The Week of December 6, 2015 by CoenM

Named for the admiral who became the youngest Chief of Naval Operations in history, what stealthy DESTROYER - which shares its name with its class of ship - sailed from the Bath Iron Works for sea trials?

What POLITICAL PARTY - led by the daughter of its notorious founder - took nearly one in three votes in the first round of regional voting in France, but was unable to convert this to wins in the second round of elections?

At St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis started the Jubilee Year of Mercy by opening what TWO WORD-NAMED PORTAL, the northmost entrance to the basilica?

What WORLD LEADER was named TIme's Person of the Year due to their performance in leading Europe through debt and refugee crises?

What PODCAST began its second season, covering the case of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl's alleged desertion?

Daniel Holtzclaw, a former police officer in what US CITY, was found guilty on 18 of 36 counts of sexual assault and rape, crimes committed while in uniform?

What US SUPREME COURT JUSTICE drew fire for comments about African American students and affirmative action, such as "There are those who contend that it does not benefit African-Americans to get them into the University of Texas where they do not do well, as opposed to having them go to a less-advanced school, a less -- a slower-track school where they do well,"

What TWO COMPANIES announced plans for an all stock, $130 billion merger that would eventually see the new company split into three entities each focusing on a specific class of products?

Prosecutors in Great Britain ended a four year investigation into phone hacking by journalists working for Murdoch-owned newspapers, a scandal that saw the 2011 closing of what TABLOID?

What COUNTRY's municipal elections marked the first time women could vote and run for office, resulting in 20 women winning seats?

American, Delta and United airlines joined several smaller airlines in banning what RIDING TOY - a hot Christmas item - from carry on and checked bagged due to incidents where they have burst into flames?

In what may be the oddest story of the week, hedge fund/pharma exec Martin Shkreli paid $2 million for the sole copy of an album by what MUSICAL GROUP, in a deal which purportedly allows actor Bill Murray to steal the copy back for the group?