The Gamboa family in Wrightwood, California is facing uncertainty about returning home due to torrential rains causing flash floods and debris flow in the area. The state has been hit with multiple storms, prompting emergency declarations and evacuation warnings. Scientists link these extreme weather events to climate change, warning of increasing global patterns of "hydroclimate whiplash."
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Winter storm buries Wrightwood, drenches SoCal: 'All it is is rock and mud,' resident says
www.latimes.com
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WATCH: Torrential rains hit California coast during Christmas week
abcnews.go.com
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More Rain Heading for Southern California, Heightening Flood Risk
www.nytimes.com
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New storm hitting waterlogged Southern California could bring mudslides and high surf
www.washingtonexaminer.com
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Watch: Mudslides, flooding and debris - storms batter southern California
www.bbc.com
Palau, a small Pacific nation with 18,000 residents, has agreed to accept up to 75 migrants from other countries to address labor shortages. In exchange, the U.S. will provide $7.5 million in aid funding. The deal does not involve individuals facing criminal charges and they will be allowed to live and work in Palau. This agreement has gained attention as Palau was the location for the 10th season of "Survivor."
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Tiny Pacific nation to take up to 75 deportees as Trump administration accelerates mass removals
www.foxnews.com
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Tiny ‘Survivor’ island with 18K population to welcome Trump’s deportees — for $7.5 million
nypost.com
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Small Pacific nation agrees to take 75 migrants from the US for $7.5 million
www.washingtonexaminer.com
A terror attack in Syria at a mosque in Homs killed at least eight people and injured 18. Explosive devices were planted to harm worshippers attending Friday prayers. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
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At least eight killed in terrorist attack targeting Syrian mosque
www.washingtonexaminer.com
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6 Killed in Syria Mosque Blast, Government Says
www.nytimes.com
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5 Killed in Syria Mosque Blast, State Media Reports
www.nytimes.com
A federally indicted Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) is accused of spending stolen FEMA funds on a $109,000 diamond ring. A community note mentioned that her portrait was altered to remove the ring from her left hand. Cherfilus-McCormick posted a photoshopped picture of herself on Christmas Day, where the jewelry in question was noticeably missing from the edited image.
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Indicted Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick ripped for editing $109K diamond ring out of online post
nypost.com
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Indicted Democrat edits $109,000 ring allegedly bought with stolen FEMA funds from photo
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Kyle Whittingham is set to become the new head coach of the Michigan Wolverines football team, replacing Sherrone Moore who was recently fired. The University of Michigan is looking to move forward from the Sherrone Moore scandal by bringing in Whittingham from Utah.
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Michigan football finds Sherrone Moore's successor weeks after controversy
www.foxnews.com
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Michigan sets sights on new head coach candidate to replace Sherrone Moore following scandal: report
www.foxnews.com
President Trump is optimistic about securing a peace deal with Ukraine as Ukrainian President Zelensky visits Mar-a-Lago. Zelensky is reportedly ready to bring Trump's 20-point peace plan to a vote in Ukraine if Russia agrees to a 60-day ceasefire. The two presidents will meet in Florida this weekend to discuss progress in peace negotiations.
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Trump tells Post there’s a ‘good shot’ at reaching Russia-Ukraine peace during Zelensky’s visit
nypost.com
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Trump suggests he'll call final shots on peace deal ahead of Zelenskyy meeting: 'We'll see what he's got'
www.foxnews.com
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Zelensky ‘ready’ to bring Trump’s peace plan to a vote if Russia agrees to 60-day ceasefire
www.washingtonexaminer.com
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WATCH: President Trump and President Zelenskyy to meet in Florida on Sunday: Official
abcnews.go.com
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Zelensky Says He’ll Meet With Trump in the ‘Near Future’
www.nytimes.com
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt made history by becoming the first known pregnant press secretary in U.S. history. She announced her pregnancy with her second child on Instagram, sharing a photo in front of a Christmas tree. It has been revealed that she is expecting a baby girl.
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Karoline Leavitt announces pregnancy with second child
www.washingtonexaminer.com
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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announces she's pregnant
abcnews.go.com
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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expecting baby girl in May 2026
nypost.com
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Karoline Leavitt is expecting a baby girl in May 2026, says motherhood is 'closest thing to Heaven on Earth'
www.foxnews.com
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from making arrests of illegal immigrants at immigration courthouses. U.S. District Judge P. Casey Pitts issued a ruling to restrict Immigration and Customs Enforcement from detaining immigrants who show up to court hearings in Northern California. This ruling adds to previous restrictions placed on federal authorities regarding arrests at courthouses.
