Geopolitics
President Trump, along with Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, JD Vance, and Susie Wiles, reportedly intervened to halt an Israeli airstrike on Iranian nuclear sites, favoring negotiations over military action, according to reports from The New York Times. This intervention has potentially averted a major escalation in the Middle East. However, this decision has led to internal turmoil within the administration, with three of Hegseth’s aides being fired for alleged leaks. Iranian state media has reported on the incident, framing it as a victory for diplomacy over military aggression, suggesting that the decision to halt the attack was influenced by international pressure and internal U.S. politics.
The Darien Gap has seen a decline in migration following U.S. President Trump’s policies restricting asylum access. Local economies that thrived on migrant traffic have collapsed, with residents like Luis Olea returning to traditional farming. In Villa Caleta, residents like Donaldo Quiros have returned to traditional farming, while others like Pedro Chami are attempting new ventures like gold panning to survive the economic downturn caused by the drop in migration.
Health
During release of new autism figures, Health Secretary Kennedy challenged the narrative that the increase in autism diagnoses is solely due to better diagnostic practices. He cited a 1987 study from North Dakota which found an autism rate significantly lower than today’s figures, arguing that the epidemic might not be just a result of improved detection. Dr. Peter Hotez, a noted vaccine advocate, responded to RFK Jr.’s claims by stating that the increase in autism diagnoses is largely due to changes in diagnostic criteria, increased awareness, and better identification of autism spectrum disorders.
Meanwhile, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is considering narrowing the recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, moving towards a risk-based approach. This shift comes as data shows the current vaccines are less than 50% effective against hospitalization. Dr. Denise Jamieson on X opposed the narrowing, citing an unpublished CDC analysis indicating that a significant portion of adults have conditions that increase their risk for severe COVID-19.
In Australia, the Queensland Government has decided to erase the QoVAX Study, a biobank related to COVID-19 vaccine research. This decision has drawn criticism for potentially erasing valuable scientific data. The Guardian provided an opposing viewpoint, stating that the Queensland Government’s decision was influenced by privacy issues and the potential misuse of genetic data.
China continues to deal with the aftermath of respiratory infections, with residents reporting overcrowded crematoriums and empty neighborhoods. Despite official figures claiming a stable population, social media posts suggest a significant decline, with many questioning the government’s data reliability. Dr. Tang Jingyuan, a U.S.-based China observer and physician, told The Epoch Times that China’s population has likely experienced a significant decline due to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 and related policies. He highlighted the discrepancy between official figures and the observed reality, suggesting a cover-up by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
US Politics
The Trump administration’s Department of Justice has appealed a federal judge’s decision that machine guns are protected under the Second Amendment. The DOJ argues that these weapons are not in ‘common use,’ a criterion established by the Supreme Court in the Bruen case, thus not warranting Second Amendment protection. The National Rifle Association (NRA) has criticized the Trump administration’s appeal, arguing that the Second Amendment should protect all arms, including machine guns, as they are essential for self-defense against potential tyranny.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is facing a significant staff reduction, with 25% of its workforce opting for a buyout amidst an efficiency drive by the Trump administration. This move is part of a broader initiative to reduce federal spending and streamline government operations. The Washington Post highlighted concerns from tax professionals and former IRS employees about the potential impact on service quality due to the significant staff reduction.
In another development, President Biden, in his first speech since leaving office, reflected on past injustices, focusing on school segregation. He recounted a personal anecdote about seeing black children on a bus, which he said sparked his sense of outrage about racial inequality. Biden emphasized the importance of dignity and respect. Fox News highlighted the “colored kids” comment, questioning the appropriateness of Biden’s language and suggesting it might reflect a lack of sensitivity or awareness regarding modern racial discourse.
British Politics
The UK Supreme Court has ruled that transgender women are not legally women under the Equality Act 2010, which defines sex by biological terms. This decision has implications for ongoing debates about transgender rights. Stonewall, a prominent UK charity advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, expressed disappointment over the ruling, arguing that it undermines the rights of transgender individuals and could lead to increased discrimination.
Economy
Michael Every, in a talk given last year, presents changes to the global trade landscape, with countries like the U.S. showing signs of retreating from free trade policies. This shift is part of a broader trend where nations are imposing tariffs and seeking to diversify supply chains, as seen with China’s efforts to source iron ore from Africa instead of Australia. The World Trade Organization has voiced concerns about this fragmentation. The Australian Trade Minister tweeted about the shifting trade sands, particularly mentioning the potential impact of China’s move to diversify its iron ore sources away from Australia.
Sources
China’s Ghost Towns and Overcrowded Crematoriums: The Hidden Toll of Respiratory Infections
“In recent years, local villages with populations of around 500 to 600 people have reported many deaths.”
Source | Submitted by Redneck Engineer
Queensland Government to Erase Historic COVID Vaccine Study Biobank
The QoVAX Study — a world-class, award-winning COVID vaccine research project — is being erased from history.
Trump’s Policies Turn Darien Gap Boomtowns into Ghost Towns
“Before, we lived off of the migration,” 63-year-old Olea said. “But now that’s all gone.”
Source | Submitted by Belmontl
Navigating the Shifting Sands of Global Trade: A Tale of Tariffs, Trade Deficits, and Fragmentation
“Trade can be wonderful, and it can make you richer. It can also make you poorer. It can bring us together; it can also drive us apart.”
Source | Submitted by neutronstar
UK Supreme Court Clarifies: Transgender Women Not Legally Women Under Equality Act
The court delivered an 88-page ruling that explicitly stated that the “concept of sex is binary” under the Equality Act 2010.
Source | Submitted by rhollenb
Biden’s Speech on Dignity and Past Injustices: A Reflection on School Segregation
I remember seeing the kids going by at the time called colored kids on a bus going by.
Source | Submitted by nickythec
Trump DOJ Appeals Ruling: Argues Machine Guns Not Protected by 2nd Amendment Due to Lack of ‘Common Use’
But the Trump administration is now asking for this decision to be reversed.
CDC Advisers Lean Towards Narrower COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are considering advising the agency to narrow use of COVID-19 vaccines.
“Mass Exodus at IRS: 25% of Workforce Opts for Buyout Amidst Low Morale and Efficiency Drive”
“This is enormous,” sources told the anti-Trump news outlet.
RFK Jr. Challenges Autism Diagnosis Claims with Historical Data
The epidemic is real.
Trump, Gabbard, and Hegseth Intervene to Prevent Israeli Airstrike on Iran, Averting Potential Global Conflict
President Trump, Tulsi Gabbard, and Pete Hegseth stepped in to HALT an Israeli airstrike on Iranian nuclear sites in favor of negotions, per NYT
Tulsi Gabbard and Team Thwarted Israel-U.S. Strike on Iran, Sparking Internal Turmoil
Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, JD Vance and Susie Wiles helped shut down Israel/USA joint attack on Iran — NY Times
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Al Jazeera, AP, Bloomberg, CNN, Children’s Health Defense, Dr. John Campbell, Fox News, International Crisis Group, Le Monde, Reuters, Stonewall, The American Conservative, The American Spectator, The Autism Science Foundation, The Conservative Treehouse, The Daily Caller, The Daily Sceptic, The Epoch Times, The Financial Times, The Firearm Blog, The Guardian, The Hill, The Jerusalem Post, The New York Times, The Telegraph, The Washington Post.
by jsmithtx 
