“Peggy Whitson Becomes Oldest Female Astronaut”

The International Space Station gained three new residents Saturday, including the oldest and most experienced woman to orbit the world. NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson arrived at the International Space Station this weekend, making her the oldest woman in space at age 56. This is Whitson's third mission on the space station; she'll soon become its commander for the second time. Collectively, she's spent more than a year of her life in space. When Whitson lands back on Earth in spring of 2017, she'll have amassed more time in orbit than Jeff Williams, who set a new U.S. mark in September with total off-planet time of 534 days. That's if the return date of Whitson's Soyuz MS-03 craft remains in May, as reported by Space.com. Whitson, who holds a doctorate in biochemistry, will turn 57 during her current ISS mission. "The idea is to show that space exploration is just the whole ... we're not competing against robotic exploration, we're all working together. What we do on the (space station) is just one step on that road to exploration."

In Other News Pope Francis will allow Catholic priests the power to forgive abortion, he announced in a letter released Monday. The letter states: "I wish to restate as firmly as I can that abortion is a grave sin, since it puts an end to an innocent life. In the same way, however, I can and must state that there is no sin that God's mercy cannot reach and wipe away when it finds a repentant heart seeking to be reconciled with the Father.” President-elect Donald Trump told reporters he will live in the White House after he takes the oath of office, but that his wife Melania and 10-year-old son Barron will be living in New York temporarily to allow their son to finish out the year at the same school. During a photo op at his Bedminster Golf Club as he was saying goodbye to Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, Trump said yes when asked if he intended to live in the White House. Then when asked if Melania and Barron would move to Washington, he said "very soon. Right after he finishes school." Capping a memorable awards season Thursday, Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels and Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs took home American League and National League MVP honors, respectively. Even though Trout has been the best player in baseball since 2012, his MVP candidacy this year was far from a lock, since writers have ignored players whose teams missed the playoffs in the past. Bryant was the heavy favorite in the NL after leading the Cubs to the NL Central title and solidifying his standing as one of the best young stars in Major League Baseball. Happy 88th Birthday, Mickey! That's right, the little mouse recognized all over the world celebrates his birthday on Nov. 18. Artists who have drawn Mickey through the years have referred to him as Walt Disney's "alter ego" and have said he "represents the world of animation."