Energy
China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), known as the “artificial sun,” has reportedly set a new record by maintaining high-confinement plasma for over 17 minutes. This development is seen as a step forward in the pursuit of fusion power, which is considered a potential clean and limitless energy source. The Institute of Plasma Physics at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, achieved this milestone, surpassing the previous record of 403 seconds. The EAST project, initiated in 2006, serves as a testing platform for both Chinese and international scientists and contributes to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) program. New facilities in Hefei are under construction to support further fusion energy development. However, some analysts have raised concerns about the transparency of China’s fusion research, questioning the accuracy of the reported plasma confinement times.
Geopolitics
Klaus Schwab’s 2025 Risk Report outlines supposed challenges and opportunities in what he terms the “Intelligent Age,” marked by the rise of artificial intelligence and digital technologies. The report identifies risks such as armed conflicts, extreme weather events, and misinformation, while also discussing the potential for technological advancements. Schwab’s report suggests significant transformations in economic systems and personal lives, with both risks and opportunities for societal progress. Critics have expressed concerns about potential privacy issues and increased surveillance, while supporters emphasize the need for global cooperation to manage these technological changes.
US Politics
President Donald Trump has issued pardons for 23 pro-life activists who were convicted under the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. These pardons fulfill a campaign promise and coincide with the March for Life event in Washington, D.C. Additionally, Trump signed an executive order banning Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) in the United States, citing purported threats to financial stability and individual privacy. This order is intended to position the U.S. as a leader in digital financial technology. Critics argue that the ban might isolate the U.S. from global financial trends, while supporters view it as a protection of individual freedoms.
In another development, Trump has ordered the declassification of files related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. This executive order mandates a review and release plan for these documents. Furthermore, Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, has reportedly suspended several National Security Council staffers, particularly those involved with Ukraine, Iran, and North Korea. Some international allies have expressed concern over the potential disruption to ongoing diplomatic efforts.
The Secret Service is also undergoing changes under Director Sean Curran, who has reportedly initiated an overhaul that will result in dismissals or demotions of senior officials as part of efforts to address internal issues. While some view these changes as necessary for improving security, others worry about the potential impact on the agency’s morale and independence.
In Boston, ICE has conducted raids targeting violent offenders, including gang members with international arrest warrants. These operations highlight challenges posed by sanctuary policies, which have reportedly led to the release of individuals with serious criminal charges. The raids, conducted by ICE officers, underscore the agency’s efforts to apprehend dangerous individuals, even in jurisdictions with sanctuary policies. The Trump administration’s enforcement strategy has resulted in the arrest of additional individuals found in the company of primary targets. While some community members feel safer, others express concern over the impact on immigrant communities and civil liberties.
Finally, Rob Urie has expressed concerns about the reach of censorship under the Biden Administration, particularly regarding internet search results and content availability. Urie claims that the closure of the Global Engagement Center, a State Department entity, has led to changes in search results, suggesting government influence over search algorithms. He argues that these practices have impacted his ability to publish and conduct research. Critics of government censorship argue that such influence could infringe on free speech, while others believe it is necessary to combat misinformation.
Sources
China’s ‘Artificial Sun’ Sets New Fusion Record with 17-Minute Plasma Run
China’s EAST project has set a new global record by maintaining a high-confinement plasma state for over 17 minutes, paving the way for future clean energy solutions by mimicking the sun’s fusion process.
Source | Submitted by Barbara
Klaus Schwab’s 2025 Risk Report: A Glimpse into the “Intelligent Age” or Orwellian Nightmare?
We stand at the brink of the Intelligent Age.
Source | Submitted by Chris Martenson
Trump Pardons 23 Pro-Life Activists Ahead of March for Life, Fulfilling Campaign Promise
President Donald Trump issued pardons for 23 pro-life activists on Thursday, fulfilling a promise he made during the presidential campaign.
Source | Submitted by Walberga
Trump Bans Central Bank Digital Currencies, Declares U.S. a “Free Nation” at Davos
President Trump just signed an executive order banning Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).
The Vanishing Act: Rob Urie on Censorship Under the Biden Administration and the Reappearance of the Internet
Within hours of Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration, a decade of my writing on politics and economics was erased from the internet.
Source | Submitted by Mike from Jersey
ICE Raids in Boston: Elite Officers Target Violent Offenders Amid Sanctuary Policy Challenges
“We are targeting a very violent, um, threats to our community.”
Source | Submitted by dreinmund
Trump Orders Declassification of JFK, RFK, MLK Assassination Files: A Long-Awaited Move
Trump signs executive order to release more JFK, RFK, MLK assassination files
Source | Submitted by Mike from Jersey
Trump’s Adviser Waltz Suspends NSC Staff, Leaving Some Stranded at White House
Trump’s national security adviser Mike Waltz has sent dozens of National Security Council staffers responsible for Ukraine, Iran and North Korea home, suspending them from their jobs.
Secret Service Shake-Up: Director Sean Curran Begins Major Overhaul
Curran has already informed up to 10 senior agency officials that they will either get fired, demoted or forced into retirement.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Nuclear Fusion Watch, The Guardian, The Financial Times, Reuters, World Economic Forum (WEF) on X, The Hill, The New York Times, Bloomberg, The Washington Post, Fox News, The Boston Globe, ACLU Massachusetts, El Salvador’s Foreign Ministry, The Intercept, and Consortium News.