Yaoning “Mike” Sun, a 64-year-old Chinese national, was arrested for illegally acting as an agent for Beijing while managing the campaign of a Southern California city council member. This arrest highlights growing concerns about China’s efforts to influence U.S. local elections by supporting pro-Beijing politicians. Sun allegedly conspired with Chen Jun, who was previously sentenced for related offenses, to further Chinese interests, including reporting on the politician’s election success to Chinese officials and seeking further funding. The council member, Eileen Wang, remains unnamed in court documents, though Sun’s involvement with her campaign is documented.
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A Guardian investigation reveals that Uline, a company owned by major Trump donors Liz and Dick Uihlein, allegedly employs dozens of Mexican workers in its US warehouses using tourist and B1 training visas, despite the workers performing regular warehouse duties. This practice, which sources say involves paying Mexican wages and bonuses, is likely illegal and potentially exploitative, according to legal experts. The alleged scheme contradicts the Uihleins’ outspoken anti-immigration stance and substantial financial support of anti-immigration politicians. The company, which declined to comment, allegedly uses this method due to difficulties in finding and hiring US-based warehouse staff.
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In its annual security outlook, the Danish Defense Intelligence Service warned of heightened Russian aggression, citing increased threats against Denmark and NATO. This could manifest as Russian naval escorts for shadow fleet tankers traversing Danish straits, escalating tensions and directly challenging newly implemented insurance checks on Russian oil shipments. Further provocations may include risky behavior towards civilian shipping and aviation, encompassing military exercises near NATO territory and potential GPS jamming. Such actions increase the risk of miscalculation and incidents, particularly in the Baltic and Arctic regions.
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New evidence suggests the Chinese cargo ship *Yi Peng 3*, currently under investigation for damaging Baltic Sea undersea cables on November 17th, may have attempted a similar act ten days prior near Læsø. Analysis of AIS data and underwater footage reveals a suspicious maneuver near subsea cables on November 7th, involving a speed reduction and brief stop. While the Chinese Embassy stated its willingness to cooperate in the investigation, Danish authorities have increased surveillance in their waters in response to this concerning activity. The damaged cables, Arelion and C-Lion1, disrupted communications between several European countries.
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Donald Trump’s 2024 victory, while securing 312 electoral votes, fell short of a claimed “massive mandate,” achieving only 49.8% of the popular vote. His Electoral College win was exceptionally narrow, hinging on razor-thin margins in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. A shift of fewer than 115,000 votes across these three states would have given the victory to Kamala Harris. This highlights the highly contested nature of the election and undermines Trump’s claims of widespread support.
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Senator Bernie Sanders and other House Democrats accuse Elon Musk of wielding undue influence over the passage of a government spending bill, characterizing his actions as oligarchic. Musk, who has been appointed to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency, actively opposed the bill, prompting criticism that he functions as a de facto GOP leader. This event highlights concerns about the growing power of billionaires in American politics and fuels ongoing debate regarding the country’s trajectory toward oligarchy. The conflict culminated in the failure of two spending bills, further intensifying calls for Speaker Mike Johnson’s removal.
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Despite established protocols offering secure government communication systems, President-elect Trump’s transition team is utilizing private servers and devices, raising concerns among federal officials about potential security breaches. This decision, confirmed by the transition team, bypasses government-issued cybersecurity support and raises anxieties, particularly given recent foreign hacking attempts targeting key officials. The team cites unspecified security measures as sufficient, while experts warn of the vulnerability of transition teams to foreign intelligence gathering. This situation contrasts sharply with the intense scrutiny of Hillary Clinton’s email practices during the 2016 election, highlighting the perceived hypocrisy surrounding the issue.
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At 2:33 a.m. on December 20th, 2024, Bais Chaya Mushka Girls Elementary School in Toronto was targeted in a shooting, marking the third such incident this year. Toronto Police confirmed evidence of firearm discharge, though no injuries were reported, and the Hate Crime Unit is assisting in the investigation. Mayor Olivia Chow and MP Kevin Vuong condemned the attack, highlighting the unacceptable rise in antisemitic violence. This latest incident follows a recent arson attack on a Montreal synagogue and underscores ongoing concerns about antisemitism in Canada.
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The Russian government has designated The Satanic Temple (TST) an “undesirable” organization, accusing it of promoting “occult ideology” and discrediting traditional values. Authorities allege TST supports extremist groups, criticizes the Ukraine conflict, and advocates for regime change in Russia, claims the group denies. The designation stems from a 2015 law expanded earlier this year, resulting in the group’s forced dissolution and prohibiting any involvement with it. This action follows Russia’s characterization of its invasion of Ukraine as a battle against satanic forces.
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JGA Saddler, an Australian law firm, launched a class action lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, alleging the company falsely advertised the effectiveness of phenylephrine in products like Codral and Sudafed. The lawsuit centers on the FDA’s declaration that oral phenylephrine is ineffective as a nasal decongestant, contradicting Johnson & Johnson’s marketing claims. This action followed the replacement of pseudoephedrine with phenylephrine after pseudoephedrine sales restrictions, potentially leaving consumers with ineffective congestion relief. Consumers who purchased these products since 2005 may be eligible for compensation if the lawsuit is successful.
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John Q. Hosedrinker