Auto Safety Scandal, Fauci Hearing, and a Cheese Museum.

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Big Stories

Japanese Automakers Caught in Safety Test Scandal

Major automakers in Japan are embroiled in a widening safety test scandal.

• The Ministry of Transport found irregularities in certification applications submitted by Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha. These irregularities involve manipulated or incorrect safety test data. The Ministry ordered Toyota, Mazda, and Yamaha to suspend shipments of some vehicles and is conducting inspections at Toyota's headquarters.

• The scandal comes after similar issues were found at Toyota's subsidiary, Daihatsu, last year. Toyota's CEO, Akio Toyoda, apologized for the misconduct and admitted that the affected vehicles did not undergo the proper certification process. Influential shareholders are pressuring Toyota to remove Toyoda as chairman. Toyota's share price fell 1.8%.

• The Japanese government is upset with the companies’ misconduct, which tarnishes its corporate reform efforts. While Toyota claims there are no safety concerns and customers can continue using their cars, the scandal raises questions about the quality and reliability of Japanese-made vehicles.

Fauci Hearing About Covid’s Origins

Dr. Anthony Fauci defended himself against attacks from politicians at a House Select Subcommittee hearing on the Coronavirus Pandemic

• In his first public testimony since retiring in 2022, Fauci denied allegations about funding virology research in China, which some theories claim led to the coronavirus leak. He said he maintained an open mind about the virus's origins but denied hiding any information about a possible lab leak. Despite no evidence linking him to the coronavirus's origins, Fauci has been heavily criticized by many who blame him for the pandemic.

• Fauci, who served as the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director and was part of the coronavirus task forces under Presidents Trump and Biden, testified about his leadership during the pandemic. He explained that he discussed the virus's origins with scientists early in 2020, who concluded it likely came from animals. Fauci refuted claims that he influenced scientists by bribing them. During the hearing, Democrats defended Fauci as a dedicated public servant, while some Republicans, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, harshly criticized him, calling for his imprisonment and revocation of his medical license.

• The hearing also focused on EcoHealth Alliance, a nonprofit that received U.S. funding for pandemic prevention and was involved in research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Some politicians accused Fauci of allowing the nonprofit to use taxpayer dollars to fund risky experiments. EcoHealth Alliance denied conducting gain-of-function research, which involves enhancing a virus to make it more transmissible. Fauci emphasized that no viruses studied with funding from the National Insitute of Health could have evolved into SARS-CoV-2.

Hawaii Volcano Activity

Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, started erupting early Monday in a remote area within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

• The eruption site is about 1 mile south of the Kilauea caldera, an area that last erupted in December 1974. The surrounding area has been closed to the public since 2008 due to various hazards like ground cracking and rockfalls.

• The eruption is happening in a remote part of the park, posing no immediate threat to human life or infrastructure. Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth reassured residents that eruptions in this area are not unusual and that no property is currently at risk. The primary concern is volcanic gas, which can create hazardous volcanic smog affecting air quality, plants, and livestock.

• Before the eruption, around 250 earthquakes were recorded beneath the Kilauea summit. The observatory plans to provide daily updates and additional reports if significant changes in volcanic activity occur.

Little Stories

• South Korea announced Monday it will suspend a peace agreement with North Korea to punish it for launching balloons filled with trash and manure, even though North Korea said it would stop. Over several days, North Korea sent hundreds of balloons to drop trash on South Korea, in response to South Korean civilians sending anti-North Korean government leaflets and outside news. (More)

• Spotify is raising its premium subscription prices in the U.S. for the second time in a year. Individual plans will go up to $11.99, Duo plans to $16.99, and Family plans to $19.99. Student plans will remain at $5.99. (More)

• China's Chang'e 6 probe landed on the far side of the Moon, aiming to be the first Chinese mission to bring lunar samples back. It touched down in the South Pole-Aitken Basin using laser guidance and will spend two days collecting soil and rock with a drill. (More)

• A jury was selected Monday for the federal gun case against Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden's son. Opening statements are set for today. Hunter faces three felony charges in Delaware related to a 2018 gun purchase during his crack addiction. He's accused of lying on the application about his drug use and illegally possessing the gun for 11 days. (More)

• Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have detained dissidents and increased surveillance ahead of the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. The event, where Chinese soldiers violently suppressed a peaceful protest, is banned from public acknowledgment in China. (More)

Extra Credit

Mapping world happiness levels. 

U.S. hurricane hotspots. 

Does biweekly mean twice a week or twice a month? 

A museum for food lovers: Paris Cheese Museum.