Geopolitics & Economy
President Trump announced a 10 percent tariff on goods from eight NATO countries—Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland—effective February 1. The announcement follows reported opposition to his proposal to purchase Greenland from Denmark. The tariff is set to increase to 25 percent on June 1, 2026, until a deal on Greenland is reached. Trump cited national security needs in response to threats from China and Russia, and referenced historical U.S. interest in the territory for defense systems such as the Golden Dome. Protests against the plan occurred in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, while a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation traveled to Denmark for negotiations. Advisers reportedly emphasized that any increased U.S. military presence would involve full U.S. control. European leaders have expressed support for Denmark, describing the tariffs as economic coercion that risks transatlantic relations.
US Politics
A federal judge appointed by President Clinton denied the Department of Justice’s request for access to California’s voter registration databases, ruling that it constitutes an overreach violating privacy rights. The DOJ had sought names, addresses, and identification numbers to maintain voter rolls under federal law. The judge stated that the demand exceeds congressional intent and could chill voter participation. California officials have affirmed their commitment to protecting voter data privacy. The DOJ maintained that the request aimed to ensure election integrity through verification of voter eligibility.
Congress passed the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act, which requires federal agencies to cross-reference Social Security death records before issuing payments. The measure addresses $1.3 billion in erroneous payouts reported in 2025 and builds on a temporary fix enacted in 2023, with the aim of preventing ongoing fraud. The bipartisan bill received unanimous Senate support in 2025 and passed the House in January 2026.
Virginia’s newly sworn-in Governor Abigail Spanberger signed an executive order ending state cooperation with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The order rescinds her predecessor’s policies, including participation in the 287(g) program and assistance with detainer requests. It prevents state and local law enforcement from aiding in immigration enforcement and allows the release of convicted immigrants, reportedly to focus resources on community policing. During her inauguration, Spanberger criticized federal policies and urged action against what she described as threats to communities, healthcare, and public services. During her campaign, Spanberger faced scrutiny for not condemning a Democratic attorney general candidate’s statements about political opponents that were described as violent; the candidate was sworn in alongside her. Republican critics have argued that the order could endanger public safety by releasing convicted undocumented immigrants into communities.
Health
Nineteen states—California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin—announced they will not adopt the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s revised, slimmer childhood vaccine schedule issued on January 5. The states cited concerns over what they described as potential coercion in vaccination policies. State officials emphasized maintaining broader protection against diseases like rotavirus and hepatitis A to prevent outbreaks.
In another development, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear Bayer’s appeal in cases alleging that its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer, focusing on whether federal pesticide law preempts state failure-to-warn claims. The case arises from a Missouri verdict awarding $1.25 million to a plaintiff diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, amid approximately 65,000 similar suits. Bayer argues that the Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of labels without cancer warnings bars additional state requirements. Bayer states that decades of studies deem glyphosate safe despite the following report as covered in December 5, 2025’s Daily Digest:
A 2000 study, which the Environmental Protection Agency had cited to conclude that glyphosate does not cause cancer, has been retracted following evidence of fraud, including ghostwriting by Monsanto.
Bayer has settled prior cases for $10 billion but continues to face litigation, with mixed trial outcomes including a $2.1 billion award in Georgia in 2025. Plaintiffs contend that Bayer’s marketing failed to disclose cancer risks supported by international studies classifying glyphosate as probably carcinogenic.
Lastly, the Food and Drug Administration removed web content stating that cellphone radio frequency energy poses no health risks. The Department of Health and Human Services, under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has launched a study on the effects of electromagnetic radiation. Kennedy has cited potential harms such as tumors and neurological damage and has advocated precautions including the use of speakerphone. He previously litigated against phone companies and supported restrictions on cellphones in schools. The Federal Communications Commission maintains its position that there is no link to cancer, consistent with the National Cancer Institute. Mainstream reports claim scientific consensus from large epidemiological studies has found no conclusive link between cellphone use and health issues like cancer.
