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By Hannah Jewell with John Taylor Hannah Jewell">Email

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Good morning. It’s Tuesday, Dec. 3, and the White House’s Christmas decorations are quite traditional this year — except for one weird tree. Now let’s get to the news.

President Joe Biden is facing growing criticism for pardoning his son Hunter.

• An unusual move: Biden’s broad clemency for his son, announced Sunday, covers an 11-year period. Hunter Biden is the closest relative to receive a presidential pardon in history.
• What some Democrats said: The pardon will undercut faith in the U.S. justice system — and help Donald Trump criticize and remake the Justice Department.
• In other news: The president is surging arms shipments to Ukraine, fearing Trump will halt U.S. aid to the embattled country.

Trump said there would be “hell to pay” if hostages are not released from Gaza.

• His warning: The president-elect demanded their release before his Jan. 20 inauguration in a Truth Social post yesterday. It came after Israel confirmed the death of an American hostage.
• What else to know: Syrian government forces are regrouping after a surprise rebel advance in the country’s civil war. And the ceasefire in Lebanon is under growing strain.

California lawmakers are preparing for Trump’s presidency.

• How? They returned to work yesterday to prepare for lawsuits from the new administration. Trump has vowed to punish the state if it resists his policies.
• In other news: A House Democratic staffer was arrested yesterday after trying to enter the Capitol with ammunition, police said. He said he forgot it was in his bag.

Missing woman Hannah Kobayashi was seen crossing into Mexico.

• Who is she? A 30-year-old from Hawaii who disappeared in Los Angeles last month. Her case drew national attention after her father was found dead in an apparent suicide.
• The latest: Video showed Kobayashi entering Mexico on foot with luggage, Los Angeles police said yesterday. They will not extend their search across the border.

Cucumbers were recalled because of a salmonella outbreak.

• What to know: At least 68 people were sickened and 18 hospitalized in 19 states, federal officials said. The cucumbers were grown in Mexico and distributed by SunFed Produce.
• Zooming out: This is the latest of several recalls over salmonella contamination this year. Other outbreaks have been linked to Kirkland eggs sold at Costco and fresh basil from Trader Joe’s.

Starbucks and Nestlé are facing scrutiny over labor practices in China.

• How? Coffee bean suppliers there are using children, excessive overtime and lax safety standards to meet their targets, a new watchdog report claimed.
• What else to know: Both companies say they use ethical sourcing and will investigate the claims. China accounts for less than 1% of global coffee output, but its industry is growing.

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(Duncan McCabe)

• How? Using the map function on Strava, the popular GPS-tracking app, accountant Duncan McCabe recorded 120 runs across the streets of Toronto.
• His masterpiece: A 27-second animation of a hat-tipping stick figure, dancing to Sofi Tukker’s “Purple Hat.” The video has millions of views on social media.

Before you go … tell The Post: What did Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour mean to you? Plus: These are the 14 best cookbooks of 2024.

Scammed: Read Part 3 of our series about a woman who lost her life savings to a con man. And if you’re in your 20s and been a victim of financial fraud, we want to hear from you.

One more thing: You may have noticed that the newsletter looks a little different this week. We’re freshening things up and working out a few kinks — thanks for your patience. Like the new look? Hate it? Let us know.

And finally … test your news knowledge with The Post’s daily quiz, On the Record. Click here to play. Or try our word game, Keyword.

You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow.

(Illustration by Katty Huertas/The Washington Post)

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