New pro-European coalition approved in Romania amid period of political turmoilQuran with translation distributed
Jonah Goldberg Among elites across the ideological spectrum, there's one point of unifying agreement: Americans are bitterly divided. What if that's wrong? What if elites are the ones who are bitterly divided while most Americans are fairly unified? History rarely lines up perfectly with the calendar (the "sixties" didn't really start until the decade was almost over). But politically, the 21st century neatly began in 2000, when the election ended in a tie and the color coding of electoral maps became enshrined as a kind of permanent tribal color war of "red vs. blue." Elite understanding of politics has been stuck in this framework ever since. Politicians and voters have leaned into this alleged political reality, making it seem all the more real in the process. I loathe the phrase "perception is reality," but in politics it has the reifying power of self-fulfilling prophecy. Like rival noble families in medieval Europe, elites have been vying for power and dominance on the arrogant assumption that their subjects share their concern for who rules rather than what the rulers can deliver. Political cartoonists from across country draw up something special for the holiday In 2018, the group More in Common published a massive report on the "hidden tribes" of American politics. The wealthiest and whitest groups were "devoted conservatives" (6%) and "progressive activists" (8%). These tribes dominate the media, the parties and higher education, and they dictate the competing narratives of red vs. blue, particularly on cable news and social media. Meanwhile, the overwhelming majority of Americans resided in, or were adjacent to, the "exhausted majority." These people, however, "have no narrative," as David Brooks wrote at the time. "They have no coherent philosophic worldview to organize their thinking and compel action." Lacking a narrative might seem like a very postmodern problem, but in a postmodern elite culture, postmodern problems are real problems. It's worth noting that red vs. blue America didn't emerge ex nihilo. The 1990s were a time when the economy and government seemed to be working, at home and abroad. As a result, elites leaned into the narcissism of small differences to gain political and cultural advantage. They remain obsessed with competing, often apocalyptic, narratives. That leaves out most Americans. The gladiatorial combatants of cable news, editorial pages and academia, and their superfan spectators, can afford these fights. Members of the exhausted majority are more interested in mere competence. I think that's the hidden unity elites are missing. This is why we keep throwing incumbent parties out of power: They get elected promising competence but get derailed -- or seduced -- by fan service to, or trolling of, the elites who dominate the national conversation. There's a difference between competence and expertise. One of the most profound political changes in recent years has been the separation of notions of credentialed expertise from real-world competence. This isn't a new theme in American life, but the pandemic and the lurch toward identity politics amplified distrust of experts in unprecedented ways. This is a particular problem for the left because it is far more invested in credentialism than the right. Indeed, some progressives are suddenly realizing they invested too much in the authority of experts and too little in the ability of experts to provide what people want from government, such as affordable housing, decent education and low crime. The New York Times' Ezra Klein says he's tired of defending the authority of government institutions. Rather, "I want them to work." One of the reasons progressives find Trump so offensive is his absolute inability to speak the language of expertise -- which is full of coded elite shibboleths. But Trump veritably shouts the language of competence. I don't mean he is actually competent at governing. But he is effectively blunt about calling leaders, experts and elites -- of both parties -- stupid, ineffective, weak and incompetent. He lost in 2020 because voters didn't believe he was actually good at governing. He won in 2024 because the exhausted majority concluded the Biden administration was bad at it. Nostalgia for the low-inflation pre-pandemic economy was enough to convince voters that Trumpian drama is the tolerable price to pay for a good economy. About 3 out of 4 Americans who experienced "severe hardship" because of inflation voted for Trump. The genius of Trump's most effective ad -- "Kamala is for they/them, President Trump is for you" -- was that it was simultaneously culture-war red meat and an argument that Harris was more concerned about boutique elite concerns than everyday ones. If Trump can actually deliver competent government, he could make the Republican Party the majority party for a generation. For myriad reasons, that's an if so big it's visible from space. But the opportunity is there -- and has been there all along. Goldberg is editor-in-chief of The Dispatch: thedispatch.com . Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!