Privacy & Surveillance
The Federal Trade Commission has imposed a five-year ban on General Motors and its subsidiary OnStar from sharing consumers’ geolocation and driver behavior data with consumer reporting agencies. The order stems from a complaint alleging that GM collected and sold such data from millions of vehicles without clear disclosure or consent, reportedly using it to influence insurance rates. Under the order, GM must obtain affirmative consent for data collection and sharing for 20 years, allow data access and deletion requests, and has discontinued its Smart Driver program and related third-party partnerships. Privacy policies of other automakers, including Honda, Toyota, and Kia, indicate they also collect similar data, though the uses reportedly vary. GM has stated that the order aligns with steps it already took to enhance transparency following the program’s 2025 discontinuation.
European Politics
In the United Kingdom, authorities are considering recalling Lucy Connolly to prison for reposting a satirical X comment suggesting that President Trump take Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Venezuela as in that country, after probation officials deemed it “poor behavior” following a complaint. Connolly had previously been sentenced to 31 months for a post after the Southport attacks that called for mass deportations. She served 10 months and was released under strict conditions. Last year, nearly 10,000 people were arrested for offensive social media posts under laws including the Communications Act, amid proposals in the Online Safety Act to scan private messages. Connolly’s daughter reportedly faced exclusion from school due to the conviction. Probation officials stated that the recall consideration enforces license conditions to prevent inflammatory content and protect public safety.
Meanwhile, more than 20 English councils, mostly led by the Labour Party, have requested delays to May elections, which could extend councillor terms to seven years amid local government restructuring. The government plans to approve postponements affecting 2.8 million residents, citing delivery challenges, though the Electoral Commission has questioned whether the circumstances qualify as exceptional. Opposition parties, including Conservatives and Reform UK, have condemned the requests as an attempt to avoid voter judgment and have called for judicial review and changes to the law to prevent ministerial delays without a parliamentary vote. Government supporters described the delays as necessary for structural reforms requested by the councils themselves, not political maneuvering.
Sources
FTC Bans GM from Sharing Driver Geolocation Data with Insurers for Five Years
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has finalized an order banning General Motors (GM) from disclosing consumers’ geolocation and driver behavior data to consumer reporting agencies for a period of five years, the agency said in a Jan. 14 statement.
Trump’s Tariff Threat: 10% Hit on 8 NATO Nations Over Greenland Standoff
These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable,
Virginia’s New Governor Spanberger Halts ICE Cooperation, Releases Criminal Immigrants
Illegal aliens convicted of crimes will be released back onto the streets.
Congress Finally Passes Bill to Stop Sending Tax Dollars to the Dead
Hey look, Congress did something! (A few decades and a gazillion dollars too late, but hey.)
Supreme Court to Hear Bayer’s Bid to Limit Roundup Cancer Lawsuits
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Friday to hear Bayer’s bid to sharply limit lawsuits claiming that the company’s Roundup weedkiller causes cancer and potentially avert billions of dollars in damages.
Clinton-Appointed Judge Rejects DOJ’s Bid for California’s Voter Data, Citing Privacy Overreach
“The Department of Justice seeks to use civil rights legislation which was enacted for an entirely different purpose to amass and retain an unprecedented amount of confidential voter data.”
FDA Scrubs Cellphone Safety Claims as RFK Jr.-Led HHS Probes Radiation Risks
Without fanfare, the Food and Drug Administration has deleted multiple web pages asserting that cellphones are not dangerous.
UK Govt Eyes Re-Jailing Lucy Connolly for Reposting Satirical Trump-Starmer Jab
Lucy Connolly… is facing a recall to prison because she retweeted a joke about Donald Trump arresting Keir Starmer.
19 States Reject CDC’s Slimmed-Down Vaccine Schedule, Raising Coercion Concerns
at least 19 states have announced they WILL NOT follow the new CDC schedule.
Starmer ‘Running Scared’ from Voters: Dozens of Council Elections Delayed in Labour’s ‘Attack on Democracy’
“Labour are denying democracy and running scared of voters’ verdict on their appalling leadership.”
Source | Submitted by Mike from Jersey
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Federal Trade Commission press release, Detroit Free Press, Los Angeles Times, Reuters, The Guardian, U.S. Senator Mark Warner press release, Newsweek, Just the News, Associated Press, Scientific American, California Department of Public Health statement, Daily Mail Online, LBC, and The Independent.
by rodster 