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Judge blocks immigration arrests at courthouses in northern California
www.washingtonexaminer.com
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Federal judge blocks ICE from arresting immigrants who show up for court appointments in Northern California
www.latimes.com
Fraudsters in the refugee community are being accused of defrauding taxpayers of up to $9 billion. Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan was seen in a video wearing a hijab amidst a significant Somali fraud scandal that has caused upheaval in the state government and among officials.
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Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan wears hijab in solidarity with Somalis as feds probe multibillion-dollar fraud scandal
nypost.com
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Minnesota Senate candidate wears hijab in visit to Somali market as fraud scandal unfolds
www.foxnews.com
Congressional Republicans are supporting President Trump's strikes against ISIS in Nigeria, with many praising him for protecting Christians. Trump ordered strikes on Christmas Day against ISIS terrorists in northwest Nigeria. The Nigerian government collaborated with the U.S. on the strikes in Sokoto state. Trump called the strikes a "very bad Christmas present" for the terrorists. Nigeria shared intelligence with the U.S. ahead of the airstrikes targeting ISIS terrorists accused of killing Christians.
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Republicans praise Trump’s ISIS strikes in Nigeria: ‘Clear and unmistakable message’
www.washingtonexaminer.com
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Trump on Nigeria strikes: ISIS ‘got a very bad Christmas present’
nypost.com
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Facts Clash With Trump Claim of Hitting ISIS and Shielding Nigerian Christians
www.nytimes.com
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Nigeria says it shared intelligence to support US strikes on ISIS
www.foxnews.com
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U.S. strikes ISIS in Nigeria. And, holiday shopping was higher than expected
www.npr.org
Airlines canceled hundreds of flights in and out of New York City ahead of a winter storm expected to bring up to 8 inches of snow. The metropolitan region is preparing for up to 10 inches of snow, with streets brined and plows ready. A major winter storm is affecting a wide area from Minnesota to Massachusetts, with accumulations of 5 to 7 inches expected. Another winter storm is forecasted to bring ice and snow to the upper Midwest on Thursday, moving through the lower Northeast on Friday.
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Airline Delays and Cancellations Pile Up Ahead of New York-Area Snowstorm
www.wsj.com
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How New York Is Preparing for Its First Major Snowstorm in Years
www.nytimes.com
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Dangerous snowstorm coming to NYC area: Latest forecast
abcnews.go.com
Jimmy Kimmel faced criticism for his Christmas address to the U.K. where he criticized the United States, calling tyranny booming in the country and taunting President Trump. The late-night TV host delivered an "Alternative Christmas Message" on British public broadcaster Channel 4, declaring victory over Trump and escalating his feud with the White House. Kimmel's remarks were seen as contradictory by critics, especially after ABC briefly pulled his show over backlash related to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
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Jimmy Kimmel sparks backlash with ‘tyranny’ jab at America in UK Christmas speech
www.foxnews.com
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Jimmy Kimmel jokes about fascism in an 'alternative Christmas message' for Britain
www.npr.org
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Jimmy Kimmel says ‘tyranny is booming’ as he renews attacks on Trump in UK Christmas address
nypost.com
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Jimmy Kimmel says tyranny is ‘booming’ in US during Britain’s alternative Christmas message
www.washingtonexaminer.com
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Kimmel Tells U.K. Viewers ‘Tyranny Is Booming’ in America
www.nytimes.com
The Washington Monument will be transformed into a canvas of visual narratives and the largest birthday candle in celebration of America's upcoming 250th anniversary. Freedom 250, an organization created by President Donald Trump, announced this initiative. Additionally, Times Square's 2025 ball drop will feature red, white, and blue patriotic colors to kick off the nationwide celebrations for America's 250th birthday. For the first time in its 120-year history, a second Times Square Ball Drop will occur outside of New Year's Eve to commemorate America's founding anniversary.
