by Lowell
Here are a few international, national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Tuesday, November 18.
- ‘This is survival’: Jamaica leads calls from vulnerable nations at Cop30 (“Countries including Mauritius and Cuba reiterate life-or-death nature of cutting emissions, calling it ‘a moral duty’”)
- AI is guzzling energy for slop content – could it be reimagined to help the climate? (“Some experts think AI could be used to lower, rather than raise, planet-heating emissions – others aren’t so convinced”)
- Pope Leo urges stronger action as UN climate summit enters final week
- There’s a New Effort on the Runway to Raise Climate Funds
- U.S. rejection of climate science is a call to action for the rest of the world
- A Landmark Court Ruling Looms Over U.S. Absence at COP30
- After Climate Push, Energy Companies Return to Fossil Fuels in Europe
- China’s top envoy blasts EU climate goals and Trump’s ‘bad example’
- Google boss warns ‘no company is going to be immune’ if AI bubble bursts
- Crypto Plunge Adds to Angst as Markets Extend Broad Retreat
- Shelters plea for Gazans as winter rains raise fears of more disease and death
- Netanyahu applauds UN adoption of Trump’s Gaza plan and Hamas rejects it
- After UN vote, Netanyahu calls for Hamas’ expulsion from the region
- U.N. Security Council approves Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza (“The U.S.-sponsored resolution turns Trump’s plan into an international mandate, allowing stalled security and reconstruction measures to move forward.”)
- In Major Breakthrough, U.N. Security Council Adopts U.S. Peace Plan for Gaza (“Russia and China abstained in the vote, which provides a legal mandate for the Trump administration’s vision of how to move past the cease-fire to rebuild the war-ravaged enclave after two years of war.”)
- ‘They have total impunity’: West Bank settler violence surges after Gaza ceasefire (Horrible people.)
- Trump says he will sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia
- Saudi crown prince to meet Trump in White House, shedding pariah status (“The de facto Saudi ruler was branded a pariah in 2018 after the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Now, U.S.-Saudi relations are approaching a high point.”)
- After years away from Washington, Saudi crown prince to get warm embrace from Trump, US business (Gross.)
- Centre-left tipped to lose Copenhagen for first time in electoral history (“Political rivals say PM’s divisive politics have encouraged voters to ditch the Social Democrats for the far right” Yikes.)
- Trump says he won’t rule out sending troops into Venezuela
- A Snapshot of Immigrant Life Under Trump: Fear, Hope and Determination (“A survey found that half of all immigrants in the U.S. said they felt less safe since President Trump took office. Still, many say their future remains bright.”)
- Trump revives policy penalizing immigrants for using safety net programs
- Trump, Border Patrol Retreat in Failure from Chicago (“Five important lessons of the first six months of Trump’s immigration raids — and why CBP’s Greg Bovino is the Nathan Bedford Forrest of the Trump era.”)
- Exclusive: Trump DHS Plans Immigration Raids on Churches Over Holidays
- Trump administration sues California over law banning masked federal agents
- Hundreds of federalized National Guard members are set to leave Illinois and Oregon
- Federal Border Patrol to begin operation in Raleigh on Tuesday, mayor confirms
- Immigration arrests in Charlotte have sparked fears, leading businesses to close (“After immigration officials arrested more than 130 people, some churches report being half empty, an after-school program canceled activities and one U.S. citizen said he started carrying his passport.”)
- C.D.C. Links Measles Outbreaks in Multiple States for the First Time (“If the outbreaks cannot be extinguished by January, the anniversary of the first cases in Texas, the United States will lose what is known as “elimination status” as determined by the World Health Organization.”)
- Fed divided as economic data returns after shutdown
- The ‘Easy Way’ to Crush the Mainstream Media (“FCC chair Brendan Carr is on a crusade to Trumpify the airwaves.”)
- Trump’s Grip on Republicans Shows First Signs of Slipping
- The prospect of an embarrassing defeat convinced Trump to reverse course on Epstein files
- Mike Johnson’s Epstein bungling is a disaster for the GOP (“The House speaker and his boss put on a masterclass of failure.”)
- Trump faces a splintering GOP — and rare dissent from his party
- Trump Bows to Reality in Epstein Files Reversal, Beating a Rare Retreat (“Faced with a mass defection on a bill to demand the release the files, President Trump rushed to avoid a loss, suggesting a slip in his grip on the G.O.P.”)
- Trump Has the Power to Release the Epstein Files, With or Without Congress (“The president has reversed himself and encouraged lawmakers to vote for compelling the Justice Department to turn over investigation documents, but he never really needed their approval.”)
- Trump says he would sign bill to release Epstein files if it reaches his desk
- Donald Trump Snaps at Female Reporter Who Asks About Epstein Files: ‘Quiet Piggy’ (“The president had several tense exchanges with the press over the weekend, including pointing in the face of a female reporter” Trump is DISGUSTING.)
- Epstein files give Trump a taste of political mortality
- Jeffrey Epstein disclosures face hurdles even with House poised to approve release of files
- The American People Voted for Jeffrey Epstein (“The emerging mosaic of elite scandal tells an unflattering story of how far we’ve allowed our republic to stray from its founding ideals.” Anyone who voted for Trump, in other words.)
