Japan's military, among world's strongest, looks to build

Dozens of tanks and hundreds of soldiers fired explosives and machine guns in drills Monday on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, a main stronghold for a nation that is perhaps the world's least-known military powerhouse. Just across the sea from rival Russia, Japan opened up its humbly named Self Defense Force's firing exercises to the media in a display of public firepower that coincides with a recent escalation of Chinese and Russian military moves around Japanese territory. The drills, which foreign journalists rarely have a chance to witness, will continue for nine days and include about 1,300 Ground Self Defense Force troops.

A Michigan teacher was suspended after reports that he told students how he would have carried out the Oxford High School shooting differently

He allegedly gave details on how he would have done the Oxford school shooting differently, one parent said. A Michigan high school teacher was suspended after reports emerged that he told students how he would have done his own version of the Oxford High School shooting that left four dead last week. Hopkins High School in Allegan County placed the unnamed teacher on leave on Friday, after investigating rumors that he said on Wednesday how he would shoot up the school, local news outlet WZZM13 reported.

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  Vigil held for victims of Michigan school shooting

  Associated Press Videos
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  Third party to probe Oxford High’s actions ahead of school shooting

  Politico

3D-printed suicide pods are now legal in Switzerland

Compared to other methods, Sarco provides a peaceful death without using controlled substances, according to Swiss Info. Dr. Philip Nitschke estimates the Sarco capsule should be ready for use in Switzerland in 2022. "Sarco" machines – 3D-printed capsules designed for use in assisted suicide – have passed a legal review and can now operate in Switzerland, Swiss Info reported.

Guess who pays for all those millions of COVID-19 vaccines

Then there's the matter of what the obligations these companies have when it comes to providing vaccines not only to U.S. citizens but to the rest of the world. Note that the fight against COVID-19 also entails tests and medicine, but I'm just going to focus on vaccines, as it's a critical and deep topic that also happens to be rich with drama. First you should know that the U.S. government has been in the business of funding vaccines long before COVID-19.

US Embassy in Tokyo warns of 'suspected racial profiling' by Japanese police

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo issued a tweet on Sunday warning that foreigners were being stopped by Japanese police in "suspected racial profiling incidents." "U.S. citizens should carry proof of immigration and request consular notification if detained," it added. The U.S. Embassy has received reports of foreigners stopped and searched by Japanese police in suspected racial profiling incidents.

Turning outrage into power: How far right is changing GOP

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy appears to have settled on a strategy to deal with a handful of Republican lawmakers who have stirred outrage with violent, racist and sometimes Islamophobic comments. The path to power for Republicans in Congress is now rooted in the capacity to generate outrage. The alarming language, and the fundraising haul it increasingly produces, is another example of how Donald Trump, the former president, has left his mark on politics, changing the way Republicans rise to influence and authority.

Was a young girl adopted from Russia capable of murder?

Troy Roberts: That's why you have to get help. Dr. Brian Kennedy: She is a risk to the family members. Dr. Brian Kennedy was one of the psychiatrists who saw Caralee.

Reality Winner says she's "not a traitor" and NSA leak was a "service to the American people"

Former National Security Agency contractor Reality Winner told CBS' "60 Minutes" she's not a traitor and acted in "service to the American people" when she leaked classified documents on Russian interference in the 2016 election. Why it matters The interview broadcast Sunday was the Air Force veteran's first since her release from prison last June for leaking a classified report after being prosecuted under the Espionage Act. Winner was arrested in 2017 and sentenced in 2018 to five years in prison for the leak following her guilty plea — the longest anyone has received for the federal crime of leaking classified information to the press.

Man accused of trying to intimidate judge in Potter trial

A Minneapolis man has been charged with trying to intimidate the judge presiding over the manslaughter trial of the former officer charged in Daunte Wright's death. The Star Tribune reports Cortez A. Rice was charged last week with tampering with a judicial officer, a felony. Rice allegedly went into the Loring Park condominium building where he thought Judge Regina Chu lived and made comments meant to intimidate her into allowing broadcast coverage of the trial of former Brooklyn Center police Officer Kimberly Potter, who is charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Wright, 20, in April.

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  Jury to hear opening statements in Potter case this week

  Associated Press
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  Protester charged with harassing judge in trial of police officer who killed Daunte Wright

  The Independent

Omicron means it’s time to switch to N95 masks

At the moment, delta—which is more contagious than previous variants—is still the prevailing variant around the world, and with omicron increasing and winter underway in the northern hemisphere, it's again time to mask up properly. In other words, you might want to put away your cloth masks and turn to N95. What is the best type of mask?

New Information Emerges in Report Detailing Deaths of Calif. Family of 3 Who Died on Hiking Trip

The family was first reported missing on Aug. 16 after their babysitter found the home empty, as PEOPLE previously reported. The Chronicle reports that the babysitter was the last person to see the family alive on the afternoon of Aug. 13 after cleaning their house. The unidentified woman's final communication with Chung came later that evening, per the report, when she received a text from the mother featuring a video of Miju starting to walk.

COVID outbreak on cruise ship approaching New Orleans

Ten people aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship approaching New Orleans have tested positive for COVID-19, officials said Saturday night. The Norwegian Breakaway had departed New Orleans on Nov. 28 and is due to return this weekend, the Louisiana Department of Health said in a news release. Over the past week, the ship made stops in Belize, Honduras and Mexico.

