- No surprises here. Donald Trump chose three hardline conservatives [1] to lead America's security team. The president-elect announced he's selected Senator Jeff Sessions as attorney general, retired Army General Mike Flynn as a national security advisor, and Representative Mike Pompeo as CIA director. All three picks have encountered sharp criticism. The Senate denied Sessions a seat on a federal bench because he was accused of making racist remarks in 1986, Flynn's aggressive stance on terrorism calls for a Muslim registry [2] in the US, and Pompeo relentlessly investigated Hillary Clinton and Benghazi as a House representative.
- Also not shocking? Kanye West is in hot water for another onstage rant [3]. The rapper was booed by fans during a concert in San Jose, CA, on Thursday night after saying he didn't vote in the election but if he had, he would have picked Donald Trump [4]. While it's a confusing admission given that Kanye had attended a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton, he told the audience he loved Trump's approach and called him a genius. The rapper also confirmed his plans to run for office in 2020, saying that he will become "a different kind of president."
- It's undeniable. Climate scientists revealed that the North Pole is 36 degrees warmer [5] than it typically is at this time of year as Winter approaches. What's so alarming about this unusual spike in temperature is that the North Pole is currently in polar night, when the sun barely rises. Ordinarily, this time would bring the North Pole's coldest temperatures.
- The wait is finally over. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hits theaters across the country tonight. The movie is based on J.K. Rowling's book, which takes place in the Harry Potter universe [6].
- Speaking in Germany at a press conference with Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Obama encouraged people who are protesting against the US election results [7]. Admitting that citizens protested his own victory, Obama said that if people feel strongly about Trump's presidency, he "wouldn't advise them to be silent."