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Freedom 250 launches New Year’s Eve celebration at the Washington Monument
www.washingtonexaminer.com
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Times Square ball goes red, white and blue for America's 250th birthday
www.foxnews.com
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Times Square to hold second ball drop in July to mark America’s 250th birthday
nypost.com
The Ellison family is pleased with their acquisition of a journalistic outlet. CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss defended her decision to delay a 60 Minutes segment about Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo to rebuild trust in the press. Weiss acknowledged the segment needed more work in a memo to staff. President Trump criticized Stephen Colbert and CBS on Truth Social. White House deputy Stephen Miller called for the firing of "60 Minutes" producers over a shelved Trump deportation segment.
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Opinion | Bari Weiss Delivers for CBS’s Parent
www.wsj.com
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Bari Weiss defends decision to hold 60 Minutes segment in staff email
www.washingtonexaminer.com
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Bari Weiss suggests CECOT '60 Minutes' piece she delayed wasn't 'fair' in memo to staffers
www.foxnews.com
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Pulled ’60 Minutes’ Report, Briefly Streamed in Canada, Is All Over the Internet Now
www.nytimes.com
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CBS defends pulling 60 Minutes segment about Trump deportations
www.bbc.com
Two Israelis were killed in a terrorist attack in northern Israel on Friday, allegedly carried out by a Palestinian man from the West Bank. The attacker ran over an elderly pedestrian, stabbed a young woman, and collided with another vehicle, injuring the driver. Israeli officials accused the Palestinian Authority of supporting terrorism through its payment policy. The incident occurred amidst escalating tensions between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank.
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Israel FM accuses Palestinian Authority of aiding terror with ‘Pay-for-Slay’ after deadly attack
www.foxnews.com
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Two people killed in possible terrorist attack in northern Israel
www.washingtonexaminer.com
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2 Killed in Car Ramming and Stabbing in Israel, Authorities Say
www.nytimes.com
An individual living in the U.S., who is a foreign national and an advocate against censorship, has been granted a court order preventing the Trump administration from detaining him. Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, filed a lawsuit against the administration after being sanctioned along with a group of alleged European censorship advocates. Ahmed, who tracks disinformation, was one of five Europeans banned by the State Department for allegedly promoting censorship.
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Trump locked in new legal battle over accused censorship advocate living in US
www.washingtonexaminer.com
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Judge Blocks Detention of British Researcher Who Scrutinizes Online Hate
www.nytimes.com
An official from the Obama Foundation defended the design of the Obama Presidential Center in a recent CBS interview, explaining that the limited windows and symbolic shape were deliberate choices. The $830 million center, set to open in Chicago next year, has faced criticism online with comparisons to the "Death Star" and negative descriptions like a "concrete tomb" and a "monstrosity" from some locals.
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Obama Presidential Center breaks silence over controversial building design
www.foxnews.com
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Obama Presidential Center’s dour ‘Death Star’ shape explainedÂ
nypost.com
Travis Kelce had an emotional farewell at Arrowhead Stadium, leaving Chiefs fans wondering if it was his final home game. Despite the uncertainty, he is remembered as a legend. Taylor Swift was also present at the stadium, watching what could potentially be her fiancé's last game with the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Travis Kelce addresses retirement question once more after playing potential final Chiefs home game
www.foxnews.com
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Travis Kelce held without touchdown in possible final home game as Broncos narrowly top Chiefs
www.foxnews.com
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Taylor Swift shows up to support Travis Kelce in possible final home game
www.foxnews.com
Rep. Andy Barr is grieving the loss of his longtime aide, Tatum Dale, who he described as the 'heart and soul' of his team for more than 15 years. Dale had been working with Barr since 2012 and was serving as the campaign manager for his 2026 Senate bid to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell.
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Kentucky congressman announces death of longtime aide and campaign manager
www.foxnews.com
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Rep. Andy Barr announces death of campaign manager for 2026 Senate bid: ‘The heart and soul of my team’
nypost.com
The national average price for a gallon of regular gas dropped to $2.847 on Christmas Day, marking the fifth consecutive week of falling prices at the pumps. This is the lowest national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline on a Christmas Day since 2020.
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Cheapest national average price for regular gas at Christmas since 2020
www.washingtonexaminer.com
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Cheapest national average price for regular gas at Christmas since 2020
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Rep. Jasmine Crockett from Texas has expressed skepticism about the accuracy of border data provided by the Trump administration. She accused the administration of not being truthful in reporting numbers and challenged their claims of success at the border. Crockett also criticized the administration's immigration enforcement as inhumane during an interview with NBC News.
