Some interesting news first from the New York Times this morning. Pope Leo XIV cast a mail-in ballot in his home state of Illinois. Have you voted yet? The mid-terms are three days away. Obamacare premiums will rise by 13 percent next year , hitting middle-income people already struggling with health care costs. 19 million Americans will thusly suffer. Tech company stocks tumbled, some by double digits , as investors fretted about whether their A.I. spending spree is paying off. The war with Iran has been very lucrative for U.S. oil companies, which nearly tripled their annual profit as consumers faced higher prices for gas and other fuel. Over $130 Billion: More than 50 major U.S. oil and gas producers and refiners collectively earned over $130 billion in net income during the six-month period from April through September 2026. [ 1 ] This from Google AI: U.S. consumers have paid a staggering $147.7 billion to $160 billion in extra gasoline and diesel...
There are only a very few Japanese series I've ever watched. Midnight Diner might be the best. Why is a bit puzzling. Low keyed, with a personal relationship focus in each episode. Really, nothing much more. Based on the manga by Yaro Abe, Sinya Shokudo . 10 episodes/season. Began in 2009 for three seasons. Netflix produced seasons 4 to 6, beginning in 2016. Season 6 just began in October 2026, after a 6-year hiatus. Master now has white hair. Season one got a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating, while #2-#5 apparently all got 94 scores. Season 6 still unfolding, with the 10th episode to be released on 23December2026. Takes place in a late-night diner in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, featuring a mysterious chef played by Kaoru Kobayashi, only known as "Master." He has this major scar over his left eye. Never explained. Seems to be under Yakuza protection, which might be from where he came. Every episode starts with moving camera shot under a br...