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Comedy Wildlife Photography Award Finalists 2026 — In Pictures

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Comedy Wildlife Photography Award Finalists 2026 — In Pictures (Maria)

The author writes, “A caiman wearing a wig, two brown bears laughing and a leopard doing a handstand feature in the selection of finalists from this year’s Nikon Comedy Wildlife awards. Winners will be announced on December 8.”

Trump Administration’s Quiet Move Makes It Harder for Some US Citizens Abroad To Vote, Lawsuit Says (Reader Steve)

The author writes, “The Democratic National Committee on Thursday filed a lawsuit alleging that President Donald Trump’s administration secretly changed a postcard used by U.S. citizens overseas in a way that makes it harder to register to vote. The lawsuit contends that the Department of Defense made the change by declaring an emergency, which allowed it to eliminate a specific box on the form. That box is typically checked by potential voters who acknowledge they are U.S. citizens but who have never lived in the United States. They are usually the children of U.S. citizens, and 38 states allow them to cast ballots provided they have close family connections. Since 2013, the box has appeared on postcards sent to overseas voters.”

AI Regulation Was Coming. Then Trump Killed It. (Dana)

From The Lever: “After a flood of tech industry cash, President Donald Trump killed a requirement that AI giants disclose their riskiest experiments to national security officials. Now lawmakers are scrambling to catch up.” 

Pete Hegseth’s Unholy War (Laura)

From The Intercept: “People in the Pentagon deride self-styled War Secretary Pete Hegseth for many reasons. There was his ridiculous dressing down of America’s admirals and generals in 2025. His fixation on troops’ testosterone levels. And a fair amount of the scorn has revolved around Hegseth’s monthly Pentagon prayer services where he peddles an unholy brand of Christianity rooted in rage and bloodlust.”

We Regret to Inform You Chipotle Is Now Working With Palantir (Sean)

The author writes, “Palantir, the shadowy tech and surveillance company founded by right-wing billionaire Peter Thiel, is now working with Mexican restaurant chain Chipotle to supposedly track food safety issues.”  

Humpback Whale Mother May Have Mourned Her Dead Calf for Days (Mili)

The author writes, “Researchers observed a humpback whale mother staying beside her presumed stillborn calf for hours and possibly days off Australia’s Gold Coast. She maintained eye contact and remained close to the calf in behavior resembling caregiving and nurturing. Scientists say the rare observation may provide new insight into grief, maternal attachment, and emotional complexity in humpback whales.” 

The Cure for Loneliness May Lie in a Suburban Duplex (Russ)

From The New York Times: “Fresh pies. Book groups. Puzzle challenges. Developers of master-planned communities see fear of social isolation and desire for friends as a business opportunity. Welcome to Amity Lane.”