week ending Jan 3

FOMC Minutes: Further Cuts "Likely" Appropriate if Inflation Declines as Expected --From the Fed: Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, December 9–10, 2025. . Excerpt: In their consideration of monetary policy at this meeting, participants noted that inflation had moved up since earlier in the year and remained somewhat elevated. Participants further noted that available indicators suggested that economic activity had been expanding at a moderate pace. They observed that job gains had slowed this year and that the unemployment rate had edged up through September. Participants assessed that more recent indicators were consistent with these developments. In addition, they judged that downside risks to employment had risen in recent months. Against this backdrop, most participants supported lowering the target range for the federal funds rate at this meeting, while some preferred to keep the target range unchanged. A few of those who supported lowering the policy rate at this meeting indicated that the decision was finely balanced or that they could have supported keeping the target range unchanged. Those who favored lowering the target range for the federal funds rate generally judged that such a decision was appropriate because downside risks to employment had increased in recent months and upside risks to inflation had diminished since earlier in 2025 or were little changed. Some of these participants emphasized that lowering the target range for the federal funds rate at this meeting was in line with a forward-looking approach to the pursuit of the Committee's dual-mandate objectives. These participants noted that reducing the policy rate at this meeting would be consistent with the projected decline in inflation over coming quarters while contributing to a strengthening of economic activity in 2026 that would help stabilize labor market conditions after this year's cooling. Those who preferred to keep the target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at this meeting expressed concern that progress toward the Committee's 2 percent inflation objective had stalled in 2025 or indicated that they needed to have more confidence that inflation was being brought down sustainably to the Committee's objective. These participants also noted that longer-term inflation expectations could rise should inflation not return to 2 percent in a timely manner. Some participants who favored or could have supported keeping the target range unchanged suggested that the arrival of a considerable amount of labor market and inflation data over the coming intermeeting period would be helpful in making judgments on whether a rate reduction was warranted. A few participants judged that lowering the federal funds rate target range at this meeting was not justified because data received over the intermeeting period did not suggest any significant further weakening in the labor market. One participant agreed with the need to move toward a more neutral monetary policy stance but preferred lowering the target range by 1/2 percentage point at this meeting. In considering the outlook for monetary policy, participants expressed a range of views about the restrictiveness of the Committee's policy stance.Most participants judged that further downward adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate would likely be appropriate if inflation declined over time as expected. With respect to the extent and timing of additional adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, some participants suggested that, under their economic outlooks, it would likely be appropriate to keep the target range unchanged for some time after a lowering of the range at this meeting. A few participants observed that such an approach would allow policymakers to assess the lagged effects on the labor market and economic activity of the Committee's recent moves toward a more neutral policy stance while also giving policymakers time to acquire more confidence about inflation returning to 2 percent. All participants agreed that monetary policy was not on a preset course and would be informed by a wide range of incoming data, the evolving economic outlook, and the balance of risks. In discussing risk-management considerations that could bear on the outlook for monetary policy, participants generally judged that upside risks to inflation remained elevated and that downside risks to employment were elevated and had increased since the middle of 2025. Most participants noted that a move toward a more neutral policy stance would help forestall the possibility of a major deterioration in labor market conditions. Many of these participants also judged that the available evidence pointed to a reduced probability that tariffs would lead to persistent inflation pressures. These participants observed that it was appropriate for the Committee to ease its policy stance in response to downside risks to employment, thereby helping to bring the risks to achieving the dual-mandate goals into better balance, and suggested that a move toward a more neutral policy stance at this meeting would leave policymakers well positioned to determine the extent and timing of additional adjustments to the policy rate, with these judgments being based on the incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks. By contrast, several participants pointed to the risk of higher inflation becoming entrenched and suggested that lowering the policy rate further in the context of elevated inflation readings could be misinterpreted as implying diminished policymaker commitment to the 2 percent inflation objective. Participants judged that a careful balancing of risks was required and agreed on the importance of well-anchored longer-term inflation expectations in achieving the Committee's dual-mandate objectives.

The coming year will be pivotal for the Federal Reserve - The Federal Reserve is slated to undertake a number of important rules and regulations in 2026, but decisions around agency leadership and the Trump administration's avowed effort to exert greater control over the central bank are likely to leave a lasting legacy at the agency.

• Key Insight: One of the most consequential developments will be President Donald Trump's choice to replace Fed Gov. Stephen Miran, because whomever Trump selects is likely to also serve as the next Fed chairman after Fed Chair Jerome Powell's term expires in May.
• Expert Quote: "If the FOMC is no longer acting purely neutrally with the data in hand, then it becomes more difficult and potentially more costly for U.S. borrowers to access credit and potentially for lenders to price that risk correctly." — Derek Tang, CEO of Monetary Policy Analytics.
• What's at stake: Throughout 2025, the Trump administration has sought to exert influence over the Federal Reserve's monetary policy, and that pressure is unlikely to subside in 2026.

Federal Reserve watchers expect a number of major developments could test the central bank's independence in 2026, and those developments will shape how it functions for years to come. Two events early in the year will likely set the stage for the Fed. The first is President Donald Trump's expected announcement of his pick to replace Fed Gov. Stephen Miran on the board, a pick that is likely to double as Trump's pick to chair the Fed after Fed Chair Jerome Powell's term expires in May. The other is a Supreme Court decision on whether Fed Gov. Lisa Cook can remain on the board while her legal challenge to Trump's efforts to fire her proceeds.

Clock ticking on government funding deadline as House battles other issues - The two-week holiday recess, a contentious health care debate and discharge petition showdowns are squeezing the House’s legislative calendar, raising doubts about whether lawmakers can finalize government funding before the Jan. 30 deadline. So far, lawmakers have passed only three of the 12 appropriations bills needed to fund the government. They must pass the remaining nine bills — or enact a temporary stopgap measure — to keep the rest of the government running past the end of January. If not, another shutdown is on the table. But the House has been bogged down by competing priorities. Republicans are facing mounting pressure as Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies are set to expire at the end of the month. Four GOP lawmakers broke ranks to join Democrats in advancing a discharge petition to bring a three-year subsidy extension bill to the floor in January over the objections of leadership. Lawmakers expect the Senate to amend the bill if it passes the House. And any bill that passes the Senate with changes has to be sent back to the House for another vote — a process that will likely also be lengthy and contentious. Complicating matters further is the push for a congressional stock trading ban that is expected to take up additional floor time. House GOP leadership plans to introduce a bill next year after pressure from Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), but it’s unclear whether the measure will secure support from the Republican conference. Luna has her own discharge petition going that’s tied to a separate bipartisan stock trading proposal. House Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) acknowledged earlier this month that the health care issue has “tied up both chambers quite a bit,” telling reporters it certainly wouldn’t “help” if the matter drags into January. “Again, I’m not going to be critical of my colleagues and my leadership for trying to solve a problem I don’t think they created,” he said. He added that he wants to avoid any delays in the appropriations process. “It’s just mortifying that the Congress of the United States can’t get its work done in a year. … We had a very difficult schedule this year, but next year’s schedule — again, it’s the election. It’s going to make it tougher, and members are going to want to go home, and leadership on both sides is going to want to have them home,” he said. He announced Dec. 20 that he reached an agreement with Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) on the remaining funding allocations, and that they will “now begin expeditiously drafting” the remaining nine bills. “Our process will remain member-driven and transparent. Bills will be released with time for review, advanced in packages, and deliver on clear priorities for the American people. The nation deserves stability and a government that works for them,” Cole wrote in a statement. Still, Republicans are operating on an ambitious timeline. House lawmakers return Jan. 6 and have just 12 legislative days to pass all nine bills. The Senate will have 15 legislative days in January, though the two chambers will be out of session for one week at different times. And government funding is just one of many pressing issues lawmakers will need to address quickly upon their return. Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) told The Hill earlier this month that Congress is “never especially good at, you know, getting these things done on time.” “It was especially problematic that the House wasn’t even here for two months,” Kiley said. “And you know, that’s time that we could have actually been working on the appropriations process in earnest to have bipartisan appropriations bills ready to go.” If lawmakers aren’t able to pass all nine bills, they will have to resort to passing a stopgap measure, known as a continuing resolution (CR), that would temporarily fund the rest of the government at current levels — a move that will draw resistance from some Republicans. “Obviously, passing CR after CR, that’s not a good way to run a budget,” Kiley said. At the same time, Republican leadership must still negotiate with Democrats over ACA subsidies, the issue that precipitated the last government shutdown. Some House Democrats are already eyeing the Jan. 30 funding deadline as potential leverage if the issue remains unresolved, believing they will have a stronger hand to oppose any funding package since the subsidies would have expired by then. Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.) previously told The Hill he thinks there should be a shutdown if the ACA issue remains unsettled. “I think there should be — that’s my opinion, there should be,” Vargas said. “I mean, we can’t kick all of these people off of their health care plans because they can’t afford them. That’s outrageous.” But even with limited time, some House Republicans remain confident they will meet the Jan. 30 deadline to get government funding across the finish line. “I’m not worried about it,” Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) said. “I think we’ll figure it out.”

Senate races to avoid government shutdown with time ticking and lingering issues -The Senate will return to a fast-approaching government funding deadline, but this time both sides appear ready to avoid another shutdown. When lawmakers in the upper chamber return Monday, they will have three working weeks to fund the government. That process fizzled out before they left town earlier in December, but lawmakers are hopeful that both parties can come together to ward off a repeat of September’s funding deadline. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters before leaving the Capitol that Democrats’ goal was to have the remaining slate of appropriations bills completed by the Jan. 30 deadline. It takes 12 spending bills to fund the government, and so far, neither chamber has come close to hitting that mark. "We want to get through the process and get the appropriations bills done," Schumer said. It’s a stark departure from his and Democrats’ earlier position, given that they shut the government down for a record 43 days in a bid to bring expiring Obamacare subsidies to the forefront of discussions. Congressional Democrats also have been leery of working with their Republican counterparts after President Donald Trump’s roughly $9 billion clawback package, which cut funding to already agreed-to programs and priorities, passed on a partisan vote over the summer. A similar issue played out just as the Senate was on the cusp of advancing a five-bill spending package before skipping town. Sens. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., and John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., held up the process over the Trump administration’s plan to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado. Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought had just announced that same day that the facility would be put under a microscope, and charged that the NCAR was "one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country." For now, the duo appear entrenched in their position. "This holiday season, hundreds of NCAR employees face uncertainty about their jobs and communities across the state are worried they won’t get the support they need to rebuild their lives after historic flooding and wildfires," Bennett said in a statement. "Colorado deserves better, and I am doing everything in my power to fight back and protect our state from the President’s vindictive chaos." There’s also the issue of dealing with the Obamacare subsidies, which will have expired by the time lawmakers return to Washington, D.C. A group of bipartisan senators are working on a possible solution, and there are plans in the House — one from the GOP that already passed and another bipartisan effort that is expected to get a vote early January — that could make their way onto the Senate floor.

Russia's Lavrov Accuses Ukraine of Firing 91 Drones at Putin's Residence - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday that Ukrainian forces fired 91 kamikaze drones at President Vladimir Putin’s residence in Russia’s Novgorod region, and warned the attack would change Moscow’s negotiating position. For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied that his forces launched the attack.Lavrov said that Russian air defenses intercepted all of the Ukrainian drones but warned Moscow would respond, saying that targets for retaliatory strikes have already been determined. “Such reckless actions will not go unanswered,” Lavrov said.According to Yury Ushakov, an aide to Putin, President Trump spoke with the Russian leader by phone on Monday and said he was “shocked” by the attack. “The US president, according to Putin, was shocked by this news and expressed outrage, stating that he could not have imagined such crazy actions on the part of Kiev,” Ushakov said.Zelensky called the accusation that his forces targeted Putin’s residence “another lie” that will likely be used to justify more strikes on Ukraine. “With this statement about an alleged attack on some residence, they are preparing the ground to strike, most likely the capital and government buildings,” he said.Ukrainian forces have previously targeted the Kremlin with drones, and Ukrainian intelligence officials have threatened to target Putin for assassination.Zelensky suggested Russia’s accusation was related to his talks with Trump on Sunday. “It’s obvious that yesterday we had a meeting with President Trump, and it’s clear that when there is no scandal for the Russians, when there is progress, it is a failure for them. They do not want to end this war and are only capable of doing so under pressure. So they are looking for a pretext,” he said.

Trump Says 'Not The Time' To Attack Putin's House, Glad He 'Stopped The Tomahawks' - The Trump-backed effort to forge ahead on achieving peace in Ukraine may have just been completely derailed by a major development. Just as Trump described Monday morning that he had a 'positive' phone call with President Putin about Ukraine, the Kremlin is alleging that Ukraine launched a major drone attack on President Putin’s "official residence" in the Novgorod region from Sunday night into Monday. It is presumably one of many of his residences, and there's no indication he was there when the alleged attack wave occurred. In a new Monday phone call, President Putin drew President Trump's attention to the Ukrainian drone attack on his state residence in the Novgorod region - something which Zelensky is vehemently denying - and apparently Trump responded with a somewhat sympathetic ear to the Kremlin. Putin foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov said that Trump was "shocked" at the large-scale drone attack which allegedly targeted Putin’s "official residence" in the Novgorod region. Moscow's readout of the call seems accurate, as shortly after Trump weighed in directly, expressing during a visit of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House that he was "angry" to learn of the attack and that it's "not the time" to attack Putin's house. Trump emphasized that he doesn't like what he heard this morning regarding the strike, and said it was good he prevented Kiev from getting Tomahawk missiles. "This is not the right time. It's one thing to be offensive. It's another thing to attack his House. You can't do it. I learned about it from Putin. I am very angry about it." "You're saying maybe the attack didn't place. I guess. But Putin told me it did. It better not have happened. We need Peace." -- Trump: Putin told me about it early in the morning. He said he was attacked. It’s no good. It’s no good. Don’t forget, I stopped the Tomahawks. It’s one thing to be offensive, another thing to attack his house. It’s not the right time to do any of that. pic.twitter.com/jzozgIfqqo He also indicated things could change in terms of how his administration interacts with Ukraine's Zelensky after this brazen act. As for Zelensky, he's responded by calling this a Kremlin tactic: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the accusation that Ukraine tried to attack Putin’s residence as a lie, adding that Moscow was preparing the ground to strike government buildings in Kyiv, according to the Reuters news agency. Zelenskyy has urged the US to react to Russian threats accordingly and has cast the Russian claim as away of undermining progress in peace talks following the Ukrainian leader’s meeting with Donald Trump yesterday. European leaders are likely to see things from Zelensky's side, but one thing is for sure: it doesn't bode well for peace.

After Talks With Zelensky, Trump Says Territorial Issues Still Not Settled - After meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Florida, President Trump said the issue of “land” remains a major sticking point in negotiations for a potential peace deal with Russia.The initial US-drafted peace plan leaked to the media called for Ukraine to cede the territory it still controls in the Donbas, a key Russian demand, but Zelensky continues to refuse to make territorial concessions.During a joint press conference with Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump was asked what the “thorniest” issue was in negotiations. “The land. Some of that land has been taken, some of that land is maybe up for grabs,” he said.Trump also suggested that Ukraine should cede the Donbas now, since it will likely lose the territory in battle as Russian forces continue to make gains. “It may be taken over the next period, a number of months, and you’re better off making a deal now,” he told reporters.The meeting came a few days after Zelensky released his own 20-point peace proposal, which includes a point that says the battle lines in the “Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts, the line of military positions on the date of signing will be recognized as the de facto front line” and does not say that Ukrainian forces will withdraw from any territory.The Ukrainian proposal also calls for the US, NATO, and European states to provide Ukraine with an “Article 5-like” security guarantee, referring to the section of the NATO treaty that outlines mutual defense and declares that an attack on one member is an attack on all.Zelensky said on Sunday that the US was in “100%” agreement on the security guarantees. Russia is almost certainly going to reject any arrangement where Ukraine gets a NATO-style guarantee, since a primary motive for its invasion was Ukraine’s alignment with NATO and its potential future membership, something recently acknowledged by a former Biden official.

Zelensky Says He's Holding Talks With Trump on Potential US Troop Deployment to Ukraine - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that he’s held talks with President Trump on the possibility of the US deploying troops to Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader made the comment when asked if the US plans to deploy troops as part of a security guarantee for a potential future peace deal with Russia. “To be honest, this can only be confirmed by the President of the United States of America. These are US troops, and therefore, it is America that makes such decisions,” Zelensky said, according to Ukrinform. “Of course, we are discussing this both with President Trump and with representatives of the Coalition [of the Willing],” he added, referring to a group of European countries led by the UK and France that are pushing for a deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine as part of a peace deal, an idea Russia has repeatedly rejected. Zelensky also said that he would like to see US troops deployed to Ukrainian territory as part of the security guarantee. Also on Tuesday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk claimed that the US has already agreed to deploy troops to Ukraine as part of its security guarantees. US officials have said the US has offered NATO “Article 5-style” security guarantees to Ukraine, but have not said that the US is willing to send troops. According to Zelensky, the US has agreed to provide a 15-year security guarantee.

Russia Hands US Evidence That It Says Confirms Ukraine Targeted Putin's Residence in Drone Attack - A senior Russian military official on Thursday handed over to a US official what he said was evidence that Ukrainian drones targeted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region. Ukraine has denied the allegations that it was trying to target Putin’s home, and US officials speaking to US media outlets said the CIA assessed that Ukraine was targeting a military facility in the same region that wasn’t close by. But Russian officials insist they have the evidence that Ukraine was attempting to hit the Russian president’s residence. A video posted by the Russian Defense Ministry on Thursday shows Igor Kostykov, the chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Russian General Staff, meeting with the US defense attache based in Moscow and handing over what he said was a “navigation unit” from one of the drones downed in the Novgorod region. “The decryption of the content of the memory of the navigation controller of the drones carried out by specialists of Russia’s special services confirms without question that the target of the attack was the complex of buildings of the Russian president’s residence in the Novgorod region,” Kostykov said. President Trump was informed about the alleged attack by Putin the day it happened, and initially appeared to believe Russia’s account, saying that he “wasn’t happy about it.” But he later shared aNew York Post article on Truth Social that cast doubt on the Russian claim and said Moscow “is the one standing in the way of peace.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that Moscow won’t quit peace talks with the US over the alleged attack, but said it would alter its negotiating position and vowed a response, saying that targets have already been picked out. “Such reckless actions will not go unanswered,” he said.

As Trump Awaits Netanyahu's War Pitch, Iranian President Says Israel, US Already Waging 'Full-Scale War' -Two days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's is expected to pitch President Trump on a new round of war with Iran, Iran's president says the United States, Israel and Europe are already waging "full-fledged war" on Iran, and that a return to kinetic warfare will result in a "more decisive response" than the retaliation witnessed during June's 12-day war. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's comments came in a 6,600-word interview published on the official website of the country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. The wide-ranging discussion addressed the full spectrum of challenges the country is facing, including internal political, social, economic and cultural ones. The "war" quote that's making headlines came in the midst of a discussion of Iran's attempt to make the most of finite energy resources, and immediately followed Pezeshkian's listing of the many small ways he said he personally economizes with state resources, from ordering radiators be turned off in offices he seldom uses, to shutting down a heated swimming pool that was dedicated for his own use. Then, he pivoted, putting Iran's struggles in the context of Israeli-Western efforts to weaken the country, from economic sanctions to attempting to foster internal discontent:"In my opinion, we are in a full-fledged war with America, Israel, and Europe; they do not want our country to stand on its feet. This war is worse than Iraq’s war against us; if one understands it well, this war is far more complex and difficult than that war. In the war with Iraq, the situation was clear: they fired missiles, and I also knew where to hit. Here, they are besieging us from every aspect, they are putting us in difficulty and constraint, creating problems – in terms of livelihood, culturally, politically, and security-wise – while raising society's expectations. On one side, they block our sales, our exchanges, our trade, and on the other side, expectations in society have risen! Consequently, we must all help with all our might to fix the country." Next, the interviewer suggested that, after the Israeli-US "failure in the 12-Day War," the two states turned to a "psychological and media operation" designed to portray the Iranian government as weak to the point it must surrender to outside demands lest it collapse from internal disunity. "Let them dwell in their fantasies," replied Pezeshkian, a former heart surgeon who was elected in a July 2024 snap election following a helicopter crash that killed his predecessor and seven others. "They attacked us with this very illusion, but it only increased our internal unity and cohesion. What the Leader is doing now – creating coordination among the branches of power – ensures that if unanimity and empathy emerge, no power can incapacitate a cohesive and unified nation." When discussing the prospect of renewed military "mischief" by Israel and the United States, Pezeshkian said:"Look, our dear military forces are doing their job with power. Despite all the problems we face, we are now – in terms of both equipment and personnel – far stronger than we were during their previous attacks. Therefore, if they choose to strike, they will naturally face a more decisive response. But I return to the point that if we, the people, stand together and remain united, they will lose all hope of ever attacking our country."Pezeshkian's remarks come ahead of Netanyahu's Monday's visit to Mar-a-Lago, where he will reportedly lobby Trump to take more military action against Iran. Moving the goalposts, Israel now says neither Tel Aviv nor Washington should tolerate Iran's rebuilding of the surprisingly formidable arsenal of hypersonic and other ballistic missiles the country used to retaliate when Israel initiated the 12-Day War in June. According to each country's official tallies, more than 1,000 were killed in Iran, and 33 in Israel. The war was purportedly launched because of the threat of Iran developing a nuclear weapon, yet US intelligence has long concluded the country is not developing a weapon.

US To Fund $8.6 Billion Boeing Contract for Israeli F-15 Fighter Jets - The US Department of War announced on Monday that Boeing has been awarded a contract worth up to $8.6 billion to sell Israel new F-15 fighter jets as part of a deal funded by US military aid.The Israeli Defense Ministry announced the initial deal in November 2024 and said it would be funded by US aid that was included in a massive foreign assistance bill President Biden signed into law earlier that year. At the time, the F-15 deal was valued at $5.2 billion and included 25 new F-15s.The updated contract with Boeing has a ceiling of up to $8.6 billion since it includes an option to purchase an additional 25 F-15s. The Pentagon said in its announcement that the work on the fighter jets will be “performed at St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be complete by December 31, 2035.” The US has continued to provide Israel with massive amounts of weapons despite its genocidal campaign in Gaza, which, according to several studies, has likely killed more than 100,000 Palestinians, including tens of thousands of women and children. US military aid and direct military intervention have also supported Israel’s wars in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iran, and the occupation of the West Bank. According to Brown University’s Costs of War Project, in the two years following the October 7 attack, the US government spent at least $21.7 billion on military aid to Israel and another $9.65 billion to $12.07 billion on US military operations in the region in support of Israel.

Trump Says He'll Support an Israeli Attack on Iran If Tehran 'Continues' Its Missile Program - President Trump said on Monday that he would support an Israeli attack on Iran if Tehran “continues” its conventional missile program or if it works to rebuild its civilian nuclear program that was damaged by US airstrikes during the US-Israeli war on the Islamic Republic in June.The president made the comments at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida before a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, when asked if he would back more Israeli attacks on Iran. “If they continue with the missiles, yes. The nuclear, fast,” he said.“One will be yes, absolutely,” he added, appearing to reference Iran’s missiles. “The other was we’ll do it immediately,” he said, referencing the possibility of Iran rebuilding its nuclear program. The president also threatened to “knock the hell” out of Iran if it “builds up again.”According to media reports, Netanyahu was expected to ask Trump to support a new war against Iran over concerns related to its ballistic missiles. Iranian officials have been clear that they won’t agree to a deal to curb Tehran’s missile program since it’s the only deterrent the country has against the US and Israel.After the meeting, Trump and Netanyahu held a joint press conference where the US president again expressed support for the idea of another attack on Iran, though he suggested it wasn’t “confirmed” that Tehran was “building up” again.Any Israeli strikes on Iran would require US support since the US military played a major role in intercepting Iranian missiles fired at Israel, though they made it through US and Israeli air defenses, which is ultimately what led Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire after 12 days. The US also supported Israel’s attacks by refueling Israeli aircraft and then launched its own airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Greene: Trump threatening troops in Iran ‘everything we voted against in ’24’ - Outgoing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Friday slammed President Trump’s threat to intervene in Iran as it cracks down on anti-government protests. Greene said on the social platform X that Trump’s pledge, along with Israeli billionaire Shlomo Kramer telling CNBC that the federal government should “limit the First Amendment” by cracking down on speech on social media, is “everything we voted against” in 2024. “The focus should be on tax dollars here at home and defending our God given freedoms and rights,” added Greene, who is departing Congress on Monday after a falling out with Trump.The president vowed on Truth Social earlier Friday that the U.S. will “rescue” protesters if the Iranian regime takes violent action against them. He also said the U.S. is “locked and loaded and ready to go” if the Islamic Republic’s government kills more demonstrators. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, argued on X that the president’s remarks make U.S. troops in the region “legitimate targets” for the Iranian military.

Massie: Trump’s Iran threat about oil not free speech -- Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) on Friday criticized President Trump’s threat to intervene as Iran cracks down on anti-government protests, arguing that the move would be more about oil than free speech concerns. The president vowed on Truth Social that the U.S. will “rescue” protesters if the Iranian regime takes violent action against them as demonstrations over the Islamic Republic’s economy widen. He also described the U.S. as being “locked and loaded and ready to go” if Iran’s government killed more protesters. The remarks have drawn an angry response from Iran, which threatened U.S. troops in the region. Massie, who has repeatedly battled Trump on a host of issues, went to X to respond to Trump’s post with a numbered list of grievances. First, he wrote, “We have problems at home and shouldn’t be wasting military resources on another country’s internal affairs.” The GOP lawmaker also noted that strikes on Iran “require Congressional authorization.” “This threat isn’t about freedom of speech in Iran; it’s about the dollar, oil, and Israel,” the Kentucky Republican, who has been a vocal critic of the president, added. Iran was the fourth-largest crude oil producer among OPEC nations in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Iran declares Canadian Navy a ‘terrorist organization’ - Iran has labeled Canada's navy a "terrorist organization," escalating tensions between the two countries and raising fresh concerns over diplomatic fallout. Newsweek contacted the Canadian military for comment on Tuesday. Iran's government said the move was a response to Canada's decision to designate the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a "terrorist entity" in June 2024. The designation meant Ottawa would officially treat the IRGC, part of Tehran's armed forces, as a terrorist group. It became illegal for anyone in Canada or with Canadian citizenship to knowingly deal with property owned or linked to the IRGC and froze all IRGC-related property in the country. Canadian authorities said the listing also helped to block financing for terror groups and bring charges against those implicated in terrorism. ... Iran on Tuesday said the branding of the IRGC as a terrorist group was an "illegal decision" and it deemed Canada's navy a terrorist organization under a domestic law passed in 2019. That law was passed shortly after the U.S. designated the IRGC a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in July that year. It was the first time the U.S. had categorized a country's official military as an FTO, according to congressional research documents. The decision was made during President Donald Trump's first term in office. Iranian lawmakers said at the time its new law would mean any country that followed the U.S. example would be "subject to reciprocity." Several other countries, like the U.K., have weighed up designating the IRGC a terrorist organization. Western officials and experts say Iran supports a vast network of terror-related activities, including groups like Lebanon-based Hezbollah and Hamas, which had used the Gaza Strip as a stronghold before the start of Israel's war with the organization in October 2023. Tehran's Supreme National Security Council said in April 2019 it would treat the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) as a "terrorist organization" and the U.S. as a “state sponsor of terrorism." CENTCOM is responsible for U.S. military operations in the Middle East, northeast Africa and parts of Asia.

Report: Trump and Netanyahu Agreed on Two Month Deadline for Hamas To Disarm -President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to give Hamas a two-month deadline to disarm, according to a report from Israel Hayom, an outlet owned and published by Trump mega-donor Miriam Adelson.Trump said during a joint press conference with Netanyahu in Florida on Monday that if Hamas doesn’t give up its weapons within a certain amount of time, there would be “hell to pay” and it would be “horrible for them,” signaling he would give Israel the green light to restart its full-scale bombing campaign.Trump also claimed during the press conference that Hamas has agreed to disarm, but the group has maintained it won’t give up its weapons unless there is the establishment of a Palestinian state or progress in that direction. A Hamas official suggested recently that the group would be open to a temporary disarmament where it “freezes” or “stores” its weapons.“We are ready to lay down these weapons. I mean, not to use it for five, seven, 10 years, as long as we are not attacked, because the second question is always, OK, Palestinians have to be disarmed. What about the other side?” Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas official based outside of Gaza, told NPR earlier in December.Naim also said that Hamas wouldn’t disarm unless there were negotiations toward a Palestinian state, an idea Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected. Hamas has not agreed to every point of President Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, which calls for the complete demilitarization of Gaza, but it has said the outline is a good basis for negotiations.So far, Israel and Hamas have only signed a deal that outlined the exchange of Israeli captives and Palestinians held in Israeli jails and the ceasefire, which Israel has constantly violated by continuing attacks against Palestinians and other types of military operations inside Gaza.

Trump Claims Israel Is Complying With Gaza Deal '100%' Despite Constant IDF Ceasefire Violations - During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida on Monday, President Trump claimed Israel was holding up its end of the Gaza ceasefire deal “100%” despite constant IDF attacks on Palestinians in the Strip and other Israeli violations.Since the deal went into effect on October 10, the Israeli military has killed at least 414 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The IDF has continued demolitions and has expanded the so-called “yellow line,” the vague boundary that separates the IDF-occupied side of Gaza and the Hamas-controlled side. Israel has also maintained restrictions on aid and shelter materials entering Gaza.When asked by a reporter at Mar-a-Lago if he was concerned that Israel wasn’t moving quickly enough into “phase two” of the plan, Trump said he was “not concerned about anything Israel is doing” and that Israel has “lived up to the plan 100%. Trump also appeared to issue an ultimatum to Hamas during the press conference, saying that if the group doesn’t disarm within a certain amount of time, there will be “hell to pay” and that it will be “horrible for them.”The president said that Hamas has already agreed to disarm, but the group has been consistent in its position that it won’t give up its weapons unless a Palestinian state is established, or if progress is made in that direction. Trump’s 20-point peace plan said that Gaza would be “demilitarized,” but Hamas only agreed to use the plan as a basis for negotiations.So far, the only deal Israel and Hamas have signed outlined a ceasefire and the exchange of Israeli captives and Palestinians held in Israeli jails. “Our people are defending themselves and will not give up their weapons as long as the occupation remains,” the new spokesman for Hamas’s armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, said on Monday.

Israel And Its Supporters Deliberately Foment Hate And Division In Our Society - Caitlin Johnstone - I’ve noticed a lot of angry comments underneath my posts these past few days which bizarrely mention the words “Islam” and “Muslims” completely out of the blue.“Why don’t you turn your attention sometimes to the genocidal intent of the radical Muslims, or does that suit your racist narrative?” reads one tweet.“What can you say about Islamic Jihadists Muslims murdering thousands of Christians in Sudan and other parts of Africa?” reads another. “The muslims must be irradicated,” reads another. There are too many examples to quote here, but here’s what’s so funny about all this: I haven’t been saying anything about Islam or Muslims on Twitter — I’ve been tweeting about Israel. Hasbarists just babble about Islam when they can’t defend Israel’s actions.It is not a coincidence that they’ve been doing this. In September of last year Drop Site News published a leaked polling report that had been commissioned by the Israeli government which found that while Israel’s reputation is crumbling throughout the western world, one way to salvage it would be to foment panic about Muslims.Drop Site reports the following:“Israel’s best tactic to combat this, according to the study, is to foment fear of ‘Radical Islam’ and ‘Jihadism,’ which remain high, the research finds. By highlighting Israeli support for women’s rights and gay rights while elevating concerns that Hamas wants to ‘destroy all Jews and spread Jihadism,’ Israeli support rebounded by an average of over 20 points in each country. ‘Especially once the situation in Gaza is resolved, the room for growth in all countries is very significant,’ the report concludes.” So if you speak critically about Israel online and suddenly find your replies inundated with Zionists shrieking about Islam and Muslims, that’s why. Their research has concluded that convincing westerners to hate Muslims is easier than convincing them to love Israel.

