Health
In Michigan, Democrats introduced 11 bills under the “Empower Parents, Protect Communities” package to tighten school vaccine requirements without banning exemptions outright. The measures centralize exemption applications through the state health department, require in-person forms omitting “religious conviction” in favor of “objection,” mandate schools and daycares to publicly post anonymized vaccination data, and grant the department authority to set policies based on recommendations from organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics alongside CDC guidelines. Additional provisions include access to vaccination registries, parental status notifications, reporting to local governments, continued insurance coverage for certain vaccines, and expanded standing orders during crises. Sponsors argue the bills inform parental choices and enhance community safety, while opponents contend they impose bureaucratic hurdles, surveillance, and public shaming, shifting control from families and doctors to the state. The bills were referred to the House Committee on Government Operations on December 10, with no hearings scheduled yet. Proponents describe the measures as enhancing transparency to protect against disease outbreaks without eliminating exemptions.
At the federal level, the U.S. House advanced the Republican-led Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, excluding an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire this month. The bill maintains original Obamacare subsidies and incorporates reforms such as greater prescription drug pricing transparency, federal funding for reduced co-payments and deductibles, easier access to stop-loss insurance for self-insured businesses, and expanded association health plans for small employers and the self-employed. GOP leaders rejected amendments for subsidy extensions, and Republicans estimate the provisions could lower premiums by up to 16%. Democrats warn of coverage losses for 24 million Americans and launched a discharge petition needing four more Republican supporters for a three-year extension. GOP supporters emphasize long-term market reforms to reduce reliance on temporary subsidies.
Economy
The Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC), which processed $3.7 quadrillion in securities transactions last year, plans to tokenize a subset of U.S. Treasury securities on the permissioned Canton Network blockchain in collaboration with Digital Asset. The initiative received a three-year no-action letter from the SEC, starting with liquid assets like Treasury bills, bonds, notes, and major index ETFs, aiming for a minimum viable product by mid-2026. DTCC will co-chair the Canton Foundation, providing digitized instruments in a regulated environment. SEC Chair Paul Atkins called it a step toward onchain capital markets, though analysts note limited immediate DeFi integration due to the permissioned network. Skeptics claim this is another step towards mechanizing the Great Taking.
Meanwhile, Oracle paused its $10 billion AI data center project in Michigan, part of the Stargate initiative with OpenAI, after Blue Owl Capital withdrew over Oracle’s $108 billion debt load and high default risks. The firm signed a $300 billion contract with OpenAI, deferring revenue to 2027 and increasing cash burn. This highlights tightening financing for AI projects amid investor caution and energy demands. Oracle stated equity discussions continue without Blue Owl.
Charlie Kirk Assassination
Following her meeting with Erika Kirk, Candace Owens cited discrepancies in the FBI’s initial reports and procedural irregularities. She claimed statements about Kirk’s “bones of steel” and a neck wound from a .30-06 rifle were fabricated by investigator Andrew Kolvet to shape the narrative, not sourced from the surgeon. Owens stated that after the surgeon left the ER to make a call upon finding Kirk with a pulse but unlikely to survive, FBI agents blocked re-entry to “clean him up” for his wife Erika’s arrival, relenting only after the surgeon’s phone intervention. Prior to the weapon’s discovery, police and explosive-detection dogs searched areas without findings, but federal agents later directed a re-search that located the rifle in a previously cleared spot. A tracking dog scented from the ground where the suspect allegedly jumped from the roof, not directly from the rooftop position. Owens also referenced an unconfirmed report of a BOLO for a white Toyota RAV4 post-shooting, where police pulled over the speeding vehicle only to encounter a federal officer flashing a badge and asserting rank, allowing departure. Multiple on-site police described the federal response as deviating from protocol, resembling a “wild goose chase,” according to Owens. Official statements and reports denied interference, attributing federal actions to standard protocol in high-profile cases, while dismissing the allegations as unsubstantiated.
US Politics
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced his resignation effective January, thanking President Trump, Attorney General Bondi, and Director Patel. Bongino expressed gratitude for serving the country, and Trump praised his performance while suggesting a return to media. The announcement follows internal changes at the bureau, with observers noting his brief tenure amid controversies.
