All articles tagged with #defector
Defector contributor Soraya Roberts, a sharp yet generous arts critic who helped freelancers navigate a tough industry, has died at 46. In a personal tribute, Tom Ley recalls her breezy warmth in calls about pitches and budgets, her dedication to developing a personal aesthetic in criticism, and the plan to celebrate her work by curating her pieces on the homepage.
A blast in Sevastopol, Crimea killed Ukrainian defector Robert Shageev. Russian authorities arrested 32-year-old Margarita Reut, an escort, accusing her of planting the explosive inside a trash bin near Shageev; she faces terrorism-charges and reportedly confessed. Some reports allege Kyiv’s involvement, while Shageev’s defection history is noted; if convicted, Reut could face up to 30 years in prison.
A bombing in Sevastopol, Crimea killed a former Ukrainian submarine commander described as a defector; authorities said a Russian national woman was arrested over the assassination. The day also saw a drone strike on a Ukrainian passenger train that killed two, damage and shutdown of a Russian refinery near Orsk due to sanctions, and reports of a foiled plot to kill a Ukrainian American in Warsaw, as Kyiv and Moscow exchange blows while discussing a Black Sea grain corridor.
Defector’s tongue-in-cheek 2026 preview rips the Tennessee Titans for four straight 3-14 seasons, critiques the coaching turnover under Robert Saleh, questions Cam Ward’s rookie development, notes big offseason spending on offense but a shaky core, and suggests only slim chances for a quick rebound in a tougher AFC South.
Defector's Monday crossword, constructed by Patrick Maher and edited by Hoang-Kim Vu, kicks off Defector Crosswords in partnership with AVCX, introducing Maher and outlining puzzle submission and subscription options.
After 26 days of gameplay and months of online debate, Survivor 50 reaches its endgame with a Final Five. The season is praised for nostalgia and emotional moments but criticized for heavy production twists and celebrity cameos, leaving fans debating the show's direction as a live finale looms.
Defector launches its weekly crosswords with “The Crossword, May 11: She’s A Rainbow,” a puzzle by Kelsey Dixon edited by Hoang-Kim Vu. The piece highlights Dixon’s background, notes the Defector-AVCX partnership for crosswords, and invites puzzle submissions as part of the Monday puzzle series.
Defector's Monday crossword for May 4 was constructed by Rebecca Goldstein and edited by Hoang-Kim Vu. Goldstein is a Bay Area research scientist and crossword constructor who co-directs Westwords, a Berkeley-based tournament that will be online on June 14. Defector Crosswords runs Mondays in partnership with AVCX; readers can submit puzzles and sign up to play.
Defector’s swaggering 2026 NBA Playoff Preview runs through every first-round series, highlighting the big matchups (Nuggets vs Timberwolves; Thunder vs Warriors or Suns; Celtics vs Sixers; Lakers vs Rockets; Pistons vs Charlando Hormagic; Blazers vs Spurs; Cavaliers vs Raptors; Knicks vs Hawks) and the key players and storylines (Jokic and Edwards, Wembanyama’s playoff debut, Harden’s fit with Cleveland) while assessing which teams might emerge and how health and vibes could swing outcomes, all in a brisk, irreverent tone.
Defector releases a mega-size NBA Playoffs preview podcast, splitting the previews into West, East, and a Nuggets-focused segment with a series of short interviews from writers and analysts covering multiple teams; the extended episode is longer than last year and is available on Apple Podcasts and other apps.
Defector’s Monday crossword wraps up March with a challenging themeless by Rafael Musa and Owen Bergstein, edited by Hoang-Kim Vu. The feature is part of Defector’s collaboration with AVCX, which runs weekly puzzles, and submissions are closed from April 1 to May 1.
After Lou Holtz dies at 89, former players recall his legacy as a legendary motivator whose pregame speeches defined his impact more than Xs and Os.
This article discusses the weekly Monday crossword puzzle by Daniel Hrynick, highlighting its construction, a specific clue about MOOG, and the submission guidelines for future puzzles, noting that submissions are closed until July 31.
A former Ukrainian anti-organized crime official was found dead in a Spanish resort, near where a Russian military defector was previously killed, raising suspicions and prompting an investigation into the circumstances of his death.
A North Korean defector made a daring 20-hour journey across a heavily mined border to South Korea, avoiding armed guards and landmines, and was subsequently detained for investigation.