US Politics
U.S. Senator Ron Johnson has subpoenaed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for records related to COVID-19 vaccine safety, including communications involving Dr. Anthony Fauci. This action is part of an effort to obtain unredacted data and records that have been withheld from Congress and the public. The subpoena demands comprehensive documentation on vaccine safety, adverse event data, and internal communications, with a compliance deadline set for February 18, 2025. Critics, including the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, have labeled the subpoena as politically motivated, while vaccine skeptics view it as a step towards transparency.
In a separate development, the U.S. Navy has issued a directive prohibiting the use of the Chinese AI platform DeepSeek among its service members, citing security and ethical concerns. This decision follows allegations that DeepSeek’s R1 model may have utilized a technique known as “distillation” to replicate capabilities from OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The R1 model’s rapid rise in popularity, despite U.S. semiconductor export restrictions to China, has reportedly raised concerns within the U.S. technology sector. Former President Donald Trump has commented on the situation, urging U.S. tech companies to remain competitive in response to such advancements. DeepSeek has responded by emphasizing their commitment to ethical AI development and denied any unauthorized use of other companies’ technology, while cybersecurity experts suggest a balanced approach to AI security threats.
Health
A recent study by Denis Rancourt, Ph.D., challenges the public health narrative that childhood vaccines save millions of lives annually. The paper, published by Correlation, critiques the models used to support these claims, arguing they rely on inaccurate estimates and overlook factors such as nutritional deficiencies and poverty. Rancourt suggests that vaccination campaigns may correlate with increased child mortality, particularly in low-income countries, and calls for a reevaluation of resource allocation in these regions. In contrast, organizations like the WHO and Gavi emphasize the proven benefits of vaccines, citing extensive real-world data supporting their efficacy.
In related news, a participant in a Moderna vaccine trial has alleged that her adverse reactions were not reported to the FDA. Despite evidence linking her injury to the vaccine, the participant claims that Moderna failed to provide necessary medical care and did not include her adverse reactions in reports submitted for emergency use authorization. This case highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in vaccine trials. Moderna has stated that all adverse events are reported to regulatory bodies, and the FDA continues to monitor vaccine safety through established systems.
Economy
The Bank of England is under scrutiny amid delays in gold deliveries and increased shipments to New York, reportedly driven by concerns over potential U.S. tariffs. These issues, along with the Bank’s struggle to meet withdrawal demands, have raised questions about its gold reserves, liquidity, and reliance on leasing practices. At the same time, its new contingent non-bank lending facility aims to stabilize the gilt market, though concerns over currency debasement and financial stability persist. While some analysts view the market’s reaction as overblown, others are calling for greater transparency in the Bank’s gold reserve management.
Mid-Air Collision
The collision of an American Airlines regional jet and a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport has resulted in a loss of life, with no survivors found among the 60 passengers, four crew members, and three soldiers involved. The incident has prompted a large-scale search and rescue operation under challenging weather conditions. President Trump and other officials have expressed condolences, and the National Transportation Safety Board is set to investigate the cause of the crash. The deployment of the E-4B “Doomsday Plane” to the area has raised questions about whether the response was part of a national security alert or a routine exercise. American Airlines and military officials have confirmed their cooperation with the investigation, while aviation experts call for a review of air traffic control protocols in high-density areas.
Sources
U.S. Navy Bans Chinese AI DeepSeek Amidst Security Concerns and Allegations of ChatGPT Distillation
U.S. Navy Bans DeepSeek Over ‘Security Concerns’ As ‘Substantial’ Evidence Emerges Chinese AI Ripped Off ChatGPT
Source | Submitted by nickythec
Mid-Air Tragedy: American Airlines Jet and Military Helicopter Collide Over DC, No Survivors Found
“Our concern is for the passengers and crew on board the aircraft,” American Airlines told The Post in a statement.
Source | Submitted by juvan
Flawed Models? Study Challenges Claims of Vaccines Saving Millions of Lives
Claims by public health agencies and in top medical journals that childhood vaccination prevents millions of deaths annually are based on flawed epidemiological models, according to a paper published today by Correlation, a Canadian nonprofit research organization.
Source | Submitted by Barbara
The Emperor’s New Gold: Bank of England’s Gilt Gamble and the Looming Currency Crisis
The emperor has no clothes. Uh, this is a house of cards.
Source | Submitted by rhollenb
Sen. Ron Johnson Subpoenas HHS for COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Records, Including Fauci Emails
Sen. Johnson’s subpoena to HHS is a culmination of a multi-year fight to overcome the obstruction of the Biden administration to get unredacted records and data about the COVID-19 pandemic and the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines.
Source | Submitted by Chris Martenson
Vaccine Trial Participant Claims Injury Ignored by Moderna, Adverse Reactions Unreported to FDA
If you are injured in a vaccine clinical trial, they will deny your injury, not help you as promised, and not report it.
Source | Submitted by Chris Martenson
Midair Collision Over Potomac: Passenger Jet and Black Hawk Helicopter Crash Near D.C.
A passenger jet and a Black Hawk helicopter collided in midair Wednesday and crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C., officials said.
Source | Submitted by Karen from Virginia
E-4B “Doomsday Plane” Scrambles to Potomac: National Security Alert or Routine Exercise?
The E-4B is designed to be a survivable command, control, and communications center, particularly in scenarios involving national emergencies or nuclear threats.
Source | Submitted by Patriot83
Gold Rush to New York Sparks Crisis at Bank of England Amid Tariff Fears
Gold stockpiling in New York leads to London shortage. Wait to withdraw bullion from BoE rises sharply as fears of Trump tariffs drive shipments to US.
Source | Submitted by PeakCovid
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: DeepSeek’s official X post, Bruce Schneier’s X post, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), World Health Organization (WHO) X post, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance X post, Moderna on X, FDA on X, American Airlines X post, Joint Task Force-National Capitol Region X post, Financial Times, Bloomberg, and Seeking Alpha.