Reading archive 2025-11-21

FBI fired veteran employee for displaying Pride flag, lawsuit says: David Maltinsky, who worked at the bureau for 16 years and was training to become a special agent, says he was fired for displaying a Pride flag given to him by the FBI.

Tensions between renters and homeowners challenge Mamdani housing plan: The incoming New York City mayor’s plan relies on higher density in places where some neighbors oppose it. He is scheduled to meet Friday with the president.

Defuse political tension in your family with one simple question: A common misperception is fueling political arguments. But new research shows it’s possible to correct it, in ourselves and our political foes.

U.S. pushing Ukraine to sign peace deal by Thanksgiving or lose support: The U.S. is sending “signals” that everything could be off the table if Kyiv does not quickly sign a proposal, which was drawn up by special envoy Witkoff.

Former GOP staffer charged with fabricating anti-MAGA assault

Corruption probe close to Zelensky stokes E.U. unease over Ukraine aid: A scandal, involving kickbacks at Ukraine’s state nuclear power company, has revived concerns about European money being siphoned off by graft instead of helping fight Russia.

These salacious affairs are great for gossip and terrible for America: Olivia Nuzzi’s sordid tale of infidelity is a bad look for journalism ethics.

A New Era of Crony Capitalism: Washington hasn’t seen graft like this for at least a century.

Famous writers at New Yorker are up in arms after fact-checker’s firing: The media company dismissed four employees, including a fact-checker at the 100-year-old magazine, for “extreme misconduct.” Many of its famous writers are outraged.

The Stories We Tell Ourselves About the American Revolution: Ken Burns unpacks the Revolutionary War—and explains why history doesn’t repeat, even if human nature never changes