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  COVID cases found on Norwegian Cruise ship returning to New Orleans

  Reuters
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  Ten COVID-19 cases were detected on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship as it headed to port in New Orleans

  Business Insider

White Supremacists Stage Bizarro Rally in Downtown D.C., Find Themselves Stranded

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A group of white supremacists stormed through downtown Washington, D.C. on Saturday evening, bearing American flags and mildly menacing plastic shields while marching to the beat of a snare drum down the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. But after chanting aggressively about their plans to “reclaim America,” their intended show of force stalled spectacularly when they lost their ride. While the group had marched through the city with threatening chants about their plan to “reclaim America,” by the end of the night it was not even clear how they intended to reclaim their U-Haul.

People Are Sharing Things That Are Illegal, But Aren't Ethically Wrong And Some Are Controversial

On Friday, Reddit user u/bleachspot asked, "What is something that is illegal but isn't wrong ethically?" People had some incredibly interesting responses. Here's what people shared: 1.

COVID-19 curbs China's power in Indo-Pacific, risks of war 'significant' - report

The coronavirus pandemic has weakened China's power in the Indo-Pacific, and the region's deepening security uncertainties present a "significant" risk of war, the Lowy Institute said in a report on Sunday. U.S. allies in the region and key balancing powers such as India have never been more dependent on American capacity and willingness to sustain a military and strategic counterweight in response to China's rise, said the Sydney-based foreign policy think tank. At the same time, Beijing has sought to dissuade Southeast Asian countries from joining the U.S. coalition, while upgrading its military exchanges with Russia and Pakistan as well as North Korea and creating as such a formidable trio of China-aligned nuclear-armed powers in the region.

Armed robbers break into Palisades home during holiday party

An outdoor holiday party in the Pacific Palisades came to a crashing halt Friday night when two armed robbers broke into the residence and stripped guests of jewelry, phones and a watch, according to the homeowners. The robbery happened on the 1200 block of Rimmer Avenue at around 7:40 p.m., the Los Angeles Police Department said. The victims of the robbery, however, were quite shaken, he said.

A man who tested positive for Omicron variant says 15 of his friends who joined him at a New York anime convention also have COVID-19

A man who tested positive for the Omicron coronavirus variant says 15 of his friends are also sick. The man and a group of 30 people attended an anime convention in New York City last month. It's unclear if his friends also have the Omicron variant, but health officials are investigating.

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  Omicron variant discovered in Wisconsin

  WISN - Milwaukee Videos
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  Connecticut records first confirmed case of omicron variant of COVID-19

  Hartford Courant

2 Louisiana insurance companies fail after Hurricane Ida

Insurance companies operating in Louisiana will be charged at least $100 million to pay the claims of two failed property insurers who went belly up in Hurricane Ida's aftermath. But the cost of dealing with the insolvent insurers ultimately will fall on the state after companies recoup the dollars through a series of tax credits. The Advocate reports that the board of the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association — a state-sponsored safety net for policyholders -- voted for the first time since 2004 to charge insurers 1% of their net written premiums to help fill its coffers.

Elderly Couple Claims They Were Removed From American Airlines Flight Over Prayer Shawl

A Jewish couple says they were removed from an American Airlines flight after they refused to put their religious items on them floor. According New York Post, the incident took place on Flight 322 back in August, when Roberto and Elana Birman were returning to their Brooklyn home from Miami. Prior to takeoff, a flight attendant reportedly began checking the overhead bins when she came across Roberto's small Tallit bag, which contained his prayer book and shawl.

OU fraternity suspended, sorority disciplined as investigations continue

Delta Upsilon fraternity has been placed on emergency suspension, and Delta Gamma sorority is now on limited status, as first reported Friday by the school's newspaper, the OU Daily. The Delta Upsilon and Delta Gamma international offices did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. OU Fraternity and Sorority Programs and Services and the Office of Student Conduct are conducting separate investigations into the Greek chapters.

UAE defence ministry says French warplanes not a substitute for U.S. jets

The United Arab Emirates defence ministry said its purchase of French Rafale fighter jets would complement its planned deal to buy American F-35 warplanes, which has slowed due to Washington's concerns over Abu Dhabi's relationship with China. The Gulf Arab state on Friday ordered 80 Rafales made by Dassault Aviation and 12 Caracal military helicopters made by Airbus Helicopters in an arms contract worth 17 billion euros ($19.2 billion). Major General Ibrahim Nasser Al Alawi, commander of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence, said in a statement on state news agency WAM late on Saturday that the Rafale jets would replace the UAE's French-built Mirage 2000 fleet.

Fauci says early reports about omicron variant are encouraging

U.S. health officials said Sunday that while the omicron variant of the coronavirus is rapidly spreading throughout the country, early indications suggest it may be less dangerous than delta, which continues to drive a surge of hospitalizations. President Joe Biden's chief medial adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, told CNN's “State of the Union” that scientists need more information before drawing conclusion's about omicron's severity. Reports from South Africa, where it emerged and is becoming the dominant strain, suggest that hospitalization rates have not increased alarmingly.

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  Omicron variant found in nearly one-third of U.S. states

  Reuters
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  Fauci: U.S. reviewing its South African travel ban and hopes to lift it soon

  Politico

A former Kamala Harris staffer says aides have to endure 'a constant amount of soul-destroying criticism': report

Amid turnover in Harris' office, reports have swirled for months concerning her office environment. An ex-Harris staffer told The Washington Post that the vice president is a highly-critical boss. "With Kamala you have to put up with a constant amount of soul-destroying criticism," the staffer said.

Penobscots don't want ancestors' scalping to be whitewashed

Most Americans know about atrocities endured by Native Americans after the arrival of European settlers: wars, disease, stolen land. Members of the Penobscot Nation in Maine have produced an educational film addressing how European settlers scalped — killed — Indigenous people during the British colonial era, spurred for decades by cash bounties and with the government's blessing. “It was genocide,” said Dawn Neptune Adams, one of the three Penobscot Nation members featured in the film, called “Bounty.”