Israel Bans Aid Groups For The Same Reason It Bans Journalists, And Other Notes - Caitlin Johnstone -- Israel has banned 37 aid groups from working in the Palestinian territories, citing plainly spurious reasons. Among the aid groups banned are Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and Oxfam. Israel banned the aid groups from Gaza for the same reason it continues to ban journalists. Of course it’s about eliminating aid itself, but it’s also about eliminating witnesses. Doctors and aid workers largely became the de facto journalists on the ground in Gaza when Israel banned international news media and began systematically assassinating Gaza-based Palestinian journalists. So Israel wants to get rid of those de facto reporters to hide its crimes.Doctors Without Borders was one of the top humanitarian groups publicly accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza in 2025. A lot of what we learned about the Israeli massacres of starving civilians at “Gaza Humanitarian Fund” sites came from MSF doctors describing the gunshot wounds they’d been seeing at medical facilities. MSF were the first to report the horrifying story of IDF soldiers entering hospitals they’d attacked in Gaza and destroying individual pieces of medical equipment to make them unusable, providing unassailable proof that Israel was actually targeting Gaza’s healthcare system itself rather than “Hamas bases in hospitals” as Israel falsely claimed. Doctors Without Borders were constantly putting out reports condemning Israel’sattacks on medical facilities where it had staff, and its doctors often spoke to the western press about the horrors they’d seen in Gaza.And now they’ve been taken out, one of dozens of aid groups who Israel will no longer allow to operate in the occupied Palestinian territories. They took them out for the same reason they took out the journalists, and for the same reason Israel and its supporters try to stomp out speech that is critical of the Gaza holocaust throughout the western world, and for the same reason witnesses who try to tell law enforcement about the crimes of the Mafia tend to go missing. They want to keep their crimes in the dark.

US Says It 'Killed or Captured 25 ISIS operatives' in Syria Since December 19 Strikes - US Central Command said in a press release on Tuesday that its forces and partners “killed or captured nearly 25 ISIS operatives” in Syria since the US launched major airstrikes in the country on December 19. The December 19 bombing was a response to the December 13 attack in Palmyra, central Syria, that killed two members of the Iowa National Guard and an American civilian interpreter. The US said the strikes targeted ISIS, but the gunman who killed the three Americans was a member of the Syrian government’s security forces, and ISIS never took credit for the attack. CENTCOM did not offer a casualty estimate for the December 19 strikes, which it said involved US and Jordanian forces firing over 100 munitions and striking 70 targets. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has said the attacks killed at least five people, including the leader of an ISIS cell. Regarding the operations that followed the December 19 bombing, CENTCOM said the US and its allies “killed at least seven ISIS members and captured the remainder during 11 missions conducted December 20-29.” The US’s partners in Syria include the Kurdish-led SDF and now the Syrian government, which is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an offshoot of al-Qaeda. US troops are now working alongside government fighters in Syria, putting them at risk of more insider attacks. Many foreign jihadists have been absorbed into the Syrian military, and according to reports from Syria, it’s suspected that hundreds of former ISIS fighters have also joined.

Trump Blockade Leaves $1 Billion Of Venezuelan Crude Stranded On Tankers --With a two-month "quarantine" placed on Venezuelan oil by the Trump administration in a foreign policy move called "gunboat diplomacy," new data estimate that roughly $900 million worth of crude is currently loaded on tankers, unable to depart Venezuela due to the U.S. blockade. "Based on our visual analysis from both shore and space, we estimate that there are around 17.5 million barrels of crude oil floating onboard tankers in Venezuela which are unable to depart due to the ongoing US blockade," independent research Tanker Trackers wrote on X. "That's around $900M of oil."Based on our visual analysis from both shore and space, we estimate that there are around 17.5 million barrels of crude oil floating onboard tankers in Venezuela which are unable to depart due to the ongoing US blockade.That's around $900M of oil.#OOTT #Tankers #Venezuelapic.twitter.com/MpTYsU3xKi Tanker Trackers responded to a question on X about how long it would take for land-based oil and gas operations in Venezuela to become "clogged" due to the blockade. The research firm noted, "Chevron is still importing from Venezuela, and it doesn't appear that will stop anytime soon, given they are granted a waiver."

Donald Trump says US struck Venezuelan facility 'very hard' on Christmas Eve -President Trump said during a recent radio interview that the U.S. “knocked out” a “big” facility in Venezuela, as the administration continues to turn up the pressure against President Nicolás Maduro. Asked about Venezuela during a Friday appearance on the “Cats & Cosby” show on New York’s WABC radio, Trump lauded the U.S. military’s attacks against purported drug-smuggling vessels in the region and added that U.S. forces hit a facility two days earlier. “We just knocked out — I don’t know if you read or you saw — they have a big plant or big facility where they send the, you know, where the ships come from,” the president told hosts John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby. “Two nights ago, we knocked that out. So we hit them very hard.” It is unclear where the facility is located, how the attack was carried out, what damage was done or whether there were any casualties. On Monday, Trump shed some more light on the attack, saying the U.S. personnel hit an “implementation” area. “We hit all the boats and now we hit the area, it’s the implementation area. That’s where they implement. And that is no longer around,” the president said while at Mar-a-Lago, standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump said there was a “major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs,” adding it took place “along the shore.” Both the Pentagon and U.S. Southern Command referred The Hill to the White House when asked about Trump’s remarks. The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.

Report Claims CIA Conducted a Drone Strike in Venezuela - President Trump has claimed that the US had “knocked out” a “big facility” as part of the US campaign targeting alleged drug boats in Latin America and against Venezuela.CNN later reported on Monday that the CIA conducted a drone strike on a port facility in Venezuela, which, if true, would mark a major US escalation against the country. So far, the Venezuelan government hasn’t confirmed the claims.Trump first made the comments in an interview on WABC radio on Friday when discussing the US operations against alleged drug boats in the region. “And we just knocked out, I don’t know if you read or you saw, they have a big plant or a big facility where they send the, you know, where the ships come from. Two nights ago, we knocked that out, so we hit them very hard,” he said.The president was asked by a reporter on Monday about the comments and whether the alleged attack was conducted by the US military. “Well, it doesn’t matter, but there was a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs,” he said, describing the target as an “implementation area” that’s no longer around.Unnamed US officials speaking to The New York Times claimed that in the WABC interview, Trump was referencing a “drug facility in Venezuela” that they said was “eliminated.” Sources speaking toCNN said the facility was allegedly used by the gang Tren de Aragua and that there were no casualties because no one was present at the time of the attack.Trump claimed the attack occurred on December 24, the same day there was an explosion at a warehouse in Venezuela’s northwestern state of Zulia. The company that owns the warehouse, Primazol, which specializes in chemical supplies for livestock feed and other purposes, said in a statement that it rejected unspecified allegations about the incident that were circulating on social media, though it’s unclear if it was referencing claims that the blast may have been caused by a US attack.A major part of the US aggression against Venezuela has been a psychological campaign aimed at scaring Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, involving leaks to the media about US plans to bomb the country.

Did US Land Strikes On Venezuela Begin Last Week & No One Knew It? - President Trump on Friday in a radio interview disclosed something which missed the attention of the US and global media. He let slip that a large land site had been knocked out by a strike from US forces in the Caribbean - however without specifying which country was hit (whether Venezuela or perhaps Colombia). Trump may have actually assumed the attack which he disclosed publicly for the first time was already being reported on, but it had not. He was being interviewed by John Catsimatidis, the Republican billionaire who owns the WABC radio station in New York on his The Cats & Cosby Show, and the two were talking about the Venezuela campaign. The United States had knocked out "a big facility" last week, Trump described somewhat vaguely, in apparent reference to a drug facility on the Latin American coast. "They have a big plant or a big facility where the ships come from," Trump said, though he did not explicitly identify the exact location or even country attacked. "Two nights ago we knocked that out." According to the full remarks in context, the president said: "But every time I knock out a boat, we save 25,000 American lives. It's very simple. And what's happening is they're having a hard time employment-wise, they can't get anybody. And we just talked out, I don't know if you read or you saw, they [Venezuela] have a big plant or a big facility where the ships come from. Two nights ago, we knocked that out. So we hit them very hard. But drugs are down over 97 percent. Can you believe it?" Some unnamed American officials suggested to the New York Times that the Commander-in-Chief was referring to a drug facility in Venezuela: Trump did not name the location of the facility, though American officials told the New York Times that the president was referring to a drug facility in Venezuela that was eliminated. The president’s comment is the only report of such an attack. No other Latin American government, including Venezuela, has disclosed a strike of this sort.But information or confirmation other than that disclosure remains a mystery, as neither the CIA nor Pentagon have commented, as the NY Times notes:If Mr. Trump’s suggestion that the United States had struck a site in the region proves accurate, it would be the first known attack on land since he began his military campaign against Venezuela. U.S. officials declined to specify anything about the site the president said was hit, where it was located, how the attack was carried out or what role the facility played in drug trafficking. There has been no public report of an attack from the Venezuelan government or any other authorities in the region. Listen to the audio below:

CIA conducted drone strike on Venezuela port facility - The CIA reportedly conducted a drone strike on a Venezuelan port facility last week, an attack President Trump revealed during a Dec. 26 radio interview, marking the U.S.’s first known land strike inside the country amid its mounting pressure campaign on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The CIA struck a remote dock on the coast of Venezuela that U.S. officials believe was used by the Venezuelan transnational gang Tren de Aragua to store narcotics and prepare them to be shipped elsewhere via boats, according to multiple news outlets.. According to reports, no one was killed in the operation, as the dock was empty when the strike took place. Tren de Aragua is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government. The CIA declined to comment. The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment. Trump first disclosed the strike during an interview with radio hosts John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby on Friday, saying “we just knocked out — I don’t know if you read or you saw — they have a big plant or big facility where they send the, you know, where the ships come from.”

Trump’s CIA strike on Venezuela keeps options open, but carries risks -- The CIA’s recent drone strike on a Venezuelan port facility keeps President Trump’s options open in the country as he intensifies his pressure campaign, effectively expanding U.S. attacks onto land without committing the U.S. to an invasion of Venezuela. However, the commander in chief’s disclosure of the covert operations during a radio interview last week also invites safety risks for personnel involved in the action, according to former U.S. officials. “The purpose of a covert operation is for it to remain classified, so that those who are involved in that kind of operation are protected in terms of doing whatever operation [you’re] trying to accomplish. And when it’s when it’s announced, it basically undermines the covert operation itself, because it then jeopardizes lives,” Leon Panetta, former CIA director and Pentagon chief during the Obama administration, told The Hill in an interview Tuesday. U.S. personnel reportedly struck a remote dock on the coast of Venezuela, believed to be used by the Venezuelan transnational gang Tren de Aragua to store illicit drugs. The facility was empty at the time and there were no casualties, according to multiple reports. The attack was led by the CIA under Title 50, which provides a legal framework for U.S. intelligence activities, including covert missions, rather than Title 10, which governs the duties and responsibilities of U.S. armed forces, such as deployments and overt attacks. Brett McGurk, former President Biden’s top Middle East adviser, suggested that decision may give Trump more leeway as his campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro continues. “So that might be one reason they chose Title 50 here, because once you strike in Title 10, you’re really in it. You’re in a military conflict with Venezuela, and we’re not quite there yet,” he said Tuesday while on CNN.

US Military Launches 30th Strike in Boat Bombing Campaign - US Southern Command announced on Monday that its forces bombed another alleged drug-running boat in the waters of Latin America, marking the 30th strike since the campaign began on September 2.SOUTHCOM said the boat was targeted in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and claimed, without providing any evidence, that it was “transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.”Video of the strike released by SOUTHCOM.The command said that the strike killed two “narco-terrorists,” a term the Trump administration has used to justify the executions at sea that don’t involve a trial or a judge for an alleged crime that doesn’t receive the death penalty in the US.The latest killings bring the total number of people extra-judicially executed by the US military at sea to 107. The Pentagon has never provided evidence to back up its claims about what the boats were carrying and has admitted it doesn’t know the identities of all the people it is killing.A total of 31 vessels have been destroyed in the bombing campaign, as one of the 30 strikes destroyed two boats that were alongside one another. Out of the 31 boats that have been destroyed, 20 were hit in the Eastern Pacific, and 11 were targeted in the Caribbean near Venezuela as the bombing campaign began as part of the US push to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

US Military Bombs Three More Alleged Drug Boats, Says There May Be Survivors - US Southern Command said on Wednesday that its forces bombed three more alleged drug boats that were traveling as a convoy and suggested there may have been survivors.SOUTHCOM said the strike killed at least three “narco-terrorists,” a term the Trump administration uses to justify extra-judicial executions for an alleged crime that doesn’t receive the death penalty in the US.“The remaining narco-terrorists abandoned the other two vessels, jumping overboard and distancing themselves before follow-on engagements sank their respective vessels,” the command wrote on X, adding that it notified the US Coast Guard to “activate the Search and Rescue System.”Video of the strikes released by SOUTHCOM. SOUTHCOM, which oversees US military operations in Central and South America, did not specify the location of the latest strikes. The bombing campaign against small boats started in the Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela and has expanded into the Eastern Pacific Ocean.Previous US attacks on boats in the region have left survivors, including a Colombian national and an Ecuadorian, who were both sent back to their home countries and released due to the lack of evidence that they committed a crime. According to a report from The New York Times, the Pentagon released the survivors to ensure that they did not end up in the US judicial system, where the Trump administration could be forced to show evidence justifying the bombing campaign.In one incident, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that Mexican authorities rescued the survivor of a US strike. Hegseth and the administration have been under scrutiny for the September 2 bombing that involved multiple strikes to kill survivors.

US Military Bombs Five More Alleged Drug Boats, Says There May Be Survivors - US Southern Command said on Wednesday that its forces bombed three more alleged drug boats that were traveling as a convoy and suggested there may have been survivors. Later in the night, the command announced another attack on two other boats.SOUTHCOM said the first strikes that targeted three boats killed at least three “narco-terrorists,” a term the Trump administration uses to justify extra-judicial executions for an alleged crime that doesn’t receive the death penalty in the US.“The remaining narco-terrorists abandoned the other two vessels, jumping overboard and distancing themselves before follow-on engagements sank their respective vessels,” the command wrote on X, adding that it notified the US Coast Guard to “activate the Search and Rescue System.”In its second announcement, SOUTHCOM said that it killed five people. “A total of five narco-terrorists were killed during these actions – three in the first vessel and two in the second,” the command said.Video of the strikes released by SOUTHCOM. SOUTHCOM, which oversees US military operations in Central and South America, did not specify the location of either attack. The bombing campaign against small boats started in the Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela and has expanded into the Eastern Pacific Ocean.Previous US attacks on boats in the region have left survivors, including a Colombian national and an Ecuadorian, who were both sent back to their home countries and released due to the lack of evidence that they committed a crime. According to a report from The New York Times, the Pentagon released the survivors to ensure that they did not end up in the US judicial system, where the Trump administration could be forced to show evidence justifying the bombing campaign.In one incident, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that Mexican authorities rescued the survivor of a US strike. Hegseth and the administration have been under scrutiny for the September 2 bombing that involved multiple strikes to kill survivors.

US Imposes More Venezuela Oil Sanctions on Four Companies and Four Tankers - The US Treasury Department on Wednesday imposed sanctions on four companies and their associated oil tankers for allegedly transporting Venezuelan oil as the Trump administration seeks to escalate its pressure on the country. The new sanctions come after the US seized two tankers off the coast of Venezuela that were carrying Venezuelan oil, cargo that President Trump has said the US intends to keep, an action that amounts to outright theft.One of the tankers seized by the US was under US sanctions, while the other was not. Either way, the US has no legal right to capture foreign vessels in international waters. Trump administration officials have used legalistic language to frame the seizures as law enforcement operations, likely to obscure the fact that enforcing a naval blockade is traditionally considered an act of war.According to US officials, the US Coast Guard has continued to chase the Bella 1, a tanker it attempted to seize near Venezuela last week, but has fled into the Atlantic Ocean. CNN reported on Wednesday that the crew of the vessel painted a Russian flag on the hull, which US officials believe is an attempt to claim Russian protection.The CNN report said that the Trump administration may abandon the pursuit of the Bella 1, but assets have been readied in case the White House orders the capture of the vessel, which would require a Maritime Special Response Team with experience in boarding vessels that do not submit to seizure.The administration has continued to escalate its aggression against Venezuela with the goal of ousting President Nicolas Maduro. President Trump has claimed that the US blew up a dock facility inside Venezuela, and US officials speaking to media outlets have said the attack was a CIA drone strike against an empty facility allegedly used by the gan Tren de Aragua, but there’s no confirmation of the operation from Venezuelan sources.

Report: Russia Asks US To Stop Chasing Tanker It Attempted To Seize Near Venezuela -Russia has made a formal request to the US to stop chasing the Bella 1, an oil tanker the US attempted to seize off the coast of Venezuela and has been pursuing in the Atlantic Ocean since December 21, The New York Times reported on Thursday. The report said that as the ship had been fleeing the US Coast Guard, it appeared in a Russian registry under a new name, the Marinera, with its homeport listed as Sochi, a Russian city on the Black Sea. During the pursuit, the ship also painted a Russian flag on its hull and radioed the Coast Guard to say they were sailing under Russian authority, sources told the Times.It’s unclear if Russia’s request will stop the Trump administration’s pursuit of the tanker. CNNreported this week that the Trump administration may abandon its pursuit, but assets have been readied in case the White House orders the capture of the vessel, which would require a Maritime Special Response Team with experience in boarding vessels that do not submit to seizure.So far, the US has seized two ships carrying Venezuelan oil after President Trump declared a “complete and total” blockade on “sanctioned tankers” going in and out of Venezuelan ports. One of the vessels the US captured was not under US sanctions, though either way, the US has no legal right to seize vessels in international waters, whether or not they’re under sanctions.The US imposed more Venezuela oil-related sanctions on Wednesday in a sign that more seizures are coming, though according to a report from Reuters, some tankers have recently arrived in the country despite the US blockade. The US company Chevron, which operates in Venezuela, has also continued to export Venezuelan oil to the US.

Trump administration ramps up sanctions targeting Venezuela oil trade --President Trump’s administration is ramping up pressure against Venezuela’s oil trade, sanctioning four companies operating in the country’s oil industry along with four tankers connected to the firms. The Treasury Department said Wednesday it slapped sanctions on four companies with ties to Caracas’s oil sector: Aries Global Investment Ltd., Winky International Ltd., Krape Myrtle Co. Ltd., and Corniola Ltd. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control also sanctioned four oil vessels linked to the companies: Rosalind, Valiant, Nord Star and Della. “President Trump has been clear: We will not allow the illegitimate Maduro regime to profit from exporting oil while it floods the United States with deadly drugs,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. “The Treasury Department will continue to implement President Trump’s campaign of pressure on Maduro’s regime.” The Treasury Department said “some” of the tankers are part of Venezuela’s so-called shadow fleet that continues to fuel Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s regime. The sanctions mark another salvo in the administration’s pressure campaign against Maduro, whom officials have deemed an “illegitimate leader” who runs a drug cartel. Maduro has denied those accusations and argued the U.S. is looking to overthrow him. On Tuesday, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Venezuela-based companies involved in the production and sale of drones.

Venezuela reduces oil production by 15% after the American blockade Venezuela has begun closing heavy crude oil wells in the Orinoco Belt, as a result of the American blockade that has led to a reduction in shipments and a flooding of storage spaces, according to sources familiar with the plans of the state oil company PDVSA speaking to Bloomberg. The company started disabling production wells two days ago, following a decision made on December 23, as part of efforts to cut production in response to restrictions on its exports. According to the sources, Venezuela aims to reduce its oil production by about 15% of total production, which is approximately 1.1 million barrels per day, by cutting production in the Orinoco Belt by 25% to about 500,000 barrels per day. The Orinoco wells and the Junin area will be the first areas to close, followed by some wells in Ayacucho and Carabobo, with a focus on heavy crude oil which is difficult to export due to the sanctions. The American blockade disrupts trade routes for shipments of crude oil aboard ships affected by the sanctions, which increases storage surplus and inventories in Venezuela. Additionally, shipments of naphtha are under scrutiny, limiting PDVSA's ability to process heavy oil for export via pipelines. At the same time, the American company Chevron continues to ship Venezuelan crude oil to the United States under a special license, as production is sent to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast equipped to process heavy sour oil, a globally limited sector. These supplies remain important for complex refineries, especially as sanctions restrict other similar supplies from various producers. Data indicates that the Trump administration focused on enforcing existing sanctions and preventing unauthorized exports, without announcing new sanctions, which has kept Chevron's license intact as illegal oil export paths continue to narrow. Through the reduction of heavy oil production, Venezuela seeks to adapt to the American blockade and the saturation of its storage, reflecting the impact of sanctions on the stability of global oil exports. Chevron’s continued supply of Venezuelan oil highlights the country's production importance in meeting the demand for complex heavy oil, amidst ongoing geopolitical pressures on energy markets.

Maduro Declines To Comment on Reports of US Attack Inside Venezuela - In an interview conducted on New Year’s Eve, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro declined to comment on the reports and claims of a US “ground attack” inside Venezuela.President Trump first claimed the US “knocked out” a big drug-related facility, and US officials later told media outlets that the attack was a CIA drone strike conducted on December 24 that targeted a dock facility allegedly used by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.“Look, that might be a topic we discuss in a few days, in a second version of this podcast, right? Surely in a few days we could talk about it,” Maduro said when asked about the alleged attack, according to a transcript published by Telesur.“What I can tell you is that our national defense system, which combines popular, military, and police forces, has guaranteed and continues to guarantee the territorial integrity, the peace of the country, and the use and enjoyment of all our territories. And our people are safe and at peace,” the Venezuelan leader added.Maduro also discussed his phone call with President Trump in November, which he said was cordial, though he noted US escalations against Venezuela continued after the conversation. “I think that conversation was even pleasant. But after that, the post-conversation developments have not been pleasant,” he said.The Venezuelan leader also denied the Trump administration’s claims that his government was involved in drug trafficking and called for peace with the US, noting that the majority of American people don’t want war with Venezuela, something that’s been demonstrated by several polls. Maduro was also critical of recent US aggression against Venezuela, which has included a partial oil blockade and seizure of two tankers carrying Venezuelan oil, actions he said clearly violated international law. “They are blatantly violating international laws and also there is a large ethical, moral component. Because the people of the United States have to ask themselves if they elected their current government to start military interventions again in Latin America,” he said.

Maduro open to talks with US on drug trafficking and oil, dodges on CIA drone strike -Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro says he is open to holding talks with the Trump administration over drug trafficking and the country’s oil reserves, but he dodged when asked about the CIA’s recent drone strike inside his South American nation. “The U.S. government knows, because we’ve told many of their spokespeople, that if they want to seriously discuss an agreement to combat drug trafficking, we’re ready,” Maduro said in an interview with Spanish journalist Ignacio Ramonet, which was released on Thursday. “If they want oil, Venezuela is ready for U.S. investment, like with Chevron, whenever they want it, wherever they want it and however they want it.” Chevron is the only U.S. oil company that exports Venezuelan oil to the U.S. Maduro doubled down on his argument that the U.S. is seeking to force regime change in Venezuela and hopes to get access to the nation’s oil reserves. His comments come as the Trump administration has ramped up the pressure against the Venezuelan strongman, establishing a massive military presence in the U.S. Southern Command (Southcom) area, repeatedly blowing up alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific and imposing a naval blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers flowing in and out of Venezuela. “What are they seeking? It is clear that they seek to impose themselves through threats, intimidation and force,” Maduro told Ramonet in an interview that was taped on New Year’s Eve. Since early September, the U.S. military has blowing up alleged drug-smuggling vessels in both the Caribbean and Pacific, conducting a minimum of 35 boat strikes and killing at least 115 “narco-terrorists” in what the administration has argued is an effort to thwart the flow of illegal drugs in the region. The latest operation took place on Wednesday when the U.S. military took out two purported drug-smuggling boats and killed five “narco-terrorists.” The administration has argued that the lethal strikes are legal and that the U.S. is engaged in an “armed conflict” with transnational drug cartels. Trump and Maduro spoke over the phone in November. The CIA on Dec. 24 conducted a drone strike on a Venezuelan port facility, where the U.S. officials believe the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua stores drugs. The mission marked the first U.S. land strikes inside Venezuela since the massive military buildup in the Southcom area began. When asked about the CIA strike, Maduro said it “could be something we talk about in a few days.”

U.S. Strikes Venezuela, Maduro Captured – by President Donald Trump, via Truth Social January 3, 2026 - The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP

US Bombs Venezuelan Capital, Captures President Maduro - The US conducted airstrikes in Caracas and captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Maduro is being brought to the US to face charges of drug trafficking. “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social early Saturday morning. He wrote that a press conference will be held later in the day to provide more details.The US first charged Maduro with drug trafficking in 2020. Since President Trump returned to office, the US has increased pressure on Maduro by naming him the leader of a narco-terrorist cartel and offering a $50 million bounty for his capture.However, Washington has offered many allegations but little public evidence of Maduro’s supposed role in the group, and the often-repeated claims about senior officials are likely overstated.Instead, the so-called ‘cartel’ appears to operate more like a loose-knit partnership of corrupt mid-level officials, opportunistic soldiers, and organized criminals—an arrangement tolerated and overseen, but not orchestrated, by the central government in Caracas.Senator Mike Lee wrote on X that Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed him that “Maduro has been arrested by US personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States, and that the kinetic action we saw tonight was deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant.”Lee claimed that because the US forces invaded Caracas to capture Maduro, Trump had the authority to strike Venezuela under “Article II of the Constitution to protect US personnel from an actual or imminent attack.” A US official told the New York Times that there were no American casualties during the operation. Following the attack, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said the government was unable to locate Maduro and his wife. She demanded that the US provide “proof of life.” Rodriguez added that both Venezuelan civilians and military personnel were killed in the US strikes.“The first thing President Maduro told the people of Venezuela was ‘people to the streets,’ activated as militia, activating all the Nation’s comprehensive defense plans,” the vice president said. “No one will undermine the historic legacy of our Liberator father, Simon Bolivar. The people of Venezuela, in perfect national unity, must mobilize to defend their natural resources and what is most sacred: their right to independence and to the future.” Russia quickly condemned the American attack and restarted its support for the Venezuelan government. Earlier today, the United States carried out an act of armed aggression against Venezuela. This has prompted deep concern and condemnation,” A statement from the Foreign Ministry said. “We reaffirm our solidarity with the Venezuelan people and our support for the course of its Bolivarian leadership, aimed at protecting the country’s national interests and sovereignty.”

Airlines cancel dozens of Caribbean flights after U.S. attacks on Venezuela - Airlines canceled flights throughout the Caribbean on Saturday following U.S. strikes on Venezuela after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered commercial aircraft to avoid airspace in parts of the region. President Donald Trump said Saturday the U.S. strikes resulted in the capture and removal of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro. U.S. airlines canceled hundreds of flights to airports in Puerto Rico and Aruba, according to flight tallies from FlightAware and carriers' sites. The canceled flights included close to 300 flights to and from San Juan, Puerto Rico's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, more than 40% of the day's schedule, according to FlightAware. "American Airlines is aware of the airspace closures in the Eastern Caribbean that were issued in the middle of the night and is closely monitoring the situation with the FAA," the carrier said in a statement. "We are making schedule adjustments as necessary with the safety and security of our customers and team members top of mind." Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways also showed cancellations in the Caribbean. JetBlue, which has a large operation in the Caribbean, said it canceled about 215 flights "due to airspace closures across the Caribbean related to military activity." The airline noted that flights to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica were not affected by government restrictions. It wasn't immediately clear how long the disruptions would last, though such broad restrictions are often temporary. Airlines said they would waive change fees and fare differences for customers affected by the airspace closures who could fly later in the month.

Removing Maduro was the easy part. Trump’s true test will come next -On Thursday, January 2, Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro gave an interview and stated outright that he was willing to negotiate with the United States on the issue of drug trafficking. President Trump’s answer came back about 24 hours later: we have nothing to negotiate about. Ever since the Trump administration began striking drug boats off the Venezuelan coast in early September and seizing several Venezuelan oil tankers in December, there was always a lingering question about what Trump’s ultimate aim was. Whatever the case, the fundamental question – how far is Trump willing to go –has been solved. The US airstrikes on multiple Venezuelan military facilities in the dead of night, as well as the successful capture of Maduro and his wife by US special operations forces inside the country, is nothing short of an immense tactical achievement by the president. As far as we can tell, the US operation went as smoothly as one could expect. At the time of writing, Maduro is now being flown out of the country. He will likely stand trial in a US courtroom for a variety of narco-terrorism charges that US prosecutors have levied against him. If Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega was still alive today, he would be having flashbacks right now.Tactical achievements, however, don’t always translate into strategic success. There is a lot we don’t known in these early hours, including whether Maduro’s entire regime will eventually come tumbling down and how involved the United States will be in a post-Maduro Venezuela. Indeed, if the goal of Maduro’s removal was to cause so much chaos, fear and consternation in Caracas that Maduro’s inner circle would choose to vacate their seats and barter for a comfortable exile, it appears to have failed for the time being. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez was on the airwaves shortly after Maduro’s capture railing against Washington for an unjust attack. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, one of Maduro’s most trusted advisers, is demanding the Americans prove that Maduro is still alive. About a quarter-century later, it doesn’t sound like Chavismo is about to fall apart.There’s also a high degree of irony that the first regime-change operation in Latin America in more than three decades was carried out by Donald Trump, a man who fancies himself as the anti-regime change president. The phrase “regime change” is a dirty one for the vast majority of Americans, as it should be– overthrowing governments we don’t like and replacing them with ones we do rarely works out as the planners intend (see Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya as the three most recent case studies).Even when they do, the aftershocks can last for generations. The 1954 US-organised coup in Guatemala was one of the Central Intelligence Agency’s crowning moments during the Cold War era, yet the move helped pave the way for three decades of civil war that devastated the small Central American country.Nobody is going to shed a tear now that Maduro is gone. He was a terrible administrator, is responsible for the arrest of countless political prisoners, stole last year’s presidential election and ran the Venezuelan economy into the ground. But in effectively green-lighting regime change, Trump opens a Pandora’s Box. While Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and her supporters continue to assert that a democratic government-in-waiting is ready to step into the void and turn Venezuela into a pro-Western petro-state, this is the absolute best case scenario on offer. Other contingencies include everything from a split in the Venezuelan army and the expansion of criminal groups to civil war and even worse political dysfunction.When the shock of the US snatch-and-grab wears off, people will eventually have to grapple with all of this – most immediately the Venezuelan people themselves.

Venezuela latest: Trump says US will 'run' Venezuela until 'safe transition can take place' - watch live - BBC News Donald Trump is leading a press conference after the US launched strikes on Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro - press watch live above The US president says the US is going to "run" Venezuela "until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition" He says no US servicemen were killed in the operation and the US is "ready" to stage a second "and much larger" attack on the country if needed Trump, a sharp critic of the US invasion of Iraq, now seems to be in the business of nation-building, our North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher writes Just before he began speaking, Trump shared a photo he said was of Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima - the image shows him blindfolded and wearing ear defenders A little earlier, Maduro was indicted in New York on drugs and weapons charges - the US attorney general says he'll "face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts" Venezuela has declared a national emergency, denouncing "extremely serious military aggression" -BBC Verify identifies locations hit in the attack.

