Health
The CDC’s Vaccine Advisory Committee, under new leadership, has voted against recommending influenza shots containing mercury. The committee also plans to review the MMRV vaccine’s administration and has formed subcommittees to assess the cumulative effects of the childhood immunization schedule and re-evaluate vaccines not reviewed in over seven years. Dr. Paul Offit, a well-known vaccine advocate, criticized the decision to remove thimerosal from flu vaccines, arguing that the amount of mercury in vaccines is negligible and that this move could lead to vaccine hesitancy and reduced access to flu shots.
Energy
The U.S. shale industry is reportedly facing a slowdown in drilling activities due to lower oil prices and uncertainties around Trump’s tariffs. A Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas survey indicates that nearly half of oil executives expect to drill fewer wells than planned, with tariffs increasing drilling costs by 4.01% to 6%. However, some argue that Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” policy is intended to boost domestic production, suggesting that the industry’s current challenges are short-term and part of a larger strategy to reduce reliance on foreign oil.
Relatedly, oil production is expected to decline slightly at $60 WTI, with 61% of oil executives anticipating a minor decrease, according to a report by Art Berman. However, there’s a slight optimism in the long-term price expectations, with WTI oil prices expected to rise to $72 per barrel in two years and $77 in five years.
In Mexico, oil production has reportedly hit a 46-year low, signaling challenges in the country’s energy sector. However, an opposing viewpoint argues that the focus on refining rather than production might be a strategic move to reduce dependency on foreign refining capabilities, potentially benefiting Mexico in the long run.
Economy
AllUnity, a joint venture by DWS and Deutsche Bank, has received regulatory approval from BaFin to issue EURAU, a euro-pegged stablecoin. This development positions AllUnity as a significant player in Europe’s stablecoin market, particularly as competitors like Tether face regulatory challenges under the new MiCA framework. However, some argue that while MiCA aims to regulate stablecoins, it might stifle innovation by imposing too many restrictions, potentially driving stablecoin issuers to less regulated markets.
Public companies have reportedly acquired approximately 131,000 BTC in Q2 2025, outpacing ETFs for the third consecutive quarter. This trend suggests a strategic move by companies to increase shareholder value through Bitcoin accumulation, differing from the motivations of ETF investors. However, there is skepticism from some financial analysts who argue that Bitcoin’s volatility makes it an unsuitable asset for corporate treasuries, suggesting that the trend might not be sustainable in the long term.
Erebor, a new bank backed by tech investors including Palmer Luckey and Joe Lonsdale, aims to serve sectors like blockchain, AI, defense, and advanced manufacturing. It positions itself as a digital-only bank to fill the gap left by Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse, focusing on both traditional and virtual currency-related banking products. However, there are concerns about the political affiliations of Erebor’s founders, with some suggesting that their support for Trump might complicate regulatory approval and could lead to political scrutiny.
In other news, President Trump has announced a trade deal with Vietnam, imposing a 20% tariff on Vietnamese goods entering the U.S. and a 40% tariff on transshipping, aimed at China. In return, Vietnam will reportedly open its markets to U.S. products at zero tariffs, a move that could impact U.S.-China relations. However, critics argue that the deal might strain U.S.-China relations further, with some analysts suggesting that China might retaliate against Vietnam for aligning with U.S. trade policies.
US Politics
A federal judge has blocked a directive from the Trump administration that would have barred asylum for those illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, citing an overreach of authority. This ruling, which allows for an appeal, comes amidst reports of historically low border crossings. Stephen Miller, a senior adviser to Trump, criticized the ruling, calling it an attempt to circumvent a recent Supreme Court ruling on nationwide injunctions.
A CIA review has reportedly found that the Obama administration’s 2016 Intelligence Community Assessment on Russian election interference was influenced by political motives. The assessment, which suggested Russian support for Trump, was criticized for its rushed process, exclusion of key agencies, and the inclusion of the controversial Steele dossier, according to the review. However, former intelligence officials have defended the integrity of the original assessment, arguing that while there were procedural irregularities, the core findings of Russian interference remain credible.
Technology
Cybersecurity concerns have reportedly increased following a series of hacks at the US Treasury Department. Over the past five years, three major cyberattacks have exposed vulnerabilities, leading to calls for improved cybersecurity practices and collaboration between government and financial institutions, according to Bloomberg News. The American Bankers Association has expressed concerns about the cybersecurity risk management practices at federal regulatory agencies, emphasizing the need for reforms to prevent unnecessary risks to financial firms through regulators’ security weaknesses.
Researchers at the University of Missouri are using AI to analyze geotagged Instagram posts and Google Street View images to create “sentiment maps” of cities. According to a recent study, this technology aims to guide urban planning by understanding how urban environments influence human emotions. The study suggests potential applications in enhancing city services, identifying unsafe areas, and aiding in emergency planning. However, there are concerns about the accuracy and privacy implications of using social media data for such purposes, with critics questioning whether the data truly represents the general population or just a subset of social media users.
Sources
AI Maps City Moods: Urban Planning Gets an Emotional Upgrade
“We envision a future where data on how people feel becomes a core part of city dashboards.”
Source | Submitted by Barbara
Treasury Hacks Reveal Cybersecurity Failures, Raising Bank Concerns
In three major hacks, Treasury didn’t deploy cybersecurity measures that could have prevented the attacks or flagged the intruders sooner, a Bloomberg News investigation found.
Source (Paywalled) | Submitted by Shplad
AllUnity’s EURAU Stablecoin Gets Green Light from German Regulator
BaFin has granted an E-Money Institution (EMI) license to AllUnity.
Judge Blocks Trump’s Asylum Ban, Citing Overreach of Authority
The president cannot “adopt an alternative immigration system, which supplants the statutes that Congress has enacted,” Moss wrote in the order.
CDC’s Vaccine Advisory Committee Shifts Focus: Mercury Out, New Subcommittees In
“It is important to evaluate the cumulative effect of the recommended vaccine schedule,” Kulldorff said.
Corporate Bitcoin Holdings Outpace ETFs for Third Consecutive Quarter
Corporate treasuries have surpassed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in Bitcoin accumulation for the third consecutive quarter, according to new data from Bitcoin Treasuries.
Trump Strikes Trade Deal with Vietnam: Imposes Tariffs, Opens Markets
Vietnam will do something that they have never done before, give the United States of America TOTAL ACCESS to their Markets for Trade.
Trump’s Tariffs Trigger US Shale Drilling Slowdown
“It’s hard to imagine how much worse policies and D.C. rhetoric could have been for US E&P companies.”
Source (Paywalled)
CIA Review Reveals Obama’s Trump-Russia Collusion Report Was Politically Corrupted
“Obama’s Trump-Russia collusion report was corrupt from start: CIA review”
Oil Production Set to Decline Slightly at $60 WTI, Survey Reveals
At $60 WTI, 61% of oil execs say production will decline slightly.
Mexican Oil Production Reaches Lowest Point in 46 Years
Mexican oil production hits 46-year low.
Erebor: A New Bank for Tech’s Risky Ventures, Stablecoins, and Defense Tech
Erebor would aim to serve the “innovation economy” – start-ups and individuals in sectors often viewed as too risky for traditional lenders, including blockchain, AI, defense, and advanced manufacturing.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: ABA, Bloomberg, Clapper, ConservativeVoice, CryptoSkeptic, Dallas Fed Energy Survey, Financial Watchdog, Miller, New York Times, Offit, South China Morning Post, Zepeda.
by kathy10 
