Pulp are back and more wistfully Britpop than before 
How Marvel’s Fantastic Four discovered the human in the superhuman 
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Some ‘Star Wars’ stories have already become reality 
Trump Administration Plans Major Rollback of Biden-Era Fuel Economy Standards 
George Clooney Criticizes Trump’s Tariff Threat, Calls for Film Tax Incentives 
The quest to extend human life is both fascinating and fraught with moral peril 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Trump Warns Drug-Trafficking Nations as Colombia’s Petro Issues Strong Rebuttal 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
Netflix’s Bid for Warner Bros Discovery Aims to Cut Streaming Costs and Reshape the Industry 
Trump to Pardon Reality Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley After Tax Fraud Conviction 
The Mona Lisa is a vampire 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr is set to testify before the Senate Commerce Committee on December 17, following bipartisan criticism over his efforts to pressure broadcasters to remove ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” from the air. Committee Chair Senator Ted Cruz announced the oversight hearing late Friday, which will also feature FCC Commissioners Olivia Trusty and Anna Gomez.
The controversy stems from Carr’s condemnation of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel after remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Carr reportedly urged broadcasters to stop airing Kimmel’s program, calling for stations to reconsider their licenses. The comments triggered outrage from both parties, with Cruz comparing Carr’s actions to a “Mafioso-style threat”, saying the statements—“We can do this the easy way or the hard way”—were “dangerous as hell.” Cruz warned that such behavior could set a precedent that might one day target conservative media under a different administration.
Media companies Sinclair Broadcast Group and Nexstar Media Group, which had briefly boycotted the show across their 70 ABC-affiliated stations, have since reversed course, resuming broadcasts that reach nearly a quarter of U.S. households.
Carr is also expected to face Democratic scrutiny regarding the FCC’s handling of other broadcaster-related pressures. Earlier this year, the FCC approved the $8.4 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media, contingent on commitments to unbiased news programming and the hiring of an ombudsman. Additionally, Carr revived inquiries into CBS’s “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris, ABC’s 2020 election debate moderation, and NBC’s decision to feature Harris on “Saturday Night Live” before the election.
As Carr prepares for what could be a heated Senate session, both Republicans and Democrats appear ready to challenge his handling of the FCC’s authority over the media.