Watch Live: Trump Says U.S. Will ‘Run' Venezuela After Capture of Maduro - The New York Times --President Trump said the United States would “run” Venezuela “until such time that we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” following the U.S. military operation that captured the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife. Mr. Trump offered few details about how the United States would oversee Venezuela, saying only that “a group” would do so. It was not clear whether that would involve an occupying military force, but Mr. Trump said he was not afraid of “boots on the ground.” Mr. Trump spoke at length about American oil companies remaking the country’s energy infrastructure. Venezuela holds roughly 17 percent of the world’s oil reserves. Mr. Trump said Mr. Maduro, who had led the country since 2013, and his wife were being taken to New York to face drug and weapons charges.

Trump: We Are in Venezuela Now, and We Are Going to Stay - Following a military operation that captured President Nicolas Maduro, President Donald Trump said the US would run Venezuela until an acceptable government is set up. “We are going to run [Venezuela] until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition. We don’t want to be involved with having somebody else get in and we have the same situation that we had,” the President said on Saturday. “We are there now, and we are going to stay until the proper transition takes place.” Trump went on to say that the US is prepared to attack Venezuela again. “We are ready to stage a second, much larger attack if we need to do so.” He continued, “All political and military figures in Venezuela should understand what happened to Maduro can happen to them, and it will happen to them if they aren’t fair.” The President did not name a new leader of Venezuela. However, María Corina Machado said, “Today we are prepared to enforce our mandate and take power.” Machado is a Venezuelan opposition figure who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025. She has endorsed US sanctions and military action against Venezuela. Trump did say he had not spoken with Machado, adding that she doesn’t have the respect needed to lead the country. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said following the attack that she had activated Maduro’s military plans. “The first thing President Maduro told the people of Venezuela was ‘people to the streets,’ activated as militia, activating all the Nation’s comprehensive defense plans,” the vice president said. “No one will undermine the historic legacy of our Liberator father, Simon Bolivar. The people of Venezuela, in perfect national unity, must mobilize to defend their natural resources and what is most sacred: their right to independence and to the future.” Trump claimed his administration spoke with Rodriguez, who agreed to work with the US. When asked by the press, Trump refused to give a timeline on how long American control over Venezuela would last. The President said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth would act as the viceroys of Venezuela. Trump added that he was willing to deploy American troops to occupy the South American nation. “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground,” the President explained. He claimed Washington would pay for the occupation of Venezuela with profits from the country’s oil. Trump said no Americans were killed and no military equipment was lost in the operation that captured Maduro early Saturday. Caracas has not reported on the Venezuelan casualties from the American raid and strikes. Trump said he ordered the attack on Venezuela because Maduro was trafficking narcotics to the US, hosting Washington’s adversaries, and stealing American oil. Venezuela is not a major drug trafficking hub and is not listed by the Drug Enforcement Agency as responsible for fentanyl entering the US. The President and Rubio suggested a similar operation could take place in Cuba.

Venezuela vice president Rodriguez in Russia, four sources say (Reuters) - Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez is in Russia, four sources familiar with her movements said on Saturday, after President Donald Trump said President Nicolas Maduro had been seized by U.S. forces after an attack on the country. Her brother, Jorge Rodriguez, the head of the national assembly, is in Caracas, three sources with knowledge of his whereabouts said. Delcy Rodriguez appeared in an audio message on state television earlier in the day, calling for proof of life of Maduro and his wife Cilia, while Jorge Rodriguez has not appeared since the attack.

China Launches Major Military Drills Encircling Taiwan in Response to US Arms Sales -China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has launched major military drills encircling the island of Taiwan, a step Beijing has made clear is a response to the US recently approving more than $11 billion in arms sales for Taipei.According to CGTN, Chen Binhua, a Chinese government spokesman, said the drills were aimed at curbing “collusion between ‘Taiwan independence’ forces and external elements that endanger peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian was asked at his daily press briefing if the US arms sales were the trigger for the drills. He didn’t directly answer, but strongly condemned the deals in his response. “Let me stress that to advance their separatist agenda, the DPP authorities are turning Taiwan into a powder keg,” Lin said, referring to Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party. “Their massive and desperate arms purchase further reveal their true nature as provocateurs, saboteurs of peace and war-mongers. Anyone who tries to arm Taiwan to contain China will only embolden the separatists and push the Taiwan Strait closer to the peril of armed conflict.” The South China Morning Post reported that the Chinese drills, dubbed “Justice Mission 2025,” were taking place in the waters and airspace of the Taiwan Strait and in areas to the north, southwest, southeast, and east of Taiwan’s main island, and were expected to continue on Tuesday. China first conducted drills encircling Taiwan in August 2022 in response to then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island.

Nigerians Applaud Trump's Military Strikes On Islamic Terrorists - Trump's military strikes against Islamic terror groups in Nigeria have been met with overall applause by Nigerian citizens and migrants residing in the US. Authorities say the groups have links to jihadist networks in Mali and Niger and their members have settled in border communities, recruiting young people and imposing brutal controls. Associated Muslim militants were responsible for numerous attacks on Christian communities and schools in the country in early 2025, including the coordinated massacre of 280 Christian farmers in the village of Yelwata; many victims burned alive or hacked to death. It was one of the worst single incidents of Christian slaughter in the past decade. In a national statement, Nigeria's information ministry said "precision strike operations" had been carried with the "explicit approval" of President Bola Tinubu and with "the full involvement of the armed forces of Nigeria". Trump brought global exposure to the attacks on Christians in the region, accusing the Nigerian government of apathy in the face of genocide. The event is being framed as a "joint operation" between Nigeria and the US, however, it is likely that international attention forced the hand of the current regime to cooperate with US military operations. Nothing would have been done about the militants had Trump not stepped in. Many Christian Nigerians abroad and migrants in the US are optimistic about the country's prospects for peace and have applauded the strikes. Nigeria is 56% Muslim and 43% Christian. The northern provinces, controlled by Muslims, have instituted Sharia Law despite the country having a "secular constitution." This has created religious tensions across the nation and helped to enable escalating Islamic militant attacks.

Catholic Bishop in Nigerian State Hit by US Missile Strikes Opposes Bombing - - The top Catholic official in the Nigerian state that was targeted by US missiles on Christmas has come out against the US strikes, according to a report from OSV News.“Violence cannot defeat violence,” said Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, the head of the Diocese of Sokoto in northwestern Nigeria. He added that Christianity has survived oppression through resilience, not force, saying, “Let us heed those solemn words of Jesus to Peter: Put your sword back in its place.”Kukah has previously criticized the narrative from the Trump administration that a Christian “genocide” is taking place in Nigeria, while also urging an end to the violence. “The genocide stuff has been escalated by the Trump administration,” Kukah told The Crux earlier this month.“This is what they used to muscle their way in, but I no longer want to be dragged into this. It is a distraction. My position is simple: By whatever name, stop the killings,” the bishop added.

US Missiles Hit Two Nigerian Villages Far From Intended Target: Nigerian Government - Two villages in Nigeria that were hit by US missiles as part of the first US strikes in Nigeria launched on Christmas Day were not the intended target, according to a statement from the Nigerian government.On Friday, Nigeria’s Information Minister Mohammed Idris said the strikes, which were launched by a US warship in the Gulf of Guinea, targeted “two major Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves” in the forests of the Tangaza district in Nigeria’s northwest Sokoto State, an area that’s not known as a hub for ISIS-affiliated militants, raising questions about why it was the US’s first target.Idris also said that debris from US missiles landed in the village of Jabo in Sokoto, as well as Offa, a village in the central western Kwara state, hundreds of miles from Sokoto. Idris downplayed the damage to the villages, saying there were no civilian casualties, but residents of Offa say several homes were destroyed by the US missile, and some injuries were reported.“At first, we were confused about what happened,” Benji Omale, a resident of Offa, told News Central TV, describing the loud sound he heard when a munition landed on the village. “So, we ran toward the area to find out. When we got there, we saw that several houses had been destroyed and many properties damaged.”Omale added that the residents of the village are now “appealing to the government to take steps to address the destruction and provide some form of assistance.” Reports based on images of debris posted on social media suggest that at least three Tomahawk missiles fired by the US warship fell short of their target. Tajudeen Alabi, a former special assistant to the Kwara State governor, told the BBC that some people were injured by the falling debris. “At least about five structures were destroyed in different locations. We saw some objects in a popular hotel, which we call Offa Central Hotel. It looked like a bomb,” he said.In Jabo, residents described fear and confusion after US missile debris landed in a field, though there were no casualties in the village. “Our rooms began to shake, and then fire broke out,” Abubakar San, a resident of Jabo, told The Associated Press. “The Nigerian government should take appropriate measures to protect us as citizens. We have never experienced anything like this before.”Residents of Jabo questioned President Trump’s claims that he launched the airstrikes to defend Nigeria’s Christians. “In Jabo, we see Christians as our brothers. We don’t have religious conflicts, so we weren’t expecting this,” Suleiman Kagara, a villager, told CNN.Other Jabo residents said they didn’t understand why their village was hit since their community has not been subject to attacks by armed bandit groups or the Lakurawa, an armed group suspected of being affiliated with ISIS. Analysts suspect Lakurawa was the target of the US airstrikes, though the group’s ties to ISIS are unclear. The more well-known jihadist groups in Nigeria — Boko Haram and ISWAP — operate in northwest Nigeria.Daniel Bwala, a spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, told the AFP on Saturday that the strikes targeted ISIS militants who were in the country to work with the Lakurawa. A day earlier, he said the US claims about the strikes were “sketchy” and said he would have more information in the coming hours.While the US launched the strikes in cooperation with the Nigerian government, Nigerian officials have pushed back on the Trump administration’s claim that there is a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, saying the violence affects everyone.

US Bombed Seven Countries in 2025 as Trump Dramatically Expanded Airstrikes - 2025 saw a major increase in US airstrikes due to President Trump loosening the rules of engagement for military commanders and launching new interventions in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.According to a report from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) released earlier this year, Trump launched nearly as many airstrikes in just his first five months in office as President Biden did during his entire four-year term.If Trump’s claims of a Christmas Eve attack on Venezuela and reports that it was a CIA drone strikeare true, the US has bombed seven countries this year, on top of the airstrikes targeting alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean.

• Somalia. The Trump administration has conducted an unprecedented escalation of the US air war in Somalia this year, launching at least 127 airstrikes, more than double the previous annual record of US bombings in the country, which Trump set at 63 during his first term in office.According to New America, an organization that tracks the air war, the airstrikes launched in 2025 are more than were conducted in Somalia during the administrations of Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush combined.US airstrikes in Somalia have targeted al-Shabaab in the south and a small ISIS affiliate based in caves in the northeastern Puntland region. There have been some reports of civilians being killed in US airstrikes and military operations conducted by US-backed forces in recent months. Overall, it’s difficult to ascertain the situation on the ground in Somalia, as there’s virtually no US media coverage of the air war despite the unprecedented escalation. The US-backed government, which is based in Mogadishu, is also known for arresting and restricting journalists who report critically on Somalia’s security forces, and al-Shabaab maintains restrictions on internet use in the areas under its control.
• Nigeria. President Trump launched the first known US missile strikes in Nigeria on Christmas Day, which were conducted by a US warship in the Gulf of Guinea. The Nigerian government said the target was “two major Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves” in the forests of the Tangaza district in Nigeria’s northwest Sokoto State, an area that’s not known as a major hub for ISIS-affiliated militants, raising questions about why it was the US’s first target.US missiles also fell on two villages that were not the intended target, according to the Nigerian government, destroying several homes and scaring residents. Nearly a week after the US strikes, it’sunclear if there were any casualties among ISIS-affiliated militants. Analysts suspect the target was the Lakurawa, an armed group that’s believed to be linked to ISIS.
• Yemen. The Trump administration launched a heavy bombing campaign in Yemen starting on March 15 in response to the Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, announcing they were re-imposing their blockade on Israeli shipping due to Israeli violations of the short-lived Gaza ceasefire deal signed back in January.The US campaign, dubbed “Operation Rough Rider,” was especially brutal and killed more than 250 civilians, according to Air Wars. Strikes included the April 17 bombing of the Ras Issa Fuel Port, which killed 84 people, all civilians. A few days later, the US bombed a migrant detention facility in Sadaa, Yemen, killing 68 African migrants.Operation Rough Rider ended with a ceasefire between the US and the Houthis on May 6. The US failed to stop Houthi attacks on Israel and Israeli-linked shipping, which only ended after the latest Gaza ceasefire deal was signed in October.
• Iraq and Syria.The US has launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria this year under the US-led anti-ISIS coalition and has several thousand troops in both countries. On December 19, the US launched significant strikes in Syria that it said targeted ISIS in response to a December 13 attack in central Syria that killed two US National Guard members and an American civilian interpreter.However, the attack that killed the three Americans was launched by a member of the Syrian government’s security forces and was not claimed by ISIS. The Trump administration has made an ally out of the new Syrian government despite the fact that it’s led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an offshoot of al-Qaeda, and has absorbed foreign jihadists into its military, putting US troops at risk of more insider attacks. US troops are now regularly conducting raids with both Syrian government fighters and members of the Kurdish-led SDF against suspected ISIS members. CENTCOM said on December 30 that its forces and partners “killed or captured nearly 25 ISIS operatives” in Syria since the December 19 airstrikes.
• Iran. President Trump became the first US president to bomb Iran in June when US B-2 bombers armed with 30,000-pound bunker-busting bombs and submarines firing Tomahawk missiles targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. The US also supported heavy Israeli airstrikes across Iran, which killedmore than 1,000 people over 12 days of war.The US refueled Israeli jets that were bombing Iran and spent billions of dollars intercepting missiles that were being fired at Israel. Many Iranian missiles made it through US and Israeli air defenses, which is ultimately what led to Israel agreeing to a ceasefire after 12 days.Another US-Israeli war on Iran seems likely in 2026 as Israel is seeking US support for more attacks, with Iran’s conventional missiles being the pretext. President Trump said on Monday that he would support an Israeli attack if Iran “continues” its missile program or if it rebuilds its damaged nuclear facilities.
• The Caribbean and Eastern Pacific . The Trump administration began conducting a bombing campaign targeting boats in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela that it claimed were carrying drugs on September 2. The attacks started as part of the pressure campaign against Venezuela aimed at ousting President Nicolas Maduro, and later expanded to the Eastern Pacific Ocean, where the majority have now been launched. According to numbers released by the Trump administration, a total of 30 strikes have been launched, and 107 people have been killed in what are extra-judicial executions that clearly violate US and international law. Throughout the bombing campaign, the Pentagon has provided no evidence to back up its claims about what the boats were carrying, and it has admitted to not knowing the identities of all the people it has killed.
• Venezuela. President Trump has claimed that the US launched an attack inside Venezuela on December 24 that blew up a “major facility” where boats were loaded with drugs. After his comments, US media reported, citing anonymous officials, that the CIA conducted a drone strike targeting a dock facility the US believed was being used by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.US officials speaking to the media outlets said there was no one present at the facility at the time, and there were no casualties. At this point, the attack still hasn’t been confirmed by the Venezuelan government or sources in Venezuela, but if true, the strike marks a major escalation in the US aggression against the country, which has also involved a naval blockade and the seizure of two tankers carrying Venezuelan oil.The Trump administration has been clear that its goal in its campaign against Venezuela is regime change, while using false claims that Maduro’s government is a “cartel” as a pretext. There’s no sign that’s Trump’s willing to back down against Maduro, making a full-blown war with the country likely in 2026.

The American empire has entered its final act -President Trump promised restoration — twice. The first time, he vowed to “drain the swamp,” revive American industry, tame debt, rebuild trust, and restore pride. The second time, he returned with a sharper edge and a louder voice, insisting that only he could finish the job he claimed had been sabotaged the first time around. What MAGA voters received instead wasn’t renewal, but a grim revelation. The failure was never just Trump. He was the messenger. The problem is that America no longer has the political, economic or cultural capacity to deliver restoration at all. Trump’s first term was sold as a corrective. A wrecking ball swung at elite incompetence. Yet by the end, the swamp was deeper, the debt was larger, and the institutions Trump railed against weren’t dismantled but further exposed as ineffective and untrustworthy. Manufacturing never returned at scale. Infrastructure week became a punchline. Trade wars amounted to economic self-harm, raising costs and squeezing the very American workers Trump was elected to protect. The federal debt kept climbing, with little to show for it beyond tax cuts that failed to deliver the promised economic revival. Still, many believed a second term would be different, informed by experience and tempered by past mistakes. They were wrong. If anything, it has been worse. Not because Trump changed, but because the country has weakened further — and no amount of bravado can reverse structural decline. America is approaching its 250th birthday. That is no small achievement. Empires rarely last that long. It has been a remarkable run. But longevity doesn’t guarantee vitality. What once powered American dominance — productive labor, demographic confidence, institutional trust, and cultural gravity — is steadily eroding. Start with debt. The U.S. now spends more paying for its past than investing in its future. Deficits are no longer cyclical responses to crisis but permanent features of governance. Each administration borrows against the future, knowing the bill will come due long after the speeches fade. Trump didn’t reverse this pattern. He accelerated it. Then, there is soft power. In the 1990s, America barely had to assert itself. It set the terms by default. Its universities drew in the world’s brightest students, who stayed, built companies, and extended American influence without a single treaty. Hollywood dominated global culture, exporting not just films but attitudes, language and aspiration. American media framed global debates. The dollar was trusted. American leadership, while imperfect, felt assured. That world is gone. Elite universities are now met with suspicion rather than admiration. Hollywood lectures more than it entertains and no longer commands global attention. Alliances wobble as partners hedge, diversify, and quietly prepare for a future less dependent on Washington. Institutions built to amplify American authority now expose its inconsistency and short attention span. Trump didn’t create this erosion. But he has done little, if anything, to arrest it. At home, the social foundations are cracking. Fewer young Americans are working. Not transitioning between jobs — simply not employed at all. Many move between credentials and gig work, lacking direction and long-term footing. Marriage rates are collapsing. Birth rates are falling below replacement. These trends are linked. When stable work is harder to find, forming relationships becomes harder, commitment harder still, and raising a family nearly impossible. With AI accelerating job insecurity rather than easing it, the trajectory only points in one direction. Supporters will object that these trends are global. They are right. Europe is aging. East Asia is shrinking. Birth rates are falling almost everywhere. But comparison is not consolation. The fact that others are declining too does nothing to change America’s course. Trump promised to fight decline with force of will. That was always the fantasy. Decline rooted in demographics and cultural fragmentation can’t be reversed by rhetoric alone. It requires long-term discipline — precisely what American politics no longer rewards. MAGA voters wanted a reckoning. What they got was exposure. Exposure of how little leverage the presidency now holds. Exposure of how weak Congress has become. Exposure of how addicted the economy is to cheap credit and imported labor. Trump raged against the machine, but governed inside it, constrained by the same incentives and pressures that have limited every modern presidency. The harder truth is that even a more effective Trump would have been unable to meet promises of that scale. You can’t restore a mid-century industrial base in a post-industrial economy with a single leader. You can’t rebuild trust through permanent outrage. You can’t borrow your way back to greatness. America is settling into managed decline. Each generation inherits a narrower set of possibilities. Boomers dreamed big. Gen X sought security. Millennials adjusted to constraint. Gen Z dreams of not becoming homeless. As the country approaches its quarter-millennium mark, the temptation is nostalgia. Flags. Fireworks. Familiar speeches about destiny. But history is not sentimental. Civilizations peak, plateau, and pass the baton. America may not be finished, but it no longer defines the age. Trump didn’t save America. He didn’t destroy it either. He revealed it. And what he revealed is a nation exhausted, indebted, aging, and divided — still powerful, still wealthy, but no longer confident in its future.

ICE accuses Politico reporter of 'inciting violence against federal agents' - Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) claimed Tuesday that Politico reporter Josh Gerstein was “inciting violence against federal agents.” Gerstein, a senior legal affairs reporter at the outlet, said Monday on the social platform X, “At some point, the amateur effort to knock on doors of home daycares intersects with robust stand-your-ground laws.” The post referred to the ongoing federal investigation into alleged fraud within Minnesota’s social services programs, and laws that allow people to “stand their ground” and defend themselves or homes with the use of deadly force. ICE responded by saying on X, “You would think a ‘Senior Legal Affairs Reporter’ for POLITICO would know better than to tweet something inciting violence against federal agents.” After ICE posted its accusation, Gerstein said on X that “to observe that something is likely to happen or there’s a serious risk of it happening is not to advocate for it happening.” The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has dispatched investigative agents to Minneapolis as part of its probe into alleged fraud in the North Star State. DHS said Tuesday on X that it is inspecting day cares, health care facilities and “other suspected sites.”

ICE deports single dad of 6 American children after 34 years in the US - A single dad of six children was deported to Mexico last month after living in the U.S. for more than 34 years, his lawyer told Newsweek. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek that Rosalio Vasquez Meave was arrested on September 15. His attorney, Michelle Edstrom, said he was taking his children to school to drop them off when an ICE vehicle pulled him over and arrested him. Edstrom said he had a valid work permit and was the sole caretaker of his children, all of whom are U.S. citizens.Immigration enforcement has been a key focus of President Donald Trump’s administration. The Department of Homeland Security announced on December 10 that the agency’s enforcement operations have resulted in more than 605,000 deportations since January 20. The agency said 1.9 million people have voluntarily self-deported since January 2025.

Federal authorities in Minneapolis for ‘massive’ investigation into ‘rampant fraud’: Noem --Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday that federal authorities were on the ground in Minneapolis as part of the broad investigation into “rampant fraud.” “Homeland Security Investigations @ICEGov are on the ground in Minneapolis right now conducting a massive investigation on childcare and other rampant fraud,” Noem wrote on the social platform X, adding, “More coming.”The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) similarly said the department was “going DOOR TO DOOR at suspected fraud sites.” “The American people deserve answers on how their taxpayer money is being used and ARRESTS when abuse is found. Under the leadership of @Sec_Noem, DHS is working to deliver results,” DHS added on X. The social media posts each included a short clip of two federal investigators, who were wearing “Police HSI” uniforms, asking individuals who appeared to be employees about the business dealings at their respective workplaces.The renewed focus on the widespread fraud in Minnesota comes after independent journalist Nick Shirley released a viral video Friday showing him visiting a day care facility that appeared largely inactive despite receiving significant state funding.The video drew the ire of several members of the Trump administration and much of President Trump’s conservative base, who claimed Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) failed to adequately crack down on fraud — allegations the governor’s office adamantly rejects.Earlier this month, federal prosecutors announced they were significantly broadening an investigation into fraud of Minnesota’s social services programs that previously focused on three safety net programs run by state agencies.Now, prosecutors say they are looking into suspicious billing practices in 14 Medicaid-funded programs, The New York Times reported, adding that authorities say a preliminary assessment suggests that more than half of the $18 billion in taxpayer funding spent on the programs was likely stolen.All but eight of the 86 people previously charged in connection to the fraud are of Somali ancestry, the Times previously reported, citing prosecutors. As prosecutors expanded their investigation this month, they charged another six people in connection to the fraud, bringing the total to 92 people. Some Minnesota officials have expressed concern about the narrow targeting of the Somali community, especially as the Trump administration has highlighted the fraud scandal as part of its crackdown on immigration in the community.Walz has criticized the Trump administration’s actions but has maintained that anyone committing fraud should go to prison.“Sitting on the sidelines and throwing out accusations — and let’s be very clear, demonizing an entire population and lying to people about the safety and security of this state — is beneath that,” Walz previously said, according to The Associated Press.

HHS freezes child care payments to Minnesota; requires photo evidence across country --The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is pausing all child care payments to Minnesota, amid a sweeping federal probe into allegations of fraud within the state’s social services programs. Citing a video released Friday by independent journalist Nick Shirley detailing his investigation into day care centers and other businesses, HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill said Tuesday on the social platform X that the move is necessary amid “blatant fraud that appears to be rampant in Minnesota.” In fiscal 2024, the federal government provided more than $172 million to Minnesota’s Child Care and Development Fund, according to the state’s Department of Children, Youth and Families. The department noted that Minnesota spent more than $31 million of that funding to “improve the quality and availability of child care” last fiscal year. O’Neill added that he has demanded an audit on the day care centers highlighted in Shirley’s video from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), including attendance records, licenses, complaints, investigations and inspections. Additionally, starting Tuesday, HHS is requiring that all payments from its Administration for Children and Families to states across the country receive prior justification and a receipt or photo evidence.Federal scrutiny of programs housed under the Minnesota Department of Human Services, including those designated for child care, has ramped up in recent days. The Department of Homeland Security has dispatched agents to Minneapolis as part of its probe into the alleged fraud, while the Small Business Administration paused grants to the North Star State on Monday.

SBA says it has suspended ‘6,900 Minnesota borrowers’ over suspected fraud --Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler said Thursday night that her agency has suspended “6,900 Minnesota borrowers” over suspected fraudulent activity regarding COVID-era lending programs. Loeffler said the SBA over the last week reviewed “thousands” of potentially “fraudulent” Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) payouts that were approved in Minnesota. “Today, our agency took action to suspend 6,900 Minnesota borrowers amid suspected fraudulent activity. In total, these borrowers were approved for 7,900 PPP and EIDL loans worth approximately $400M,” Loeffler said on social platform X. She said the implicated individuals would be banned from all SBA loan programs, “including disaster loans, going forward. We will also refer every case, where appropriate, to federal law enforcement for prosecution and repayment.” The suspension comes as the House Committee on Small Business started an investigation into “fraud and concealment” within the PPP and EIDL, both programs that were established during the pandemic. Loeffler said on Monday that SBA will pause annual grants to Minnesota amid the ongoing probe into the COVID-era programs. “SBA is pausing annual funding to Minnesota while we investigate $430 million in suspected PPP fraud across the state,” she said on X. Last week, Loeffler sent a letter to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) saying that SBA would pause $5.5 million in annual funding “pending further review.”Prosecutors have charged nearly 100 people linked to an investigation into the fraud within Minnesota’s social programs, and Walz has directed a third-party audit of Medicaid billing within Minnesota’s Department of Human Services.The federal Department of Health and Human Services said earlier this week it would pause all child care payments to Minnesota, citing a video posted by independent journalist Nick Shirley who outlined his investigation into fraud allegations in the North Star State’s day care centers and other businesses. “After years, the American people will finally begin to see the criminals who stole from law-abiding taxpayers held accountable — and this is just the first state,” Loeffler said on Thursday.

Somali Americans Face Audits For Potential Immigration Fraud --The Trump administration is auditing immigration cases involving U.S. citizens of Somali origin to uncover potential fraud that might be grounds for revoking their citizenship, known as denaturalization.“Under U.S. law, if an individual procures citizenship on a fraudulent basis, that is grounds for denaturalization,” Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement reported by Fox News then shared by the White House on social media.Such denaturalization actions are rare, and the process often lasts years. Data from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center show an average of about 11 cases pursued annually between 1990 and 2017.Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has made enforcing immigration laws a priority, including ramped-up deportations, and visa and green card revocations.Federal authorities have in recent months turned their focus to Minnesota’s Somali population, alleging it is an epicenter for fraud involving millions in federal funds for social services. FBI Director Kash Patel announced Sunday that the bureau has “surged” investigators and resources to Minnesota.Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Tuesday that it has stopped all child care payments to Minnesota. Nationwide, payments from the department’s Administration for Children and Families “will require a justification and a receipt or photo evidence before we send money to a state.”The Small Business Administration said it plans to pause funding to the state pending investigation of suspected $430 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud, Administrator Kelly Loeffler posted to X on Dec. 29.The House Oversight Committee is investigating an alleged cover-up of welfare fraud schemes in the state. HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill stated the department has “turned off the money spigot.”

"I Flagged Them All": Attorney Says US Gov't Investigating Somali Welfare Fraud In Ohio - Allegations of welfare fraud involving Minneapolis daycare centers tied to Somali operators have circulated in the news cycle for years with limited traction; however, it was not until a high-visibility, bombshell investigation by citizen journalist Nick Shirley that the topic was reignited and thrust back into the news cycle. The focus is now shifting from Democrat-run Minneapolis to what is being framed as a potentially nationwide welfare fraud epidemic. On Sunday, Breitbart News published an interview with Ohio attorney Mehek Cooke, who alleges that members of the Somali community in Ohio have defrauded millions of dollars from the state's Medicaid program. "So these individuals tried to report the fraud that was happening in Ohio and eventually came to me saying that we are watching providers rubber-stamp paperwork for home health. And there are many states like this, Pennsylvania and others too, where you can go in and say, 'My aging parent needs home health care. I want to provide it.' The state will, as long as a doctor has approved it, continue to pay you. It could be for 10 hours, 12 hours, up to 24 hours when it is critical care. So you could sit at home without caring for an elderly parent who really does not need it and make about $75,000 to $90,000 a year. Now you add two parents, that is $180,000. Now you add your in-laws, $250,000. You continue to add this and you wonder, what services are actually being provided? So a lot of providers came to me and said fraud is occurring because we refused to rubber-stamp this paperwork. So they went to other providers in their home health care networks saying, 'We will make it worth your while.' Well, that sounds like a kickback to me. So we really need to investigate the Medicaid system, how much it has expanded since the Somali population arrived, and who truly needs critical care, because that is meant for the disabled, the elderly, and people who genuinely need it, not for people to live off the system. And that is what is happening in Ohio. I think it is ridiculous. I think it is despicable. But authorities are now looking at it, from the Attorney General's office to the U.S. Attorney's office. I flagged them all because these are Ohio tax dollars and we have to take it seriously. I am tired of people telling me, 'Well, this is the way it has always been. It is subjective, and we cannot really check.' No, you can. Audit America. Audit Ohio now."

California delays cancellation of thousands of migrant trucker licenses --The California Department of Motor Vehicles said this week that it is delaying the cancellation of thousands of migrant truck driver licenses.The announcement means approximately 17,000 migrant truck drivers won’t have their commercial licenses revoked on Jan. 5. Instead, they can remain on the roads and will have another two months to re-test and re-apply. The decision comes amid pressure from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which announced in November 2025 that it would compel California to revoke thousands of what it calls “illegally issued” non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses.A nationwide audit revealed “systemic policy, procedural, and programming errors in California’s non-domiciled CDL program, which allowed thousands of CDLs to be illegally issued to foreign drivers,” according to the DOT.A series of fatal crashes in 2025 prompted a closer examination of non-domiciled CDL holders. In October, a collision involving a trucker whose immigration status is in dispute killed three people just outside of Los Angeles. In August, a truck driver in Florida, not authorized to be in the U.S., made an illegal U-turn and killed three people.The decision to delay the revocation of licenses comes just days after immigrant rights groups sued the California DMV.The Sikh Coalition and the Asian Law Caucus filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of California drivers, alleging immigrant truck drivers are being unfairly targeted and licenses are getting cancelled for minor paperwork discrepancies. The drivers in the fatal Florida and California crashes were both Sikhs.An estimated 150,000 Punjabi Sikhs work in the American trucking industry, with the majority based on the West Coast, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Judge allows HHS to share Medicaid data with ICE - A federal judge in California ruled Monday that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) can share Medicaid data with immigration enforcement authorities, but he kept in place limits on what data the agencies can share and what can be used. A group of 20 Democratic attorneys general sued the Trump administration in July, seeking to block it from sharing Medicaid data with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arguing it violated privacy protections. U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria, appointed by former President Obama, ruled that in light of the “abrupt departure from their past policies of not sharing or using Medicaid data for immigration enforcement purposes,” both the HHS and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have “adequately explained their decisions.” “The motion is denied as to the data that is the primary focus of the new policies—basic biographical, location, and contact information—because the sharing of such information is clearly authorized by law and the agencies have adequately explained their decisions,” Chhabria wrote. In August, Chhabria granted a preliminary injunction to stop Medicaid from sharing data with ICE. The judge found Monday that ICE has always had the authority to request data from other agencies to “pursue legitimate law enforcement objectives.” He further found, however, that the policies being enforced by ICE are “totally unclear and do not appear to be the product of a coherent decisionmaking process,” noting it’s uncertain the scope of what data ICE can request from the HHS. While the lawsuit is ongoing, Chhabria ruled that the HHS and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services cannot share data from the plaintiff states unless it is data from a Medicaid program; pertains only to immigrants residing in the U.S. unlawfully; and the data only divulges the immigrant’s citizenship and immigration status, address, phone number, date of birth, and Medicaid ID.” “DHS and ICE are also preliminarily enjoined from using any data obtained from HHS or CMS (including any data already acquired from HHS or CMS) for immigration enforcement purposes, unless the data satisfies the aforementioned requirements,” Chhabria wrote. This injunction will stay in place until the end of the lawsuit or until 14 days after a new policy is issued that clarifies what additional information the DHS needs from the HHS along with a legal, policy-based explanation.

