NATIONAL

Shutdown ends: The longest shutdown of the US government on record ended with a whimper as a breakaway group of Senate Democrats agreed to the budget deal in exchange for a December vote on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies. They faced intense criticism from the Democratic base for their “cave,” but, as the minority party and a party that has some sympathy for the suffering of Americans, they argued that they had little choice in the face of Trump’s refusal to deal. Despite the ire of activists, it seems the general public is glad the shutdown is over and largely blames the Republicans for the consequences of the shutdown. NAVIGATOR

Epstein, Epstein, Epstein: With the seating of Arizona Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva, the path became clear for a vote in the House to release the Epstein files. While it is unlikely that the files will ever be released (the measure requires Senate approval and an OK from President Trump), Epstein seems to be getting the last laugh from his grave as the president and his most ardent supporters twisted themselves into pretzels to explain why a key plank of the Trump campaign is now being dismissed as a “nothingburger.” All decent people are aghast as right-wing mouthpieces like Megan Kelly and Alan Dershowitz try to explain why sexual relations with 15-year-olds are “technically” not pedophilia, as the House Oversight Committee released a trove of emails in which Trump’s name is prominently featured.  ABC NEWS YAHOO NEWS

White House official says October jobs and inflation data are likely never to be released: The White House has suggested the inflation and jobs data skipped during the shutdown may be permanently lost, just a few weeks before the Federal Reserve will weigh in on December rate cuts. The White House is blaming the Democrats (yawn) for the lack of data, but observers wonder if the impact of DOGE cuts and tariffs is finally catching up to the economy. Maybe we should look at the lipstick index in the absence of data? FORTUNE

INTERNATIONAL

Trump scraps tariffs on beef, coffee, and tropical fruit in a push to lower grocery store prices: In a tacit admission that tariffs do, in fact, raise prices, President Donald Trump announced Friday that he was scrapping U.S. tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruits, and a broad swath of other commodities. AP

Colombia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have stopped intelligence sharing with the US: Detailed article here.

US announces ‘Southern Spear’ mission as forces deploy near South America: United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has formally announced the launch of a U.S. military operation to target so-called “narco-terrorists” as Washington’s large-scale build-up of troops, warships, and fighter jets continues in Latin America. (Whatever happened to stopping seven, or was it eight, wars?) AL JAZEERA

THE WORST ADMINISTRATION EVER?

Trump pardons Rudy Giuliani and others involved in bid to overturn 2020 election: President Donald Trump has pardoned Rudy Giuliani and scores of others accused of involvement in the effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. "No MAGA left behind." NBC

Trump re-pardons a Jan. 6 defendant to erase unrelated gun conviction: President Donald Trump has — for the second time — pardoned Dan Wilson, a militia member who joined the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, and was also convicted of illegally possessing firearms in his Kentucky home. POLITICO

Trump axes Biden-era plan to compensate passengers for flight disruptions: The Trump administration is eliminating a Biden-era rule that aimed to require airlines to provide streamlined refunds to passengers experiencing significant flight disruptions, according to a filing, marking a win for the industry. FORBES

Obamacare enrollees get first look at 2026 prices as premiums soar: Premiums for Affordable Care Act coverage will skyrocket 26%, on average, next year. The price hike is one of the largest jumps since Obamacare plans debuted more than a decade ago — and it doesn’t factor in the expiration of the enhanced premium subsidies. The rise is attributed to systematic chipping away at the Affordable Care Act over the last 10 years, one key reason being the elimination of the individual mandates, creating a sicker risk pool. CNN

IS THE PRESIDENT OK?

Trump, 79, makes bizarre gaffe as he unveils plan to make White House even tackier: Donald Trump struggled to remember exactly what he had done as he revealed his latest gaudy addition to the White House. YAHOO

Donald Trump doesn't know why he got an MRI During Checkup Amid Health Rumors: 'I Have No Idea What They Analyzed'

Trump demands ‘CALL IN THE TROOPS’ to protect Chicago shopping center that doesn’t exist: President Donald Trump posted to his Truth Social on Tuesday, saying to “CALL IN THE TROOPS” to save “The Miracle Mile Shopping Center in Chicago” – which doesn’t exist. YAHOO

DESI NEWS

Democrat Pulkit Desai has been elected Parsippany mayor: Democrat Pulkit Desai, a U.S. Marine combat veteran, has been elected mayor of Parsippany, a township in New Jersey. He defeated Republican incumbent James Barberio by 77 votes after all provisionals and vote-by-mail ballots were counted. PARSIPPANY FOCUS

Immigrants with health conditions may be denied visas under new Trump administration guidance: Foreigners seeking visas to live in the U.S. might be rejected if they have certain medical conditions, including diabetes or obesity, under a directive from the Trump administration. KFF

CORRUPTION ALERT

How to lobby Trump with Swiss precision: gifts, gold, and gab: At a recent gathering of Swiss business executives in the White House, the CEO of Rolex presented President Trump with a gold-plated desk clock. The CEO of a precious-metals company presented the president with an engraved gold bar. They were not the official representatives of Switzerland’s economic agenda – but the following week, their government announced a trade deal that drastically lowered the U.S. tariff on imported Swiss goods from 39 percent to 15 percent – now on par with the European Union. NPR

Firm tied to Kristi Noem secretly got money from $220 million DHS ad contracts: The company is run by the husband of Noem’s chief DHS spokesperson and has personal and business ties to Noem and her aides. DHS invoked the “emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rules for the taxpayer-funded campaign. PRO PUBLICA

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