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Defector

Patrick Redford

Vermont players react to winning the game during the NCAA College Cup semifinal match between the Denver Pioneers and the Vermont Catamounts on December 13, 2024 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, NC.

Soccer

Vermont Won A Historic National Championship In Fittingly Dramatic Fashion

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Emma Chamberlain stands in her closet, which has recently been emptied of most of its items.

Under The Influence

A Capsule Wardrobe Won’t Save You

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

The Monkees at the Athletic &amp; Convocation Center in South Bend, Indiana, November 11, 1986. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)

Funbag

Your Holiday Card Might Not Contain Enough Gratuitous Nudity

Journalismism

ABC’s Trump Settlement Is A Bad Omen

Tom Ley

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - DECEMBER 4: Police officers investigate the scene where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in Midtown Manhattan near a hotel on 54th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues on December 04, 2024 in New York, United States. UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, was fatally shot in what authorities are calling a 'brazen, targeted attack' outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The masked gunman, who waited several minutes before ambushing Thompson, fired multiple times, striking him in the back and right calf. Thompson was rushed to Roosevelt Hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The suspect fled the scene and remains at large. A $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest.

Politics

What Comes After The Gun?

Mohammed Mhawish is a Palestinian journalist and writer from Gaza. He is currently a contributing writer for The Nation. Mohammed, a contributor to the book A Land With a People, has reported for Al Jazeera, The Economist, MSNBC, +972 Magazine, and more. Subscribe to his newsletter <a href="https://www.mohammedmhawish.com/">here</a>.

Mohammed R. Mhawish

The rubble of the author's house in Gaza. A child's toy is visible.

Stories

One Year Ago, Israel Buried Me Alive. I’m Still Clawing My Way Out.

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Dare To Believe In The Cleveland Cavaliers

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Kiyomi McMiller does a spin move during a game against Wagner

College Basketball

Kiyomi McMiller’s Gorgeous Spin Move Has Graduated To College

Luis Paez-Pumar

Amad Diallo of Manchester United scores their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Manchester United FC at Etihad Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Manchester, England.

Manchester City So Deep In Hell That It Can’t Even Beat Manchester United

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

Creaturefector

Who Was The Fly Who Died In My House?

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 30: Dylan Harper #2 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights runs out the court before their game against the Texas A&amp;M Aggies during the Players Era Festival basketball tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena on November 30, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aggies defeated the Scarlet Knights 81-77. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)

Dylan Harper Is Big-Time

Kathryn Xu

Devin Williams #38 of the Milwaukee Brewers delivers a ninth inning pitch.

Yankees Make Big Moves To Rebuild Juan Soto In The Aggregate

Israel Daramola

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 15: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on during the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Even With Patrick Mahomes’s Injury, The Chiefs Feel Inevitable

On the Cime de la Bonette climb during stage 19 of the 2024 Tour de France cycling race, from Embrun to Isola 2000 (144,6 km), in France, on Friday 19 July 2024.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Dec. 16: Lost At Sea

Barry Petchesky

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 15: Linebacker Nick Bonitto #15 of the Denver Broncos jumps backwards into the end zone for a pick six touchdown as wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. #11 and quarterback Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts look on during the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on December 15, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

The Colts Gave Away Their Season

Ray Ratto

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook #4 runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

We’ll Take As Much Bills-Lions As You’ve Got

A bunch of Cardinals sit in their pointy white hats in a screengrab from Edward Berger's 2024 film Conclave.

Defector At The Movies

The Ending Of ‘Conclave’ Was Cheap And Stupid

David Roth

A small drone flies in front of the skyline of midtown Manhattan and the Empire State Building as the sun rises in New York City on August 11, 2023

It’s Time For A Little Recreational Mental Illness In New Jersey

Travis Hunter University of Colorado cornerback/wide receiver puts his tongue on the Trophy during the Heisman Trophy press conference at the Marriott Marquis on December 14, 2024.

College Football

Travis Hunter Wins Heisman, Hopefully Won’t Become Like His Coach

Defensive tackle Landon Robinson #96 of the Navy Midshipmen celebrates a sack against the Army Black Knights during the first half of 125th America's Game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen.

Navy Consecrates Football’s Year Of The Fat Guy With Decisive Fake Punt

Hannah Hidalgo Plays Like A Woman Possessed

Billy Haisley

Memphis Depay of Corinthians celebrates after scoring the team's third goal during the Brasileirao 2024 match between Corinthians and Bahia at Neo Quimica Arena on December 3, 2024 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Memphis Depay Was Made For Brazil

This Is So Stupid

I Lost My Coffee

Alan Kluegel

Denzel Washington looking incredibly sinister and cool in Gladiator II.

II Decadent II Decrepit: The Politics Of ‘Gladiator II’

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 12: Head Coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels poses during a press conference on December 12, 2024 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.