A Vietnamese court upheld the death sentence of property tycoon Truong My Lan for orchestrating a $44 billion bank fraud, the largest in history. While the sentence stands, Ms. Lan could avoid execution by repaying $9 billion, three-quarters of the embezzled funds. This follows her April conviction for misappropriating funds from Saigon Commercial Bank over a decade through shell companies. Ms. Lan, who built a real estate empire from humble beginnings, now faces a race against time to secure the necessary funds.
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Meghan McCain criticized President Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, on social media, arguing it demonstrated that the president’s family is above the law. This sparked a backlash from commenters who pointed out McCain’s own career benefited from her father’s political prominence. Hunter Biden’s pardon covers tax and drug charges, with President Biden citing political bias in the prosecution. The pardon, issued days before sentencing, has drawn widespread Republican criticism.
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Exhausted Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region report dwindling morale and a slow retreat against relentless Russian bombardment, despite using long-range weapons supplied by Western allies. Their orders are to hold the occupied territory until a change in US administration in January, hoping for new policy negotiations. This strategy, intended to divert Russian forces from other fronts, has yielded mixed results, with some soldiers questioning its effectiveness and expressing a desire to fight elsewhere. The soldiers also deny reports of significant North Korean troop deployments in the area.
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Following a meeting at Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods due to concerns over illegal immigration and a significant trade deficit. When Prime Minister Trudeau argued the tariff would devastate the Canadian economy, Trump jokingly suggested Canada become the 51st state, even proposing a division into conservative and liberal states. This lighthearted suggestion followed a serious discussion about border security and trade imbalances, with Trump demanding significant changes by January 20th. Despite the jovial atmosphere, the underlying tension regarding trade and immigration remained.
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A Syrian rebel offensive, spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is rapidly advancing towards Aleppo, exceeding Russia’s capacity to counter. Russia’s limited response stems from the significant redeployment of its air assets to support the Ukraine campaign, leaving insufficient forces in Syria. Experts suggest Turkish involvement in planning and supplying the rebels, potentially exploiting weaknesses in the Syrian army and its Russian support. The offensive’s success may significantly damage Russia’s reputation and ultimately prompt a delayed, potentially Wagner-affiliated, response.
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The Los Angeles Police Department reclassified the case of Hannah Kobayashi, missing since November, as a voluntary missing person case. Video evidence shows Kobayashi crossing the US-Mexico border into Tijuana on November 12th, alone and unharmed. Authorities confirmed no evidence of foul play exists, and Kobayashi’s prior expressed desire to disconnect from modern technology is noted. Despite previous incidents of Kobayashi going missing, the investigation is closed due to a lack of evidence suggesting harm.
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Roger Golubski, a former Kansas City, Kansas police detective facing trial on multiple charges including civil rights violations and sex trafficking, was found dead from a gunshot wound at his home. Authorities are investigating but currently report no signs of foul play. Following notification of Golubski’s death, the federal judge dismissed the case. Prosecutors acknowledged the difficulty of the situation and expressed sympathy for those affected.
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In November, Norway registered over 10,000 new electric vehicles (EVs), maintaining a remarkable 93.6% EV market share for new car registrations. This success builds on previous months and surpasses November 2022’s figures, indicating the country’s EV transition is nearing completion. Tesla’s Model Y led sales, while the Volvo EX30 secured second place, highlighting the growing EV model diversity. Norway’s achievement stems from government incentives, though these have been adjusted recently to promote alternative transportation methods and address the high cost of luxury EVs.
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President Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, who faced felony charges including tax evasion and gun-related offenses, citing Republican political pressure influencing the legal process. This action drew immediate condemnation from Republicans, who accused the president of abusing his power and undermining justice. In response, Rep. Jasmine Crockett defended the pardon, highlighting the hypocrisy given President-elect Trump’s own history of controversial pardons and numerous ongoing legal battles. Crockett argued that the pardon pales in comparison to Trump’s actions and that Republicans’ outrage is disingenuous. No evidence linking President Biden to Hunter’s alleged crimes has been found.
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Tech billionaire Marc Andreessen falsely claimed on the Joe Rogan podcast that the CFPB, a consumer protection agency, “terrorizes” financial institutions by targeting conservatives for “debanking.” This claim, lacking evidence and contradicted by the CFPB’s actions, was amplified by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who advocate for dismantling the agency. Their actions, potentially endangering millions of jobs, appear to serve their personal financial interests rather than genuine concerns about government efficiency. This coordinated campaign to discredit the CFPB masks a broader effort to undermine consumer protections and benefit wealthy individuals.
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John Q. Hosedrinker