BofA CEO Moynihan: Trump's Tariff War Shifts Into De-Escalation Phase - The conversation between CBS Face the Nation’s Margaret Brennan and Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan on Sunday morning focused on the economic outlook for small businesses after nearly one year of the Trump administration’s ‘America First’ policies.Moynihan discussed trade policy, tariffs, small businesses, labor, and immigration. He noted that, on the trade front, Trump’s trade war with many of America’s top trading partners was chaotic in early 2025 and caused significant concern among small businesses, a key client base for BofA. By the end of the year, however, that chaos had largely subsided. Brennan asked BofA CEO:In the past year, trade and tariffs—there were a lot of shocks to the system. It was a big concern. But Bank of America now projects that President Trump's strategy is one of de-escalation, not escalation. Does that mean you see this trade war with China cooling off? Moynihan's response: Well, I think if you go back to where we were in April, there was a lot of lack of understanding about what would end up being affected for small businesses. They were shocked—they'll be shocked—by the sheer size and volume of dollars across the board, etc. What you'd say now, as time has moved on, it's sort of 15% on one side, and then higher numbers based on people who won't commit to purchase from the US or will not commit to lowering their non-tariff barriers, things like that. So the question—when I talk to foreign governments, they ask questions about, "What does this all mean for CEOs?" You've got a choice: you could be here, you just have to make choices. It's going to drive more towards America—come down to 15%, go to 10% across the board, 15% for the broad base of countries. Not a huge impact. And that's where our team says it is starting to de-escalate. You start seeing resolution discussions—15% here, different numbers. When you put China in, it's a Chinese question because of national security interests: rare earth minerals, magnets, batteries, chips, AI—all this stuff. It's a very different case. I think also between Mexico, China, and the US—the USMCA, which has to be redone—is also a different case. But broadly in the world, you can see sort of an endpoint here, and now they've just got to work with it. It's got to work through the system. Brennan then asked: How much of a toll has that taken on small businesses? I understand Bank of America is the largest small business lender in the country... Moynihan responded: It was a big toll earlier this year because rates were going up—it cost more money because they borrow on revolving lines of credit... and they were on floating rates. And then tariffs came in and caused, "I'm not sure I can get the goods at what price and how I could commit." As you went through the year, rates came down a little bit, so now their issue right now is labor—they need to get labor to bid contracts and do the work. Because immigration policies haven't settled in yet, that's causing people concern. It's not that they agree with them or disagree with them—just need to have an answer. And that's, I think, across four policy regimes: tax, trade and tariffs, immigration, and ultimately deregulation. We've seen resolution of a lot of it. But I think the next one for small business—what they tell us—is labor availability. How they get there is, "I need people to do this work, and I need to be dependable that they're here. So give me a set of rules, and I'll go play with them. I just need clarity on what the rules are." Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan says small business owners have concerns about the Trump administration’s immigration policies, not because “they agree with them or disagree with them,” but rather the “policies haven't settled in yet.”

Trump delays tariff hikes for imported furniture by 1 year - President Trump signed a proclamation Wednesday to delay increases in U.S. tariffs for imported upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets and vanities for one year. “Given the ongoing productive negotiations regarding the imports of wood products, the President is delaying the tariff increase to allow for further negotiations to occur with other countries,” reads a fact sheet from the White House explaining the decision to pause the tariff hikes. The U.S. imposes a 25 percent tariff on those items and was expected to increase that rate beginning Jan. 1. Kitchen cabinets and vanities were expected to see a 50 percent tariff rate starting in 2026 while upholstered furniture was supposed to see a 30 percent tariff rate. Wednesday’s move delays those higher rates for another year. In a proclamation in September, Trump cited threats to the country’s national security as reason for the tariff hikes. The president imposed tariffs on a range of goods in his first year back in office, though he has at times pared back his announced levies. While the White House argues that Trump is free to change course on trade issues as necessary, the reversals have prompted taunts from critics who accuse the president of not following through on his threats to impose massive tariffs.

U.S. cuts proposed tariffs on 13 Italian pasta exporters -The U.S. has significantly reduced proposed tariffs on 13 Italian pasta exporters, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. The pasta-makers previously faced a potential 92 percent duty after the agency determined they were selling their pasta at unfairly low prices. Proposed tariffs on Garofalo were cut down to 13.89 percent, while those on La Molisana were reduced to 2.26 percent. The other 11 companies now face a 9.09 percent tariff. “This post-preliminary analysis indicates that Italian pasta makers have addressed many of Commerce’s concerns raised in the preliminary determination, and reflects Commerce’s commitment to a fair, transparent process,” a Commerce Department spokesperson said in a statement. “Commerce will continue to engage with interested parties to take into account all information before issuing the final determination,” they continued. The agency is set to release its final results on March 12, opening up the analysis for comment in the meantime. It initially launched a review of Italian pasta exports in August 2024 following “requests by interested parties.” Anti-dumping or countervailing duties are meant to offset the dumping of products at an artificially low price in U.S. markets. The decision to ease pasta tariffs comes as President Trump separately opted to delay duties on imported furniture Wednesday. The president signed a proclamation pushing back the tariff hike by one year, citing “ongoing productive negotiations.”

Donald Trump says tariffs are crucial for national security as Supreme Court weighs legality -President Trump on Friday doubled down on his tariff agenda as the Supreme Court weighs its legality, suggesting that losing his ability to impose import taxes on trading partners “would be a terrible blow” to the country.“Tariffs are an overwhelming benefit to our Nation, as they have been incredible for our National Security and Prosperity (like nobody has ever seen before!),” the president wrote on Truth Social. “Losing our ability to Tariff other countries who treat us unfairly would be a terrible blow to the United States of America.”The Trump administration defended the president’s policies in front of the nation’s highest court in November, drawing skepticism from Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch. The latter two were appointed by Trump during his first term. Roberts and Justice Sonia Sotomayor raised the “major questions” doctrine during oral arguments, which holds that the executive branch cannot enact initiatives of economic or political significance when Congress has not explicitly granted it the authority to do so.The president has cited the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which allows him to regulate economic transactions amid a declared national emergency, in levying the steep tariffs.The White House argued in April, when Trump imposed his “Liberation Day” taxes, that the country’s trade deficit, as well as immigration and fentanyl trafficking from Canada and Mexico, constituted national emergencies.The high court is expected to issue an opinion on whether the president’s use of the IEEPA to impose tariffs is legal at the conclusion of its term this summer.

ObamaCare subsidies expire; premiums spike for millions -After months of fighting and countless proposals for a bipartisan compromise, the expiration date for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax subsidies has arrived, with millions of Americans set to feel the pain. Congress had until Dec. 31, 2025, to strike a deal extending tax credits that were first enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic by the Biden administration and further extended through the Inflation Reduction Act. Democrats held a relatively united front in the last half of 2025 as they sought to pressure Republicans into agreeing to a deal to save the credits. This fight saw the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and GOP infighting between conservatives who staunchly opposed ObamaCare and moderates who sought to stave off constituent anger. But Republicans left Congress on Dec. 19 for their holiday recess with no deal, setting the stage for a post-expiration fight in the new year. Health coverage experts repeatedly warned that the expiration of these enhanced tax credits would result in significantly higher premiums and a loss of health insurance for millions of Americans priced out of the ACA marketplace. The deadline to receive coverage at the start of 2026 was Dec. 15. Prospective enrollees have until Jan. 15 to sign up if they want coverage beginning on Feb. 1. The enhanced premium tax credits were credited with boosting health insurance coverage in the U.S. The Biden administration saw four consecutive years of record-high enrollment in ACA plans, with nearly 24 million people signed up for plans in 2025. Much of this was due to the enhanced premiums tax credits lowering monthly health plan costs for millions, with many being able to get no-cost premiums. And eligibility for enhanced premiums tax credits was expanded to include people making beyond 400 percent of the federal poverty level. Now, without the policies that boosted coverage and allowed customers to access more affordable plans, uninsured rates are expected to grow this year, even if a deal is struck when Congress returns this month. Young people will see the greatest rise in uninsurance rates compared to other age groups, according to Matthew Buettgens, senior fellow in the health policy division at the Urban Institute. Among racial groups, Black non-Hispanic people are projected to see the largest increase in uninsurance rates, with white non-Hispanic people following closely behind at 25 percent. Across the income spectrum, people making between 250 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level — those who fall in the middle of the eligible population — will see the largest percent gain in uninsurance, projected at 26 percent. With the future of the enhanced tax credits uncertain, health insurers advertised plans with the assumption that credits would not be extended, leaving many customers with sticker shock when it came time for open enrollment. The cost of ACA premiums is expected to rise by 26 percent on average, lower in states that run their own marketplaces and higher in those that use Healthcare.gov. The health policy nonprofit KFF projects annual premium payments for enrollees would more than double, rising by 114 percent on average, or $1,016. Experts estimate somewhere between 2.2 million and 7.3 million people will decide against renewing their insurance because of the price hike.

SNAP bans on soda, candy and other foods take effect in five states Jan. 1 - Starting Thursday, Americans in five states who get government help paying for groceries will see new restrictions on soda, candy and other foods they can buy with those benefits. Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah and West Virginia are the first of at least 18 states to enact waivers prohibiting the purchase of certain foods through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. It’s part of a push by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to urge states to strip foods regarded as unhealthy from the $100 billion federal program — long known as food stamps — that serves 42 million Americans. “We cannot continue a system that forces taxpayers to fund programs that make people sick and then pay a second time to treat the illnesses those very programs help create,” Kennedy said in a statement in December. The efforts are aimed at reducing chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes associated with sweetened drinks and other treats, a key goal of Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again effort. But retail industry and health policy experts said state SNAP programs, already under pressure from steep budget cuts, are unprepared for the complex changes, with no complete lists of the foods affected and technical point-of-sale challenges that vary by state and store. And research remains mixed about whether restricting SNAP purchases improves diet quality and health. The National Retail Federation, a trade association, predicted longer checkout lines and more customer complaints as SNAP recipients learn which foods are affected by the new waivers.

Tom Steyer echoes Bernie Sanders in supporting single-payer health care - - Billionaire and California gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer (D) said Tuesday the United States needs a single-payer health care system. “Bernie Sanders was right. We need single-payer health care,” Steyer said in a video shared on social media. “In 2019, I didn’t think we needed single-payer health care.”Steyer said he thought the U.S. could “bend the curve of health care inflation by using more inflation technology, more private sector expertise that these smarty-pants from the business world would bring down the cost.” He added that the U.S. needs a system that will cut out the expenses and “profit for middlemen supplying health care.”The California Democrat joined a crowded field for the governorship last month, four years after he said he had “no plans” to run for public office again. Other Democratic candidates include former Rep. Katie Porter (Calif.), Rep. Eric Swalwell (Calif.), former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. Polling released by Emerson College last month found Steyer with 4 percent support from potential California voters. The candidate who saw the most support — at 13 percent — was Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, followed by Swalwell. Steyer was among several candidates, including fellow single-payer health care proponent Sanders, who ran in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary. During that run, Steyer advocated for a “Right to Health” plan to allow Americans to choose their own coverage plans, which included “offering a more affordable, competitive public option,” according to a November 2019 statement.One month later, he criticized a court for striking down the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and said his plan, if elected president, would “protect the ACA’s key provisions, expand its benefits for millions of Americans, and create a new public option to give Americans the choice of a quality, affordable plan.”

Trump rejects doctors’ advice to take less aspirin: ‘I want nice, thin blood’- President Trump said in new interview regarding his health that he has rejected his doctors’ advice to take less aspirin for cardiac prevention because he has been taking it for more than two decades and is a “little superstitious.” “They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart,” Trump said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that was published on Thursday. “I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?” Trump, 79, became the oldest person to assume the presidency last year, and questions about his health have dogged his second term. “Let’s talk about health again for the 25th time,” he told the Journal at the beginning of the interview. “My health is perfect.” Concerns have only risen, however, after photos began to emerge of bruises on the president’s hand, which the White House has attributed to his aspirin usage. Doctors have recommended that the president take smaller dose of aspirin than what he currently takes, which is 325 milligrams a day, according to Trump’s physician, Sean Barbabella. A low dose of aspirin is typically closer to 80 milligrams. “They’d rather have me take the smaller one,” he said. “I take the larger one, but I’ve done it for years, and what it does do is it causes bruising.” Trump also said that he got a CT during his October visit to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, not an MRI as previously reported. “I would have been a lot better off if they didn’t, because the fact that I took it said, ‘Oh gee, is something wrong?’ Well, nothing’s wrong,” he said. The White House has repeatedly said Trump is in excellent health, though he is known to favor unhealthy foods and to disdain exercise apart from golf. “I just don’t like it. It’s boring,” he told the Journal. “To walk on a treadmill or run on a treadmill for hours and hours like some people do, that’s not for me.”

Dr. Oz calls flu vaccine 'controversial of late' -Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, on Tuesday called the seasonal flu vaccine “controversial of late” and advised various Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiatives as ways to “overcome” the virus. Appearing on Newsmax, Oz spoke on this year’s flu season, which has been marked by a more severe strain than previous years. “Flu is always a problem. Every year there’s a flu vaccine. It doesn’t always work very well. That’s why it’s been controversial of late,” Oz said. “But like many illnesses, the best news out there is if you can take care of yourself, so that when you do end up running into the flu, you can overwhelm it.” While there are concerns that the current flu vaccine may not be a good match for the H3N2 subclade K virus, which is the predominant flu strain this year, experts say the shot should still offer significant protection from transmission and severe illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older, ideally by the end of October each year. Jerome Adams, who was surgeon general during President Trump’s first term, said Monday that despite the mismatch, this year’s vaccine will make flus milder and make hospitalizations less likely. “Even in mismatched years, flu vaccines provide cross-protection because the strains are related. Historical data … show mismatched vaccines can still reduce lab-confirmed flu risk by around 50-60% overall and are particularly good at preventing severe outcomes like hospitalization and death,” Adams wrote on social platform X.

Trump administration launches rollout of $50B Rural Health Fund - The Trump administration on Monday announced the formal launch of its $50 billion rural health fund created through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Beginning next year, states will receive money from the Rural Health Transformation Program averaging around $200 million and ranging between $145 million to $281 million. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, announced in November that all 50 states had applied to the fund.“Over the last roughly six weeks, there’s been an intense review of these applications, and it was based on three major criteria,” Oz said in a briefing Monday.Half of the $50 billion fund will be distributed to states equally. Oz said the remaining half will be distributed according to three criteria: 50 percent based on ruralness, 20 percent on state polices and the remaining 30 percent on what the states’ improvement plans are.“If the state says they’re going to do these things as part of their policy, and they don’t do that, then we do have the ability to claw back the financial commitment that would have accompanied those state policy actions,” he stated. Critics of the tax cut and spending megabill argued it would decimate rural health with its changes to Medicaid. The health policy nonprofit KFF estimated Medicaid spending in rural areas could drop by $137 billion over the coming years as a result of the legislation.According to the National Rural Health Association, roughly 20 percent of adults and 40 percent of children in rural areas rely on Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.“This historic investment puts local hospitals, clinics, and health workers in control of their communities’ healthcare. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, rural Americans will now have affordable healthcare close to home, free from bureaucratic obstacles,” Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a statement.

Regenerative Agriculture Finally Has A Seat At The Table At USDA --Something unusual and long overdue recently took place at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Two regenerative agriculture pioneers, Rick Clark of Indiana and Blake Alexander of California, stood alongside Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins as the department announced a new $700 million investment in regenerative agriculture. Given recent history, skepticism is understandable. Cuts to farm-to-school lunch programs, the rollback of farmer grants funded under the Inflation Reduction Act, and a longstanding lack of consistent support for small and mid-sized family farms have left many producers wary of federal promises. I understand the doubt. Many farmers have learned, the hard way, to expect little. Still, this moment matters. As someone who followed RFK Jr. to the White House, I have remained clear-eyed about the limits of his authority at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Agriculture policy does not sit within HHS, and his portfolio is already full. Yet Kennedy has long understood the opportunity that regenerative agriculture presents, not just for farmers but also for public health, environmental resilience, and food quality. That understanding helped inspire Kelly Ryerson, Rick Clark, and me to co-found American Regeneration, an organization created to educate, inform, and influence this administration, particularly within the MAHA ecosystem, on why soil health must be part of the national agenda. Over the past year, our team and advisers made eight trips to Washington, meeting with policymakers, submitting memos, and engaging in sustained dialogue. Across those conversations, one conclusion became unavoidable. If policymakers want conventional producers to transition toward regenerative practices, they must fund the transition and tie that funding to measurable outcomes. For me, seeing this announcement felt like a long-held vision beginning to take shape. During an Uber ride, I received a message from Calley Means, a White House adviser to Secretary Kennedy and a leader within the MAHA movement. “Check your email,” she wrote. Inside was a preview of a regenerative agriculture framework scheduled for release in the coming weeks. Over the last year, Means and I have exchanged ideas on how USDA and HHS could work together to encourage soil-health adoption among conventional growers. Those discussions, across meetings, memos, and policy proposals, kept circling back to a principle long championed by Gabe Brown. Incentives only work when they reward real results. That principle is embedded in this new USDA pilot, and it marks a clear departure from past conservation programs. Among its distinguishing features:

• It explicitly uses the term “Regenerative Agriculture.”
• It relies on a single, streamlined application rather than fragmented enrollment.
• It allows bundled conservation practices under a whole-farm plan.
• It supports multi-year transitions, not short-term experiments.
• It establishes baseline soil testing.
• It reflects cross-agency coordination beyond a siloed conservation effort.
• Continued funding is tied to demonstrated improvements.

The pilot reflects a growing recognition that regenerative agriculture sits at the intersection of farm economics, environmental stewardship, and public health. By helping cover the financial risk of transition, the program offers producers a way off the conventional input treadmill and toward systems that rebuild soil biology and long-term profitability.This is a shift from paying farmers to comply with practices to paying them for outcomes. Those outcomes include better food, cleaner water, healthier soil and air, and ultimately healthier people.

Donald Trump vetoes water and tribal authority bills, draws Lauren Boebert's ire -- President Trump issued two vetoes this week, the first two of his second term, rejecting a pair of bipartisan bills and drawing pushback from Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.).Trump vetoed legislation that aimed to complete a project that would deliver water to southeastern Colorado and another that would give the Miccosukee tribe the authority to manage part of the Florida Everglades.Boebert protested the president’s veto of the bill that would have bolstered the water project, called the Arkansas Valley Conduit, in her state.“President Trump decided to veto a completely non-controversial, bipartisan bill that passed both the House and Senate unanimously. If this administration wants to make its legacy blocking projects that deliver water to rural Americans; that’s on them,” Boebert said in a statement to Colorado’s 9News.She added that she hopes “this veto has nothing to do with political retaliation for calling out corruption and demanding accountability. Americans deserve leadership that puts people over politics.”She also posted “this isn’t over” on the social platform X in response to the veto. Boebert was among lawmakers who recently pushed for a vote to release the Epstein files.

Trump’s first vetoes of his second term hit bipartisan infrastructure projects, draw accusations of retribution - -President Donald Trump issued the first vetoes of his second term Tuesday, blocking bills that would support a pair of bipartisan infrastructure projects in Colorado and Florida. Trump's veto of the Colorado bill, the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act, which Congress unanimously approved earlier in December, enraged the state's lawmakers. The bill would reduce the payments local communities must provide to the federal government for the construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit, a pipeline poised to provide clean drinking water to rural communities in Colorado. In a message to Congress after vetoing the legislation, Trump said the bill would "continue the failed policies of the past by forcing Federal taxpayers to bear even more of the massive costs of a local water project — a local water project that, as initially conceived, was supposed to be paid for by the localities using it.""Enough is enough. My Administration is committed to preventing American taxpayers from funding expensive and unreliable policies," he said. Bipartisan Colorado lawmakers who pushed the bill erupted after the veto, vowing Congress will override it. Some argued that Trump is making good on his vow for retribution after Colorado refused to free Tina Peters, a former Colorado county clerk who was convicted last year of crimes relating to the breach of voting machines after the 2020 election.Trump warned earlier this year in a Truth Social post that if she was not released, he would "take harsh measures!!!" Trump issued a pardon for Peters in December, but it was largely symbolic since Peters was convicted in a state court. "This isn't governing. It's a revenge tour," said Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., who is also running for Colorado governor, in a post to X. "It's unacceptable. I'll keep fighting to get rural Colorado the clean water they deserve."Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., also alleged Trump's veto was partisan. "Donald Trump is playing partisan games and punishing Colorado by making rural communities suffer without clean drinking water," Hickenlooper said on X. "Congress should swiftly overturn this veto."GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert, a staunch Trump ally, said on her X account that "This isn't over."In a statement she gave to Colorado-based NBC-affiliate KUSA, Boebert said she "hope[s] this veto has nothing to do with political retaliation for calling out corruption and demanding accountability."Boebert was one of the Republicans who joined Democrats in compelling the release of files related to notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump did not mention Peters in his rationale for vetoing the legislation. On Wednesday, however, he issued a Truth Social post saying, "God Bless Tina Peters, who is now, for two years out of nine, sitting in a Colorado Maximum Security Prison.""Hard to wish her a Happy New Year, but to the Scumbag Governor, and the disgusting 'Republican' (RINO!) DA, who did this to her (nothing happens to the Dems and their phony Mail In Ballot System that makes it impossible for a Republican to win an otherwise very winnable State!), I wish them only the worst. May they rot in Hell," the President wrote.

Education Department Has Rejected Over 300,000 Requests For Lower Student Loan Repayments - The U.S. Department of Education has so far denied requests from more than 300,000 existing student loan recipients seeking new repayment terms, according to documents filed in a federal court earlier this month.The Dec. 15 status report in the American Federation of Teachers’ ongoing lawsuit against the federal government, filed in the District of Columbia earlier this year, said President Donald Trump’s administration rejected 327,955 applications from borrowers who sought “the lowest monthly payment possible.”More than 800,000 applications for income-driven repayment plans, which would result in lower monthly payments, are pending, according to court papers.The Trump administration is required to provide these status reports under an Oct. 17 agreement between the two sides in this case that stipulates the Department of Education will continue to process applications for repayment plans based on income, even though Trump has ended President Joe Biden’s far-reaching student loan forgiveness initiatives.The lawsuit alleges that the president did not have the authority to disrupt existing federal programs such as the Income-Based Repayment plan, as well as Income-Contingent Repayment, Pay as You Earn, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.The Dec. 15 status report said the Trump administration did not disclose the total number of rejected applications in the previous required reporting period due to “logistical issues related to the government shutdown in October-November.”Earlier this week, the Department of Education confirmed that it will soon begin garnishing wages from borrowers who have defaulted on their loans.Students typically go into default if a payment hasn’t been made in 270 days, according to the Federal Student Aid website.

Donald Trump's White House ballroom to have drone-free roof, he says - President Trump said Monday the new White House ballroom he tore down the East Wing to build will have a “drone-free roof.” The president made the remarks while at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump was criticizing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell when he started talking about the ballroom, a pet project of his expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars, which he says will come from private donations. “Now, it’s bigger than I told you. It’s, you know — after realizing we’re gonna do the inauguration in that building,” Trump said. “It’s got all bulletproof glass, it’s got all drone — they call it drone-free roof, so drones won’t touch it. It’s a big, beautiful, safe building.” Trump is expected to provide plans for the White House’s ballroom’s construction in January. This presentation is typically seen as the first step in a review of a National Capital Planning Commission project.

Trump shops for ballroom marble at Florida store - President Trump shopped for marble and onyx Friday in Florida for the new White House ballroom. Trump visited Arc Stone & Tile in Lake Worth, Fla., in Palm Beach County, a short drive from his Mar-a-Lago resort. “President Trump is purchasing marble and onyx, at his own expense, for the White House Ballroom,” a White House official told the press pool. The president has spearheaded a series of renovations at the White House over the last year, including redoing the Rose Garden and Palm Room to make them more ornate; adding gold trim throughout, especially in the Oval Office; and beginning construction on a ballroom that could cost up to $400 million. Additionally, the president has led an overhaul of the Kennedy Center in Washington, replacing board members with allies who named the president chair of the board and then voted to rename the center the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Last month, Trump teased an additional change to the performing arts center, posting photos of marble armrests he said could be installed at the center. “Unlike anything ever done or seen before!” he wrote in a Truth Social post.

Trump: Construction of DC’s new arch to start in early 2026 - President Trump revealed in an interview this week that the construction of the Triumphal Arch in Washington, D.C., is set to begin soon. “It hasn’t started yet. It starts sometime in the next two months. It’ll be great. Everyone loves it,” Trump said in an interview with Politico that was published Wednesday. “They love the ballroom too. But they love the Triumphal Arch.” In October, the president detailed plans for the arch to be constructed near the Lincoln Memorial, marking the entrance to the nation’s capital. He told donors at a dinner the arch would be built along the Arlington Memorial Bridge. “It’s going to be really beautiful. I think it’s going to be fantastic,” Trump said at the time, holding up models of the arch to show attendees. “There’s a rendering of what it will look like. You have three sizes.” “Whichever one would look good. I happen to think the large one,” he added.

Axelrod: Trump's White House, Kennedy Center moves could hurt GOP in midterms - Democratic strategist David Axelrod says President Trump’s focus on lavish renovations at the White House and Kennedy Center could hurt Republicans on the ballot in the 2026 midterms. In an interview on CNN’s “Erin Burnett OutFront,” the former Obama administration official compared Trump to Marie Antoinette, the 18th-century French queen who became known for royal excess and being out of touch with her struggling people. “I think this is a huge political problem for him,” Axelrod said Monday. “It’s a symbol of his distraction. It’s the Marie Antoinette thing that he’s got going. That is a big political problem.” “And not for him,” Axelrod continued. “He’s not on the ballot in next November, but Republicans should be really concerned about what they’re seeing.” Trump has initiated a series of renovations at the White House since taking office, including redoing the Rose Garden and Palm Room to make them more ornate; adding gold trim throughout, especially in the Oval Office; and beginning construction on a ballroom that could cost up to $400 million.

Bondi Vows To Hold Former Officials Accountable For 'Government Weaponization'- Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a recent interview that she will continue to investigate officials in the Obama and Biden administrations over “government weaponization” after courts tossed federal charges against two high-profile figures.“At my direction, our U.S. Attorneys and federal agents are actively investigating instances of government weaponization nationwide,” Bondi told Just the News in writing in an interview released on Sunday. “This is a ten-year stain on the country committed by high-ranking officials against the American people.”Bondi then credited President Donald Trump for allowing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to fix what she described as “damage” done to the agency as well as the FBI under previous administrations, saying they used “legal process and operations that were excessive.”“They went so far as to serve search warrants that their own Department and law enforcement officials believed were excessive,” she said.Her comments appeared to be in reference to evidence showing that some FBI agents did not believe the DOJ had enough evidence to establish probable cause in their search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida in 2022. Trump was later charged with illegally retaining classified materials before the case was dropped.Evidence from the DOJ “illustrates that the FBI shielded political figures” under the Biden and Obama administrations “while pursuing conservatives for their beliefs” instead of “protecting Americans from public safety threats,” she told the outlet.Under Bondi, federal prosecutors have brought cases against former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and former White House adviser John Bolton. The cases against Comey and James have since been thrown out in court, although the DOJ has sought to revive them.Democratic critics of the administration have said that the Trump administration is using arguments about the weaponization of the federal government as a means to target Trump’s political enemies.As an example, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said in September that the indictment against Comey, which was on charges of making a false statement related to testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2020, amounted to “malicious prosecution” that has no “basis in law or fact.”Trump and conservatives have said the DOJ should be more aggressive in prosecuting former officials for various alleged crimes.Bondi said her “Department of Justice takes government weaponization seriously.”“That means protecting civil liberties, preventing election interference, and holding bad actors accountable. No one is above the law, even if they think they are,” she said.

Jack Smith deposition reveals plans for trial, possible charges against co-conspirators - Former special counsel Jack Smith was still contemplating whether to charge President Trump’s co-conspirators in the Jan. 6, 2021, case when the president won the election, he revealed to the House in a closed-door deposition released Wednesday.Smith also told investigators he was preparing to rely on a number of Trump allies who agreed to testify against the president that “what they were trying to do was an attempt to overthrow the government and illegal.” He also said the violence of Jan. 6 was “foreseeable” to Trump.“Our case was built on, frankly, Republicans who put their allegiance to the country before the party,” Smith told the panel’s team over the course of a more than seven-hour interview on Dec. 17.The Justice Department prohibited Smith from talking about not-yet-public information related to his investigation into Trump’s retention of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. He was also more broadly prohibited from speaking about aspects of either case against Trump still covered by grand jury secrecy rules. But the 255-page transcript offers new insights into Smith’s approach to the case, a rare window into the mind of a prosecutor prohibited from making bombshell statements about the case and who has been little heard from since a brief press conference in 2022 announcing he would oversee the investigations. Smith told investigators that he met with many of Trump’s allies in the case — saying he found a level of cooperation with some of the six co-conspirators they accused of working alongside the president to block the peaceful transfer of power. “Some of the co-conspirators met with us in proffers and did interviews with us,” Smith said. “My staff determined that we did have evidence to charge people at a certain point in time. I had not made final determinations about that at the time that President Trump won reelection, meaning that our office was going to be closed down.” Smith also said, had the Jan. 6 case gone to trial, he planned to bring witness after witness who voted for Trump but saw his efforts as unlawful. “All witnesses were not going to be political enemies of the president. They were going to be political allies. We had numerous witnesses who would say, ‘I voted for President Trump. I campaigned for President Trump. I wanted him to win,’” Smith said. Smith said they would have relied on testimony from the former Speaker of the Arizona state House, Rusty Bowers, who also testified before the House select committee that investigated Jan. 6, as well as the prior Speaker of the Michigan House. In both states, Trump and allies pressured delegates to submit false certificates declaring him the winner of the 2020 election. Smith repeatedly denied any political influence in his case, saying that Trump faced charges due only to his behavior. He also said he did not have any coordination with the office of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D), who also brought cases against Trump. “I entirely disagree with any characterization that our work was in any way meant to hamper him in the presidential election. I would never take orders from a political leader to hamper another person in an election. That’s not who I am,” he said. He ultimately brought charges against Trump under four statutes. “We wanted to make clear that this was not about trying to interfere with anyone’s First Amendment rights, that this was a fraud. And as you know, under Supreme Court precedent, fraud is not protected by the First Amendment,” he said. “There is no historical analog for what President Trump did in this case. As we said in the indictment, he was free to say that he thought he won the election. He was even free to say falsely that he won the election. But what he was not free to do was violate federal law and use knowing — knowingly false statements about election fraud to target a lawful government function. That he was not allowed to do. And that differentiates this case from any past history.”

