The Republican Party has achieved full control of the US government, after media projected wins for the party in a handful of close races in the House of Representatives. Republicans won the majority in the Senate earlier this week, while Donald Trump won the race for the presidency. The trifecta, last achieved at the start of Trump's first term in 2017, will give the President-elect significant authority to enact his agenda on the economy, immigration and other key issues.

President-elect Donald Trump has styled himself a master dealmaker who can leverage his warm relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, cool tensions between the world’s biggest nuclear powers and realign global politics. But that can-do image is at odds with the two leaders’ records and the new geopolitical reality. Trump and Putin failed to cut deals on everything from arms control to Ukraine during his first term, and the gulf between...

There’s been a goodly amount of wailing and gnashing of teeth in my corner of the world about some of President-elect Donald Trump’s recently announced appointments. Particular dismay has attended those of Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL) to the position of national security advisor and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) to the State Department. Both men have voiced hawkish—sometimes very hawkish—sentiments in the past, and the collective feeling among those who feel the United States is overexposed...

President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks keep getting more outlandish, which may be part of the point. Attorney general? Rep. Matt Gaetz, the right-wing provocateur who is being investigated by the House Ethics Committee for allegations of sexual misconduct. Secretary of defense? Pete Hegseth, a weekend Fox News host who served in the Army National Guard. Director of national intelligence? Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democratic congresswoman who has expressed...

Staunchly libertarian Argentinian President Javier Milei’s economic plans are proving enormously successful, as the country’s inflation plunged to 2.7% in October, the lowest level in three years. Milei was elected roughly one year ago, but the measures he has taken have revivified the once-crippled Argentinian economy, where inflation dropped in October to 2.7% after registering at 3.5% in October. Milei had promised to lower inflation to less than 3% before the end of 2024. “...

The Onion, the satirical news company that repeatedly spoofed conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, has won the bankruptcy auction for control over his media empire — most notably InfoWars, the far-right, conspiracy-minded website that served as Jones' primary online platform. Jones announced the sale on X Thursday morning. "I just got word 15 minutes ago that my lawyers and folks met with the U.S. trustee over our bankruptcy this morning and they said they are shutting us...

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reportedly severed diplomatic and trade ties with Israel over its war in Gaza. On Wednesday, while speaking to reporters on a return flight from Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, Erdoğan said, according to the Turkish news site Medya Ege, "We, as the Government of the Republic of Turkey, have now severed relations with Israel. We do not have any relationship with Israel at this point." Despite Erdoğan's claim, at the time of the report, Turkey's embassy in...

Greek runner Ploutarchos Pourliakas completed the 41st edition of the Athens Marathon on Sunday Source: ‘We all can do it,’ says 88-year-old runner after completing 12th Athens Marathon I love these stories.

An intriguing feature. The post Windowlicker’s ‘Equation’: How Aphex Twin coded his face into music first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

"What can I do?" The post The $5m robbery that forced Leonard Cohen back into music first appeared on Far Out Magazine.