Topline The federal prosecutions of Donald Trump officially came to an end Tuesday when a federal appeals court dismissed Trump’s case for allegedly withholding White House documents, after Special Counsel Jack Smith asked on Monday that the felony charges against Trump be dropped—ending the historic saga. Key Facts Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here . Crucial Quote Trump responded to the cases being dropped, saying on Truth Social these cases—and the others he has faced in New York and Georgia—were “empty and lawless, and should never have been brought.” He continued : “It was a political hijacking, and a low point in the History of our Country that such a thing could have happened, and yet, I persevered, against all odds, and WON.” What To Watch For Smith’s two cases were dismissed without prejudice, meaning the federal government could try and charge Trump again after he leaves office—though it’s unclear if they will, and if doing so would be allowed under the statute of limitations. Key Background Trump was charged by the Justice Department in August 2023 with trying to overturn his 2020 election loss, one of four indictments brought against Trump at the state and federal level—a historic move, marking the first time a former president has faced criminal charges. Trump attempted to have the charges thrown out by arguing he had “presidential immunity,” and the Supreme Court ultimately sided with him, ruling mostly in his favor by saying he could not be charged for any activities that were “official” presidential duties. After the court’s ruling, Smith’s team issued a new , slimmed down indictment against Trump in August for the same four felonies. The second indictment more clearly argued Trump was not acting as president in his efforts to overturn the election, but was acting as a presidential candidate. Separately, Trump was indicted in the federal documents case last June for allegedly withholding national security documents and obstructing justice. Prosecutors alleged Trump intentionally tried to conceal classified documents and prevent them from being returned to the government, leading to 40 federal felony charges . Trump argued he was legally allowed to have the documents because of the Presidential Records Act, though experts said his argument was flawed. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all criminal charges brought against him and described them as a “witch hunt” by President Joe Biden’s DOJ in an attempt to ruin his presidential campaign. In October before he was elected, Trump said if he returned to the White House he would “fire [Smith] within two seconds” and called the prosecutor a “scoundrel” and a “very dishonest man.” Tangent Last week, Trump’s criminal sentencing in his New York hush money case was postponed indefinitely . Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and was scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 26, but Judge Juan Merchan paused the sentencing and asked for briefs on whether the case should be dismissed to be filed by Dec. 9. There’s not yet a clear path forward for when the sentencing could take place, but prosecutors proposed sentencing could be delayed until after Trump leaves office. Meanwhile, Trump’s criminal charges in Georgia for trying to reverse his election loss are on hold amid an appeals court fight over the prosecutor. Further ReadingTitle: Sharp Critique: Can Professional Organizations Accept Payment for Membership?As the match between Sevilla and Manchester City approaches, football fans around the world eagerly anticipate the showdown between these two top clubs. The clash promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams showcasing their skills and tactics in pursuit of a crucial victory in the Champions League. For Munir El Haddadi and his teammates, the match represents an opportunity to showcase their talent and determination on the grand stage of European football.
In addition to the bans, some regulatory agencies have called for recalls of certain EV models with faulty windshield wiper systems. This measure aims to ensure that all affected vehicles are repaired or replaced to prevent any further safety risks. However, the process of recalling and repairing large numbers of vehicles can be complex and time-consuming, leading to potential challenges for both manufacturers and consumers.Staggies captain’s absence to give others chance to impress
In conclusion, low-temperature burns from hot water bottles are a real and preventable risk that can have serious consequences for your skin health. By taking simple safety measures and being vigilant about the temperature of the water inside the bottle, you can avoid the pain and discomfort associated with these burns. Remember, a good night's sleep should not come at the cost of your skin's well-being. Stay safe and stay mindful of the potential dangers of low-temperature burns.
Ryan Agoncillo’s Heartwarming Reaction to Kathryn Bernardo & Yohan’s Adorable PhotoAs Serie A's Round 15 came to a close, the league showcased some exceptional performances from players across various teams. In this Best XI lineup, we highlight standout players who shined in their respective positions and stood out among the competition.
