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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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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Alejandra Whitney-Smith, a DC resident and attorney, will spend Trump’s inauguration weekend in a cabin to avoid the “hostile negative energy” associated with the event, particularly given her mother’s experience during the January 6th Capitol attack. Many other residents share similar sentiments, opting for getaways due to concerns about Trump’s second term and his divisive rhetoric. Conversely, Trump’s inauguration is generating significant interest among his supporters, with high hotel demand reflecting their enthusiasm. This stark contrast highlights the deeply divided political climate in the US.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
Trump’s Indoor Inauguration: Cold, Crowds, or Cowardice?
Readers are encouraged to submit tips to The Daily Beast. The submission process is streamlined for ease of use. All tips are treated confidentially. Contributions help inform impactful investigative journalism. Information can be sent via [insert link/method here, if provided in the original article].
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