Netflix pulls episode of comedy show in Saudi Arabia  —  Netflix has removed an episode of a comedy show critical of Saudi Arabia after the internet streaming service received a complaint from the kingdom, renewing concerns about government control over freedom of expression on online platforms.

MSNBC is surging  —  MSNBC host Rachel Maddow can speak at length on many topics.  The whims and demographics of her cable-news audience, however, are not among them.  “I think I may just be lucky that we're at a time in the news cycle where there is an appetite for that kind of explanatory work …

To understand culture in 2018, you must understand Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson  —  You can't truly describe the year 2018 without talking about Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson.  —  Like so many inexplicable pop-culture sensations, Grande and Davidson's relationship — engaged after three weeks …

Family of American arrested in Russia on spy charges fears for his safety  —  MOSCOW — The family of the American citizen arrested in Russia on espionage charges said on Tuesday that he is innocent, and they fear for his safety.  —  Paul Whelan, a 48-year-old retired U.S. Marine …

Trump: No Money for Wall, No Signature on Bill to Fund Government  —  President Donald Trump on Monday evening signaled he would not sign an omnibus spending package House Democrats plan to bring to the floor later this week because it omits dollars for his proposed southern border barrier.

These 16 Polls Show How American Thinking Has (And Hasn't) Changed In 80 Years  —  Generations past and present weigh in on everything from hitchhikers to financial windfalls to the honesty of Congress.  —  For more than 80 years, pollsters have been asking Americans from all walks of life …

Manchester Victoria stabbing: Eyewitness claims attacker shouted ‘Allah’  —  Sam Clack, a BBC producer, was on a platform at Manchester Victoria railway station waiting for a tram when he witnessed the attack  —  A knifeman shouted ‘Allah’ after stabbing innocent commuters at Victoria Station, an eye-witness has claimed.

American Federation of Government Employees and Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch Sue the Government Over Shutdown  —  Washington D.C. - Today, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch (KCNF DC) sued the federal government on behalf of AFGE members …

Beyond ‘no comment’: The White House has no response — at all — to many media questions  —  The New York Times published a powerful story last week about President Trump's growing isolation in the White House, with colorful details such as Trump's tendency to interrupt advisers during meetings to call them …

Trump: Warren's ‘psychiatrist’ knows whether she thinks she can win White House in 2020  —  In an exclusive interview set to air during Fox News' ‘All-American New Year’ special Monday night, President Trump suggested that only Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren's “psychiatrist” …

2019: The Year of the Wolves  —  Can the Constitution withstand the partisans?  —  In Willa Cather's novel “My Antonia,” there are two kind Russian farmers named Peter and Pavel who have settled on the Nebraska prairie.  On his death bed, Pavel tells the story of how they came to emigrate there.

U.S. Strategic Command deletes New Year's Eve joke about dropping something ‘bigger’  —  “If ever needed, we are #ready to drop something much, much bigger,” the unified command, part of the Defense Department, tweeted.  —  U.S. Strategic Command made an unexpected joke in a now-deleted Twitter post …

2020 Democratic Presidential Candidates Are Lining Up.  Who Matches the Moment?  —  Senator Elizabeth Warren's formation of an exploratory committee for president on Monday represents a sort of political ball drop, the beginning of a new year and new campaign that will feature an unusually large number …

Hackers Threaten to Dump Insurance Files Related to 9/11 Attacks  —  The Dark Overlord appears to be trying to capitalize on conspiracy theories about the September 11 attacks.  —  On Monday, New Year's Eve, a hacker group announced it had breached a law firm handling cases related …

'We Do All We Can So That People Don't Kill Each Other': The Experiment to Stop Latin America's Carnage  —  Places in Ecuador and Colombia are exceptions to the region's surge in homicides; turning gang members into garbage collectors, and firing hundreds of corrupt police officers