this week. The senator was with Trump and Elon Musk in South Texas yesterday as SpaceX launched a Starship rocket. Trump will meet Warsh and Rowan at Mar-a-Lago this week. Howard Lutnick, Trump's transition co-chair, wanted Treasury but yesterday was named Commerce Secretary. Scott Bessent, a hedge-fund manager who was another finalist for Treasury, looks to be in a derby for the consolation prize of director of Trump's National Economic Council. Another top candidate is Robert Lighthizer, who was U.S. trade representative in Trump's first term.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY November 20 1945 Nuremberg trials begin Twenty-four high-ranking Nazis go on trial in Nuremberg, Germany, for atrocities committed during World War II beginning on November 20, 1945. The Nuremberg trials were conducted by an international tribunal made up of representatives from the United States, the Soviet Union, France and Great... read more Sponsored Content by REVCONTENT 19th Century 1820 American vessel sunk by sperm whale Art, Literature and Film History 2003 Music producer Phil Spector charged with murder of actress Black History 1835 New York Committee of Vigilance founded Crime 1903 Tom Horn is hanged in Wyoming for the murder of Willie Nickell European History 1947 Princess Elizabeth marries Philip Mountbatten 1992 Windsor Castle catches fire Gay Rights 1999 The first Transgender Day of Remembrance is held Inventions & Science 1866 Pierre Lallement patents the modern pedal bicycle 1923 Garrett Morgan patents three-position traffic signal Sports 1982 Cal beats Stanford as band blocks field World War I 1917 British launch surprise tank attack at Cambrai

The son of Norway’s crown princess is arrested on suspicion of rape, police say COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — The eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been arrested again, this time on suspicion of rape, police said Tuesday. https://apnews.com/article/norway-crown-princess-son-royals-arrest-8c980cc15851b6eab2093f22edf67dfb?

LA enacts sanctuary city ordinance to prepare for potential mass deportations under Trump LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved a so-called “sanctuary city” ordinance that bars city resources from being used for immigration enforcement and city departments from sharing information on people without legal status with federal immigration authorities, in anticipation of potential mass deportations under President-elect Donald Trump. https://apnews.com/article/sanctuary-city-trump-deportations-immigrants-los-angeles-836cf68a756c64800bbeb0270e8a965c?

Multiple election offices report receiving mailed ballots misdirected from other states HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Terry Thompson had an election to run for voters in Cascade County, Montana. Why then, she thought, was her office in Great Falls being sent mailed ballots completed by voters in places such as Wasilla, Alaska; Vancouver, Washington; and Tampa, Florida? https://apnews.com/article/election-voting-mail-ballots-postal-service-7c942c832398d55843fbc20898d85385?

What to know about Transgender Day of Remembrance and violence against trans people Wednesday is Transgender Day of Remembrance, which focuses on trans people who have lost their lives because of violence. Here is what to know. https://apnews.com/article/transgender-day-of-remembrance-deaths-rita-hester-8160deb98febe780aa94577fd59a6758?

The dark energy pushing our universe apart may not be what it seems, scientists say Distant, ancient galaxies are giving scientists more hints that a mysterious force called dark energy may not be what they thought. Read more. Why this matters: Astronomers know that the universe is being pushed apart at an accelerating rate and they have puzzled for decades over what could possibly be speeding everything up. They theorize that a powerful, constant force is at play, but they can’t see it and they don’t know where it comes from, so they call it dark energy. But findings published earlier this year and a newer analysis on Tuesday by an international research collaboration of more than 900 scientists from around the globe yielded a major surprise. As the scientists analyzed how galaxies move, they found that the force pushing or pulling them around did not seem to be constant. Instead of the theorized constant force, the energy appears to be changing or weakening over time and could mean that dark energy is very different than what scientists thought — or that there may be something else altogether going on. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Trump and Musk solidify their bond with Texas trip for rocket launch PHOTO COLLECTION: Supermoon British writer Samantha Harvey’s space-station novel ‘Orbital’ wins the Booker Prize for fiction

US Embassy in Kyiv shuts down after warning of ‘significant’ Russian air attack The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv said it would stay closed Wednesday after receiving a warning of a potentially significant Russian air attack on the Ukrainian capital. The precautionary step came after Russian officials promised a response to President Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine strike targets on Russian soil with U.S.-made missiles — a move that angered the Kremlin. Read more. Recent developments: The U.S. Embassy said its closure and attack warning were issued in the context of ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and anticipated a quick return to regular operations. The war has taken on a growing international dimension with the arrival of North Korean troops to help Russia on the battlefield — a development which U.S. officials said prompted Biden’s policy shift. North Korea recently supplied additional artillery systems to Russia, according to South Korea. Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for using his nuclear arsenal, with the new doctrine announced Tuesday permitting a potential nuclear response by Moscow even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power. That could potentially include Ukrainian attacks backed by the United States. Western leaders dismissed the move as an attempt to deter Ukraine’s allies from providing further support to Kyiv. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ The Kremlin has revised its nuclear policy. Does that make the use of atomic weapons more likely? North Korea sent more conventional weapons to Russia, South Korea says Russia arrests a German national accused of planning to sabotage energy facilities