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Jasmine Crockett accuses Trump admin of dishonesty about border encounter numbers
nypost.com
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Crockett accuses Trump administration of dishonesty over border encounter numbers
www.foxnews.com
The first round of January Social Security payments for retirees, capped at $5,108, will be issued in 19 days. Retirees born on or before the 10th of a month will receive this payment on Jan. 14. The second round of payments will be sent out on Jan. 21. January 2026 Supplemental Security Income payments, up to $994, will be issued to recipients in five days, on Dec. 31.
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First round of January Social Security payments goes out in 19 days
www.washingtonexaminer.com
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January Social Security direct payment worth $994 goes out in five days
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani of New York City has ambitious plans that will take time to implement. Meanwhile, Lina Khan, the former chair of the Federal Trade Commission, has ideas for making a quick impact. Mamdani has named educator and YouTube star Ms. Rachel to his inauguration committee, a move that has stirred some controversy. The committee will assist in planning and hosting the upcoming inauguration on January 1, 2026.
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With Help of Lina Khan, Mamdani Looks to Quickly Cut Costs for New Yorkers
www.nytimes.com
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Ms. Rachel named to Mamdani’s inauguration committee
www.washingtonexaminer.com
The death toll from a UPS cargo plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky, has increased to 15 after a man injured in the incident passed away on Christmas Day. Alain Rodriguez Colina, who was injured when the cargo plane crashed into his workplace, died more than a month after the crash. The incident occurred during takeoff at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on Nov. 4 when an engine separated from the wing.
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UPS plane crash in Louisville claims 15th victim weeks after fiery takeoff failure
www.foxnews.com
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Death Toll in UPS Plane Crash Rises to 15
www.nytimes.com
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15th victim of UPS plane crash dies, according to Kentucky Gov. Beshear
abcnews.go.com
In 2025, significant changes were made to economic policy in the United States, including landmark tax legislation and President Donald Trump's tariff agenda. Trump's victory in the 2024 election was influenced by voter dissatisfaction with inflation. His second term in 2025 was marked by political controversies such as the longest government shutdown in history and mass deportation operations. The year is ending with Trump back in the White House for his second term, with protests, a government shutdown, and ongoing election cycle being key events. Overall, 2025 has been a historic year with both highs and lows, and its impact is yet to be fully determined.
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The top economic policy developments of 2025 that will shape the years to come
www.washingtonexaminer.com
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The iciest moments of 2025: The 5 political feuds that froze Washington
www.foxnews.com
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Opinion | 2025: The Year of Trump
www.wsj.com
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Asia’s year in review: Who had it best — and who had it worst — in 2025
www.cnbc.com
North Korea's state media released photos of a nuclear submarine hull, with leader Kim Jong Un criticizing South Korea's plans to build its own submarines as "an offensive act." The images show progress on a nuclear-powered submarine, as Kim toured a shipyard showcasing an 8,700-ton-class vessel. This development comes amid North Korea's recent test of a new surface-to-air missile and the visit of a U.S. nuclear-powered attack submarine to South Korea.
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Nuclear submarine arms race heats up between North and South Korea
www.npr.org
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Kim Jong Un swipes at South Korea’s progress building a nuclear submarine while inspecting his own
www.washingtonexaminer.com
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North Korea releases images of development of nuclear-powered submarine
www.foxnews.com
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​North Korea Unveils the Completed Hull of What It Calls a Nuclear Submarine
www.nytimes.com
The text mentions that building a battleship would be too expensive, even if it were possible. The speaker acknowledges the effort to build more ships but believes that the new battleship and cutter are insufficient.
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The Trump-class battleship faces a large obstacle in its way: reality.
www.cnbc.com
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Opinion | Can Trump’s Navy Match China’s?
www.wsj.com
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (R.S.S.) and its prominent member, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are leading efforts to transform secular India into a Hindu-first society, marginalizing minorities. Despite facing bans and criticism, the R.S.S. is playing a significant role in reshaping India's secular republic into a Hindu nation.
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From Pariah to Power: The Hindu Right’s 100-Year Quest to Reshape India
www.nytimes.com
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5 Key Moments in the Rise of India’s Hindu-First Powerhouse
www.nytimes.com