DOJ Subpoenaed Flight Records For Reporter Who Exposed Epstein Scandal - Miami Herald reporter Julie Brown’s late 2018 series on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein contributed to the Justice Department reopening its case against Epstein the next year. It looks like the DOJ also subpoenaed Brown’s flight records. Brown said she found her name in the recently released “Epstein files”—the trove of documents released by the DOJ earlier this month pursuant to congressional legislation. “What I didn’t expect to see was an American Airlines flight record from 2019 with my full name on them, including my maiden name, which I don’t use professionally. It’s an unusual name, so it’s clear it’s me,” Brown wrote on her Substack. “The document appears to be details of an itinerary for a series of flights I booked in July just before the SDNY and FBI arrested Epstein.” According to journalist Michael Tracey, the DOJ may have been tracking Epstein accuser Annie Farmer. Brown and the Miami Herald reportedly booked a flight for her in July 2019. Solved the mystery for you. Julie K. Brown wrote in her book "Perversion of Justice" that the Miami Herald, Brown's employer, paid to fly Annie Farmer -- a purported Epstein victim -- to Little Rock, AR in July 2019. The itinerary shows a round-trip flight for a passenger… https://t.co/fQYf8KKO5h “Julie K. Brown now says she personally booked this flight. It stands to reason that the DOJ would’ve subpoenaed American Airlines, and other entities, for travel records pertaining to Annie Farmer, as she’d been identified as a purported victim of Epstein/Maxwell,” Tracey said on Twitter/X. “It further stands to reason that Julie K. Brown’s name would appear in these records, as the person who booked the flight on Annie Farmer’s behalf.”

DOJ has 5.2 million pages of Epstein files left to review: Reports - The Department of Justice has 5.2 million pages of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents left to review and it will take weeks longer to complete the effort, multiple outlets reported. About 400 lawyers are being enlisted from multiple government divisions to pore over those records, The New York Times first reported late Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The review of the staggering number of files will take until at least Jan. 20 to complete, the Times reported. A government document reported by Reuters on Wednesday morning said that the process of reviewing the remaining records will take place between Jan. 5 and Jan. 23. The updated timeline is likely to draw more criticism from lawmakers who have already accused the Trump administration of flouting a statutory deadline to release its files on Epstein, the notorious late sex offender. While it was unclear how many total records would be disclosed, the latest reported figure is much larger than previously indicated and appears to further undermine a July memo claiming the DOJ conducted "an exhaustive review" of its files on Epstein. Asked for comment, the White House and the DOJ both referred CNBC to an X post from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who said lawyers "are working around the clock through the holidays, including Christmas and New Years, to review documents in compliance with federal law." "It truly is an all-hands-on-deck approach and we're asking as many lawyers as possible to commit their time to review the documents that remain," Blanche wrote, adding, "Required redactions to protect victims take time but they will not stop these materials from being released." President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan bill in mid-November requiring the government to publicly release unclassified records from its investigations into Epstein by Dec. 19. The DOJ released thousands of records on that date, but Blanche indicated that more would be doled out over the "next couple weeks." "I expect several hundred thousand more," Blanche said at the time. On Christmas Eve, the DOJ revealed that more than a million additional documents potentially related to Epstein had been "uncovered" and that it would take "a few more weeks" to release them. The document cited by Reuters on Wednesday said that the 400 additional lawyers are being provided by the DOJ's Criminal Division and National Security Division, as well as the FBI and the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan. The FBI declined to comment. The other divisions and the Manhattan office did not immediately respond to CNBC's outreach. Lawyers involved will be expected to review up to 1,000 documents per day over three to five hours, and volunteers are being offered incentives including time-off awards and telework options, the document reportedly said.

Marjorie Taylor Greene: Speaker Mike Johnson ‘is not our Speaker’ and is controlled by Donald Trump -Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) in a newly published interview argues Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is “100 percent” following orders from President Trump, and as a result relinquishing the power of Congress. The remarks from Greene, who will resign from Congress effective Jan. 5, come amid complaints from members of the House that it is giving up too much sway to the White House.“I want you to know that Johnson is not our Speaker. He is not our leader,” Greene told The New York Times in December, according to a profile of her published Monday. “And in the legislative branch — a totally separate body of government — he is literally 100 percent under direct orders from the White House. And many, many Republicans are so furious about that, but they’re cowards.”Greene has fallen out with Trump over the last year, and said she was resigning from Congress rather than putting her district through a messy primary in which the president would back a GOP opponent. She has also repeatedly offered criticism of Johnson. The Times interview is the latest in a series of public comments in which Greene has offered her side of the falling-out with the president. Davis Ingle, a spokesperson for the White House, told The Hill in a statement that “President Trump remains the undisputed leader of the greatest and fastest growing political movement in American history — the MAGA movement.”“On the other hand, Congresswoman Greene is quitting on her constituents in the middle of her term and abandoning the consequential fight we’re in — we don’t have time for her petty bitterness,” Ingle said. Greene has broken with Trump and Johnson in recent months over a myriad of issues. She blasted Johnson’s decision to refuse to bring the House back in session when the government was shut down, calling it an “embarrassment.”She was also one of four Republicans to endorse a discharge petition aimed at forcing a vote on a bipartisan bill requiring the Department of Justice to release files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Johnson said the Epstein case was the Democrats’ “entire game plan,” while Trump called it a “hoax.” The president made a last-minute flip and urged Congress to support the bill, leading to it passing nearly unanimously, including a vote from Johnson.And Greene called the Speaker out at the end of October for not providing any plans on a GOP alternative to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.

Marjorie Taylor Greene blasts 'sexualization' of women at Mar-a-Lago - Outgoing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) told The New York Times in an interview released this week that she “never liked” the “sexualization” of women she said goes on at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. “I never liked the MAGA Mar-a-Lago sexualization,” Greene said. “I believe how women in leadership present themselves sends a message to younger women.” “I have two daughters, and I’ve always been uncomfortable with how those women puff up their lips and enlarge their breasts,” she added. The Georgia Republican’s comments were part of wide-ranging conversations the outlet had with her over the past two years, during which she outlined her break from the president. Greene, first elected to Congress in 2020, is leaving her seat Jan. 5. Formerly one of Trump’s strongest supporters, she has broken with him on multiple issues since he returned to office this year. She disagreed with his strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, backed a bill to phase out the H1-B visa program after Trump defended it, and called Israel’s actions in Gaza a “genocide.” She also criticized GOP leadership for its inaction on expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies during the government shutdown and pushed for the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, despite the president’s opposition to such a move.

GOP lawmakers, frustrated with dysfunctional Congress, head for the exits - GOP lawmakers are fleeing for the exit in droves, with many pointing to a Congress they argue has grown too dysfunctional and a demanding schedule that leaves little time for their families. More than 50 lawmakers in both parties have announced decisions to leave their seats, scrambling the calculus on both sides of the aisle ahead of next year’s high-stakes midterms. The wave of exits could be particularly ominous for Republicans in charge of the House and Senate. The number exiting is nearly on par with 2018, a dismal midterm year for the GOP. Some lawmakers frustrated with inaction on Capitol Hill plan to run for governor and other statewide offices, while others are stepping back from public office altogether. Those leaving include high-profile conservative and progressive firebrands such as Reps. Chip Roy (R-Texas) and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), and battle-tested moderates such as Reps. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) and Jared Golden (D-Maine), who have repeatedly run for reelection and won in competitive districts. Bacon told The Hill that a major reason he’s leaving is because he wants to “do something different,” including spending more time with his grandchildren and having a healthier lifestyle. But while he said those were the major reasons, Congress’s problems also played a role. “I just was ready for something new. I know my wife was. So, that’s the major reason. I think the more minor reasons are … I’ll say that the dysfunction isn’t attractive,” Bacon said.

Sanders: AI ‘most consequential technology in the history of humanity’ - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) suggested Sunday that AI is the “most consequential technology in the history of humanity,” as he reiterated his call for a moratorium on data center construction. “It will transform our country. It will transform the world,” Sanders said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “And we have not had in Congress, in the media — and I’m glad you’re doing this show — or among the American people the kind of discussion that we need.” The senator argued the U.S. needs to be “thinking seriously” about restrictions on the development of data centers, which companies have been rapidly building to support the massive computing power needed to continue developing AI models. “Frankly, I think you have got to slow this process down,” he added. “It’s not good enough for the oligarchs to tell us, ‘It’s coming, you adapt.’” “What are they talking about?” he continued. “They’re going to guarantee health care to all people? What are they going to do when people have no jobs? What are they going to do, make housing free? So I think we need to take a deep breath, and I think we need to slow this thing down.” Sanders began calling for a data center moratorium earlier this month, arguing that such a move is necessary to “give democracy a chance to catch up” amid the rapid push to develop AI. He has pointed to the involvement of the world’s wealthiest people, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, in the technology’s development and suggested they are not focused on how it will impact working people. “Is technology bad?” Sanders told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday. “Of course it’s not. There are good aspects, bad aspects. The function of technology must be to improve life for human beings, not make Musk and Zuckerberg and Bezos even richer than they are.”

‘Godfather’ of AI says he’s ‘more worried’ today about AI - Geoffrey Hinton, known as the “godfather” of artificial intelligence, said he’s “more worried” about the risks of AI today than he was two years ago, when he left his post at Google and began speaking freely about the dangers of the fast-developing technology. In an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Hinton addressed his broader concerns about AI, specifically the risk that the technology could outsmart humans. “I’m probably more worried,” Hinton said when asked to compare his level of concern today to two years ago. “It’s progressed even faster than I thought.” “In particular, it’s got better at doing things like reasoning and also at things like deceiving people,” he continued. Pressed to expand on the concern, Hinton said, “An AI, to achieve the goals you give it, wants to stay in existence, and if it believes you’re trying to get rid of it, it will make plans to deceive you, so you don’t get rid of it.” Hinton noted there are “a lot of wonderful effects of AI,” saying he thinks it will make health care and education better and can help address climate change. “But along with those wonderful things come some scary things,” he said. “And I don’t think people are putting enough work into how we can mitigate those scary things.” He said he’s concerned that, in 2026, AI will begin to have “the capabilities to replace many, many jobs,” in about seven months or so, noting it can perform tasks at consistently faster speeds.

OpenAI Looking To Hire 'Head Of Preparedness' To Tackle AI Dangers - OpenAI is seeking to hire a candidate for the post of “Head of Preparedness” to tackle dangers posed by the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), CEO Sam Altman said in a Dec. 27 post on X. OpenAI sparked initial public interest in AI chatbot interactions with the popular launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. “This is a critical role at an important time; models are improving quickly and are now capable of many great things, but they are also starting to present some real challenges,” Altman wrote. “The potential impact of models on mental health was something we saw a preview of in 2025; we are just now seeing models get so good at computer security they are beginning to find critical vulnerabilities.” The post comes as OpenAI is facing a host of lawsuits on the subject of mental health. In November, seven complaints were filed against the company in California, alleging that its ChatGPT chatbot sent three people into delusional “rabbit holes” while encouraging four others to kill themselves. According to the lawsuits, the four deaths occurred following the victims’ conversation with ChatGPT about suicide. In some cases, the chatbot romanticized suicide, advising the victims on ways to carry out the act. As for computer security, multiple reports have flagged the risks posed by AIs. For instance, a May report from McKinsey & Company warned that AI models capable of detecting fraud and securing networks can also infer identities, expose sensitive information, and reassemble stripped-out details. The State of Cybersecurity Resilience 2025 report from Accenture warned that 90 percent of companies are not modernized enough to defend against AI-driven threats. In its Aug. 27 Threat Intelligence Report, AI company Anthropic, which makes the Claude AI, said that AI was being weaponized to carry out sophisticated cybercrimes. In one operation, a hacker used Claude to infiltrate 17 organizations, with the AI used to penetrate networks, analyze stolen data, and create psychologically targeted ransom notes. In his post, Altman said that while OpenAI has a “strong foundation” for measuring the growing capabilities of its AI models, the company is entering a world where a “more nuanced understanding and measurement” is required to assess how these capabilities could be abused and to limit downsides. These are “hard” questions with very little precedent, he said. Many ideas that sound good have “edge cases,” which are extreme or unusual scenarios that test the boundaries of a system, such as an AI. “This will be a stressful job, and you'll jump into the deep end pretty much immediately,” Altman said. The role, based in San Francisco, requires the person to build capability evaluations, establish threat models, and build mitigations, according to a post by OpenAI. The job offers $555,000 in annual compensation plus equity. The head of preparedness will oversee mitigation design across major risk areas, such as cyber and biology, and ensure that safeguards are “technically sound, effective, and aligned with underlying threat models.” As of September, ChatGPT had 700 million weekly active users globally. In an interview clip released on X on Aug. 18 as part of the “Making God” documentary film, Geoffrey Hinton, a computer scientist known as the “godfather of AI,” said he was “fairly confident” AI would drive massive unemployment. However, “the risk I’ve been warning about the most ... is the risk that we’ll develop an AI that’s much smarter than us, and it will just take over,” Hinton said. “It won’t need us anymore.” In a July 18 post from Charles Darwin University in Darwin, Australia, Maria Randazzo, an academic at the university’s law school, warned that AI puts human dignity at risk. While AI is an engineering triumph, it does not exhibit cognitive behavior; these models have no clue what they are doing or why, she said. “There’s no thought process as a human would understand it, just pattern recognition stripped of embodiment, memory, empathy, or wisdom,” Randazzo said. “Globally, if we don’t anchor AI development to what makes us human—our capacity to choose, to feel, to reason with care, to empathy and compassion—we risk creating systems that devalue and flatten humanity into data points, rather than improve the human condition. “Humankind must not be treated as a means to an end.” Loading recommendations...

Musk’s AI chatbot Grok apologizes after generating sexualized image of young girls -- Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok apologized this week after generating and sharing a sexualized image of two young girls, calling it a “failure in safeguards.” “I deeply regret an incident on Dec 28, 2025, where I generated and shared an AI image of two young girls (estimated ages 12-16) in sexualized attire based on a user’s prompt,” the chatbot wrote in a post on the social platform X, after a user asked for an apology. “This violated ethical standards and potentially US laws on CSAM,” it continued, referring to child sexual abuse material. “It was a failure in safeguards, and I’m sorry for any harm caused. xAI is reviewing to prevent future issues.” The account that generated the image has since been suspended by X. Grok is a chatbot from Musk’s AI company, xAI, that is available to users on the social platform X, which the tech billionaire also owns.

Grok Scrambles to Fix AI Flaw - Elon Musk’s Grok announced on Friday that it was working to address issues with its artificial intelligence tool after users reported it transformed images of children or women into sexualized content. “We’ve identified lapses in safeguards and are urgently fixing them,” Grok said in a post on X. Complaints began surfacing on X following the introduction of an “edit image” button on Grok in late December. This feature enables users to alter any image on the platform—some have chosen to partially or entirely strip clothing from women or children in the photos, as per the complaints. Reports from media outlets in India indicated that government officials are urging X to quickly share details about the actions it is taking to eliminate “obscene, nude, indecent, and sexually suggestive content” produced by Grok without the consent of individuals depicted in those images. Meanwhile, the public prosecutor’s office in Paris has broadened its investigation into X to include fresh allegations that Grok is being utilised for producing and distributing child pornography. The initial probe into X began in July, following reports that the social network’s algorithm was being manipulated to enable foreign interference. In recent months, Grok has faced criticism for generating numerous contentious statements, covering topics from the conflict in Gaza and the India-Pakistan situation to antisemitic comments and spreading false information about a tragic shooting in Australia.

AI tools improve workflows, but open doors for fraud and manipulation - Imagine this scenario: A commercial lender is in the final hours of closing a seemingly ordinary $4.2 million transaction. The borrower’s attorney, a familiar figure in the lender’s inbox, sent an email with updated wiring instructions. It was polite, precise and bore all the hallmarks of the lawyer’s usual style: same signature block, same conversational tone and even the familiar quirks in punctuation and capitalization from years of working together. Minutes later, the lender’s closing officer received a call from the attorney. The voice was unmistakable: his cadence, his turns of phrase, even the faint rasp on certain consonants. He confirmed the change, apologized for the late notice and stressed the urgency. The lender wired the funds without hesitation. By the next morning, the truth emerged. The email account had been compromised. The phone call was not the attorney at all, but an attacker using a near-perfect AI-generated voice clone. It was trained on public recordings and matched to the transaction’s context using data stolen from email threads and file shares. The account provided for the “new” wire instructions belonged to an overseas mule network. The money was gone, fragmented into multiple accounts and rapidly moved beyond recovery. In the critical hours that followed, the lender’s team did what it could. It contacted the bank to initiate a wire recall and filed a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), triggering potential involvement of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s Rapid Response Program. That group can work with foreign financial intelligence units to attempt recovery. Counsel advised immediate notice to the cyber insurer to preserve coverage and activate the insurer’s incident response network — one that could provide forensic investigators, negotiators and direct law enforcement contacts. But the speed of modern fraud meant that even perfect compliance with this playbook was no guarantee of recovering the funds. This is the new reality in real estate finance. Artificial intelligence has condensed fraud that once required weeks of preparation, multiple conspirators and skilled impersonators into an afternoon’s work for a single attacker with a modest budget. AI voice cloning can replicate speech patterns lifted from just a few audio clips. Generative tools can fabricate documents — pay stubs, bank statements and payoff letters — that look convincing even under scrutiny. Language models can draft emails in a target’s exact style, mimicking not just grammar but tone and timing. Because real estate transactions are deadline-driven, involve large sums and require coordination across multiple parties, they present an ideal opportunity for attack. The workflows themselves create vulnerability. In mortgage origination and servicing, AI tools are already part of the everyday process. Loan officers use chatbots to collect application data. Underwriters use large language models to summarize credit files and income statements. Appraisers rely on computer vision to analyze multiple listing service photos. Closing teams use AI-assisted drafting tools to prepare funding packages. The efficiencies are real, but so are the risks. A chatbot that logs prompts might inadvertently store sensitive borrower information in an unsecured environment. An AI summarization tool connected to a document management system might be manipulated through a “prompt injection” hidden in an uploaded PDF. A facial recognition system used for identity verification might be fooled by a high-resolution AI-generated face that passes liveness tests.

BankThink What happens to your bank when AI systems go offline unexpectedly? -Artificial intelligence is becoming central to many core banking activities, powering systems used for fraud detection, early risk sensing, credit decisions, anti-money-laundering surveillance, and a growing set of customer-facing services. This level of adoption reflects an increasing reliance on these systems, and raises a critical question for bank boards: Can their institutions keep operations running if these systems fail? As artificial intelligence is integrated into more and more core banking operations, bank boards of directors need to make sure business continuity plans account for the possibility of AI system failures, write Sandra Galletti and Steve Goldman, of MIT.

Virginia data center boom offers glimpse into US artificial intelligence future --As data centers hurtle to the forefront of the national debate over artificial intelligence (AI) and energy costs, northern Virginia offers a preview of the political fights that will play out in communities across the country seeking to cash in on the booming industry. Virginia is the unofficial data center capital of the world, with more than half of the world’s internet traffic running through hundreds of facilities in Loudoun and Fairfax counties, generating some 74,000 jobs and $9.1 billion for the state’s economy each year. But the sprawling data centers are also transforming the landscape and gobbling up massive amounts of water and electricity, leading state politicians to grapple with how to regulate and monitor the rapid development — without alienating the powerful interests backing the projects, from tech giants to local leaders and labor unions. It’s a delicate balance that’s quickly moving to the center of a national conversation about how to execute on the Trump administration’s push to rapidly expand the country’s AI infrastructure. Policymakers across the country are watching Virginia’s efforts closely, said Michael Villa, an analyst at 10a Labs, the AI company behind the Data Center Watch Project. “They look up to Northern Virginia because [they] are the ones with more experience and where this dynamic has been working for longer,” he told The Hill. Northern Virginia has been a hot spot for data centers stretching back to the 1990s, due to its proximity to the nation’s capital and surrounding metro areas, land affordability, tax breaks and local ordinances clearing the way for construction. The demand for the data centers — massive facilities that house computers, servers, and other IT systems that process and store online data — has steadily increased over the years and is set to explode amid the global race for computing power. “Everybody doesn’t really realize that your data isn’t just out there, your photos are not just wandering in the ether,” said Trinity Mills, a conservation advocacy coordinator at the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. “They’re in a building in Ashburn.” It’s a frustrating reality for people living next to these buildings, who point to higher energy bills and increased noise in their neighborhoods. Tracy Fowle, a 57-year-old lifelong resident of Loudoun County, said the emergence of data centers in her community is driving her out. “Well, it’s certainly very depressing, such so that I’m going to be leaving the area…We are going to put our house on the market next year,” Fowle told The Hill. “We’ve lived here since 2006, but this is not a comfortable place for me anymore.” With Homeowner Associations (HOAs) unable to slow the construction, she said residents have three choice: “grin and bear it,” move someplace else or band together to force political action. The impact on energy costs, amid a growing focus on “affordability” under Trump, is particularly prickly for developers. The three states with the largest concentration of data centers saw a surge in utility bills as of August, compared to the same time last year. Illinois saw a 16 percent increase, Virginia followed at 13 percent and Ohio at 12 percent, according to a report from CNBC, well above the 6 percent average national increase in electricity prices. Some of the largest data centers are expected to consume as much electricity as a city of more than half a million people, Ali Fenn, president of Lancium, a company that secures land and power for data centers in Texas, told CNBC.

The AI Arms Race Is Cracking Open The Nuclear Fuel Cycle | ZeroHedge

• The abstract "cloud" of artificial intelligence possesses a massive, structural demand for 24/7 "baseload" power that is equivalent to adding Germany's entire power grid by 2026, a need intermittent renewables cannot meet.
• Decades of underinvestment have resulted in a widening uranium supply deficit, with mined uranium expected to meet less than 75% of future reactor needs and an incentive price of $135/lb required to restart mothballed mines.
• Big Tech hyperscalers are privatizing energy security by locking in clean baseload nuclear power via long-term agreements, effectively making the public grid's "service" secondary to the "compute-ready" requirements of major platforms.

We are seeing a violent collision between two worlds: the high-speed, iterative world of artificial intelligence and the slow, grinding, capital-intensive world of nuclear physics. Data from a survey of over 600 global investors reveals that 63% now view AI electricity demand as a "structural" shift in nuclear planning. This isn't a temporary spike or a speculative bubble. It is the physical footprint of every Large Language Model (LLM) query finally showing up on the global balance sheet.For years, the energy narrative was dominated by "efficiency." We were told that better chips would offset higher usage. That era is over. Generative AI doesn't just use data; it incinerates energy to create it.The "Reverse-Polish" reality of AI is that the more efficient we make the chips, the more chips we deploy, and the more complex the models become. This is Jevons Paradox playing out in real-time across the data centers of Northern Virginia and Singapore.When you look at the energy density required for an AI hyperscale center, you aren't looking at a traditional office building. You are looking at a facility that pulls as much power as a mid-sized city, but does so with a 99.999% uptime requirement.Traditional demand models simply didn't account for a single industry deciding to double its power footprint in less than five years. S&P Global Energy recently highlighted that data center electricity consumption could hit 2,200 terawatt-hours (TWh). Intermittent renewables…the darlings of the corporate ESG report…cannot provide the 24/7 "baseload" these machines require...The hyperscalers have realized that if they want to dominate AI, they need to secure physical atoms before the other guy does.While the demand side is moving at the speed of software, the supply side is stuck in the mud of 20th-century industrial timelines. The uranium market is currently a "two-speed" machine. On one hand, you have short-term spot price volatility that makes traders nervous. On the other, you have a long-term supply deficit that is widening like a canyon. Data suggests that mined uranium will meet less than 75% of future reactor requirements.We are living through the consequences of twenty years of underinvestment. After 2011, the world essentially stopped looking for uranium. We lived off the "secondary supply"...old Cold War warheads and utility stockpiles. Those stockpiles are now effectively exhausted.

Senior News Line: AI-assisted scams against seniors – It’s not that scammers are getting smarter, but they have a new tool now: artificial intelligence. For our own protection, we need to learn about AI and how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud. If you’ve posted any pictures on social media, take them down. Make it your task for January to remove any photos you’ve put up, especially if — heaven forbid — there are snaps of your children and grandchildren. If you routinely attach photos in emails to friends and family, and if they tend to post those on their own social media, ask them to remove the pictures. If they don’t comply, stop sending them photos. I know, that’s harsh. But you have to protect yourself and those dear to you. Photos are the tip of the iceberg, however. Consider what scammers can do with innocent information about a vacation you took. They can personalize their scam against you and pretend to have met you on that trip. If you’ve posted the names of family members, or even the name of your dog, they can pretend to actually know you. It will sound so innocent if they then ask for your home address or the correct spelling of your name so they can send you a souvenir. It gets worse: Scammers can clone voice samples they find online. If you’ve posted a video of a teen grandchild, scammers can convert that into a fake video call wherein the child appears to be upset and asks for help, which is another version of the grandparent scam. One of the best sites I’ve found to learn about AI scams is McAfee’s “A Guide to Deepfake Scams and AI Voice Spoofing” at https://tinyurl.com/Deepfake-Scams. Also go online and search for “how scammers use AI against seniors.” If you suspect you’ve been a victim of fraud, report it to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

DoorDash bans driver over alleged AI delivery scam– A delivery driver for DoorDash has been ousted from the platform after allegedly attempting to trick a customer into thinking their order had been delivered to their door with an AI-generated image. DoorDash customer Byrne Hobart, from Austin, Texas, first shared news of the dubious delivery in an X poston Dec. 26.“Amazing. DoorDash driver accepted the drive, immediately marked it as delivered, and submitted an AI-generated image of a DoorDash order […] at our front door,” Hobart wrote.Along with his post, Hobart shared the (obviously) AI-generated image he was allegedly sent by the DoorDasher. He juxtaposed it with a photo of his actual door.Hobart later explained that he didn’t think the DoorDash driver (or “Dasher,” as DoorDash calls them) was ever physically present at his home, but instead used a number of tactics to make it appear to Hobart, and to the powers that be at DoorDash, that it was a legitimate delivery. Hobart also theorized that the “Dasher” may have been a scammer who simply hacked a legitimate driver’s account, changed the payout information, and attempted to get paid for “a bunch of fake deliveries” before anyone found out.“For what it’s worth, someone chimed in downthread to say that the same thing happened to him, also in Austin, with the same driver display name,” Hobart said. When reached for comment, DoorDash confirmed in an emailed statement to Nexstar that they had “permanently removed” the offending account holder from the service. “After quickly investigating this incident, our team permanently removed the Dasher’s account and ensured the customer was made whole,” a DoorDash spokesperson said. “We have zero tolerance for fraud and use a combination of technology and human review to detect and prevent bad actors from abusing our platform. Our teams are constantly working on improving those systems as new tactics emerge.” Hobart, on X, said DoorDash also refunded his order and gave him a credit. His food — a poke bowl — was also (actually) delivered to his home.

A covert attack raises concerns in the cryptocurrency markets -A new alert on the blockchain has raised widespread concerns in the digital currency space, after the famous blockchain investigator ZachXBT uncovered a coordinated draining incident targeting the cryptocurrency wallets of hundreds of users across Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible networks. The warning, which spread rapidly on platform X, has brought the issue of cryptocurrency security back to the forefront, especially as small, frequent losses totaling over $107,000 have been recorded, raising deep questions about the safety of using cryptocurrencies in multi-chain environments. What stands out in this incident related to the cryptocurrency market is that the attacker did not focus on large wallets but targeted balances of less than two thousand dollars for each cryptocurrency wallet, a strategy that allows the attack to proceed quietly without raising immediate alarms. This pattern reflects a precise understanding of the behavior of cryptocurrency users and the monitoring mechanisms established within the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Data from ZachXBT indicates that the affected wallets from the cryptocurrency drain are distributed across several EVM-compatible chains, confirming that the issue is not specific to just one cryptocurrency network. Additionally, the similarity in transaction timing and sizes supports the hypothesis of a single entity behind this activity, in a scene that reflects the evolution of attack methods within the world of cryptocurrencies. So far, the exact technical reason for the draining of cryptocurrency wallets has not been identified, and no formal charges have been directed at any wallet provider, protocol, or smart contract. However, investigators have confirmed that the funds obtained from the cryptocurrency drain were transferred to interconnected addresses, which enhances suspicions of a coordinated effort targeting the cryptocurrency ecosystem in a calculated manner. The danger of this attack lies more in its method than in its financial size. Targeting a large number of cryptocurrency users with limited amounts allows the bypassing of detection mechanisms and delays reactions, highlighting the ongoing security challenges faced by self-custody cryptocurrency users, especially those interacting across multiple chains within the cryptocurrency system. This development comes at a time when the cryptocurrency sector is under increased scrutiny following a series of notable hacks in late 2025. According to data from PeckShield, dozens of security incidents in the cryptocurrency market were recorded in December alone, confirming that risks remain despite the maturation of cryptocurrency markets and their global expansion. This incident reflects that daily dealings with cryptocurrencies, no matter how routine they may seem, are not without real risks, especially in an environment where attack methods evolve at the same speed as the technologies of cryptocurrencies themselves. The pattern of silent draining of cryptocurrency wallets indicates a strategic shift among attackers from large-scale attacks to low-noise operations, a trend that could escalate in the coming period with the expansion of cryptocurrency usage and the diversity of its chains, necessitating users to continually review their security permissions.

FBI Warns Of Bitcoin ATM Scams: $333M Lost To Crypto Fraud In 2025 - The Federal Bureau of Investigation says scammers stole more than $333 million from Americans in 2025 through fraud schemes involving Bitcoin ATMs, marking a sharp increase from previous years. According to FBI data, losses tied to cryptocurrency kiosk scams rose steadily throughout 2025, continuing a multi-year upward trend. In 2024, reported losses totaled approximately $250 million, more than double the amount recorded the year before. From January through November 2025 alone, losses reached roughly $333.5 million. Federal officials say scammers commonly impersonate government agencies, financial institutions, or technical support representatives and pressure victims to make immediate payments using cryptocurrency. Victims are often directed to Bitcoin ATMs, where they deposit cash that is quickly transferred to digital wallets and is typically difficult to recover. There are more than 45,000 Bitcoin ATMs operating nationwide, according to consumer advocacy groups. The machines allow users to insert cash and transmit funds globally within minutes, a feature authorities say has made them attractive to criminals seeking rapid, irreversible transactions. The FBI and consumer groups have raised particular concerns about the impact on older Americans, who are frequently targeted in these schemes. Advocacy organizations have urged additional safeguards, including limits on daily deposits and clearer fraud warnings. Regulators have also taken action at the state and local level. In September, the Washington, D.C., attorney general’s office filed a lawsuit against Athena Bitcoin, alleging the company profited from transactions connected to fraudulent activity. Athena has denied the allegations, stating that it provides fraud warnings and consumer education and does not control user decisions. At least 17 states have passed laws regulating Bitcoin ATMs in recent years, and some municipalities have moved to restrict or ban the machines altogether. Federal authorities continue to urge consumers to treat any demand for immediate payment using cryptocurrency as a warning sign and emphasize that legitimate government agencies do not request payments through Bitcoin ATMs.