The village, nestled amid lush green mountains and picturesque scenery, is known for its peaceful surroundings and close-knit community. However, the tranquility of the village is disrupted by the state of its roads, which are riddled with potholes, cracks, and uneven surfaces. For the villagers, especially the elderly, children, and those with mobility issues, traversing these roads has become a daunting task.
Arsenal Fans Think They Know Why Gabriel did Viktor Gyokeres' Celebration
Reineckel pointed out that while Arsenal is known for their attractive style of play and fluid attacking movements, they often struggle to convert their possession and chances into goals. This inefficiency becomes even more pronounced in matches where open play opportunities are scarce, highlighting the reliance on set pieces as a crucial aspect of their offensive strategy.Vanna White’s ‘heartthrob’ son, Nikko, reacts to ‘thirsty’ comments from viral videoAssassin's Creed Valhalla studio Ubisoft Montreal is reportedly working on a new Animal Crossing-inspired social sim featuring Minecraft-like building elements, with former Gotham Knights creative director Patrick Redding said to be at the reins. That's according to Insider Gaming , which claims the title - currently codenamed Alterra - has been in the works for around 18 months. Alterra is said to have risen from the ashes of an earlier Ubisoft Montreal project, canceled after four years of development, with the two games supposedly sharing a focus on voxel creation. Insider Gaming's source describes Alterra as an "Animal Crossing-inspired social sim" in which players inhabit a home island populated by NPCs known as Matterlings. These Matterlings are "somewhat like Funko Pop figures", sporting large heads and designs blending fictional and real-world creatures, from polar bears to dragons. Alterra's social aspect is reportedly combined with that aforementioned voxel creation element, featuring building mechanics "somewhat similar" to those seen in Minecraft, with players able to fashion items using resources found out in the world beyond their home. Here, it's claimed they'll encounter different biomes containing specific resources and different Matterling types, as well as unique enemies, materials, and more - with one example given being an ice biome, inhabited by snow-ice Matterlings, where players can create objects from snow and ice. It'll apparently be possible to encounter other players out in the world too. Insider Gaming adds Ubisoft veteran Fabien Lhéraud is serving as lead producer on Alterra, and that the project's launch is "likely still a few years away". Ubisoft's release slate is, of course, a bit fuzzy beyond next year's delayed Assassin's Creed Shadows and Anno 117: Pax Romana , although the publisher has confirmed a new Rayman project is currently in the "exploration phase". That's alongside the very long in the works Beyond Good & Evil 2 and Ubisoft's troubled Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake, with the latter now targeting a 2026 release . In more recent news, Ubisoft has now launched its first-ever blockchain game , featuring NFT figurines costing up to £50k.Since its launch, "Suicide Squad" has garnered a dedicated fan base who have eagerly awaited each new season and update to explore fresh challenges, unlock new characters, and engage in intense battles. The game's rich graphics, dynamic gameplay mechanics, and strategic depth have set it apart from other mobile games in the market, earning it critical acclaim and a loyal following. However, as the studio behind the game has officially announced the decision to halt further updates, players are left with mixed emotions about the future of their beloved game.
Trump's threat to impose tariffs could raise prices for consumers, colliding with promise for relief
On the other hand, critics of the no-kill policy argue that it undermines the sense of realism and immersion in the game. They contend that by restricting the player's ability to defend themselves against aggressive animals, the game sacrifices gameplay mechanics for the sake of promoting a specific moral message. Additionally, some players have expressed discomfort at being forced to show compassion towards virtual creatures that are depicted as posing a threat to their character.In conclusion, The Telegraph's revelation about Manchester United's willingness to sell Pogba for disciplinary reasons underscores the club's commitment to upholding values of professionalism and unity. The imminent departure of the enigmatic midfielder opens the door for a transformative transfer move that could reshape the team's defensive setup. With Varane waiting in the wings, Manchester United stands at a crossroads, balancing the past and the future in pursuit of sustained success on the pitch.