In the late 1800s, the director of the Harvard College Observatory is said to have been frustrated with his male staff and exclaimed that "even his maid could do a better job!" As a result, he hired his maid, Williamina Fleming, who went on to discover the Horsehead Nebula and helped catalog tens of thousands of stars. Today is: National Pay Back Your Parents Day James

🌌 Starry night Photo: Aaron McKay Soak up this sky full of stars, captured by reader Aaron McKay in Peterson, Utah.

Stress-free Turkey Day Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios Thanksgiving dinner can come with a great deal of pressure — especially if you're the host. But the holiday is about gratitude and gathering, not impressing your guests. Why it matters: Thanksgiving often feels like the "Super Bowl of food holidays," CNN's Casey Barber writes. Barber's holiday prep starts in early November. If the planning, cooking and tablescape-designing brings you happiness, that's wonderful — and this is your time to shine! But if you're overwhelmed, here are ways to make next week a little less stressful and a little more joyful. Shortcuts are fine — and delicious. Store-bought pies and dinner rolls are great, canned cranberry sauce is a classic, and Butterball even has a new cook-from-frozen turkey that comes pre-brined, so all you need to do is unwrap it and cook it. Make it up! Don't feel limited by the traditional Thanksgiving lineup. If there's a side dish you often prepare and that feels easy and comfortable, add it to your menu. Tweak tradition, as Food Network puts it. Summon the troops! Whether you throw a BYOB dinner, ask guests to bring appetizers, or put them in charge of reheating the sides, lean on them to make your job easier. If you're a guest, ask what you can bring or if you're needed in the kitchen during crunch time. Focus on the fun. If you're hosting Thanksgiving, there's probably one or two things about it that you especially like — maybe that's roasting the juiciest turkey, making a favorite family dish or decorating the table. Put extra care into the parts of Thanksgiving that make you happy, and use tips and tricks to get through the rest. 📬 We want to hear from you! What are your Thanksgiving hacks? Your easiest, quickest recipe that's always a hit? Your go-to trick for stress relief? Send us a couple sentences, along with your name and hometown, to finishline@axios.com to share your tips with other readers.

👀 Scoop ... Schumer's '26 favorite Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is expected to name Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) as the next DSCC chair, we have learned. We scooped in September that Gillibrand was interested in the gig. Why it matters: If picked, Gillibrand will be tasked in 2026 with snagging four Senate pickups to take down the GOP trifecta. Publicly, Schumer isn't ready to commit to Gillibrand, but sources tell us the job is heading her way. 🌎 Democrats will have pickup opportunities in Maine and North Carolina. But after that, Gillibrand will have to go on offense in redder states like Texas. It's a more friendly map than 2024, where Democrats were playing defense and lost in Trump's states like Montana and Ohio. "I have not made a decision about DSCC yet. I have worked with Sen. Gillibrand for a long time and I know she would be a strong choice," Schumer told us in a statement today. Between the lines: Schumer's search for his next DSCC chair included quietly reaching out to senators who are up for reelection in 2026, asking them who they think is best to run the group. No other public candidates emerged. Gillibrand leaned on her fundraising bona fides, including a campaign to help House Democrats win toss-up seats in New York. Democrats flipped three of those seats this month. The bottom line: The DSCC spot is a nod of confidence from Schumer, who also once held the position and even as leader closely follows his members' campaigns. — Stephen Neukam and Hans Nichols 🚨 John vs. Chuck Incoming GOP leader John Thune personally presented a plan for an aggressive defense against President Biden's judicial nominees during a regular leadership meeting last night, sources familiar told us. Why it matters: This is Thune's first showdown with Schumer and is sure to please some conservatives whose support he needed to become leader. President-elect Trump is egging on the fight, demanding Republicans prevent Schumer from confirming more judges. The Senate floor stayed open past midnight as Republicans forced procedural votes to drag out the confirmation process. Republicans are mad at Schumer for prioritizing judges over other must-pass legislation like the Farm Bill, defense authorization and appropriations. 🚪 Behind closed doors, Republican vs. Republican frustrations bubbled over today after missed votes that helped Schumer move forward on the nominations. Vice President-elect Vance (R-Ohio), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) were specifically called out, sources in the room told us. Vance defended himself in a since-deleted post on X by saying even if he had shown up to vote last night, it wouldn't have changed the outcome. 🔥 Zoom out: Look for Schumer to consider repaying the favor next year when it's time to confirm Trump's nominees. — Stef Kight, Stephen Neukam and Hans Nichols 💰 Hot gavel: House Financial Services House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) is indicating to allies that Rep. Andy Barr (Ky.) is his pick to serve as chair of the House Financial Services Committee, sources familiar with the matter tell us. Why it matters: Scalise's support gives Barr a clear advantage to win one of the most coveted committee gavels in the next Congress. The chair will help set the financial services agenda for Trump's second presidency and handle legislation on everything from cryptocurrency to banking and the pot industry. Current Chair Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) is leaving Congress at the end of the year. Reps. French Hill (R-Ark.), Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) and Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) are also interested in the position. The bottom line: The GOP's Steering Committee is expected to finalize its makeup tomorrow, with plans to meet after the Thanksgiving break to determine committee chairs. Speaker Mike Johnson has the most votes on the steering committee, and Republican aides and lawmakers think he's essentially neutral. Read their elevator pitches — Juliegrace Brufke and Hans Nichols ♠️ Tomorrow's wild cards Chart: Axios Visuals Just one of the five Republicans shown above would need to break from their party — and Johnson's public pleas — to release the House Ethics Committee report on Rep. Matt Gaetz. Even if none of them do, Congress expects the report on Trump's choice for attorney general to leak either way. In non-Ethics Committee news, Johnson is being pressured to restrict Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.), a transgender woman, from using women's bathrooms at the Capitol. In a closed-door meeting, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said she would get into a "physical altercation" if McBride tried to use the women's restroom, according to two House Republicans present for her remarks. — Andrew Solender and Juliegrace Brufke