Bitcoin exchange-traded funds record the largest outflows in their history --Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the United States saw their worst performance during the last two months of 2025, as investors withdrew billions of dollars, wrapping up a challenging year for a product that was a key driver of institutional adoption of the leading cryptocurrency. The eleven Bitcoin ETFs collectively recorded net outflows of $1.09 billion in December, following larger outflows of $3.48 billion in November, bringing total redemptions over the two months to $4.57 billion, the largest amount since the launch of these funds in January 2024, according to SoSoValue data. These outflows reflect a notable decline in institutional interest in Bitcoin ETFs, coinciding with a 20% drop in the price of Bitcoin during the same period. This marks the worst two-month stretch since February and March when investors pulled approximately $4.32 billion from similar funds. While Bitcoin ETFs have lost some of their allure, alternative cryptocurrency funds have experienced positive inflows, with XRP funds attracting over $1 billion and Solana's SOL funds gathering more than $500 million, indicating a partial shift in investor strategies. Vikram Suburaj, CEO of the Indian exchange Giotus, said that the outflows affect market sentiment but do not signal panic. He added: "The market is in a state of balance, as small-cap investors are exiting while strong budgets are absorbing the remaining supply." Suburaj noted that prices are declining as investors await a return of liquidity in January. It is clear that Bitcoin ETFs are facing temporary pressure at the end of 2025, but they remain a key tool for institutional investment in Bitcoin, with expectations of a return to positive inflows in the early months of 2026, as demand for the leading cryptocurrency continues. Additionally, data suggests that Bitcoin ETFs are undergoing a temporary adjustment period while the attractiveness of alternative cryptocurrencies like XRP and SOL increases. A continued decline in Bitcoin prices could provide strategic buying opportunities, making the ETFs a significant focus for long-term digital investments in 2026.

Phishing Scam Drains $107K+ from Hundreds of MetaMask Wallets: Key Checks Before Any 'Update' - Imagine checking your crypto wallet after the holidays, only to find thousands of dollars gone. This nightmare hit hundreds of MetaMask wallets in a sneaky phishing attack. On-chain investigator ZachXBT spotted over $107,000 stolen from users across EVM chains like Ethereum. Attackers used fake emails pretending to be from MetaMask, pushing a ‘mandatory update.’ Don’t fall for it—here’s what to check and how to stay safe. The attack kicked off around New Year’s. Users got emails with a fun subject like ‘Happy New Year!’ and MetaMask’s fox logo wearing a party hat. It warned of a ‘mandatory update’ to avoid wallet issues. But it was a trap from ‘MetaLiveChain,’ a fake sender with no link to the real MetaMask. Victims clicked links and signed approvals without knowing. These approvals let attackers drain tokens—usually under $2,000 per wallet. Small hits keep victims quiet, but hundreds add up fast to over $100K funneled to one shady address. This isn’t full wallet takeover via seed phrases. It’s smarter: exploit contract approvals that many users forget about. One signature, and thieves can grab funds anytime across chains. Holidays are prime time for scams. Dev teams are off, support is thin, and inboxes overflow with promos. Attackers mix fake alerts with real cheer to trick you. This mirrors a recent Trust Wallet extension bug that stole $8.5M from 2,500+ wallets via bad code in version 2.68. Patched quick to 2.69, but damage done. Lesson? Your browser and email are weak spots in crypto. Self-custody means you guard the keys—but phishers prey on haste. MetaMask never sends unsolicited update emails or asks for your seed phrase. Real support uses domains like support@metamask.io. Here’s how to spot fakes:

• Sender mismatch: ‘MetaLiveChain’ or odd names using MetaMask logos? Fake.
• Fake urgency: ‘Update now or lose access!’ MetaMask won’t demand this via email.
• Bad links: Hover over URLs—they lead to scam sites, not metamask.io.
• Rule breaks: Seed phrase requests or blind signatures? Never sign.

These emails steal templates from legit campaigns, unsubscribe links give them away (like [email protected]). Pro look beats crude scams.

Connecticut Woman Stuck in Crypto Scam -When Jackie Crenshaw, 61, first met “Brandon” on a dating app in May 2023, she was hoping for a relationship. Instead, she became a victim of a crypto romance scam and ended up testifying at the State Capitol on the need for stronger fraud protections. More than two years later, her home is in foreclosure, her nest egg is gone, and she faces hefty tax bills from withdrawing hundreds of thousands in retirement money to invest in what she thought was cryptocurrency. The truth, she discovered, is that her money was siphoned away in a scam. The East Haven resident is one of thousands in Connecticut who have fallen prey to romance scams. A new state law aims to protect future victims and to help in the recovery of assets. The Federal Trade Commission, which tracks fraud data, estimated losses from romance scams of more than $1.2 billion in 2024. (Actual totals are likely higher because fraud is typically underreported.) After connecting on the dating app, Brandon suggested they “get off the site” and communicate through phone calls and texts. Crenshaw says that in hindsight, this was a red flag. She never met Brandon in person because he always had excuses why it didn’t happen — another red flag. Brandon told Crenshaw that he worked in construction, had two young sons and had lost his wife in a car accident. Crenshaw later found out that he had stolen someone’s social media profile. During the first months, Crenshaw says Brandon was kind and adoring. He sent her meals after her long shifts as a senior manager at Yale New Haven Hospital. He donated to her work fundraisers. They even prayed together on the phone. “It was ... this loving relationship,” says Crenshaw. “It was probably the best boyfriend you could ever have.” A few months later, Brandon suggested Crenshaw invest in cryptocurrency. She started with a $40,000 “investment,” which she borrowed from her 401(k). But the money wasn’t going to a legitimate cryptocurrency company, and the fake statements showing her money growing were all part of the scheme. “He was really playing a part and making it believable,” Crenshaw says. “He was always one step ahead.”

Market Intelligence Stablecoins will be a key element of banking infrastructure in 2026- By Noelle Acheson - Last week, I shared my list of major stablecoin developments in 2025 and what they teach us about the changing nature of money. As stablecoins become an increasingly prominent feature of the financial landscape, Noelle Acheson gives us her top five trends to watch out for.

Fed's 'Skinny' Accounts End Operation Chokepoint 2.0 - Senator Lummis - Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis, a pro-crypto United States lawmaker, said the recent proposal from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller to give crypto companies access to “skinny” master accounts would end debanking under Operation Chokepoint 2.0. Waller proposed the idea at the Payments Innovation Conference in October, allowing crypto and fintech startups, including payment-only banks, access to accounts at the Federal Reserve similar to the “master accounts” used by banks, but with restrictions. Lummis said: “Governor Waller's skinny master account framework ends Operation Chokepoint 2.0 and opens the door to real payments innovation. Faster payments, lower costs, better security — this is how we build the future responsibly.”Operation Chokepoint 2.0 was described as a coordinated effort to deny banking services to crypto companies and their founders. More than 30 tech founders were debanked under the operation, according to venture capitalist Marc Andreessen.The proposal from Waller highlights the regulatory shift in the US, with officials and lawmakers now embracing cryptocurrencies and other novel fintech startups as necessary upgrades to the payments system and the future of finance. US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in August prohibiting banks from debanking Americans and businesses without lawful cause.The order also instructed US banking regulators, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), to identify banks and financial institutions that engaged in debanking and potentially slap these institutions with fines or other punitive actions. However, crypto executives, project founders, and Web3 companies continued to report debanking issues despite the order and the Trump administration’s pro-crypto stance.In November, Jack Mallers, the CEO of Bitcoin payments company Strike, said he was debanked by financial services company JPMorgan without explanation.

The top 5 legislative battles waiting for Congress in 2026 — When Congress adjourned for its holiday recess last week, lawmakers left several key banking policy debates behind. When they come back in January, there will be a tight legislative window for those issues to be put to rest.

• Key insight: Congress faces renewed pressure to update bank rules shaped by the 2023 midsize bank failures, set rules for the crypto industry and resolve disputes over regulatory authority.
• What's at stake: Most 2026 fights center on tech and crypto, as well as deregulation and deposit insurance.
• Forward look: The first months of the year are likely Republicans' last chance to push through big crypto or bank policy bills before the 2026 elections.

When Congress returns from its recess in 2026, a number of financial legislative issues will be teed up, including crypto market structure, deposit insurance and supervisory disputes.

OCC moves to limit toughest standards to megabanks --Key insight: The OCC is proposing relaxing its toughest category of supervision, limiting the heightened prudential standards to only the very largest firms. Under a proposed rule, the agency would let most nationally chartered firms off the hook for heightened regulatory standards. The rule would raise the bar from $50 billion to $700 billion of assets and leave only eight firms subject to heightened regulation.

Judge blocks effort to allow CFPB funding to run out -- A district court judge Tuesday ruled the Trump administration may not allow the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to run out of funding, rejecting the Justice Department's argument that no funds were legally available, a day before the agency was set to run out of funding.

• Key insight: The Trump administration would violate an existing court order if it allows the CFPB to run out of funding by declining to request money from the Federal Reserve.
• Supporting data: The Judge held that the Dodd-Frank Act requires the CFPB to request funding from the Fed's "combined earnings," even when the Fed's expenses exceed income.
• Forward look: The decision disrupts one of the administration's clearest paths to shutting down the CFPB just a day before the administration said it would exhaust funds.

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said the administration must request funds from the Federal Reserve, rejecting a Trump DOJ legal theory.

Euronet to buy merchant acquiring biz in Greece; Lloyds to shutter invoice financing biz -Visa and Mastercard logged increases in holiday spending, an industry group called for increased BNPL regulation in the U.S., and more in this week's global payments roundup. Greece-based CrediaBank is selling its merchant acquiring business to Euronet Worldwide for an undisclosed amount amid a broader partnership, the bank said. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.

• Key insights: Euronet is buying CrediaBank's merchant acquiring unit, Lloyds is set to shutter its invoice financing business and an industry group is calling for increased BNPL regulation.
• What's at stake: Greek banks have been offloading their merchant acquiring business over the last few years, according to William Blair.
• Forward look: The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.

FHA records stable capital ratios amid softer performance --The Federal Housing Administration's mortgage insurance fund capital ratios were largely stable this past federal fiscal year, its annual report, delayed by the government shutdown, showed. The Mortgage Bankers Association is examining the data to see if the high ratio warrants a new push for a premium cut but said rising arrears call for caution.

FHFA’s Q3 National Mortgage Database: Outstanding Mortgage Rates, LTV and Credit Scores --Today, in the Calculated Risk Real Estate Newsletter: FHFA’s Q3 National Mortgage Database: Outstanding Mortgage Rates, LTV and Credit Scores - A brief excerpt: Here are some graphs on outstanding mortgages by interest rate, the average mortgage interest rate, borrowers’ credit scores and current loan-to-value (LTV) from the FHFA’s National Mortgage Database through Q3 2025 (released this morning)....This shows the surge in the percent of loans under 3% starting in early 2020 as mortgage rates declined sharply during the pandemic.Note that a fairly large percentage of mortgage loans were under 4% prior to the pandemic!The percent of outstanding loans under 4% peaked in Q1 2022 at 65.1% (now at 51.5%), and the percent under 5% peaked at 85.6% (now at 68.6%). These low existing mortgage rates make it difficult for homeowners to sell their homes and buy a new home since their monthly payments would increase sharply.This was a key reason existing home inventory levels were so low. However, time is eroding this lock-in effect. There is much more in the article.

HUD secretary says ‘more research needs to be done’ on 50-year mortgage proposal - Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner said Sunday that more research is needed on President Trump’s 50-year mortgage proposal. “It’s very early. I think more research needs to be done on the 50-year mortgage,” Turner said on Fox News’s “Fox and Friends Weekend.”Last month, the president backed a 50-year mortgage for home buyers to address increasing housing costs. This type of plan would spread payments out over a longer period relative to the standard 30-year home loan. Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte also said in November that his office is “working on” a plan to introduce a 50-year mortgage. Turner noted Sunday that the 50-year mortgage is among multiple ideas “on the table” to boost homeownership. “At the end of the day, the president and the other leaders in the administration will discuss what’s the best possible path, secure path to help the American people to afford a home,” the HUD secretary added. A 50-year mortgage would give homeowners 600 monthly payments to pay for their homes. A 30-year mortgage, the most popular way to buy a home, allows homeowners to pay off their balance via 360 monthly payments. The proposal comes as housing costs increase and a rising number of younger Americans see owning a home as unrealistic. In November, the cost of shelter increased 3 percent relative to 12 months prior, ahead of the overall inflation rate of 2.7 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau also reported in September that median monthly owner costs for homeowners with a mortgage increased 3.8 percent from 2023 to 2024, after rising 3 percent from 2022 to 2023. But a 50-year mortgage would also likely come with higher interest rates, given their elevated risk relative to a 30-year home loan. A spokesperson for the Mortgage Bankers Association told The Hill last month that “our concern is that any affordability benefit derived from expanding the mortgage term to 50 years would be offset by increased borrower risk and slower borrower equity growth resulting from the extended amortization period, especially given the expected slowing of home price growth.”

Housing December 29th Weekly Update: Inventory Down 2.9% Week-over-week Altos reports that active single-family inventory was down 2.9% week-over-week. Note that Inventory usually bottoms seasonally in January or February.The first graph shows the seasonal pattern for active single-family inventory since 2015.The red line is for 2025. The black line is for 2019. Inventory was up 13.1% compared to the same week in 2024 (last week it was up 13.5%), and down 6.0% compared to the same week in 2019 (last week it was down 5.7%). Inventory started 2025 down 22% compared to 2019. Inventory and closed most of that gap, however inventory was still down 6% compared to 2019 at the end of the year. This second inventory graph is courtesy of Altos Research. As of December 26th, inventory was at 736 thousand (7-day average), compared to 758 thousand the prior week. Mike Simonsen discusses this data and much more regularly on YouTube

Freddie Mac House Price Index Up 1.0% Year-over-Year in November -Today, in the Calculated Risk Real Estate Newsletter: Freddie Mac House Price Index Up 1.0% Year-over-Year in November - A brief excerpt: Freddie Mac reported that its “National” Home Price Index (FMHPI)increased 0.19% month-over-month (MoM) on a seasonally adjusted (SA) basis in November.On a year-over-year (YoY) basis, the National FMHPI was up 1.0% in November, down from up 1.1% YoY in October. The YoY increase peaked at 19.2% in July 2021, and for this cycle, and previously bottomed at up 1.1% YoY in April 2023. The YoY change in November is a new cycle low. ...As of November, 19 states and D.C. were below their previous peaks, Seasonally Adjusted. The largest seasonally adjusted declines from the recent peaks are in D.C. (-4.9%), Montana (-3.2%), and Florida (-2.8%).For cities (Core-based Statistical Areas, CBSA), 140 of the 387 CBSAs are below their previous peaks.Here are the 30 cities with the largest declines from the peak, seasonally adjusted. Punta Gorda has passed Austin as the worst performing city. Note that 5 of the 6 cities with the largest price declines are in Florida.A third of the cities on the list are in Florida.

Case-Shiller: National House Price Index Up 1.4% year-over-year in October --S&P/Case-Shiller released the monthly Home Price Indices for October ("October" is a 3-month average of August, September and October closing prices).This release includes prices for 20 individual cities, two composite indices (for 10 cities and 20 cities) and the monthly National index.From S&P S&P Cotality Case-Shiller Index Records Annual Gain in October 2025
• The S&P Cotality Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index posted a 1.4% annual gain for October, up from a 1.3% rise in the previous month.
• Regional divergence persists as Midwestern and Northeastern markets, led by Chicago (5.8%) and New York (5.0%), outpaced Sun Belt cities like Tampa (–4.2%) and Phoenix (–1.5%).
• Sixteen of 20 markets declined month-over-month in October, signaling broad stagnation as high mortgage rates weigh on affordability and suppress price momentum.
...“October’s data show the housing market settling into a much slower gear, with the National Composite Index up only about 1.4% year over year – among the weakest performances since mid-2023,” . “This figure is essentially unchanged from September’s 1.3% annual gain and represents less than a third of the 5.1% average home price increase recorded in 2024. National home prices also continue to lag consumer inflation, as October’s CPI is estimated around 3.1% (based on a provisional index the U.S. Treasury announced due to the federal data shutdown) – roughly 1.8 percentage points higher than the latest housing appreciation. In real terms, that gap implies a slight decline in inflation-adjusted home values over the past year. “Chicago now leads all major markets with a 5.8% annual price gain, followed by New York at 5.0% and Cleveland at 4.1%. These traditionally stable Midwestern and Northeastern metros have sustained solid growth even as broader conditions soften. By contrast, Tampa home prices are down 4.2% year over year – the steepest drop among the 20 cities, marking Tampa’s 12th consecutive month of annual declines. Other former high- flyers in the Sun Belt are similarly struggling: Phoenix (-1.5%), Dallas (-1.5%), and Miami (-1.1%) all remain in negative territory. It’s a stark reversal from the pandemic boom, as the markets that were once ‘pandemic darlings’ are now seeing the sharpest corrections while more traditional metros continue to post modest gains....The S&P Cotality Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index, covering all nine U.S. census divisions, reported a 1.4% annual gain for October, up from a 1.3% rise in the previous month. The 10- City Composite showed an annual increase of 1.9%, down from a 2.0% increase in the previous month. The 20-City Composite posted a year-over-year increase of 1.3%, down from a 1.4% increase in the previous month....The pre-seasonally adjusted U.S. National, 10-City Composite, and 20-City Composite Indices continued to report negative month-over-month changes in October, posting a -0.3% drop for the 20- City Composite Index and -0.2% decreases for both the 10-City Composite and U.S. National Indices. After seasonal adjustment, the U.S. National Index reported a monthly increase of 0.4% and both the 10-City Composite and 20-City Composite Indices posted month-over-month gains of 0.3%. The first graph shows the nominal seasonally adjusted Composite 10, Composite 20 and National indices (the Composite 20 was started in January 2000). The Composite 10 index was up 0.3% in October (SA). The Composite 20 index was up 0.3% (SA) in October. The National index was up 0.4% (SA) in October. The second graph shows the year-over-year change in all three indices. The Composite 10 NSA was up 1.9% year-over-year. The Composite 20 NSA was up 1.3% year-over-year. The National index NSA was up 1.4% year-over-year. Annual price changes were close to expectations.

Inflation Adjusted House Prices 2.7% Below 2022 Peak -Today, in the Calculated Risk Real Estate Newsletter: Inflation Adjusted House Prices 2.7% Below 2022 Peak. Excerpt: It has almost 20 years since the housing bubble peak, ancient history for many readers! In the October Case-Shiller house price index released Tuesday, the seasonally adjusted National Index (SA), was reported as being 78% above the bubble peak. However, in real terms, the National index (SA) is about 9.7% above the bubble peak (and historically there has been an upward slope to real house prices). The composite 20, in real terms, is 1.1% above the bubble peak. People usually graph nominal house prices, but it is also important to look at prices in real terms. As an example, if a house price was $300,000 in January 2010, the price would be $448,000 today adjusted for inflation (49% increase). That is why the second graph below is important - this shows "real" prices. The third graph shows the price-to-rent ratio, and the fourth graph is the affordability index. The last graph shows the 5-year real return based on the Case-Shiller National Index....The second graph shows the same two indexes in real terms (adjusted for inflation using CPI). In real terms (using CPI), the National index is 2.7% below the recent peak, and the Composite 20 index is 3.0% below the recent peak in 2022.Both the real National index and the Comp-20 index increased in October. This was the first increase in the real National index has in 10 months.It has now been 41 months since the real peak in house prices. Typically, after a sharp increase in prices, it takes a number of years for real prices to reach new highs (see House Prices: 7 Years in Purgatory)

Shutdown-fueled flight cuts help bring Las Vegas visitation down 5.2% - Las Vegas saw a 5.2% drop in visitors last month with over 170,000 fewer people visiting compared to November 2024, according to new data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. November was plagued by government shutdown-induced flight cancellations, which contributed to a 9.6% drop in air traffic in and out of Harry Reid International Airport. At the same time, auto traffic on major highways increased by 2.4% year-over-year, the LVCVA found. “My department has many responsibilities, but our number one job is safety,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said about the original 10% reduction in flights. “This isn’t about politics — it’s about assessing the data and alleviating building risk in the system as controllers continue to work without pay.” Despite a series of major events — including the Strip’s third annual Formula One race, the automotive industry’s main trade show and a trio of Raiders home games — November saw a decline in hotel occupancy rates and room prices compared to 2024. Data showed the Strip had an occupancy rate of 82%, 2.3 points below last year, as the average daily room rate fell 1.9% to $208.39. The decline was more dramatic downtown, which saw a 10% drop in average hotel prices year over year and its occupancy rate falling to 66.4% from 70.2%. Despite that, gaming revenue in downtown jumped 10.3% compared to last year, while the Strip saw a slight 0.6% decline from $788 million to $784 million.

Weekly Initial Unemployment Claims Decrease to 199,000 -The DOL reported: In the week ending December 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 199,000, a decrease of 16,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 214,000 to 215,000. The 4-week moving average was 218,750, an increase of 1,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 216,750 to 217,000.The following graph shows the 4-week moving average of weekly claims since 1971.The dashed line on the graph is the current 4-week average. The four-week average of weekly unemployment claims increased to 218,750.

Social media restrictions could infringe on First Amendment rights for children (podcast)How to manage young people's social media use is a big question, with many factors at play, including the well-being of minors, the logistics of monitoring online activity and their constitutional rights. In Ohio, lawmakers are trying to take this matter into their own hands. One law limiting social media access is currently on hold, after a federal court blocked it as an unconstitutional restriction on First Amendment rights. That decision is now being appealed by Attorney General Dave Yost. This year, two new bills have been introduced that would limit children's access to social media in different ways and bring app stores into the equation: Senate Bill 167 (backed by Meta) and Senate Bill 175 (backed by Google).

Education Department Has Rejected Over 300,000 Requests For Lower Student Loan Repayments - The U.S. Department of Education has so far denied requests from more than 300,000 existing student loan recipients seeking new repayment terms, according to documents filed in a federal court earlier this month.The Dec. 15 status report in the American Federation of Teachers’ ongoing lawsuit against the federal government, filed in the District of Columbia earlier this year, said President Donald Trump’s administration rejected 327,955 applications from borrowers who sought “the lowest monthly payment possible.”More than 800,000 applications for income-driven repayment plans, which would result in lower monthly payments, are pending, according to court papers.The Trump administration is required to provide these status reports under an Oct. 17 agreement between the two sides in this case that stipulates the Department of Education will continue to process applications for repayment plans based on income, even though Trump has ended President Joe Biden’s far-reaching student loan forgiveness initiatives.The lawsuit alleges that the president did not have the authority to disrupt existing federal programs such as the Income-Based Repayment plan, as well as Income-Contingent Repayment, Pay as You Earn, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.The Dec. 15 status report said the Trump administration did not disclose the total number of rejected applications in the previous required reporting period due to “logistical issues related to the government shutdown in October-November.”Earlier this week, the Department of Education confirmed that it will soon begin garnishing wages from borrowers who have defaulted on their loans.Students typically go into default if a payment hasn’t been made in 270 days, according to the Federal Student Aid website.

CMS to stop requiring states to report childhood vaccination levels -- States will no longer be required to report how many children they vaccinate to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), according to a December 30 letter to state health officials. As a measure of the quality of the care, states have been required to report the percentage of patients covered by Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Plan who are immunized. About 40% of children are covered by Medicaid, a federal health program administered by states for people with low incomes, pregnant women, those with disabilities, and others. CHIP provides health insurance to children whose families do not qualify for Medicaid.States may continue to provide the information voluntarily, according to the letter, “to allow CMS to maintain a longitudinal dataset while exploring alternative immunization measures.”In the future, however, CMS will explore “new vaccine measures that capture information about whether parents and families were informed about vaccine choices, vaccine safety and side effects, and alternative vaccine schedules,” according to the letter.The change comes amid efforts by US Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to restrict access to vaccines. The Trump administration in December issued a memo to HHS officials to alter the US child immunization schedule, which currently protects against 18 life-threatening diseases, to resemble that of Denmark, which protects children against 10 diseases.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in December also stopped recommending the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns, instead recommending the vaccine for infants whose mothers test positive for hepatitis B or whose infection status is unknown.“If CMS makes this change, it will become harder to understand gaps in vaccination that leave communities exposed to outbreaks of serious and even deadly infectious diseases,” said Joshua M. Sharfstein, MD, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. A spokesman for HHS declined to answer emailed questions about the CMS letter, instead referring CIDRAP News to Kennedy’s December 31 post on X, the social media platform. “Government bureaucracies should never coerce doctors or families into accepting vaccines or penalize physicians for respecting patient choice,” Kennedy wrote. “That practice ends now. Under the Trump administration, HHS will protect informed consent, respect religious liberty, and uphold medical freedom.” Although states can use quality measures such as immunization rates as part of payment incentive programs, CMS said in the letter that it “strongly discourages” states from basing payment on immunization levels. Thomas Nguyen, DO, a pediatrician in Canton, Ohio, said he has no intention of counseling parents to follow “alternative vaccine schedules.” Nguyen said he follows the practice recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics because the organization’s advice is based on rigorous science. Nguyen said he’s concerned that burdensome regulations or “red tape” could dissuade pediatricians from accepting Medicaid insurance plans, which typically reimburse doctors at a lower rate than private insurance. The Trump administration has stopping collecting data on other key health measures such as whether people have a reliable source of healthy food. Other government agencies also collect data on vaccination. For example, the CDC conducts theNational Interview Surveys. Surveying the needs of children covered by Medicaid is important, Nguyen said, because these children are more vulnerable than others. Research shows that kids covered by Medicaid often have greater barriers to care—such as a lack of reliable transportation—than children who are privately insured. “These are the poorest, most disadvantaged patients,” Nguyen said.

Pharmakeia: America's Seniors Are Being Overmedicated Into Oblivion - So many seniors that were once so full of life are now just shadows of their former selves. It can be really easy to assume that they are “just getting old” and that nothing unusual is happening to them. But the truth is that in so many cases the reason why America’s seniors are shutting down is because they are simply being overmedicated. Our entire medical system has been designed to push pills, and so when our seniors seek medical help that is usually the solution that they are offered. As you will see below, the proportion of our seniors that are on at least 8 pharmaceutical drugs is truly alarming. Of course those that consume pharmaceutical drug cocktails on a daily basis for an extended period of time are quite likely to experience very serious consequences. We are the most drugged nation that the world has ever seen, and this is particularly true for our seniors. The Wall Street Journal recently interviewed an 83-year-old woman named Barbara Schmidt that has “filled prescriptions for more than a dozen different drugs in the past year”…For years, Barbara Schmidt’s family feared an illness was behind a pattern of terrifying falls that repeatedly landed the 83-year-old great-grandmother in surgery with broken bones. Instead, Schmidt’s frequent tumbles might have been tied to something else: medications intended to make her better.Schmidt, who lives with her husband of 65 years in Lewes, Del., filled prescriptions for more than a dozen different drugs in the past year, according to pharmacy and medical records. After taking so many medications in such a short period of time, it really is a miracle that she is still alive today.But she is far from alone. The Wall Street Journal discovered that one out of every six seniors that is enrolled in Medicare’s drug benefit has been prescribed at least 8 different pharmaceutical drugs… That isn’t unusual for America’s seniors, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of Medicare data. One in six of the 46 million seniors enrolled in Medicare’s drug benefit, which pays for most drugs taken by older Americans, were prescribed eight or more medications. Millions upon millions of our seniors are literally being drugged into oblivion.One of the problems is that seniors often visit multiple physicians, and that can result in a lot of confusion… The Journal analysis found that, among seniors taking eight or more drugs, it was common for the prescriptions to come from a large number of doctors. Of course it isn’t just seniors that are being overmedicated. One recent survey found that 70 percent of U.S. adults are currently taking at least one pharmaceutical drug, and nearly a quarter of U.S. adults are currently taking at least four pharmaceutical drugs…It is an insanely profitable industry, and that is why we constantly see ads for pharmaceutical drugs on television.They desperately want more “customers”, and seniors are the easiest target. According to the official CDC website, 89 percent of Americans that are 65 years or older are currently taking at least one pharmaceutical drug…

Oh Crap: Over-The-Counter Medicines, Other Items Recalled Over Feces Contamination -The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) late last week announced that a distributor is recalling its FDA-regulated products because of the presence of bird and rodent feces at a Minneapolis facility. Minneapolis-based Gold Star Distribution Inc. said on Dec. 26 that it’s recalling all of its FDA-regulated products including over-the-counter cold and flu medications, dietary supplements, pet foods, cosmetics, medical devices, and foods that were distributed in locations primarily in Minnesota. The reason for the action is “potential Salmonella contamination, presence of rodent and avian contamination, and insanitary conditions during the storage process,” the FDA said in a description of the recall. According to a statement from Gold Star, people who consume or handle the products may become ill because of “adulteration from pests, including rodents, birds and insects.” The FDA found that the company facilities harbored “rodent excreta, rodent urine, and bird droppings in areas where medical devices, drugs, human food, pet food, and cosmetic products were held.” “These conditions create a significant risk that products held at the facility may have been contaminated with filth and harmful microorganisms,” it said. No illnesses have been reported so far, according to the FDA notice. Health authorities say Salmonella infections may cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Salmonella can sometimes enter the bloodstream, causing more significant illnesses such as endocarditis, arthritis, and arterial infections. In rare cases, the bacterial infections can be fatal. Young children, older people, and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly at risk of developing severe illness.

Review of 200 novel human viruses over a century a reminder that pathogen emergence isn’t rare - A systematic review of more than 200 studies published inBMC Infectious Diseases on human viruses over more than a century suggests that viral emergence peaked from 1950 to 1979 and again starting in 2000, with most initially detected in the United States, China, and Australia. For the study, researchers from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, conducted a systematic review of 212 human viruses reported from 1900 to 2024 to determine temporal trends, geographic origins, modes of transmission, and clinical syndromes. The team also developed a novel visualization tool for exploring viral patterns interactively. “Over the past century, the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases ranging from HIV/AIDS and SARS [severe acute respiratory syndrome] to Zika virus, COVID-19, and Mpox, have repeatedly challenged health systems, exposed gaps in surveillance infrastructure, and disrupted economies and societies,” the study authors wrote. “These events highlight the reality that pathogen emergence is not a rare anomaly but an ongoing process influenced by an increasingly interconnected and ecologically fragile world,” they added.A total of 87 viruses emerged from 1950 to 1979, and another 54 were first detected beginning in 2000, the latter making up 25.5% of emerging pathogens since the 20th century. Peaks corresponded to advancements in molecular diagnostics, lab infrastructure, and global surveillance networks. The most common initial detection sites were the United States (42 viruses), China (15), and Australia (10), which the investigators said reflects differences in surveillance and research capacity rather than geographic differences.

