Sixty-five-year-old American tourist Steve Lee Hayes was arrested in Tokyo for defacing a torii gate at the Meiji Shrine. Hayes allegedly carved five letters into a wooden pillar of the gate using his fingernails, an act captured on security footage. The incident highlights the increasing problem of tourist vandalism at significant cultural sites globally. Similar incidents, resulting in arrests and fines, have occurred at the Colosseum and other international landmarks. The charges against Hayes stem from property damage.
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Senator Bernie Sanders expressed support for President-elect Trump’s campaign proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10%, a measure Sanders views as crucial to protecting working-class Americans from exorbitant fees currently averaging 21.5%. This contrasts with the Biden administration’s unsuccessful attempt to lower late fees. Sanders sees this as an opportunity for bipartisan cooperation, advocating for an end to what he terms “usury” by major banks.
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Economists predict that two of Donald Trump’s key campaign promises—mass deportations and increased tariffs—would significantly increase food prices in the United States. Deporting undocumented immigrants, who comprise a substantial portion of the agricultural workforce, would cause labor shortages leading to higher wages and subsequently higher prices for domestically grown produce. Simultaneously, tariffs on imported food would further elevate costs for consumers, as there’s no mechanism to offset the combined impact of labor shortages and import taxes. This price increase would affect a wide range of food products, from fruits and vegetables to dairy and meat, impacting all segments of the food supply chain.
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X Corp., Elon Musk’s firm, filed a notice of appearance in Alex Jones’ Infowars bankruptcy case, requesting all relevant documents. This follows concerns raised by a Texas judge regarding the transparency of the auction process, which saw The Onion declared the winning bidder alongside Sandy Hook families. The judge’s concerns prompted a new hearing to address potential irregularities. X Corp.’s intentions remain unclear, though the filing suggests they are an interested party. The Onion’s CEO has dismissed Jones’ claims that the auction was overturned.
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Elon Musk’s America PAC has invested heavily in the 2022 midterms, contributing nearly $119 million to support Republican candidates in various races across the country. While the PAC’s spending, exceeding $19 million in some key House races, yielded mixed results, a significant $152 million was allocated towards supporting Donald Trump’s presidential bid. Musk’s actions demonstrate a considerable and highly publicized foray into US politics.
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At the APEC summit in Lima, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to aid in de-escalating North Korea’s provocations, its military collaboration with Russia, and its support for the war in Ukraine. Xi responded by expressing China’s desire to avoid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, advocating for a peaceful resolution through dialogue. Both leaders affirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with Xi highlighting the overall positive momentum in China-South Korea ties. The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue discussions and enhance cooperation.
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A Ukrainian lieutenant colonel, commanding a special operations unit, has been arrested for treason. The officer, acting as a Russian GRU mole since spring 2024, provided intelligence on Ukrainian operations in southern Ukraine, enabling Russian forces to target Ukrainian personnel. This intelligence included planned movements, weaponry, and targets of Ukrainian special forces. The SBU, with assistance from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi, apprehended the suspect, seizing communication and data storage devices. He faces a life sentence if convicted.
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President-elect Trump’s choice for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, faced scrutiny after a 2017 sexual assault allegation, investigated by Monterey police but resulting in no charges, surfaced. The transition team was unaware of the detailed allegations before Hegseth’s nomination, raising concerns about inadequate vetting. While Hegseth’s attorney maintains the allegation is false, the incident and subsequent nondisclosure agreement have caused internal frustration. Despite this, President Trump continues to support Hegseth’s nomination.
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Trump’s 2024 victory, while decisive in the Electoral College, stemmed more from Democratic underperformance than a massive surge in Trump support. His vote total only slightly exceeded his 2020 numbers, while Kamala Harris received nearly 10 million fewer votes than Joe Biden in 2020, largely due to the Biden administration’s unpopularity and Harris’s flawed, centrist campaign strategy. This strategic misstep, driven by party consultants and donors, alienated the Democratic base and failed to secure sufficient swing votes. Despite this loss, Democrats performed better in down-ballot races, suggesting that a broader shift away from the party did not occur.
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Gazprom will halt natural gas deliveries to Austria this weekend, ending a long-standing energy relationship. Austria’s largest energy supplier, OMV, anticipated this, having secured alternative supply routes from Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. The country’s gas storage facilities are full, ensuring sufficient supply and dismissing fears of shortages. Chancellor Nehammer confirmed Austria’s secure energy position and reaffirmed unwavering support for Ukraine, despite Gazprom’s actions.
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John Q. Hosedrinker