"Pay 5% Tax on Assets"... California Proposes World's First Billionaire Wealth Tax

In California, USA, a proposal has been raised to impose a one-time "wealth tax" on billionaires. This measure comes in response to the Trump administration's cuts to Medicaid (health insurance for low-income individuals) due to fiscal constraints. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 13th (local time) that the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW), a healthcare union, has submitted a ballot initiative that would impose a one-time tax of 5% on the assets of California residents whose net worth exceeds 1 billion dollars (approximately 1.46 trillion won). The union argues that, if the bill is implemented, it could secure approximately 100 billion dollars in tax revenue, filling the gap created by federal budget cuts. The proposed wealth tax would target most assets, including stocks, bonds, artwork, intellectual property, and vehicles, but would exclude real estate. The tax would apply to California residents as of January 1, 202

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11.15 13:24

Trump on Venezuela Military Operation Rumors: "Somewhat Made Up My Mind... Can't Reveal Details"

On the 14th (local time), President Donald Trump of the United States stated that he had "somewhat made up his mind" regarding speculation about an imminent U.S. military operation against Venezuela. According to the White House press pool, President Trump made these remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One while en route to his residence in Florida. He added, "I can't tell you what that is, but we have made a lot of progress in Venezuela regarding the blocking of drug inflows into the United States." Recently, the U.S. military has identified several vessels originating from Venezuela as drug-carrying ships and has carried out successive airstrikes and sinkings in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. In addition, the U.S. has increased pressure on Venezuela by deploying a fleet of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers around the Caribbean. Some observers believe that the Trump administration may launch military operations, including airstrikes, inside Venezuelan territory. In this re

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11.15 13:17

Apple Loses Patent Lawsuit Over Watch Blood Oxygen Monitoring... Ordered to Pay 920 Billion KRW to Masimo

A U.S. court has ruled that the blood oxygen monitoring feature on Apple’s smartwatch, the Apple Watch, infringed on patents held by the medical technology company Masimo. On November 14 (local time), Masimo announced that a jury at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California found Apple liable for patent infringement and ordered Apple to pay Masimo $634 million (approximately 920 billion KRW) in damages. This verdict comes five years after Masimo filed the lawsuit against Apple in 2020. Previously, Masimo had sought damages of $634 million to $749 million, calculating royalties of $14.72 to $17.39 per unit for approximately 43 million Apple Watches sold. In response, Apple argued that damages should be limited to between $3 million and $6 million. However, the jury sided with Masimo. The jury also determined that Apple infringed all four of Masimo’s patents at issue in this case. Masimo stated that the outcome is “an important achievement in our efforts to protect o

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11.15 12:47

U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Praises South Korea as "Truly an Exemplary Ally" for 3.5% GDP Defense Spending Commitment

Elbridge Colby, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense for Policy, stated on the 14th (local time) that South Korea is "truly an exemplary ally," in response to the South Korean government's announcement that it would increase its defense spending to 3.5% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In his congratulatory remarks at the Korean National Foundation Day and Armed Forces Day reception held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., Colby said, "South Korea is now the first U.S. treaty ally outside of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to pledge to meet the '3.5% defense spending' standard set by President Donald Trump at the NATO summit in The Hague." He added, "This is a significant step." The joint fact sheet released after the summit between the two countries the previous day specified South Korea's plan to increase its defense budget to 3.5% of GDP. Colby, a close aide to President Trump and a key security policy expert, said, "President Lee Jaemyung and South

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11.15 12:25

China and Five Southeast Asian Countries, Including Cambodia, to Launch Joint Crackdown on Scam Crimes