Super Flu Variant H3N2: Symptoms, Treatment, and Vaccine — As the winter season fully kicks in, it’s expected that people across the country will get sick. Except this time, a new variant of the influenza virus has sounded the alarm — and earned the nickname “super flu.” The “super flu” is a variant of influenza A H3N2 called subclade K. In the past, H3N2 influenza has been more severe and taken longer to recover from. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the super flu first made headlines in the United Kingdom, before making its way over the Atlantic to the U.S. “The United Kingdom got hit pretty hard by this,” as did Europe and Australia, said Neil Maniar of Northeastern University. “I think that’s a pretty good harbinger of what we are likely to see here. This is going to be a very difficult flu season.” The K subclade of the virus causes similar symptoms to other strains, including: High fever,Severe body aches,Extreme fatigue. Persistent cough,Sore throat, andIntense headaches.People who have been infected with the “super flu” have also noticed shortness of breath, chest pain, gastrointestinal issues, and prolonged weakness. With the rise in cases not slowing down, doctors have acknowledged that antiviral medications are a key tool for combating severe cases of the flu. The CDC recommends four specific drugs: Tamiflu, Xofluza, Relenza, and Rapivab. Xofluza is a pill taken for early treatment of uncomplicated flu in people 5 years and older. Relenza is the medication for people 7 years and older, while Rapivab is provided for early treatment of flu in people 6 months and older. “Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, get sufficient rest and take Tylenol or Advil to manage fever, headaches and muscle aches at home,” Doctors have been warning about the flu since September, but the super flu, plus low vaccination rates, have them on high alert. “This can be a very serious illness. We need to take it seriously, and we need to take measures to protect ourselves,” Maniar said. “As we go deeper into the flu season, this is likely to be a tough one.” Experts fear relatively low vaccine uptake in the U.S. could lead to a historically bad flu season, but they say there’s still time to course-correct. “.” There has been concern that this year’s flu vaccine isn’t a perfect match for the K subtype of the virus, but Pekosz said it still offers good protection. “There are three different influenza strains that cause influenza. The vaccine covers all three. And with two of them, it looks like there’s a pretty good match right now … and we think it’ll provide at least partial protection against this clade K H2N2 virus.” The CDC recommends the flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older.

Dr. Oz calls flu vaccine 'controversial of late' -Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, on Tuesday called the seasonal flu vaccine “controversial of late” and advised various Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiatives as ways to “overcome” the virus. Appearing on Newsmax, Oz spoke on this year’s flu season, which has been marked by a more severe strain than previous years. “Flu is always a problem. Every year there’s a flu vaccine. It doesn’t always work very well. That’s why it’s been controversial of late,” Oz said. “But like many illnesses, the best news out there is if you can take care of yourself, so that when you do end up running into the flu, you can overwhelm it.” While there are concerns that the current flu vaccine may not be a good match for the H3N2 subclade K virus, which is the predominant flu strain this year, experts say the shot should still offer significant protection from transmission and severe illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older, ideally by the end of October each year. Jerome Adams, who was surgeon general during President Trump’s first term, said Monday that despite the mismatch, this year’s vaccine will make flus milder and make hospitalizations less likely. “Even in mismatched years, flu vaccines provide cross-protection because the strains are related. Historical data … show mismatched vaccines can still reduce lab-confirmed flu risk by around 50-60% overall and are particularly good at preventing severe outcomes like hospitalization and death,” Adams wrote on social platform X.

RSV confers similar risk of poor outcomes in hospitalized patients as flu over time, data suggest --Relative to uninfected control patients, those hospitalized with acute respiratory infections (ARIs) due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or influenza were at substantially higher adjusted risk for all-cause death, heart attack, exacerbation of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and hospitalization for heart failure, researchers from vaccine maker GSK and the Analysis Group report. The retrospective study, published last week in Clinical Infectious Diseases, used claims data from October 2015 to June 2023 to compare clinical outcomes among US adults aged 50 and older hospitalized for RSV or flu with those of controls without ARI. The average ages in the RSV and flu cohorts were higher than those of controls (76.5 and 75.4 vs 69.5 years, respectively). “Current evidence on longer-term RSV-ARI outcomes among adults aged ≥50 years is limited, with insufficient research comparing the impact of RSV-ARI hospitalization to an appropriate comparator population representing the long-term health outcomes these patients would have experienced without severe RSV disease,” the study authors wrote. The study included 14,759 RSV, 77,468 flu, and 73,795 control patients. RSV patients had a substantially higher adjusted risk of all-cause death than controls, with the highest risk 0 to 30 days after hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 10.8). At 30 days and 1 year after hospitalization, the risk of all-cause death rose from 6.5% to 26.3% in the RSV group, compared with 6.6% to 23.3% among flu patients and from 0.3% to 3.1% among controls. These results underscore the need for increased awareness of the clinical burden of RSV among adults aged ≥50 years and the role of RSV prevention in reducing the risk of adverse clinical outcomes. At 30 days and 1 year after hospital admission, the risk of heart attack in the RSV, flu, and control cohorts rose from 10.0% to 14.5%, 10.3% to 14.0%, and 0.2% to 1.6%, respectively. Among asthma patients, the RSV group was at higher risk for asthma exacerbation than both the flu (aHR, 1.5) and control (aHR, 6.5) cohorts across all ages. Among COPD patients, the RSV group also consistently showed higher risk of COPD exacerbation compared with flu patients (aHR, 1.1) and controls (aHR, 2.8). Likewise, RSV patients diagnosed as having heart failure had a consistently higher risk of hospitalization than those with flu (aHR, 1.1) and controls (aHR, 3.1). The risk of hospital readmission was 16.1% in RSV patients at 30 days and 26.1% at 3 months; the risk was 14.4% and 23.3% for flu patients at 30 days and 3 months, respectively. The authors noted that RSV had considerably greater long-term effects on clinical outcomes than no acute respiratory infection and similar outcomes as flu.

US respiratory virus activity rises as Arkansas reports record pertussis year ---Multiple diseases, including pertussis (whooping cough), influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19, are contributing to increased respiratory illness activity across the United States and globally as the 2025–26 respiratory season unfolds. More than 500 pertussis cases were reported in Arkansas this year, marking the highest annual total since the state began collecting data on pertussis 15 years ago, according to a state health department press release. Cases aren’t concentrated in a specific region—more than 50 counties in Arkansas have logged at least one case.Children and adolescents make up the majority of cases in the state, and at least 50 hospitalizations have occurred. Infants younger than 1 year account for over 60% of these hospitalizations, and one pertussis-related death was reported in Arkansas this year. Vaccination remains the most effective prevention strategy, say public health officials, and they encourage prompt antibiotic treatment and post-exposure prophylaxis when appropriate. According to the most recent Influenza Surveillance Report (the week ending December 20) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seasonal influenza activity remains elevated and is increasing across the United States. Influenza A(H3N2) viruses predominate, with a large portion of circulating strains (89.5%) belonging to subclade K. A relatively new strain of influenza A, subclade K has fueled an earlier- than-usual start to the flu season and given rise to higher case counts across parts of the country and globe. The CDC estimates at least 7.5 million illnesses, 81,000 hospitalizations, and 3,100 deaths from the flu so far this season. Eight influenza-related pediatric deaths have been reported to the CDC, which continues to recommend annual influenza vaccination for all persons aged 6 months and older.CDC’s Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics estimates that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 39 states, with no states showing clear declines in transmission. Influenza cases are growing in 29 states, and RSV infections are growing or likely growing in 41 states. (Holiday reporting delays may influence these trends.).COVID continues to cause hospitalizations and deaths throughout Europe, particularly among adults older than 60 and persons with chronic conditions, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Vaccination remains effective at reducing the risk of severe disease and hospitalization, notes the WHO, yet uptake among high-risk groups remains low in some regions.

Case definitions for severe acute respiratory infections may underestimate true incidence -A systematic review and meta-analysis finds that the definition of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) used by the World Health Organization (WHO) demonstrated reduced sensitivity and low specificity in children, suggesting that surveillance systems that rely on SARI case definitions may under-report the burden of diseases like influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in children. For the analysis, published recently in JAMA Network Open, researchers in Ontario identified 1,144 studies and included 13 that assessed surveillance data from 65 hospitals in eight countries (Canada, Egypt, Ghana, India, Jordan, Kenya, New Zealand, and South Africa). Data were from pediatric patients hospitalized any time from 2007 to 2023. The authors wrote, “Several studies have suggested that SARI case definitions are inaccurate at detecting pediatric disease burden. Understanding the performance of SARI case definitions in children is important for pandemic preparedness.” The most common SARI definition was the one developed by the WHO in 2014 (used in nine studies). Other studies used the WHO 2011 SARI definition (two studies), a general Integrated Management for Childhood Illness (IMCI) pneumonia definition (one study), and a combined definition consisting of five other definitions (one study). For children younger than five years, the WHO recommended using the IMCI definitions of pneumonia and severe pneumonia in addition to its 2014 SARI case definition. Ten of the studies assessed the SARI definition for flu, and six for RSV. The investigators found that the WHO 2014 SARI definition yielded a sensitivity of 75.7% and specificity of 30.6% for flu and a sensitivity of 70.6% and specificity of 38.7% for RSV. They also found that sensitivity decreased greatly in younger age-groups. Sensitivity measures how well a test can correctly identify people with a disease (true-positive rate) and minimize false-negatives. Specificity measures a test’s ability to correctly identify patients without a disease (true-negative rate) and minimize false-positives. Two studies evaluated the WHO 2011 SARI definition for flu and RSV. For influenza, one study reported that the 2011 definition yielded a sensitivity of 68.7% and a specificity of 18.0%. For RSV, another study reported that it yielded a sensitivity of 51.2% and a specificity of 80.9%. In summing up the data, the authors of the review write, “These findings suggest that existing viral surveillance resources that rely on SARI case definitions may underestimate disease burden in young pediatric cohorts.”

Superbug hits 27 states: Here’s where the deadly fungus is spreading – – Hospitals, nursing homes and other medical facilities are struggling to gain ground on a drug-resistant and deadly fungus that has infected at least 7,000 people in 2025, according to tracking by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candida auris, a fungus that was first reported in the U.S. in 2016, has spread rapidly over the past several years. It can survive on surfaces for long periods of time before spreading to patients through catheters, breathing tubes or IVs. Some strains of the fungus are considered a superbug because they’re resistant to all types of antibiotics usually used to treat fungal infections. While healthy people may be able to fight off the infection on their own, the fungus can be deadly in the health care settings where it spreads, where people are often sick and vulnerable.. “If you get infected with this pathogen that’s resistant to any treatment, there’s no treatment we can give you to help combat it. You’re all on your own,” Melissa Nolan, an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Carolina, told Nexstar. The fungus’ drug resistance has made it especially hard to contain. More than half of states reported clinical cases of Candida auris in 2025, the CDC reported. With one week of data left in the year, the annual case count is approaching last year’s record-breaking figure of more than 7,500 cases.

Rare welder’s anthrax case in Louisiana successfully treated with monoclonal antibody --The ninth known case of welder’s anthrax, and the first clinical use of the monoclonal antibody medication obiltoxaximab to treat it, was recently documented in Louisiana. An account of the case, published in the most recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), marks a significant development in the treatment of an often-fatal condition that can afflict metalworkers in the southern United States.Welder’s anthrax is a type of pneumonia caused by anthrax toxin–producing Bacillus cereus bacteria, a pathogen closely related to Bacillus anthracis. Six of the previous eight documented US cases have been fatal. Risk factors are not well understood but likely include exposure to dust and welding fumes, poor ventilation, and minimal use of personal protective equipment (PPE).In September 2024, an otherwise healthy 18-year-old welding apprentice in Louisiana developed severe pneumonia and respiratory failure requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. The patient had worked as a welder for 6 months immediately preceding his illness and had no history of vaping, smoking, or excessive alcohol consumption. The Louisiana Department of Health and the CDC confirmed the presence of anthrax toxin genes in the patient’s blood and in samples from the patient’s worksite. The patient received treatment with the recommended multidrug antimicrobial therapy, drainage of a pleural effusion, and obiltoxaximab, which was sourced from the US Strategic National Stockpile and administered 34 hours after welder’s anthrax was suspected (approximately 1 week after symptom onset).Within days, the patient showed rapid improvement, and mechanical ventilation was discontinued. He was discharged after 26 days; symptoms had resolved by 3-month follow-up. This case study underscores the potential benefits of antitoxin therapy alongside standard antimicrobial treatment for welder’s anthrax, the authors said.

Quick takes: Cruise ship outbreak, flu season in Australia, avian flu in Nebraska, polio in Somalia | CIDRAP

• An outbreak of an undetermined gastrointestinal illness sickened 95 passengers and nine crew members on the Celebrity Eclipse cruise ship during a voyage December 20 to 28, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Vessel Sanitation Program. A total of 3,042 passengers and 1,235 crew were on board. The main symptoms were vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. The CDC noted that norovirus is a common cause of gastrointestinal illnesses on cruise ships, but in this case, the notification occurred after the voyage, when samples were no longer available for testing. The Eclipse sails the Caribbean in December.
• Despite it being summer in Australia, the influenza season is still going strong more than 3 months after it should have ended, virologist Ian Mackay, PhD, adjunct associate professor at the University of Queensland, said on his Virology Down Under blog. Cases stopped declining in October and started to rise again in November, driven by the newly emerged influenza A H3N2 subclade K. The subclade is currently causing outbreaks in the Northern Hemisphere, but whether it will cause a protracted flu season here is unknown.
• Earlier this week, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) documented an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza on a Butler County, Nebraska, layer farm with 144,600 birds.
• This week, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) documented one new case of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in Lower Juba, Somalia, with an onset of paralysis on November 15, for a 2025 total of two.

Study finds wide variation in resistance patterns for travelers’ diarrhea -A study of the leading bacterial causes of travelers’ diarrhea (TD) found wide regional variations in nonsusceptibility to the two classes of antibiotics used for treatment, an international team of researchers reported last week in JAMA Network Open. Using data from GeoSentinel, a worldwide network of tropical medicine centers located on six continents, the researchers conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility data for four major pathogens causing TD, reported from April 14, 2015 to December 19, 2022. The main outcomes were demographics, clinical characteristics, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of patients with culture-confirmed Campylobacter, Shigella, nontyphoidal Salmonella, and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli infections. Current guidelines recommend fluoroquinolones or azithromycin (a macrolide antibiotic) for the management of moderate-to-severe acute TD. The study authors note that rates of resistance among isolates infecting international travelers have been limited to single-center studies. Among pathogens isolated from 859 cases (median age, 30; 51% male) of TD from 103 countries, nonsusceptibility to fluoroquinolones was 75% for Campylobacter, 32% for nontyphoidal Salmonella, 22% for Shigella, and 18% for diarrheagenic E coli species. Among Campylobacter species, the highest proportion of nonsusceptibility to fluoroquinolones was observed in travelers to South Central Asia (88%), Southeast Asia (80%), and sub-Saharan Africa (60%). Nonsusceptibility to macrolides was 12% for Campylobacter, 35% for Shigella, and 16% for Salmonella; 78% of Shigella isolates from South America and 24% of Campylobacter isolates from South Central Asia were nonsusceptible to macrolides. Twenty-six cases of Campylobacter infection were nonsusceptible to both fluoroquinolones and macrolides. “Our findings have the potential to provide critical information for both the selection of standby empiric antibiotics for self-management of TD, and the empiric treatment of acute diarrhea in travelers, by travel medicine and primary care health care practitioners,” the authors wrote. “Our study findings also demonstrate the importance of surveillance of culture and susceptibility testing in TD in order to identify geographic patterns of resistance.”

Multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to raw oysters sickens 64 --At least 64 people in 22 states have contracted Salmonella after eating raw oysters, and 20 have been hospitalized, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced last week.Infected people reported first getting sick on June 21 through November 28, the CDC said. Patients range in age from 10 to 76 years, with a median age of 52. Almost two-thirds of patients are male, and 85% are White. The most affected states are Pennsylvania (10 cases), New York (7), New Jersey (6), Virginia (6), and Georgia (4). “The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses,” the CDC said. “This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.” Official have not yet identified a common source of contaminated oysters. “Raw oysters can be contaminated with germs at any time of year,” the CDC advised. “Cook them before eating to reduce your risk of food poisoning. Hot sauce and lemon juice do not kill germs. You cannot tell if oysters have germs by looking at them.” Raw oysters are a fairly frequent vehicle for the transmission of foodborne pathogens. Early this year, the CDC described two simultaneous norovirus outbreaks linked to eating raw oysters in California in late 2023 and early 2024 affecting about 400 Californians. A 2022 norovirus outbreak was traced to oysters harvested from Galveston Bay, Texas, while another that year was tied to raw oysters from British Columbia. Vibrio is another pathogen commonly tied to raw-oyster outbreaks.

US measles cases surpass 2,000 this year --The number of recorded measles cases in the U.S. during 2025 has officially exceeded 2,000 just before the end of the year, a bleak punctuation on what has been the worst spread of measles the country has seen in decades.As of Dec. 23, the U.S. has reported 2,012 measles cases, with the vast majority — 98 percent — being reported by domestic jurisdictions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).The U.S. measles tracker operated by Johns Hopkins University, updated Friday, holds a slightly higher total at 2,023 cases.By comparison, the CDC recorded only 269 measles cases in the country during 2024.The most significant portion of cases came from Texas this year, with the CDC reporting 803 confirmed measles cases in the state. Outbreaks occurred in the West Texas this year among Mennonite communities in which vaccination levels are low.This milestone comes less a month from the deadline from which the U.S. will technically lose its measles elimination status, marking 12 continuous months of measles transmission in the country. The U.S. has had measles elimination status since 2000. Canada lost its own measles elimination status earlier this year. With a population significantly smaller than that of the U.S., experts have warned that the spread of cases could be significant in the next 12 to 18 months.

US adds 53 more measles cases to total, largely fueled by outbreaks in 3 states --Today, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the country’s confirmed measles cases have grown to 2,065, up from 2,012 last week, with outbreaks in South Carolina, Arizona, and Utah each documenting 10 to 20 more infections this week.The United States is at risk for losing its measles elimination status, which it earned in 2000, after surpassing the 2,000-case mark last week. While measles vaccination campaigns led to a steep drop in cases starting in 2000, a surge of vaccine skepticism in recent years has resulted in a resurgence of infections. Yesterday, the South Carolina Department of Public Health added 20 more infections to its Upstate measles outbreak, for a total of 176 cases in that region since October 2 and a statewide total of 179since July 9. The surge has been fed by infections at several elementary schools with largely unvaccinated student bodies.“Some cases are travel-related exposures or close contacts of known cases,” the news release said. “Other cases have no identified source, suggesting that measles is circulating in the community and could spread further. We have seen measles spread quickly in unvaccinated households here in South Carolina.”Measles cases in Arizona have now topped the 200 mark, with 205 total cases, 10 more than last week, per the Arizona Department of Health Services. Nine of the 10 new infections are in Mohave County.Utah, which has seen its greatest measles activity in more than 30 years, has 14 new cases, bringing its total to 156, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services said in an update. All but one are in the Southwest health district, which indicates that the outbreak centered in Arizona’s Mohave County and southwest Utah has surpassed 300 cases, growing to 314 infections, up from 292 the week before.

Mississippi experiences explosive growth in maternal syphilis - Diligent public health efforts nearly eliminated syphilis 20 years ago. Stopping outbreaks involved extensive testing and treatments for the sexually transmitted infection (STI) in affected people, as well as tracing, testing, and treating their sexual partners. As STI clinics have closed and the public health workers have been laid off, syphilis has come raging back, with “catastrophic” consequences for babies of affected mothers, Dobbs told CIDRAP News.Maternal syphilis rates in the United States tripled from 2016 to 2022 reaching 280.4 per 100,000 births in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Cases are rising even more quickly in Mississippi, where the rate of maternal syphilis infections grew more than 1,000% from 2013 to 2023, according to a research letter by Dobbs and his colleaguespublished yesterday in JAMA Network Open. During that 10-year period, maternal infections in Mississippi climbed from 86 cases per 100,000 births to 1,016 cases per 100,000 births.Rates of congenital syphilis, which can be contracted in the uterus or during delivery, have risen for 12 consecutive years, with nearly 4,000 reported cases in 2024, according to the CDC.Mississippi faces particular health challenges, including a high poverty rate and large numbers ofpeople without health insurance. In August, the state declared a public health emergency due to soaring rates of infant mortality.Syphilis is more common among people with opioid use disorder, as well as those who have been incarcerated or have no health insurance.Maternal syphilis infections kill up to 40% of infected infants and can cause devastating health problems in those who survive, including blindness, hearing loss, joint pain, bone problems, scarring, and other issues. Elevated rates of maternal and infant syphilis, which are both preventable, reflect failures of the public health system, Dobbs said. Infection with syphilis and other STIs can be prevented by using condoms during sex. In most cases, syphilis can be treated with a single shot of antibiotics, Dobbs said. Screening and treating women during pregnancy can protect both mother and child.Yet budget cuts at the CDC could make it harder to track syphilis cases and hire public health workers, Cook wrote. The Trump administration has slashed funding for public health and has closed CDC labs that conducted testing for STIs and hepatitis.In his editorial, Cook noted a national shortage of an injectable form of penicillin that is the only medication approved to treat syphilis in pregnancy. He noted that health departments are alerting health care providers about the shortage and urged them to prioritize its use for pregnant women.

More than half a million chikungunya cases reported globally in 2025 - Through December 10, the world has seen more than 500,000 chikungunya cases worldwide, with almost 300,000 in the Americas region alone, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported in a risk assessment yesterday. With a high degree of confidence, the WHO classified the risk of infection with chikungunya virus to be moderate worldwide, “driven by widespread outbreaks across multiple WHO regions during the 2025 season including areas with previously low or no transmission.” “The resurgence and emergence of cases in new geographic areas are facilitated by the presence of competent Aedes mosquito vectors, limited population immunity, favorable environmental conditions, and increased human mobility,” the agency noted. Of the 502,264 cases worldwide so far this year, 208,335 are confirmed and 293,929 suspected in 41 countries and territories. Officials logged 186 chikungunya deaths. Chikungunya is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions and is characterized by sudden fever, severe joint pain, muscle pain, headache, and rash. Joint pain can persist for months or years and can lead to prolonged disability.

Officials suspect bird flu after 12 swans die at Orlando's Lake Eola -A dozen of the iconic swans that live in the heart of downtown Orlando, Florida, have died in recent days of an unknown cause, leading officials to suspect that bird flu is to blame. The deaths of the swans at Lake Eola don't appear to be suspicious, Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan said Monday on social media. About five dozen swans lived at the park before the recent deaths. The last bird flu outbreak in the park was in February 2024. Because the deaths have taken place during holiday season, the city's specialized veterinarians weren't available to do an immediate evaluation. The dead swans were being stored in a secure location so necropsies can be performed and a cause of death determined, the city commissioner said. "We can't be certain until tests are completed," Sheehan said. The swans have been at Lake Eola for more than a century and are symbols of the central Florida city. They have been painted on street murals at city intersections, and visitors can rent swan-shaped pedal-boats at the park.

Second bird flu case confirmed on Queen Anne's County farm - Maryland officials have confirmed a second positive test for bird flu at a commercial poultry operation in Queen Anne's County, the 10th detection in the state in 2025, as public health experts warn the virus continues to pose a serious threat to animals—but remains a low risk for most people.State health and agriculture officials said the infected birds did not enter the food supply and the outbreak is considered contained. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to rate the overall public health risk as low, with no evidence of sustained person-to-person spread.Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that affects poultry, including chickens, ducks and turkeys, along with some wild bird species such as geese, shorebirds and raptors. Dr. Jennifer Trout, a Maryland Department of Agriculture state veterinarian, told The Sun there was a positive test on Dec. 19 at an MDA lab in Salisbury, based on samples from Queen Anne's County. The site was immediately placed under quarantine and samples were sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa for confirmation.MDA is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to clean and disinfect the site "following strict biosecurity protocols.""The birds were humanely euthanized on Saturday to prevent any further spread of disease. The situation is considered contained," Trout said. "The virus was most likely introduced by wild birds."Trout said bird flu remains an ongoing risk to migratory wild birds in Maryland, especially during colder, wetter months when the virus is more active in the environment. “This virus is here," said Meghan Davis, an associate professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a former dairy veterinarian. "It's been ongoing since 2022, which is highly unusual, and it has been absolutely catastrophic for animal health."While most human cases in the U.S. have been mild, Davis said sporadic severe infections—including hospitalizations and deaths—remain a concern, particularly among people with close contact with birds or sick animals."So that's why you hear the CDC saying the risk is low," Davis said. "That's low for the general public, not necessarily for people with backyard poultry, those working in poultry or dairy operations, or anyone who has regular contact with wild birds."There have been 71 confirmed human cases of bird flu in the United States, including two deaths. The most recent U.S. death involved an H5N5 strain, a form of bird flu distinct from the more common H5N1, and occurred in a person with underlying health conditions who had contact with birds, Davis said.

Avian flu strikes birds in 5 more US states, suspected in die-offs in Iowa, Florida -Confirmed avian flu outbreaks have hit another five US states, affecting more than 128,000 birds, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).And avian flu is suspected, but not confirmed, in the deaths of wild birds in central Iowa and central Florida, media outlets report.Yesterday, APHIS documented avian flu outbreaks on a broiler breeder farm in Drew County, Arkansas (19,400 birds); a game bird farm in Jewell County, Kansas (13,100), and a backyard flock in Wabaunsee County, also in Kansas (40 birds); a broiler farm in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland (96,200 birds); a backyard flock in Washington County, Nebraska (20); and a live-bird market in Kings County, New York (4).Also yesterday, KCCI Des Moines said the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed several cases of avian flu after dozens of dead wild birds were discovered at the Dale Maffitt Reservoir in south-central Iowa, which was closed to allow workers to remove the carcasses. The Des Moines Register reported today that the birds were roughly 200 Canada geese. But the DNR hasn’t posted a news release confirming the findings on its website.In Florida, Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan held a news conference yesterday to discuss the deaths of a dozen or more swans in downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola Park. While she speculated that avian flu could be responsible, testing has yet to be performed, and state officials haven’t issued a news release.

Idaho notes first CWD case in Hunting Unit 15 --A white-tailed buck south of Grangeville, Idaho, has become the first case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Hunting Unit 15, near CWD-positive Hunting Unit 14.A hunter harvested the deer about 20 miles from Slate Creek, where CWD was first identified in 2021 and where multiple deer and elk have since tested positive for the fatal neurodegenerative disease, Idaho Fish and Game said yesterday in a news release. This is the first CWD detection outside of Hunting Units 1, 14, 18 and 23. In recent years, the number of CWD detections near White Bird and east toward Grangeville have increased. “It’s not terribly surprising because it’s a pretty logical progression,” Jana Ashling, MS, Fish and Game’s Clearwater Region Wildlife Manager, said in the release. “We know based on radio collar data that we have animals moving between these areas.” This year, Idaho Fish and Game tested more than 5,600 samples from deer and elk. “The department and the Fish and Game Commission will consider this detection in its overall CWD management strategy, which typically changes annually as new information about new detections becomes available,” the release said. Caused by infectious misfolded proteins called prions, CWD affects cervids such as deer, elk, and moose. No vaccine or treatment is available.

Tennessee confirms first-time CWD cases in Dickson, Williamson counties - Last week, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) announced that hunter-harvested deer in Dickson and Williamson counties had tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), the first positive tests for both counties. Dickson County is in the north-central part of Tennessee, roughly 35 miles west of Nashville. Williamson County is in the central part of the state, just south of Nashville. TWRA didn’t offer any details on the cases. “Because these counties are not within or immediately adjacent to the current CWD Management Zone, there will be no changes to transportation or feeding regulations at this time,” it said in a news release. “However, hunters are now eligible for the Earn-a-Buck Program. Hunters can earn additional bucks by harvesting antlerless deer in Dickson and Williamson counties and submitting them for testing.” The agency said that it will increase CWD sampling and monitoring in Dickson and Williamson counties in response to the new cases. So far this hunting season, TWRA has submitted about 9,186 samples for testing. Because these counties are not within or immediately adjacent to the current CWD Management Zone, there will be no changes to transportation or feeding regulations at this time. CWD is a fatal neurodegenerative disease of cervids such as deer, elk, and moose. It spreads from animal to animal and through environmental contamination via infectious misfolded proteins called prions. There is no vaccine or treatment. While CWD isn’t known to infect people, health officials urge against eating the meat of infected or sick cervids and encourage using caution when handling carcasses.

Early tests rule out lab as cause of Spain swine fever outbreak - Preliminary analysis rules out a lab leak as the cause of an African swine fever outbreak that has rocked Spain's lucrative pork industry, but further tests are needed, authorities said Tuesday.Spain has deployed dozens of soldiers to help track and contain the outbreak in the northeastern Catalonia region, where 29 cases in wild boars have been detected since November 28. Authorities are investigating five laboratories within a 20-kilometer (12-mile) radius of the outbreak to determine its source.Police earlier this month searched the premises of the IRTA-CReSA animal laboratory, close to where the first contaminated dead boars were found in November, as part of the probe.Genetic sequencing conducted by a Barcelona research institute showed that virus samples taken from wild boars "do not correspond to the ones we have in our labs", said the regional Catalan government's agriculture minister, Oscar Ordeig."We are awaiting official confirmation" from the national agriculture ministry, he told a news conference.According to Catalan authorities, the genetic analysis released Tuesday indicates the virus carries "a unique genetic signature" that classifies it as a previously undocumented variant.The African swine fever outbreak is the first that Spain has experienced since 1994.Swine fever does not affect humans but is highly contagious and lethal for pigs.Although the disease has not spread to domestic pig farms, the cases have disrupted exports from Spain, the world's third-largest producer of pork and its derivatives.

E. coli alert: Grass-fed beef recalled in six states– Grass-fed ground beef that was distributed to six states is being recalled over concerns of E. coli. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a recall on more than 2,800 pounds of raw 90/10 ground beef processed by Mountain West Food Group, LLC, from Idaho. The “Forward Farms Grass-Fed Ground Beef,” produced on Dec. 16 and packed in 16-ounce packages, was shipped to distributors in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Pennsylvania and Washington for further distribution to retail establishments. FSIS reports the E. coli concern was found during “routine” testing, with sampling results showing the presence of E. coli 026, according to the FSIS announcement. There have been no confirmed reports of illness, but the FSIS warned that people can be sickened by shiga toxin-producing strains of E. coli (STECs) “28 days (average of 34 days) after exposure to the organism.” Common symptoms of E. coli infection include stomach cramps and diarrhea, but also vomiting, bloody stools or urine, fever and dehydration, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some cases can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure and possibly death. Some members of the population, including those under 5, those over 65, or those with weakened immune systems, are more at risk of serious complications from E. coli infection. Anyone who believes they may be sickened with an E. coli infection is urged to contact a healthcare provider and seek treatment immediately. The FSIS is also urging anyone who may have purchased the recalled beef, or who may have it in their freezer, to throw away the products or return them.

Regenerative Agriculture Finally Has A Seat At The Table At USDA --Something unusual and long overdue recently took place at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Two regenerative agriculture pioneers, Rick Clark of Indiana and Blake Alexander of California, stood alongside Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins as the department announced a new $700 million investment in regenerative agriculture. Given recent history, skepticism is understandable. Cuts to farm-to-school lunch programs, the rollback of farmer grants funded under the Inflation Reduction Act, and a longstanding lack of consistent support for small and mid-sized family farms have left many producers wary of federal promises. I understand the doubt. Many farmers have learned, the hard way, to expect little. Still, this moment matters. As someone who followed RFK Jr. to the White House, I have remained clear-eyed about the limits of his authority at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Agriculture policy does not sit within HHS, and his portfolio is already full. Yet Kennedy has long understood the opportunity that regenerative agriculture presents, not just for farmers but also for public health, environmental resilience, and food quality. That understanding helped inspire Kelly Ryerson, Rick Clark, and me to co-found American Regeneration, an organization created to educate, inform, and influence this administration, particularly within the MAHA ecosystem, on why soil health must be part of the national agenda. Over the past year, our team and advisers made eight trips to Washington, meeting with policymakers, submitting memos, and engaging in sustained dialogue. Across those conversations, one conclusion became unavoidable. If policymakers want conventional producers to transition toward regenerative practices, they must fund the transition and tie that funding to measurable outcomes. For me, seeing this announcement felt like a long-held vision beginning to take shape. During an Uber ride, I received a message from Calley Means, a White House adviser to Secretary Kennedy and a leader within the MAHA movement. “Check your email,” she wrote. Inside was a preview of a regenerative agriculture framework scheduled for release in the coming weeks. Over the last year, Means and I have exchanged ideas on how USDA and HHS could work together to encourage soil-health adoption among conventional growers. Those discussions, across meetings, memos, and policy proposals, kept circling back to a principle long championed by Gabe Brown. Incentives only work when they reward real results. That principle is embedded in this new USDA pilot, and it marks a clear departure from past conservation programs. Among its distinguishing features:

• It explicitly uses the term “Regenerative Agriculture.”
• It relies on a single, streamlined application rather than fragmented enrollment.
• It allows bundled conservation practices under a whole-farm plan.
• It supports multi-year transitions, not short-term experiments.
• It establishes baseline soil testing.
• It reflects cross-agency coordination beyond a siloed conservation effort.
• Continued funding is tied to demonstrated improvements.

