All articles tagged with #defector
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.
A Defector staff member recounts the amusing mystery of a lost cup of coffee, which disappeared during a brief video call. The incident sparked a lighthearted investigation among colleagues, as shared through an edited Slack transcript.
Normal Gossip, a popular podcast, is undergoing a transition as Rachelle Hampton takes over as the new host, with Kelsey McKinney stepping down but remaining involved. The change is described as a "peaceful transfer of power," with Hampton and new producer Se'era Spragley-Ricks bringing fresh perspectives to the show. Fans are encouraged to support the transition and continue sharing gossip stories for future episodes. The next season is expected in spring 2025, with bonus content available in the meantime.
Russia is contemplating its response to U.S. President Joe Biden's recent missile strategy, amid a backdrop of geopolitical tensions. This includes the assassination of a prominent Russian defector in Spain, increased North Korean academic presence in Russia following a military cooperation treaty, and European defense discussions highlighting the Russian threat. Additionally, the Kremlin is pressing for tangible outcomes from the U.S. following Trump's election victory, indicating that mere promises won't suffice for improved relations.
Marshal Herrmann's crossword puzzle, edited by Hoang-Kim Vu, debuts at Defector, combining his love for sports and crossword construction, with the puzzles running every Monday in partnership with AVCX.
Russian security chief Dmitry Medvedev disparaged murdered defector Maksim Kuzminov, calling him a "dog" and celebrating his death, following similar comments from spy chief Sergei Naryshkin. Kuzminov, a former Russian pilot who defected to Ukraine, was found dead in Spain after publicly condemning Moscow's actions. Spanish media reported that he was killed by a "group of professionals," with evidence suggesting Russian-made ammunition was used. Russian state media has portrayed Kuzminov as a "traitor" and an "example" to others, while also revealing that Russian military intelligence had orders to assassinate him.