Comcast to spin off MSNBC, CNBC other cable channels: sources

Comcast to spin off MSNBC, CNBC other cable channels: sources

Comcast is moving forward with plans to spin off its NBCUniversal cable television networks including MSNBC and CNBC, sources say, shedding a once core part of the business that has been a casualty of the streaming video revolution. The company last month told investors it was evaluating hiving off its cable networks into a separate company owned by … Read more

The death of a Russian defector: Who failed Maxim Kuzminov?

The death of a Russian defector: Who failed Maxim Kuzminov?

The death of a Russian defector: Who failed Maxim Kuzminov? Ukraine’s most celebrated deserter was gunned down in a Spanish beach town. By CLAUDIA CHIAPPA, EVA HARTOG, and VERONIKA MELKOZEROVAin Villajoyosa, Spain Illustration by Brian Stauffer for POLITICO The first person to spot the body was an elderly Spanish man who mistook it for a … Read more

Karoline Leavitt Snags White House Press Secretary Position, The Youngest To Ever Serve In The Role

Karoline Leavitt Snags White House Press Secretary Position, The Youngest To Ever Serve In The Role

President-elect Donald Trump tapped Karoline Leavitt, one of the spokespeople who helped him get elected and is aiding in his return to office, as his incoming White House press secretary on Friday. At 27 years old, she’ll be the youngest person to ever serve in the role and the first from Generation Z. “Karoline is … Read more

Austria says Russia to cut off gas supplies on Saturday – POLITICO

Austria says Russia to cut off gas supplies on Saturday – POLITICO

It’s unclear whether Russia has carried through with the threat, Euronews reported on Saturday. Gazprom is sending gas to Europe via Ukraine at normal levels, Bloomberg reported on Saturday. Nehammer said on Friday that Austria has a secure supply of alternative fuel and that “no one will freeze this winter, no home will be cold.” … Read more

Protests in Georgia as poll commission confirms pro-Russia ruling party’s win – POLITICO

Protests in Georgia as poll commission confirms pro-Russia ruling party’s win – POLITICO

Many Georgians viewed the vote as a pivotal referendum on the country’s effort to join the EU. Granted candidate status last year, Georgia saw its EU accession process halted over the summer after ruling party Georgian Dream passed a slew of Russian-style legislation targeting Western-backed NGOs and cracking down on LGBTQ+ rights. EU foreign ministers will … Read more

Scholz call with Putin opens a ‘Pandora’s box,’ Ukraine’s Zelenskyy complains – POLITICO

Scholz call with Putin opens a ‘Pandora’s box,’ Ukraine’s Zelenskyy complains – POLITICO

In the telephone call on Friday, Scholz exhorted Putin to “end” his war on Ukraine and to “withdraw troops.” The conversation lasted for about an hour and was the first direct exchange between the two leaders in nearly two years, German media reported. “The Federal Chancellor urged Russia to be prepared to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim … Read more

Positively surprised by call with Trump, Scholz says – POLITICO

Positively surprised by call with Trump, Scholz says – POLITICO

Scholz on Friday spoke on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin for about an hour in what constituted the first direct exchange between the two leaders in nearly two years, according to German media reports. Asked in the Süddeutsche Zeitung interview if he’s afraid of a deal over Ukraine’s head between Trump and Putin, Scholz … Read more

Billionaire media moguls join forces to invest in France’s oldest journalism school – POLITICO

Billionaire media moguls join forces to invest in France’s oldest journalism school – POLITICO

In its statement, the ESJ Paris said it was looking to “build a new project” and “strengthen its position as a benchmark in journalism education, particularly for economic [journalism].” The ESJ Paris is not part of a group of journalism schools which are recognized by the country’s professional body and is not included in yearly … Read more

Europe’s press goes after Musk’s X – POLITICO

Europe’s press goes after Musk’s X – POLITICO

RSF’s case came as U.K. newspaper The Guardian announced on Wednesday that it was leaving the “toxic” platform, citing Musk’s influence in the U.S. election and because of “often disturbing content promoted or found on the platform, including far-right conspiracy theories and racism.” Spanish daily newspaper La Vanguardia also quit X, saying Thursday that X … Read more

Tony Blair’s ‘Prince of Darkness’ tipped to be UK’s man in DC

Tony Blair’s ‘Prince of Darkness’ tipped to be UK’s man in DC

WASHINGTON — The hot tip to become the next U.K. ambassador to Washington is anti-Brexit and supports more cooperation with China. Best of luck with the MAGA crowd, Peter Mandelson. A veteran political operator who helped transform Britain’s center-left Labour movement in the 1990s and return it to power after almost two decades, Mandelson now … Read more