Geopolitics
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused EU leaders of inflating fears of Russian aggression, labeling them “European swine” for policies aimed at collapsing Russia. He dismissed war claims as “nonsense,” preferring diplomatic resolution in Ukraine but warning of military pursuit if talks fail, including liberating historical lands and creating a security buffer. The remarks come amid U.S. peace efforts, potential sanctions, and Zelensky’s demands for guarantees without concessions. Critics see them as evidence of insincere diplomacy.
In related news, Ukrainian forces struck Lukoil’s Grayfer and Filanovsky oil fields in the Caspian Sea on December 14 and 11, halting production at multiple wells with significant reserves. The attacks target Russian energy infrastructure amid reciprocal strikes as winter nears. Russian media reported quick fire containment and partial resumptions with minimal disruptions.
Russia deployed eight nuclear-powered icebreakers, including Arktika-class vessels, to maintain winter Arctic shipping lanes despite sanctions, supporting export terminals. Three more are under construction, though slowed by restrictions. U.S. reports raised concerns about potential Arctic militarization.
Energy
Global coal demand hit a record 8.845 billion tons in 2025, up 0.5%, per the International Energy Agency, forecasting a peak this year and gradual decline by 2030. Demand remains strong in Asia, flat in China, growing in India and Southeast Asia, while shifting to backup roles in advanced economies. U.S. demand rebounds in 2025 with slower retirements to meet data center and electrification needs. Analysts note past premature peak predictions and upside risks.
U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Chris Van Hollen, and Richard Blumenthal investigated seven AI companies—Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Equinix, Digital Realty, and CoreWeave—for shifting data center energy costs to residential users via tactics like NDAs and lobbying. Studies show price hikes up to 267% near hubs, with potential 25% increases in states like Virginia by 2030. Senators demand responses by January 12, 2026, on projections, impacts, and incentives, exploring safeguards like upfront payments enacted in some states. Industry highlights economic benefits such as job creation amid scrutiny.
Sources
Ukraine’s Drone Strike Halts Production at Lukoil’s Grayfer Field
Ukraine has damaged an offshore drilling rig at Lukoil’s Grayfer field in the Russian Caspian Sea in a drone attack, the Ukrainian General Staff said on Wednesday.
Source | Submitted by jhughes1973
Senators Probe Big Tech’s Shady Tactics to Offload Data Center Power Costs on Americans
Senators count the shady ways data centers pass energy costs on to Americans
Source | Submitted by Shplad
Record Coal Demand Hits All-Time High in 2025, IEA Forecasts Gradual Decline
2025 global coal demand: 8.85 billion tonnes, a new record.
Russia Deploys Full Nuclear Icebreaker Fleet to Secure Arctic Exports Amid Sanctions
Russia deploys all eight nuclear icebreakers to keep Arctic export routes open.
DTCC to Tokenize US Treasuries on Blockchain, SEC Grants No-Action Relief
The Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation said it is set to bring tokenized US Treasurys onchain, and plans to expand to a “broad spectrum” of assets in the future.
House Advances GOP Healthcare Bill Without Enhanced ACA Subsidy Extension Amid Party Dissent
The House will vote on a Republican health care plan that does not include an extension of the expiring enhanced tax credits for Obamacare, a decision by GOP leaders that produced some dissension within the party.
Putin Slams EU Leaders as ‘European Swine’ for Botched Plot to Collapse Russia
“European piglets”
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino Announces January Resignation
“I will be leaving my position with the FBI in January,”
Michigan Lawmakers’ 11 Bills Target Vaccine Exemptions, Eroding Parental Choice
Michigan lawmakers are considering 11 bills that would make it more difficult for families to obtain exemptions from school-based vaccine requirements for their children.
Oracle Shelves $10B AI Data Center Amid Exploding Debt and Investor Jitters
The reason? Oracle’s debt has exploded to $108 billion and lenders are getting nervous about whether the company can actually pay it all back.
Candace Owens Unveils Explosive Claims of FBI Involvement in Charlie Kirk Shooting Conspiracy
These new confirmations and allegations make it even more plausible that this was an inside, fed related, military intelligence style operation.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: OilPrice.com, Stars and Stripes, Bloomberg Opinion, Stefan Bethlenfalvay, DL News, Reuters, NPR, Bridge Michigan, The Guardian, Politico, NBC News, and The Daily Wire.
by kathy10 