- Judge Says Justice Dept. May Have Committed Misconduct in Comey Case (“The magistrate judge raised the question of whether “government misconduct” in the case might require dismissing the charges against the former F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, altogether.” Agreed 100%.)
- Judge scolds Justice Department for ‘profound investigative missteps’ in Comey case
- The Trump prosecutor probing former top Obama administration officials (OUTRAGEOUS!)
- FEMA head resigns. Richardson had been hard to reach during Texas floods.
- Marjorie Taylor-Greene turns babyface: How should Dems view her now?
- Marjorie Taylor Greene and Donald Trump Are at War. What’s Her Endgame? (“Over the course of a long sit-down interview in her office, the MAGA stalwart from Georgia sounds like she is on a mission to save Trump from himself, on issues from Gaza to the Epstein files to the question of 2028.”)
- Furious progressives swarm Schumer’s job as Democratic leader (Not sure what this antipathy towards Schumer is all about.)
- Exclusive: AOC says Jeffries primary challenge not a “good idea”
- New poll: Democrats lead the 2026 House generic ballot, and their edge widens when voters are reminded Republicans control Congress (“Plus: Voters see both parties as out of touch, but for different reasons; Trump hits new low on pocketbook issues; Large majorities oppose ending ACA subsidies and SNAP, support taxing high earners”)
- STRATEGY MEMO: DLCC Unveils How State Dems Made Historic Gains in 2025 (“Just a decade ago, Virginia House Democrats were in a near superminority”; this election, they “flipped a whopping 13 seats – reaching a 64D-36R seat majority”)
- Democrats: Don’t Fail the ‘SOB Test’
- Summers, ‘Ashamed’ Over Epstein Ties, Steps Back From Public Commitments
- Summers To Step Back from Public Commitments Amid Epstein Scandal
- Larry Summers says he is ‘deeply ashamed’ after new Jeffrey Epstein emails and will pause public engagements
- ‘Deeply Ashamed’: Larry Summers To Step Back From Public Engagements Over Epstein Emails
- Matt Gaetz Producer Fired at OAN Over Antisemitic Posts | Exclusive
- Zohran Mamdani reaches out to the White House to set up a meeting with Trump
- “Dopesick” Author Beth Macy to Announce at 5:30 pm Today in Roanoke for the VA06 Democratic Nomation to Take on Far-Right/MAGA Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA06)
- Beth Macy makes her run for Congress official (“Roanoke-based journalist Beth Macy sat down with Cardinal News for an interview about her decision to run for Congress. Her formal campaign announcement is slated to take place Tuesday at the Historic Fire Station #1 in downtown Roanoke.”)
- Kiggans wants to be part of health care debate in Senate (Hahahahahaha. Seriously, Kiggans is a total joke of a US Representative)
- Spanberger appoints energy policy transition team
- Some Thoughts on Former VA Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R/Trump Voter)’s Predictions on “WHAT WILL DEMOCRATIC CONTROL MEAN FOR VIRGINIA?” (This will be just the second real Democratic “trifecta” in Virginia history, the previous one (2020-2022) seeing Gov. Ralph Northam sign 100s of bills into law)
- Virginia House Democratic Caucus Announce First Bills and Legislation for 2026 Session (Including Four Constitutional Amendments – Reproductive Freedom, Right to Vote, Marriage Equality, Redistricting Reform)
- Dems’ first bills in General Assembly hit cost of living, Youngkin vetoes
- VA Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, P&E Committee Chair Sen. Aaron Rouse, Applaud VA Supreme Court Decision Affirming Balance of Powers re: Senate Rejection of Youngkin Appointments to University Boards (“MAGA rules don’t work in Virginia where we still have a rule of law that Youngkin and Miyares have to follow.” )
- Virginia Supreme Court refuses to take up case of Youngkin university board appointees’ suspension
- Youngkin leaves office with UVa in turmoil. Spanberger must repair the damage (Gov. Spanberger will have to undo a TON of damage done by Youngkin’s disastrous governorship.)
- ‘There is just one Governor’: Youngkin accuses Spanberger of overreach in presidential search (Youngkin is a total clown.)
- Virginia Supreme Court refuses to review AG’s appeal in college board appointees case
- After years of vetoes, Virginia poised to launch adult-use cannabis market (“Spanberger’s election clears the way for a regulated retail system, with legislators set to introduce a revamped bill shaped by months of hearings and equity debates.”)
- Virginia Tech students protest Board of Visitors as audit shows $8.4M in DEI cuts
- CASEY: Readers almost unanimous against a Berglund Center casino
- Chesapeake School Board to vote on policy that would prohibit staff from using preferred pronouns
- Editorial: AI-powered recycling program could be boon to region (“AI technology could be the solution to boost recycling and ensure less Hampton Roads waste ends up in landfills already bursting at the seams.”)
- Corrections officer slain by Virginia prison inmate, officials say
- Update: Corrections officer at River North Correctional Center killed in attack by inmate
- Virginia: Drought watch advisory issued for 50 counties, 23 cities with little relief in sight
- CWG Live: A cold rain moves in late today, staying chilly until Friday (“Up to half an inch of rain could fall by Wednesday morning.”)
