US Politics
Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, refused to advance a spending package including DHS funding, which requires 60 votes, after several senators opposed it following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis. More than half the Democratic caucus pledged to block the bill until ICE accountability measures are added.
Speaking of which, news has surfaced that Pretti was part of an anti-ICE activist group coordinating via Signal groups as a “shadow police” force, using emojis for roles, plate databases tracking 5,000 federal vehicles, and SALUTE reports to harass ICE agents, prompting grand jury subpoenas to Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Mayor Jacob Frey. Despite this, the Minnesota Timberwolves held a moment of silence for Pretti at their game against the Golden State Warriors, postponed due to riots, after which the crowd chanted “F**k ICE.”
In other news, the Supreme Court directed California Democrats to respond within a week to a Republican request for an emergency injunction blocking Proposition 50 congressional maps, which a lower court upheld despite Republican claims of racial gerrymandering in District 13 favoring Latino voters. The filing, supported by the Justice Department, seeks a ruling before February 9 candidate filing amid a related voting rights case. Critics highlighted inconsistencies with the court’s prior upholding of partisan maps in Texas.
Economy
In the silver markets, COMEX futures deliveries have reached 9,181 contracts, or about 46 million ounces and five times last year’s level. In the gold markets, German economists including Emanuel Mönch and Michael Jäger urged the Bundesbank to repatriate 1,236 tonnes of gold worth €164 billion from New York Federal Reserve vaults, citing risks from shifting US relations under Trump. However, Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel stated there are no concerns regarding the gold’s location.
Meanwhile, the US government agreed to take a 10% stake in USA Rare Earth through a $1.6 billion investment, including $277 million for shares and $1.3 billion in debt financing under the CHIPS Act, to develop domestic heavy rare earth deposits in Texas and Oklahoma used in semiconductors, missiles, and jets. Critics have described the investment as taxpayer-funded socialism.
Lastly, a recent post by Mark Jeftovic discusses a revised investment thesis that predicts state capitalism over the next five to 20 years, citing unsustainable public debt levels such as 122% of GDP in the US, 112% in France, and over 260% in Japan. He stated that governments face limits on tax hikes, spending cuts, and growth, potentially leading to inflation, financial repression, and capital controls. Jeftovic said states are increasingly directing capital allocation, treating assets like Bitcoin as strategic, while stablecoins extend dollar influence. He advocated a barbell strategy balancing regime-aligned sectors like energy and defense with sovereign assets including Bitcoin and gold, though some analysts forecast AI-driven productivity gains potentially offsetting debt concerns.
Geopolitics
Cuba accused the United States of imposing a “marine siege” and committing “international piracy” by blocking oil shipments from Venezuela following the January 3 Pentagon operation that ousted President Nicolás Maduro. Ambassador Carlos de Céspedes stated the actions threaten fuel imports of 35,000 barrels daily, worsening blackouts and shortages.
Across the pond, the European Union approved a ban on Russian gas imports starting in 2027, covering pipelines and LNG with no workarounds, as member states shift to increased supplies from the US and renewables. Hungary and Slovakia opposed the ban and plan legal challenges.
Moving east, China placed its top military officer, General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, under investigation for alleged violations including leaking nuclear weapons technical data to the United States, forming political cliques, abusing authority, and accepting bribes for promotions, according to the Wall Street Journal citing a senior briefing. The report came amid Xi Jinping’s military purge, which expelled nine generals in October and involved confiscating mobile devices from ranks under Zhang’s influence. Analysts noted skepticism on the nuclear leak claims, as Chinese officials confirmed only general discipline violations.
Energy
Centrus Energy plans to invest $560 million of a $900 million Department of Energy award into its Oak Ridge, Tennessee, facility to increase domestic nuclear centrifuge production ahead of 2029, creating over 400 jobs and reducing reliance on imports for uranium enrichment, where the US sources 99% of ore and 75% of services from abroad. The company’s stock faces persistent short interest of about 25%.
Privacy & Surveillance
The UK government committed to rolling out a digital ID system for all citizens and residents by 2029, increasingly mandatory for employment and already required for company directors via GOV.UK One Login, despite claims that it is optional. Critics have highlighted risks of surveillance, data breaches, and mission creep toward centralized control, especially with potential links to digital currencies. Officials affirmed its voluntary nature following public backlash.
Relatedly, the House of Lords has approved amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill extending age verification mandates to VPNs marketed to UK users and user-to-user services like social platforms and gaming, building on the Online Safety Act to restrict under-16 access. The votes passed 207-159 and 261-150, advancing to third reading, while proposals for device scanning and custom age thresholds were rejected.
Sources
Serfdom or Sovereignty: Jeftovic’s Revised Thesis for State Capitalism
Serfdom or Sovereignty (“SoS”) – that’s the choice now
Source | Submitted by tripping
China’s Top General Accused of Leaking Nuclear Secrets to US: WSJ Bombshell
Zhang had leaked core technical data on China’s nuclear weapons to the U.S.
Centrus Energy to Invest $560M in Oak Ridge for High-Rate Nuclear Centrifuge Production
Centrus will invest $560 million into their Oak Ridge, Tennessee, centrifuge production facility to convert it to a high-rate manufacturing plant
Supreme Court Orders California Democrats to Defend Prop 50 Maps
Supreme Court just ordered California to respond to our Emergency Application for an Injunction.
Cuba Accuses US of “Marine Siege” and “International Piracy” on Venezuelan Oil
The US is carrying out international piracy in the Caribbean Sea that is restricting and blocking the arrival of oil to Cuba.
US Govt Grabs 10% Stake in USA Rare Earth: $1.6B Bet Set to Squeeze Shorts Sky-High
Heavily Shorted USA Rare Earth To Soar After US Govt Takes 10% Stake
Schumer Vows Democrats Won’t Allow DHS Funding Bill to Advance
Senate Democrats will not allow the current DHS funding bill to move forward,
German Economists Urge Repatriation of Gold from US Vaults Amid Trump Risks
“Given the current geopolitical situation, it seems risky to store so much gold in the US.”
UK Digital ID: Not Optional, and a Slippery Slope to Surveillance
Government-Controlled Digital ID is Not the Optional Convenience It is Being Sold As
UK Lords Vote Age Checks for VPNs and Social Platforms
UK House of Lords Votes to Extend Age Verification to VPNs
Crowd Chants “F**k ICE” After Moment of Silence for Slain Agitator Alex Pretti at Timberwolves Game
Crowd yells “F**k ICE” after moment of silence
Minneapolis Activists Run Signal “Shadow Police” to Hunt and Harass ICE Agents
Left-Wing Activists Run Shadow Police Force On Signal To Target ICE In Minneapolis
EU Finalizes Total Ban on Russian Gas Imports from 2027
Imports of Russian gas will be banned starting in 2027.
Comex Silver Deliveries Surge to 9,181 Contracts, March Settlement in Doubt
At this pace there is no chance anyone holding Comex silver futures will be able to physically settle beyond March.
Source | Submitted by Chris Martenson
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Bundesbank, The Guardian, Reuters, Straits Times, Geopolitics in the Picture, Seeking Alpha, Daniel Lacalle, WION, NEXTA, LA Times, SCOTUSblog, Sen. Rick Scott, Sen. Mike Lee, and BBC.
by saxplayer00o1 
