memeorandum: Benedict XVI, First Modern Pope to Resign, Dies at 95 (New York Times)

5:05 PM ET, December 31, 2022

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Discussion: Washington Examiner, Lawyers, Guns & Money and Raw Story

Washington Post:

How Benedict's death could reshape the Catholic Church — VATICAN CITY — Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's death Saturday is an epochal loss for a church that was defined first by his resolute conservatism and later by his radical decision to abdicate power. — The Vatican said that Benedict died …

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New York Times:

Benedict XVI, First Modern Pope to Resign, Dies at 95 — He defined a conservative course for the Roman Catholic Church, but his papacy was noted for his struggle with the clergy sexual abuse scandal and for his unexpected resignation. — Benedict XVI, the pope emeritus …

Discussion: The Guardian, NPR, Twitchy, Foreign Policy, Associated Press, America Magazine, WFLA-TV, Vatican News, The Wrap, New York Daily News, The Hill, New York Post and Washington Examiner

New York Times:

Pope Benedict XVI Dies — Updates: Pope Francis Will Preside Over Benedict's Funeral on Thursday … The first pope to step down in six centuries dies in retirement. — Pope Benedict XVI, the eminent German theologian and conservative enforcer of Roman Catholic Church doctrine who broke …

Nicole Winfield / Associated Press:

Benedict XVI, first pope to resign in 600 years, dies at 95 — Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the shy German theologian who tried to reawaken Christianity in a secularized Europe but will forever be remembered as the first pontiff in 600 years to resign from the job, died Saturday. He was 95.

Nicholas Confessore / New York Times:

The Invention of Elise Stefanik — To rise through the Trump-era G.O.P., a young congresswoman gave up her friends, her mentors and her ideals. Will it be enough? — Elise Stefanik had had enough. — In the wake of the 2018 midterms, the young congresswoman was sick of commuting …

David Cay Johnston / The Daily Beast:

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Washington Post:
House panel releases Trump tax returns in another setback for former president

ABC News:

Barbara Walters, trailblazing TV icon, dies at 93 — The pioneering TV news broadcaster was the first female anchor in evening news. — Barbara Walters, the trailblazing television news broadcaster and longtime ABC News anchor and correspondent who shattered the glass ceiling and became …

Los Angeles Times:
Barbara Walters dies at 93; news anchor broke the boy's club of network television

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Alessandra Stanley / New York Times:
Barbara Walters, a First Among TV Newswomen, Is Dead at 93

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Washington Post:

The talented Mr. Santos: A congressman-elect's unraveling web of deception — Even by the low standards for truth-telling in politics, the scope of the falsehoods from the newly elected House Republican has been breathtaking — The Republican who won a congressional seat on Long Island …

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Mary Papenfuss / HuffPost:

Trump Called Supporters Storming Capitol ‘Trashy’ But Good ‘Fighters’: Jan. 6 Testimony — He was “reveling” in how they were “fighting for him,” testified former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham. — When Donald Trump was watching last year's Jan. 6 riot unfold on TV …

Discussion: Political Wire and Raw Story

Ronald G. Shafer / Washington Post:

When the House needed two months and 133 votes to elect a speaker — For the first time in exactly 100 years, the U.S. House of Representatives may need more than one round of voting to elect a speaker when the new Congress convenes on Tuesday. — But a few extra rounds of balloting …

Discussion: Roll Call, Insider, CNN, New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Politico

Dan Primack / Axios:

Fidelity slashes Twitter value by 56% — Fidelity slashed its carrying value of Twitter by 56% during the first month of Elon Musk's ownership, according to a new disclosure. — Driving the news: Fidelity was among the group of outside investors that helped Musk finance his $44 billion takeover …

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New York Post:

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Discussion: The Gateway Pundit, Wide World of News and Wall Street Journal

John Hanna / Associated Press:

FEC levies $30K penalty tied to Kobach's 2020 US Senate bid — Incoming Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach agreed to help pay a $30,000 penalty to resolve a federal complaint over the improper use of a group's email list during his unsuccessful 2020 campaign for the U.S. Senate.

Discussion: Kansas Reflector, Kansas City Star, CNN, Raw Story, Insider and Election Law Blog