Donald Trump’s new “$TRUMP” meme coin, launched Friday, has seen a dramatic price surge, reaching $26.95 from $0.18, with a market cap exceeding $5 billion. Former aide Anthony Scaramucci condemned the venture as “corruption,” echoing concerns about Trump’s continued use of his image to sell merchandise. Critics cite this as another example of Trump leveraging his position for personal profit, particularly during his presidential campaign. The coin’s rapid growth and the controversy surrounding it highlight the volatile nature of meme coins and raise ethical questions regarding the actions of a president-elect.
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A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, mirroring a previously rejected proposal, is set to begin Sunday. Senator Sanders, while welcoming the agreement, criticized the delay, noting over 10,000 deaths since the initial proposal and accusing the U.S. of enabling the conflict through substantial military aid to Israel. He condemned both Hamas’s October attack and Israel’s subsequent actions as an all-out war against the Palestinian people. The death toll in Gaza is significantly higher than official reports, with estimates exceeding 64,000, prompting accusations of genocide and war crimes against Israeli and Hamas leadership.
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Taiwan executed Huang Lin-kai, convicted of a double murder and rape, marking its first execution in nearly five years and sparking condemnation from human rights groups. The Justice Ministry cited the severity of the crimes as justification, despite a Constitutional Court ruling limiting capital punishment to exceptional circumstances. This execution follows a moratorium lifted in 2010, with the death penalty remaining popular in Taiwan despite international criticism. The opposition Kuomintang party, conversely, supports capital punishment and urged the government to execute the remaining death row inmates.
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Following Donald Trump’s unexpected reelection victory over Kamala Harris, Tiffany Flowers, leader of a voting rights coalition, experienced shock and dismay. Working tirelessly on election night to ensure voter safety, Flowers only learned of the landslide win late, describing the outcome as “gross” given her belief in America’s potential. This feeling fueled her participation in Saturday’s pre-inauguration protests in Washington. The election’s result deeply impacted Flowers and many others who actively worked to support the democratic process.
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The Japanese government launched a compensation program for victims of forced sterilizations and abortions under the now-repealed eugenics law, offering 15 million yen to sterilization victims and 2 million yen to those forced to undergo abortions. This action follows a 2024 Supreme Court ruling deeming the law unconstitutional and aims to compensate those not involved in existing lawsuits. The program, with applications open until January 16, 2030, provides significantly higher compensation than previous state benefits and includes free legal assistance for applicants. The government publicly apologized for its role in these past human rights violations.
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Over the past three years, Russian coal exports have significantly decreased, falling to 195 million tonnes in 2024—a 17.5 million tonne drop from 2023 and a 26.2 million tonne decrease from 2022. This decline is attributed to a confluence of factors including Western sanctions, a European embargo on Russian coal, and severe logistical bottlenecks within the Russian railway system. These issues, coupled with historically low export prices, resulted in an overall loss of RUB 81 billion (US$810 million) for Russian coal companies. Consequently, Kemerovo Oblast, Russia’s primary coal-producing region, also saw production decline by 15.8 million tonnes.
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The statement, “I broke into the Capitol on January 6th – now I’ll be a VIP at Trump’s inauguration,” is deeply unsettling. It encapsulates a disturbing normalization of the events of that day and a blatant disregard for the rule of law. The sheer audacity of this claim speaks volumes about the political climate and the lingering effects of the January 6th insurrection.
This individual’s boast highlights a profound disconnect between actions and consequences. The act of storming the Capitol, a symbol of American democracy, was an attempt to subvert the democratic process through violence or the threat of violence. To then be rewarded with VIP status at a political event is deeply troubling and suggests a complete lack of accountability.… Continue reading
Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly warned that President-elect Trump’s threatened 25% tariff on Canadian goods would result in a “Trump tariff tax” for Americans. Canada plans retaliatory tariffs, targeting key American industries and products, should the tariffs be imposed. This action risks significant economic harm to both nations, impacting sectors such as autos, energy, and agriculture, with Canada prepared for a substantial response. The potential economic fallout is substantial, impacting both GDP and numerous American jobs, as highlighted by both Joly and former finance minister Chrystia Freeland.
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Former Ukrainian lawmaker and businessman Vadym Novynskyi, a wealthy individual and sponsor of a Moscow-backed church, has been charged in absentia with high treason and incitement to religious hatred by Ukrainian authorities. The State Bureau of Investigation alleges Novynskyi, a member of the banned Opposition Bloc, promoted pro-Russian narratives and acted as a handler for the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, following the instructions of Patriarch Kirill. He fled Ukraine after the full-scale invasion began and continues to engage in subversive activities abroad. A conviction could result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years.
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The news of two Supreme Court judges being shot dead in Tehran, as reported by the Iranian judiciary, is undeniably shocking. This event immediately sparks a flurry of questions and reactions, ranging from expressions of outrage to a chilling sense of foreboding. The immediate impact is a palpable sense of uncertainty regarding the future stability of Iran. Will this be an isolated incident, or a catalyst for wider unrest and instability within the country? The potential for escalation is certainly a significant concern.
The individuals targeted were reportedly linked to espionage and terrorism cases involving suspects with ties to the US and Israel.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood