TL/DR: Putin will share Russia's nuclear deterrence with its allies—mirroring NATO's "attack on one member is an attack on all" doctrine.
The rundown: President Vladimir Putin has approved Russia's updated nuclear doctrine to share the country's nuclear deterrence with its allies—mirroring NATO's "attack on one member is an attack on all" doctrine. Find out if this move could escalate tensions on the global stage.
Why it matters: The Kremlin document, which replaces earlier decrees and takes effect from Tuesday, states Russian nuclear deterrence targets "a potential enemy" and views nuclear weapon use as an "extreme measure." The decree emphasizes that Russia's top state priority is deterring aggression from potential adversaries against itself and its allies in that nuclear deterrence should ensure "an understanding by a potential adversary of the inevitability of retaliation in the event of aggression against the Russian Federation and (or) its allies." Putin's decision comes after President Joe Biden recently approved the use of Western-supplied weaponry for long-range strikes inside Russian territory.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Could Biden's Ukraine Missile Move Trigger World War III? Experts' Verdicts
What happens now? Mariana Budjeryn, senior research associate at the Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center, previously told Newsweek that while the new guidelines were threatening in their language, they did not represent a "drastic" alteration of the country's guidelines on nuclear weapons use.
TL/DR: The U.S. has already lost over half of all the cattle producers in business going back to 1980.
The rundown: The impact of potential tariffs on imports in Donald Trump's second presidential administration is causing business owners across different sectors to reevaluate how they would operate in such an economic environment. Here's what has them concerned.
Why it matters: During his campaign, the president-elect floated tariffs with up to 60 percent duties on Chinese goods and up to 20 percent on imports from other countries, vowing to bring business power back to the United States. However, economists, business owners and general consumers wonder if tariffs—which have not been officially announced—could offset economic gains and again raise inflation that has drastically fallen from its 9.1 percent peak in June 2022. Farmers worry tariffs might exacerbate monopolies and raise input costs, while entrepreneurs fear layoffs and reduced profitability.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Companies Blame Donald Trump for Why They May Raise Prices
What happens now? Republican National Committee spokesperson Anna Kelly told Newsweek that Trump in his second term "will re-shore American jobs, keep inflation low, and raise real wages by lowering taxes, cutting regulations, and unshackling American energy." Meanwhile, business owner Travis Peterson, of Tustin, California, told Newsweek that "If I pay higher taxes my margins will shrink, or I have to find a way to raise prices or I will need to move manufacturing outside of China—which I think most will do but not the USA.”
TL/DR: Gaetz resigned from Congress after he was named as president-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general.
The rundown: Republican Senator Kevin Cramer has publicly rejected the possibility of a recess appointment for controversial Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, calling the move "unwise." Read his full remarks.
Why it matters: Gaetz is currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for alleged sexual abuse and illicit drug use, allegations he denies. Amid the controversial pick, Trump has faced scrutiny from some Republican lawmakers. To get around this predicament, Trump has suggested he could use recess appointments and bypass the Senate to get Gaetz confirmed. But Cramer became the first Republican lawmaker to publicly reject that move on Monday. It is unclear whether the House Ethics committee's report will now be released, as it has no obligation to do so as Gaetz is no longer in office. Meanwhile, in the latest development, a second woman testified that she saw former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl at a party. This witness said she attended high school with the girl.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Matt Gaetz Ethics Report Released to More Members of Congress
What happens now? The Committee is said to be meeting on Wednesday, where they will discuss releasing the Gaetz report, according to The Hill and ABC News citing unnamed sources. If the Senate refuses to recess, but the House does, the Constitution would allow Trump to adjourn the entire Congress, Axios reported.
TL/DR: To his critics, Trump is a deeply flawed man who ruthlessly and single-mindedly pursues his own interests over all others.
The rundown: President-elect Donald Trump's ever-growing list of opponents has been no obstacle to his return to the White House. Newsweek asked some of his biggest and most prominent critics: What is Donald Trump's greatest strength? Read on to find out what they said.
Why it matters: His supporters see him as a highly successful businessman and a strong leader who is willing to take tough action to put Americans first. However, some critics see him as a malign threat to democracy and international order. According to Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer and fixer, his true superpower is his ability to dominate, manipulate and control the media. Trump's former National Security Advisor, John Bolton, believes that persistence has gotten him back to the White House. Richard Painter, S. Walter Richey Professor of Corporate Law, University of Minnesota said that Trump's greatest strength—demonstrated by the popular vote and also the GOP gaining control of both houses of Congress—is that he has a popular mandate for his policies, even if voters are skeptical about his conduct.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Donald Trump's Mandate Isn't As Strong as It Seems
What happens now? "Trump's success in a second term will depend in large part on whether he stays focused on delivering the policy agenda he promised voters and avoids the temptation to dwell on his 2020 loss or the subsequent criminal cases, most of which will very likely be dismissed," Painter added.
TL/DR: Supporters of the sentenced activists gathered outside the courthouse, with long queues of residents seen in a quiet show of solidarity.
The rundown: Hong Kong's Beijing-controlled government has sentenced 45 pro-democracy figures to prison for their participation in a 2020 unofficial primary election, further stifling political freedoms in the once-autonomous city. Is this the end of democracy in Hong Kong? Find out here.
Why it matters: The individuals, who include some of Hong Kong's most prominent democracy advocates, were handed sentences ranging from four to 10 years for "conspiracy to commit subversion." The group's primary election aimed to unify pro-democracy candidates to gain a legislative majority and block what they perceived as Beijing's overreach. Authorities claim the effort was part of a plan to paralyze the government, though the primary was not explicitly prohibited at the time. The National Security Law, introduced in 2020 after months-long protests, was used to retroactively target the activists. Widely criticized for its vague wording, the law has been used to silence journalists, activists, and even citizens with dissenting symbols.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Hong Kong Bomb Plot Mastermind Sentenced to Nearly 24 Years in Prison
What happens now? Among those sentenced was Benny Tai, a former law professor at the University of Hong Kong and a key organizer of the primary. Tai received a 10-year prison term, the longest sentence handed down under the National Security Law to date. Meanwhile, China had initially promised Hong Kong 50 years of political freedoms under the city's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, following the city's 1997 handover from Britain. Critics say Beijing has reneged on its obligations by curbing press freedoms, suppressing dissent, and dismantling the city's democratic institutions.
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