Undercover Detective
This photo of an undercover California Highway Patrol detective pointing a gun at protesters went viral. The officer and his partner were identified by an individual in the crowd which led to this dramatic scene. It captured national attention at a time of unrest following Eric Gardner, Tamir Rice and Michael Brown. Reuters

As pols and the public reel from the revelations in the CIA torture report, the agency's tactics will remain an important topic on Friday. Expect it to dominate coverage on every Sunday talk show. Meanwhile, economists and pundits will be buzzing about Japan in the lead-up to Sunday's special election, as it will have huge international ramifications. Here are the stories you should be reading today.

Everything You Wanted To Know About Japan And Abenomics

Even in the face of Japan's ongoing recession, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to win Sunday's election in a vote of huge significance for the East Asian island nation. Quartz has a great breakdown on the current political climate in Japan and some of the confusion surrounding the special election called by Abe. Abenomics, the PM's economic policy comprising "three arrows" (fiscal stimulus, monetary easing and structural reforms), will be in the spotlight.

SeaWorld's Dramatic Plunge

Seaworld
Tilikum, a killer whale at the SeaWorld amusement park, performs during the show "Believe" in Orlando, in this Sept. 3, 2009, file photo. Reuters

SeaWorld CEO Jim Atchison resigned Thursday, following a year of controversy, protests and a steady decline in revenue and attendance at the legendary sea-park, the Washington Post reported. It's all fallout from the "Blackfish" effect -- the 2013 documentary that laid out the realities of keeping killer whales in captivity. "Blackfish" became a cultural phenomenon, sparking awareness and discussion about the treatment of these majestic creatures.

When Activism Goes Wrong

nazca lines
A climate change banner is seen beside the historic Nazca lines located on a stretch of coastal desert in Peru, in this handout photo released on December 8, 2014 by Greenpeace. Reuters/Greenpeace/Handouts via Reuters

In a case of activists being, well, too active, members of eco-defense group Greenpeace came under fire this week for illegally entering the sacred Nazca Lines site in the Peruvian desert for a climate change protest and ended up damaging it -- perhaps permanently -- as they marched without proper footwear and left car tracks in the sand. Gizmodo has a great look at the ironic environmental impact of the Greenpeace protest -- so bad that Peru plans a criminal investigation and could press charges.

All Dogs Go To Heaven

pope francis
Pope Francis smiles as he waves to the faithful at the end of his weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican on Nov. 26, 2014. Reuters

Pope Francis made it much easier for parents to explain to their children what happens when the beloved family dog passes away. In an appearance at the Vatican, Francis said all animals go to heaven.

2014 High

2014 was a green year in terms of culture and politics, with more states legalizing marijuana and TV shows and movies treating pot like it's no big deal. GQ has a look at the year in pot.

The Last Meteor Shower Of The Year

The Geminids will peak over the weekend, in the last meteor shower of the year. As always, the best time to catch the shooting stars is after midnight and before dawn -- and be sure to view away from bright lights.