Trump Picks Oz, Champion Of Medicare Privatization New Jersey TV doctor Mehmet Oz has decided to stake his Pennsylvania Senate campaign on vilifying legislation that would help Americans afford to visit a doctor when they get sick. At the same time, Oz is pitching a health care initiative that could force millions of seniors off traditional Medicare and into private health insurance plans cited by government regulators for wrongly denying medical claims. https://www.levernews.com/dr-oz-can-now-pull-off-his-medicare-privatization-scheme-2/?

West Coast bomb cyclone hits with heavy rain, high winds The West Coast is facing a long-lasting heavy rain event from a bomb cyclone that formed in the northeastern Pacific Ocean Tuesday, and which could lead to significant flooding. https://www.axios.com/2024/11/18/bomb-cyclone-heavy-rain-california-oregon? ‘Bomb cyclone’ kills 2 and knocks out power to over half a million homes across the Northwest US ISSAQUAH, Wash. (AP) — A major storm swept across the U.S. Northwest battering the region with strong winds and rain, causing widespread power outages, closing schools and downing trees that killed at least two people. https://apnews.com/article/california-oregon-washington-storm-power-outages-aadbd4863dd989189d31c1c2187b5025?

Roadblocks to mass deportation Photo illustration: Maura Losch/Axios. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images President-elect Trump's plans for mass deportations will likely run into several procedural roadblocks, Axios' Russell Contreras reports. Trump has said he wants to quickly remove all undocumented immigrants from the U.S., and he'll use the military to do it. That's roughly 11 million people. 🔎 How it works: High-profile raids will likely capture some number of undocumented workers and could have a chilling effect that prompts others not to show up at their jobs. But turf wars, local resistance and logical staffing realities would make it impossible to round up 11 million people, experts said. The administration will also need to build new temporary detention centers to hold people who are being deported. Detainees will have a right to due process before removal, and there's already a backlog of 3.7 million people waiting for hearings right now. 💰 All told, the mass deportations Trump has described could cost $150 billion to $350 billion, immigration experts said. Go deeper.

HENNIKER, N.H. (AP) — When Hector Xu was learning to fly a helicopter in college, he recalled having a few “nasty experiences” while trying to navigate at night. https://apnews.com/article/autonomous-helicopter-unmanned-rotor-9af9228206bf9fd3598d10c8a243fab5?

NEWLAND, N.C. (AP) — The Cartner family had known since last year that one of their farm’s Christmas trees would be headed to the White House this winter. https://apnews.com/article/white-house-christmas-tree-north-carolina-helene-e4868d6b13c65cd4944c5fe26fafb058?

Carcass of endangered fin whale washes up near Alaska’s largest city ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — An endangered fin whale that washed up near a coastal trail in Alaska’s largest city has attracted curious onlookers while biologists seek answers as to what caused the animal’s death. https://apnews.com/article/washed-up-whale-alaska-08268de186579a2ca5bbaa4f98b3588c?

(N) Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

A California Republican won a seat he didn’t want. Now taxpayers are paying for a new election San Joaquin Valley Republican Vince Fong was on the ballot this fall for an Assembly race, but he didn’t want to win it. After all, he left that job for Congress earlier this year, and he planned to stay in the nation’s capital. https://apnews.com/us-news/california-bakersfield-general-news-b82e9e1664af06442d26c6246c378f10?