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Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Cheat Sheet - Miss Japan Takes On the Mob

Today: Pussy Riot May Be Freed Thursday , Gov't Workers Very Unhappy , The EPA's Million-Dollar Con Man
Cheat Sheet: Afternoon

December 18, 2013
HERE SHE COMES

When the first Japanese woman to win the Miss International title in 52 years, Ikumi Yoshimatsu, refused to go to work for any mafia-connected talent agency, she found out that standing up for the right thing in Japan is a sure way to get knocked off your throne. The Daily Beast's Jake Adelstein reports.

FREEDOM, MAYBE

An amnesty bill marking the anniversary of Russia's post-Communist constitution in 1993 could allow for members of the Pussy Riot band to be released early, says Russia's state-run news agency. The law, which has been backed by lawmakers in its final draft, would affect thousands of non-violent Russian prisoners as well as those on trial. The Russian government's human rights record has come under fire lately as it prepares to host the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014.

SAD FACE

Looks like the holidays in D.C. won't be very jolly this year. Budget cuts, furloughs, and being a constant political target have taken their toll on federal workers as a new government-wide survey shows federal employee morale at a record low. While the federal government saw its employee satisfaction drop for the third year in a row to 57.8 percent, the private sector saw job satisfaction rise to 70.7 percent.

READ THIS

Looking for the best reads of the past year? No need to take our word for it—we've aggregated the year-end rankings of 40 top critics to give you the ultimate holiday reading list. Here they are: the best fiction and non-fiction books of 2013.

Boom

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. U.S. housing starts reached their highest level since the Great Recession began, jumping 22.7 percent in November. It was the best month since February 2008, and the single biggest jump in 23 years. Pent-up demand and the prospect of higher interest rates from the Federal Reserve are attributed for the explosion. Homebuilders say they're feeling the most confident in eight years. Is the long-awaited housing recovery finally here?


END OF THE LINE?
Boehner Retirement Rumors Heat Up
Close friend's exit spurs new chatter.
FAREWELL
U.K.'s 'Great Train Robber' Dies
Ronnie Biggs passes at 84.
Enemy of the State
Morsi Charged for 'Terrorist Acts'
Egypt's ex-president faces the death penalty.
HE'S BACK
Taylor Kitsch on His Comeback
Star of 'John Carter' flop has turned it around.
PREACH
'Duck Dynasty': Repent, America
Likens homosexuality to bestiality.
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