China and five Southeast Asian countries have agreed to carry out a joint crackdown on cross-border telecommunications and online scam crimes. According to Xinhua News Agency on November 15, a ministerial-level meeting on online scam crimes was held the previous day in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, with officials from China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam in attendance. During the meeting, the six countries exchanged views and reached a consensus on joint action against scam crimes. The participating countries agreed that the current situation of cross-border crime victimization has reached a serious level, threatening regional economic development and social stability, and severely infringing upon the legitimate rights and interests of their citizens. The law enforcement agencies of the six countries pledged to deepen cooperation, conduct joint crackdowns, and focus on eliminating the bases of scam organizations in order to firmly protect the lives and prope

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11.15 12:00

"Mutant Dogs?"... Chernobyl 'Blue Wild Dog' Controversy Resolved

The controversy surrounding the "blue-furred wild dog," which was discovered near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine and sparked speculation about possible radioactive mutations, has been resolved for now. According to reports from international media outlets such as the Daily Mail and the New York Post, Ukrainian environmental authorities recently explained that the blue color on the wild dog was simply due to spray paint used as a neutering marker. The controversy began when the Chernobyl stray dog protection group, Clean Futures Fund (Dogs of Chernobyl), released a photo last month via social media. The organization cares for about 700 dogs within the exclusion zone. The organization stated, "During a recent capture operation, we identified three dogs whose entire bodies appeared blue," adding, "The exact cause is unknown, but there is a possibility of chemical exposure." The mystery deepened as local residents testified that "just a week ago, the dogs' fur color was norm

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11.15 11:36

Japanese PM's 'Taiwan Intervention' Remarks Escalate Tensions... China Advises Citizens to Refrain from Visiting Japan

Following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi indicating that Japan would intervene in the event of a Taiwan contingency, China has been issuing strong criticisms of Japan on a daily basis and has now even advised its citizens to refrain from visiting Japan. On November 15, the Chinese Embassy in Japan announced via its official WeChat account, "The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Japan, wish to inform you that you should exercise extreme caution if you are planning to visit Japan in the near future." The embassy further emphasized, "For Chinese nationals already in Japan, you should closely monitor the local public safety situation and heighten your awareness of personal security." The account stated, "Recently, a Japanese leader made openly provocative statements regarding Taiwan, which has seriously worsened the atmosphere of people-to-people exchanges between China and Japan. As a result, the physical safety and li

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11.15 10:29

"Just Water, So No Need to Clean?"... Bacterial Count in Tumblers Surges in a Day

There have been repeated warnings that even if you only drink water from reusable bottles such as tumblers, inadequate cleaning can expose you to various illnesses. The Associated Press recently introduced reasons why water bottles should be cleaned regularly and provided tips for reducing contamination. According to the report, water bottles are easily contaminated because your mouth and hands come into frequent contact with them during use. If not cleaned properly, they can become a breeding ground for mold and various microorganisms. The difference depending on the material was not significant. Most materials, including metal, glass, and plastic, allow microorganisms to grow. In particular, plastic is prone to scratches, making it more likely for bacteria to settle. Experts warn that using contaminated water bottles can cause a range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, respiratory irritation, and worsening allergies. These concerns have been supported by recent research findings.

General

11.15 10:19

Trump Orders Investigation of Senior Democrats Amid Pressure to Release 'Epstein Documents'

"Pay 5% Tax on Assets"... California Proposes World's First Billionaire Wealth Tax

Trump on Venezuela Military Operation Rumors: "Somewhat Made Up My Mind... Can't Reveal Details"

Apple Loses Patent Lawsuit Over Watch Blood Oxygen Monitoring... Ordered to Pay 920 Billion KRW to Masimo

U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Praises South Korea as "Truly an Exemplary Ally" for 3.5% GDP Defense Spending Commitment

China and Five Southeast Asian Countries, Including Cambodia, to Launch Joint Crackdown on Scam Crimes

"Mutant Dogs?"... Chernobyl 'Blue Wild Dog' Controversy Resolved

Japanese PM's 'Taiwan Intervention' Remarks Escalate Tensions... China Advises Citizens to Refrain from Visiting Japan

"Just Water, So No Need to Clean?"... Bacterial Count in Tumblers Surges in a Day

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