US Politics
In North Carolina, Donald Trump has suggested dismantling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), citing what he perceives as inefficiency and advocating for state-level solutions to disaster management. He criticized FEMA’s response capabilities and proposed that states should handle emergencies independently. Critics argue that dismantling FEMA could lead to inconsistent disaster response capabilities across states, potentially leaving some communities vulnerable.
Further south, U.S. Marines have been deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection clarified that the Marines are there to provide support in areas like engineering and logistics, not to engage in law enforcement activities.
Meanwhile, Trump announced the withdrawal of 20,000 U.S. troops from Europe, indicating a shift in U.S. military strategy and presence on the continent. This decision has sparked concerns among European allies about potential destabilization, with German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer emphasizing the importance of a strong U.S. military presence for European security.
Environment
Southern California is preparing for its first winter storm of the season, with increased rain totals and snow expected at lower elevations. The National Weather Service forecasts significant rainfall, particularly in the San Gabriel foothills, and warns of potential mudslides in recent burn areas. The storm is expected to bring snow to elevations as low as 4,000 feet, with significant accumulations above 6,000 feet. The weather system is anticipated to impact the region primarily on Sunday, with lingering showers possible into Monday. While the storm could provide much-needed relief to drought-stricken areas, it also poses risks of flooding and debris flows, particularly in burn scars.
Economy
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reversed a policy that previously made it costly for banks to hold cryptocurrency. This move aligns with Trump’s campaign promise to enhance the U.S. position in the crypto space. The reversal of SAB 121, which required banks to account for digital assets as liabilities, was welcomed by the financial sector. SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce expressed support for the change, and a task force has been established to create a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency. However, some critics warn that this could expose banks to the volatility of cryptocurrencies, potentially destabilizing the financial system.
Finally, China’s DeepSeek has emerged as a competitor to U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) ambitions. DeepSeek’s AI models, developed using reinforcement learning, have reportedly outperformed existing models while requiring less data and computing power. Unlike the closed-source approach of U.S. companies like OpenAI, DeepSeek’s open-source models have fostered global collaboration and innovation. This development highlights the potential of open-source models in driving AI advancements and challenges the U.S. reliance on financial investment and proprietary technology. In response, the U.S. announced Stargate, a $500 billion AI infrastructure project, which has been met with both support and criticism regarding its potential impact on taxpayers and the tech industry.
Health
A recent study has reported a link between vaccination and increased neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) in children enrolled in Medicaid. The research focused on nine-year-old children in Florida and found that vaccinated children had higher odds of being diagnosed with NDDs, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study highlighted a correlation between the number of vaccination visits and increased ASD risk, particularly among preterm children. These findings have raised concerns about the current vaccination schedule and its potential impact on children’s health, prompting calls for further research. Experts caution against drawing definitive conclusions from this observational study, emphasizing the need for randomized controlled trials to establish causality.
Sources
China’s DeepSeek Triumphs Over US AI Ambitions: A Lesson in Innovation
Currently the factual correctness of the output of the best large language models is an estimated 80%. They process symbols and pattern but have no understanding of what those symbols or pattern represent.
Source | Submitted by Chris Martenson
Southern California Braces for First Winter Storm: Rain Totals Rise, Snow Expected at Lower Elevations
“Beginning Saturday morning, we’ll see mostly cloudy skies and breezy conditions, and then in the afternoon, we’ll see increasing chances of rain kicking off a roughly 48-hour period of rain showers,” KTLA’s Kirk Hawkins said Friday.
Source | Submitted by Walberga
Vaccination Linked to Increased Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Medicaid-Enrolled Children, Study Finds
Source | Submitted by sand_kitty
Trump Announces Withdrawal of 20,000 US Troops from Europe
Trump to WITHDRAW 20 THOUSAND US troops from EUROPE.
SEC Reverses Policy, Paving Way for Banks to Embrace Cryptocurrency
The SEC has reversed a policy that made it costly for banks to hold cryptocurrency.
U.S. Marines Deployed to Mexican Border
BREAKING REPORT:⚠️ U.S. Marines have arrived at the US / Mexico border..
Source | Submitted by Chris Martenson
Trump Suggests Dismantling FEMA, Citing Inefficiency and State-Level Solutions
I think we’re going to recommend that FEMA go away.
Source | Submitted by Chris Martenson
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: The Hill, Reuters, U.S. Customs and Border Protection on X, CNN, Financial Times, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, BBC News, and Bloomberg.