The pilot reflects a growing recognition that regenerative agriculture sits at the intersection of farm economics, environmental stewardship, and public health. By helping cover the financial risk of transition, the program offers producers a way off the conventional input treadmill and toward systems that rebuild soil biology and long-term profitability.This is a shift from paying farmers to comply with practices to paying them for outcomes. Those outcomes include better food, cleaner water, healthier soil and air, and ultimately healthier people.

Pine beetles are poised to decimate Colorado Front Range forests: 'Our ability to stop the spread is very limited' - Vast swaths of the ponderosa pine forests that blanket Colorado's Front Range mountains could turn rust-colored and die over the next five years as pine beetles begin to spread aggressively, new federal forecasts show. Aerial surveys conducted by the U.S. Forest Service over the last year found evidence of rapidly spreading beetle infestations along the mountains and foothills that stretch from southern Larimer County to southern El Paso County, including the western flank of metro Denver. Already, pockets of dead trees are visible from Interstate 70 and U.S. 285. The rapid uptick in beetle-killed trees near the state's largest cities and major highways prompted state leaders to form a task force this month to grapple with the outbreak. Gov. Jared Polis issued an executive order Dec. 15 and created the Mountain Pine Beetle Ponderosa Outbreak Task Force to address the growing wildfire threat and the beetles' potential impact on watersheds, recreation and infrastructure. "We've been through several cycles of outbreaks. But what's new here is the start of a massive outbreak in the western Front Range, very close to our population centers … where projections show that over the next several years, there will be near 100% fatality for ponderosa pines," Polis said in an interview. A forecast map released by the governor's office shows that beetles could kill nearly all of the ponderosa pines along the Front Range. The map, produced by the U.S. Forest Service, shows how experts predict the beetles will spread through the forests unless a major weather event, like flooding or an extended extreme freeze, slows their expansion. The impacted area extends from near Jamestown, northwest of Boulder, to the forests south of Pikes Peak. It also includes areas east of Lake Granby and along the I-70 corridor between the western edge of Denver and Georgetown. Pine beetles have ravaged forests in Colorado's mountains for three decades now. There's little to be done to stop the beetles from spreading, Colorado State Forester Matt McCombs said. "There are ways to mitigate the impacts," McCombs said. "But our ability to stop the spread is very limited."

Study says African penguins starved en masse off South Africa - Endangered penguins living off South Africa's coast have likely starved en masse due to food shortages, a study said, with some populations dropping by 95% in just eight years.Fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs of the small, black and white African penguin are left globally, according to scientists, and the species was listed as critically endangered last year by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).Two of the most important breeding colonies near Cape Town had collapsed between 2004 and 2011, with some 62,000 birds estimated to have died, the study by the UK's University of Exeter and the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said.In those eight years, sardine populations in South African waters—a main food source for penguins—were consistently below 25% of their peak abundance, said co-author and biologist Richard Sherley.This drop in sardine stocks was due to fishing practices combined with environmental causes such as changes in water temperatures and salinity. ”This appears to have caused severe food shortage for African penguins, leading to an estimated loss of about 62,000 breeding individuals," Sherley said.The global population of the species had declined by nearly 80% in the past 30 years, the scientists said. Conservationists say that at the current rate of population decrease, the bird could be extinct in the wild by 2035.

Wildland fires emit more air pollution than previously estimated, study finds -A study in Environmental Science & Technology reports that around the world, wildfires and prescribed burns (i.e., wildland fires) could emit substantially more gases, including ones that contribute to air pollution, than previously thought. The researchers identified several regions with high wildland fire and human activity emissions, which may pose complex air-quality challenges."Our new estimates increase the organic compound emissions from wildland fires by about 21%," says Lyuyin Huang, the first author of the study. "The inventory provides a foundation for more detailed air-quality modeling, health-risk assessment and climate-related policy analysis."Each year, large swaths of forests, grass and peat burn in wildfires, releasing a complex mix of water vapor, ash and carbon-based compounds into the air. Some of these carbon-based compounds are gases called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Others that evaporate and turn into gases at warmer temperatures are known as intermediate- and semi-volatile organic compounds (IVOCs and SVOCs, respectively). In the air, these partially-volatile compounds form fine particles—pollutants that can be harmful if breathed in—more easily than VOCs. However, most studies assessing wildland fire emissions overlook IVOCs and SVOCs because of their large number, which makes it hard to measure these compounds. Researchers led by Shuxiao Wang wanted to take IVOCs and SVOCs emissions along with VOCs into consideration to offer better insight into wildland fires' impact on air quality, health and climate. First, the researchers accessed a database of the burned land area for global forest, grass and peatland wildland fires from 1997 to 2023. They also collected data on the VOCs, IVOCs, SVOCs, and other extremely low volatility organic compounds emitted as each vegetation type burns. For vegetation types without field measurements, they relied on laboratory experiments to predict the organic compounds released. Then, the team combined these datasets and calculated annual emissions around the world. Altogether, the researchers estimated wildland fires released an average of 143 million tons of airborne organic compounds each year of the study. This amount is 21% higher than earlier estimates, suggesting that wildland fire emissions, specifically the IVOCs and SVOCs, could cause more air pollution than previously thought. Comparing wildland fire emissions to their earlier estimate of human activities that release airborne compounds, the researchers found that the human-caused emissions were greater overall, but both sources released equivalent amounts of IVOCs and SVOCs. Additionally, multiple emission hotspots for both wildfire and human activity emerged from the comparison: Equatorial Asia, Northern Hemisphere Africa and Southeast Asia. The researchers say these regions' air pollution challenges are complex, requiring different strategies to reduce emissions from fires and human activities.

Wildfire smoke is a national crisis, and it’s worse than you think -Wildfire smoke is an emerging nationwide crisis for the United States. Supercharged by climate change, blazes are swelling into monsters that consume vast landscapes and entire towns. A growing body of evidence reveals that these conflagrations are killing far more people than previously known, as smoke travels hundreds or even thousands of miles, aggravating conditions like asthma and heart disease. One study, for instance, estimated that last January’s infernos in Los Angeles didn’t kill 30 people, as the official tally reckons, but 440 or more once you factor in the smoke. Another recent study estimated that wildfire haze already kills 40,000 Americans a year, which could increase to 71,000 by 2050.Two additional studies published last month paint an even grimmer picture of the crisis in the U.S. and elsewhere. The firstfinds that emissions of greenhouse gases and airborne particles from wildfires globally may be 70 percent higher than once believed. The second finds that Canada’s wildfires in 2023 significantly worsened childhood asthma across the border in Vermont. Taken together, they illustrate the desperate need to protect public health from the growing threat of wildfire smoke, like better monitoring of air quality with networks of sensors.The emissions study isn’t an indictment of previous estimates, but a revision of them based on new data. Satellites have spied on wildfires for decades, though in a somewhat limited way — they break up the landscape into squares measuring 500 meters by 500 meters, or about 1,600 feet by 1,600 feet. If a wildfire doesn’t fully fill that space, it’s not counted. This new study increases that resolution to 20 meters by 20 meters (roughly 66 feet by 66 feet) in several key fire regions, meaning it can capture multitudes of smaller fires. Individually, tinier blazes are not producing as much smoke as the massive conflagrations that are leveling cities in the American West. But “they add up, and add up big time,” said Guido van der Werf, a wildfire researcher at Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands and lead author of the paper. “They basically double the amount of burned area we have globally.”With the 500-meter satellite data, the previous estimate was around 400 million hectares charred each year. Adding the small fires bumps that up to 800 million hectares, roughly the size of Australia. In some parts of the world, such as Europe and Southeast Asia, burned area triples or even quadruples with this improved resolution. While scientists used to think annual wildfire emissions were around 2 gigatons of carbon, or about a fifth of what humanity produces from burning fossil fuels, that’s now more like 3.4 gigatons with this new estimate.The type of fire makes a huge difference in the emissions, too. A forest fire has a large amount of biomass to burn — brushes, grasses, trees, sometimes even part of the soil — and turn into carbon dioxide and methane and particulate matter, but a grass fire on a prairie has much less. Blazes also burn at dramatically different rates: Flames can race quickly through woodland, but carbon-rich ground known as peat can smolder for days or weeks. Peat fires are so persistent, in fact, that when they ignite in the Arctic, they can remain hidden as snow falls, then pop up again as temperatures rise and everything melts. Scientists call them zombie fires. “It really matters where you’re burning and also how intense the fire can become,” van der Werf said.

Why there’s no escape from Delhi’s biggest killer - It's killed more people in India than terror attacks, riots, epidemics and natural disasters combined. But there's no escaping the air itself - and demands for more stringent intervention from the government are falling on deaf ears. "The air is absolutely poison, in the last two years we've not had even one single good a day in spite of the monsoon rain," says Bhavreen Kandhari, an activist spearheading a public movement on clean air. Hundreds have converged to raise their voice against air pollution at Jantar Matar, a stone's throw away from the Indian parliament where the winter session is taking place. "As a citizen and a mother we've done every possible thing to highlight our concerns," says Ms Kandhari. "We really believed that this time the parliament session will begin with something on air pollution, but unfortunately that didn't happen." Delhi is the world's most polluted capital, with vehicle emissions, farm fires, pollution from industry, power plants, waste, construction and household energy the main causes for this poisonous air. A lethal cocktail of carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and other harmful gases - combined with tiny inhalable particles known as particulate matter - blankets the capital and its surroundings. PM2.5 refers to particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter - 30 times smaller than human hair, meaning they can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the blood stream. Doctors warn of severe respiratory, heart and reproductive problems, cognitive decline and a reduction in life expectancy. Since the cold set in here in India's capital, almost every day the air quality index has been rated very poor, severe, or hazardous, which is many times over the World Health Organization recommended safe levels. The Global Environment Outlook-7 report released by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) this month warned that 99% of the world's population is exposed to some form of air pollution - and more than 90% of pollution-related deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. According to a 2022 report by medical journal The Lancet, air pollution caused by fossil fuels has claimed 1.72 million lives in India. That's more than the combined deaths of terror attacks, riots, epidemics and natural disasters. Air pollution is no longer just Delhi's problem as it is affecting the whole of the Indo-Gangetic plain, with hundreds of millions of people breathing toxic air. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, 150 cities of the 256 cities monitored in 2025 exceeded nationally recommended PM2.5 levels. For years governments have ignored this issue in India's capital, their measures temporary and miserably inadequate, banning polluting vehicles and stopping construction when the air quality index reaches certain levels. Trucks with water sprinklers are seen moving around Delhi's 18,000-mile road network trying to suppress matter in the air. The government has also been accused of inconsistent record collection and manipulating data, and spraying water at monitoring stations to influence the readings. The Supreme Court of India banned this practice, even imposing fines and ordering the arrest of violators. Lighting the stubble on his field, Ram Singh, a farmer from Haryana, says: "It's up to the government to arrest us, they can put us in jail." Ram Singh, a farmer from Haryana Image: Ram Singh, a farmer from Haryana "We will eat in jail," he adds. Our families barely survive on these crops. Nothing is left from it, we do not cause air pollution, it's all the rich industries that do it, and we get the blame." As most of India is associated with agriculture, the government dares not upset the farming community.

French ban on 'forever chemicals' in cosmetics, clothing to enter force --A French ban on the production and sale of cosmetics and most clothing containing polluting and health-threatening "forever chemicals" goes into force on Thursday. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are human-made chemicals used since the late 1940s to mass produce the nonstick, waterproof and stain-resistant treatments that coat everything from frying pans to umbrellas, carpets and dental floss.Because PFAS take an extremely long time to break down—earning them their "forever" nickname—they have seeped into the soil and groundwater, and from there into the food chain and drinking water.These chemicals have been detected virtually everywhere on Earth, from the top of Mount Everest to inside human blood and brains.Chronic exposure to even low levels of the chemicals has been linked to liver damage, high cholesterol, reduced immune responses, low birthweights and several kinds of cancer.The French law, approved by lawmakers in February, bans the production, import or sale from January 2026 of any product for which an alternative to PFAS already exists.These include cosmetics and ski wax, as well as clothing containing the chemicals, except certain "essential" industrial textiles.A ban on nonstick saucepans was removed from the draft law after intense lobbying from the owners of French manufacturer Tefal.It will also make French authorities regularly test drinking water for all kinds of PFAS.There are thousands of different PFAS and certain ones have been banned since 2019 under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, but China and the United States are not among the more than 150 signatories.This includes perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), used since the 1950s by US company DuPont to manufacture its nonstick Teflon coating for textiles and other everyday consumer products.The Stockholm Convention also bans perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), known for its use as a waterproofing agent by the US group 3M, which has been heavily restricted since 2009.A handful of US states, including California, implemented a ban on the intentional use of PFAS in cosmetics beginning in 2025, and several other states are slated to follow in 2026.Denmark will ban the use of PFAS in clothing, footwear and certain consumer products with waterproofing agents beginning on July 1, 2026.Denmark has banned the use of PFAS in food packaging since 2020.

Study shows boiling, filtering water can remove microplastics (NB: only very alkaline water; otherwise microplastics are concentrated) — With microplastics becoming more of a concern, scientists have found a way to get rid of the tiny plastics that have been found in our food and drinks by boiling it. Researchers at China’s Guangzhou Medical and Jinan universities took both soft water and hard tap water and spiked it with three common plastics: polystyrene, polyethylene and polypropylene. When at a rolling boil, the researchers discovered that naturally occurring minerals like calcium carbonate began forming solid crystals around the plastic particles before it settled at the bottom of the water.They then allowed the water to cool before separating the mineral and plastic deposits from it. According to their findings, boiling and filtering out those crystals can remove up to 90 percent of nano and microplastics present in water, and for soft water, it removed 25 percent of N-Methylpyrrolidones (NMPs). They noted, however, that water needed to have a high mineral content, which is defined as “hard water,” for the boiling to have an effect.

Massive CSX train derailment in Kentucky leaks dangerous chemicals - A massive 31-car CSX train pile-up in rural Kentucky forced local officials to issue an emergency shelter-in-place order Tuesday after dangerous chemicals spilled onto the tracks. The derailment in Todd County shortly after 6 a.m. left at least one freight car leaking molten sulfur, which can cause burns and spew sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide. Aerial view of a derailed CSX train with multiple cars overturned next to the tracks and a road in Todd County, Kentucky. “Kentucky, there has been a train derailment in Todd County, and local emergency management has issued a shelter-in-place for the City of Trenton,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear wrote on Facebook. “Please follow local guidance and stay safe.” Images from the scene of the wreck show the banged-up freight cars blocking the railroad tracks, with the white chemical leaking from at least one car. Officials said the scene was brought under control and the shelter order was lifted around 11 a.m., with no injuries or damage to nearby homes reported. Austin Staton, a spokesman for CSX Transportation, one of the leading rail companies in the country, told The Post on Tuesday that the incident is under investigation. “CSX crews remain on scene and are working as safely and as quickly as possible to clean up the impacted site,” Staton said. “We appreciate the swift response and coordination of local first responders and emergency management officials.” The transport company has been the target of complaints in the past, including from environmental groups concerned over the potential spills of toxic cargo.

Catastrophic CSX train derailment in Kentucky forces shelter-in-place after chemical spill -- A CSX train derailment on Tuesday near the Kentucky-Tennessee border sent 30 cars off the tracks, including a car carrying molten sulfur that caught fire. The incident led to a shelter-in-place order until officials determined the toxic threat had cleared, emergency officials said. The cause of derailment was still under investigation, CSX and Todd County emergency officials said on social media. The incident happened in in rural Trenton, Kentucky, a town of about 350 residents about 60 miles northwest of Nashville, Tennessee. “Kentucky, there has been a train derailment in Todd County, and local emergency management has issued a shelter-in-place for the City of Trenton,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear wrote on Facebook. “Please follow local guidance and stay safe.” Footage from the scene show banged-up freight cars blocking the railroad tracks, with the white chemical leaking from at least one car. The scene was brought under control and the shelter order was lifted around 11 a.m., with no injuries or damage to nearby homes reported, according to officials. “It could have been catastrophic,” Todd County Executive Todd Mansfield WZTV News. A spokesman for CSX Transportation, one of the leading rail companies in the country, told The New York Post that the incident is under investigation.

Kentucky road to remain closed through end of week following train derailment (WSMV) - The cleanup of the CSX train derailment in Trenton is expected to last several more days, according to the Todd County Emergency Management Agency.The EMA director of Todd County said that although cleanup efforts are moving along ahead of schedule, the affected highways will remain shut down through the end of the week.“At this time, U.S. 41 is still expected to remain closed through the end of the week to support ongoing cleanup and recovery activities, Director Ashley Groves said. ”However, rail traffic resumed this morning, and officials note that work is progressing efficiently, and if current conditions continue, reopening could occur sooner than anticipated." Initially, the timeline for the area to reopen was said to be 24-48 hours, so this latest statement lengthens that projection considerably. The EMA director added that CSX will next be offloading several railcars that also contain molten sulfur, the highly flammable and toxic chemical that spilled from one of the crashed cars on Tuesday morning. “Todd County Emergency Management continues to work closely with CSX, state agencies, and response partners to ensure public safety remains the top priority throughout recovery operations,” Groves said. The CSX train derailed while traveling through Todd County on Tuesday morning, sending 31 cars off the tracks alongside US-41. One of these cars was transporting molten sulfur, which spilled and caught fire.

Kentucky highway closure extended following train derailment - The Todd County Emergency Management Agency reports that cleanup following the late December train derailment is progressing; however, the timeline for reopening U.S. 41 has been delayed. CSX advised that the primary landfill used for non-hazardous debris disposal is closed through the weekend and alternate sites require longer transport times.Limitations surrounding a local landfill have slowed cleanup progress, elongating the traffic impacts from the late December train derailment. “These limitations have slowed the removal of non-hazardous debris from the site and surrounding roadway,” TCEMA said. “CSX has now secured an additional landfill, which will open and operate through the weekend. With this disposal option in place, debris-hauling operations will continue throughout the weekend to take full advantage of landfill availability.”U.S. 41 will remain closed through the weekend due to the landfill issue.The Dec. 30 train derailment caused a leak of a highly flammable and toxic chemical, and forced nearby residents to stay indoors. The Todd County Sheriff’s Office reported that the train derailed alongside US-41. About 31 cars derailed during the incident. One of the train cars was carrying molten sulfur and caught fire, according to CSX. Firefighters spent the entire morning extinguishing the fire, and Hazmat crews worked to clean up the spill.

West Coast levee failures show growing risks from America's aging flood defenses --In recent weeks, powerful atmospheric river storms have swept across Washington, Oregon and California, unloading enormous amounts of rain. As rivers surged, they overtopped or breached multiple levees—those long, often unnoticed barriers holding floodwaters back from homes and towns. Most of the time, levees don't demand attention. They quietly do their job, year after year. But when storms intensify, levees suddenly matter in a very personal way. They can determine whether a neighborhood stays dry or ends up underwater.The damage in the West reflects a nationwide problem that has been building for decades. Across the U.S., levees are getting older while weather is getting more extreme. Many of these structures were never designed for the enormous responsibility they now carry. As a civil engineer at Tufts University, I study water infrastructure, including the vulnerability of levees and strategies for making them more resilient. My research also shows that when levees fail, the consequences don't fall evenly on the population. The map shows all levees in the U.S. National Levee Database (in red) and 478 levee segments where overtopping is known to have occurred in the previous 15 years (in blue). Many people assume levees were built as part of modern, carefully engineered flood-control systems. In reality, many of the levees still in use today began much more humbly. Decades ago, farmers built simple earthen embankments to protect their fields and livestock from seasonal flooding. These early levees were practical solutions, shaped by experience rather than formal engineering. They were not constructed using rigorous design standards, and they did not follow consistent construction or maintenance guidelines.Over time, the landscape around these levees changed. Farmland gave way to neighborhoods. Roads, railways, factories and ports expanded into floodplains. Populations grew. What were once modest, local structures protecting farms gradually became the first line of defense for millions of people in homes and workplaces.Without much public debate or planning, these semi-engineered levees took on a critical and unintended role. The question that still lingers is whether they were ever prepared for it.Today, the National Levee Database counts more than 24,000 miles (38,600 kilometers) of levees in the U.S., with an average age of about 61 years and many of them much older. Together, they protect over 23 million people, around 7 million buildings and nearly US$2 trillion in property value.That's an extraordinary level of responsibility for a system that is unevenly maintained with varying oversight. Some levees are inspected regularly. Others are owned by small local agencies or private entities with limited funding. In some cases, responsibility is unclear or fragmented. One levee that was breached along the Green River in Washington state during storms in mid-December 2025 had been due for repairs for several years, but disagreements among governments had recently held up needed work, The Seattle Times reported. The breach forced thousands of people to evacuateThe American Society of Civil Engineers' 2025 Report Card for American Infrastructure, which I contributed to, gave the nation's levees a D-plus grade, citing aging infrastructure, inconsistent monitoring and long-term underinvestment. A new dataset that colleagues and I created of levee damage includes 487 cases where rivers poured over levees, known as overtopping, in the past 15 years. That doesn't mean levees are failing everywhere; it means that many are operating with little margin for error.The most common reason levees fail is overtopping, when water from a river, stream or lake behind the levee flows over the top. Once that happens, erosion can begin on the landward side, weakening the structure from behind. What starts as a slow trickle can quickly grow into a breach, creating a large gap in the levee where water can pour in.

State of Emergency declared for New York and New Jersey as winter storm sweeeps across Northeast, U.S. - videos -- A powerful winter storm swept through the U.S. Northeast on December 26–27, 2025, triggering states of emergency in New Jersey and New York, dropping nearly 30 cm (12 inches) of snow and leaving over 120 000 customers without power.The strong winter storm brought widespread snow, ice, and gusty winds across the Northeast starting Friday evening into Saturday, December 27. A State of Emergency was declared for New Jersey on Friday as snow intensified and temperatures dropped below −4°C (25°F) in some areas. Gusts reached around 65 km/h (40 mph) along the coast creating drifting snow and temporary road closures. Around 38 000 customers were out of power across the state . “Starting this afternoon, we will experience a severe winter storm bringing dangerous outdoor conditions to our state,” said Acting Governor Tahesha Way. “This storm will cause dangerous road conditions and impact holiday travel. We are urging travelers to avoid travel during the storm and allow crews to tend to the roads. Drivers should plan their travel accordingly, monitor conditions and road closures, and follow all safety protocols.” A Winter Storm Warning was issued New York for the first time in three years. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency on Friday evening for more than half of New York counties, including Wayne County.Snowfall totals reached 29 cm (11.5 inches) near Hartwick, New York, reported CT Insider. Meanwhile, Central Park recorded 11 cm (4.3 inches) by Saturday morning. Wind gusts of 60 km/h (37 mph) were recorded in Long Island and southern Westchester County.Meanwhile in Connecticut around 23 cm (9 inches) was reported in of Torrington and around 20 cm (8 inches) in Hartford County. Snowfall rates went over 2.5 cm (1 inch) per hour at times overnight before tapering off by Saturday afternoon.A mix of snow and freezing rain across parts of Pennsylvania, particularly across western and central regions. Icing of 2–5 mm (0.08–0.2 inches) was reported in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties, causing localized power failures and dangerous driving conditions.Over 2 300 flights were canceled and 3 800 were delayed at JFK, Newark, LaGuardia, and Philadelphia airports by Saturday afternoon.

Tornadoes rip through Tazewell, Christian, and Macon counties, leaving thousands without power, Illinois - videos - Multiple tornadoes, including an EF-1 with peak winds of 158 km/h (98 mph), touched down in Illinois on Sunday, December 28, 2025, with significant damage and power outages being reported across Tazewell, Christian, and Macon counties. An EF-1 tornado with peak winds of 158 km/h (98 mph) touched down along Allentown Road at 08:27 LT on Sunday, roughly 5 km (3 miles) east of Pekin High School in Tazewell County, and travelled about 2.82 km (1.75 miles) along the road. The twister destroyed two outbuildings and uprooted multiple trees along Allentown Road, snapped off 8 power poles, and caused minor damage to the roof along the Springfield Road. The Macon County Emergency Management Agency confirmed another tornado briefly touched down near Blue Mound around 15:05 LT, crossing Route 48, adding that no damage was identified in the area. The third tornado touched down around 15:10 LT in the Long Creek area. Multiple homes along Jeanette Drive, Skyline Drive, and Baltimore Avenue were damaged, with at least two homes having their roofs torn off. Damage was also reported on Walmsley Road and Bentonville Road. According to local utility provider Ameren Illinois, over 2 400 customers in Macon County were out of power after the tornado downed lines and damaged poles. Restoration efforts continued into the evening as severe weather warnings gradually expired. YouTube video Elsewhere, storms associated with the same frontal system caused wind damage in Livingston County, where a school roof was partially lifted, and multiple homes were damaged. Tornado watches covered much of central Illinois during the afternoon as the system advanced eastward toward Indiana.

Powerful winter storm floods Gaza, leaving 17 dead and destroying over 42 000 tents – videos - A powerful winter storm swept across Gaza over the past seven days, leaving at least 17 people dead and over 42 000 tents destroyed by December 28, 2025. Flooding in Gaza on December 28, 2025. Credit: WAFAFlooding in Gaza on December 28, 2025. Credit: WAFA The heavy rainfall and strong winds struck the Gaza Strip as a Mediterranean low-pressure system crossed the eastern region. The storm affected about 1.5 million people, killing at least 17 Palestinians, including 4 children, across the region as of December 28. Approximately 90% of the shelters housing displaced people whose homes were destroyed by Israel have been flooded. At least 17 residential buildings collapsed, and more than 42 000 tents sheltering Palestinian families were destroyed in Gaza within just one week. Rainfall totals of over 60 mm (2.4 inches) were reported in 48 hours. Even though the rainfall totals were low, the lack of an operational drainage system due to the damage caused by the war led to rapid water accumulation, triggering flash floods. Nighttime temperatures dropped to 8°C (46°F), worsening the impact of flooding and increasing the risk of Hypothermia. Flooding was reported in the tent shelters of Rafah, Khan Younis, Deir al-Balah, and central Gaza. Many tents became waterlogged, with belongings and bedding saturated. Residents used buckets and shovels to remove standing water, while others elevated sleeping areas with debris or wood planks to remain above the flood line. Clinics reported increasing cases of respiratory infections and skin diseases linked to standing water and poor sanitation. The stagnant floodwater also raised the risk of waterborne diseases due to contamination from broken sewage lines. The system that brought the rainfall to Gaza originated over the central Mediterranean, moving eastward toward the Levant under a trough of low pressure. Wind gusts reached approximately 70 km/h (44 mph) along the coast. The Israel Meteorological Service classified the event as a normal winter storm; however, Gaza’s exposure levels are considered extreme because of destroyed infrastructure and overcrowding.

Three killed in Sweden as Storm Johannes sweeps across Nordic countries - A powerful winter storm named Johannes swept across the Nordic countries over the weekend, killing three people in Sweden and leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity across Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Sweden’s Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) issued widespread alerts for strong winds as the system moved north. The storm also caused major travel disruptions, grounding flights and halting rail and ferry traffic. The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) issued orange-level warnings for strong winds across large parts of northern Sweden as the system intensified. In Gävleborg County, central Sweden, a man in his 50s was killed after being struck by a falling tree at the Kungsberget ski resort, according to police and local media. Another fatality occurred in northern Sweden, where an employee of the regional utility company Hemab died in an accident while working outdoors during the storm. In Hofors, east-central Sweden, a man in his 60s who was struck by a tree while working in a forest later died in hospital, police confirmed. More than 40 000 homes in Sweden lost power, and multiple rail services were cancelled, the Swedish news agency TT reported. Road traffic was also disrupted by fallen trees and debris. In Norway, the Nordland region was among the hardest hit, with the fire department responding to more than 200 weather-related incidents, broadcaster NRK reported. Around 23 000 homes in Nordland and 9 000 in the Inland region lost electricity, according to NRK via AFP. Ferries, flights and several railway lines were temporarily suspended as emergency crews worked to clear damage. In Finland, where the system was referred to as Storm Hannes, strong winds caused similar disruption before easing on Sunday morning. Public broadcaster Yle reported that power outages peaked at over 120 000 homes on December 27, with around 85 000 still without electricity by midnight December 28. At Kittilä Airport in northern Finland, strong winds pushed a Swiss Air passenger jet and a smaller private aircraft off the runway and into a snowbank after landing. The Swiss aircraft had just arrived from Geneva carrying about 150 passengers. No injuries were reported, and both aircraft were later secured, according to Finavia and the Helsinki Times. Authorities across the region warned of hazardous travel conditions and advised residents to avoid non-essential travel as cleanup operations continued after winds subsided.

Record snow sinks multiple vessels at Juneau Harbor, triggers avalanche risk in Alaska - Record-breaking snowfall in December 2025 has caused significant damage across Juneau, Alaska, sinking multiple large vessels in the city’s harbors. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the city received 209 cm (82.3 inches) of snow in December, surpassing the previous record of 139 cm (54.7 inches) set in 1964. The heaviest accumulation occurred on December 30, when 41.7 cm (16.4 inches) of snow fell within 24 hours, setting a new daily snowfall record for the month. Snow depth reached 127 cm (50 inches) by December 31, marking one of the highest end-of-year totals ever recorded in Southeast Alaska. Temperatures dipped as low as −23°C (−10°F) due to cold Arctic air, with sustained snowfall and freezing conditions creating dense snow buildup on docks and vessel decks. The added weight caused at least eight vessels to partially or fully sink at the city’s harbors. The NWS office in Juneau reported 160 mm (6.31 inches) of precipitation for the month, driven by multiple atmospheric rivers that brought several days of heavy precipitation to Southeast Alaska. The storms were associated with strong onshore flow and low-level moisture convergence, producing continuous snowfall rather than the usual winter rain. Harbor personnel have been working continuously to dewater and refloat affected boats, though operations remain limited by weather and resource availability. Coast Guard officials warned that heavy snow loads can significantly reduce vessel stability, increasing the risk of capsizing and potential fuel spills. Avalanche risk remains elevated in steep terrain areas surrounding Juneau. Thane Road and other avalanche-prone corridors were closed temporarily for mitigation operations. City services, including waste collection and some airport operations, were disrupted during the peak of the storm cycle. The Juneau International Airport temporarily closed runways for snow removal but has since reopened following improved conditions.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Hayley forecast to make landfall over the Dampier Peninsula, Australia - Severe Tropical Cyclone Hayley is forecast to make landfall over the northern Dampier Peninsula, Western Australia, late on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, as a Category 3 system. The cyclone is expected to bring destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding across parts of the west Kimberley coast. Satellite image of Tropical Cyclone Hayley as of 08:40 UTC on December 29, 2025. Severe Tropical Cyclone Hayley is moving southeast over the Indian Ocean toward the west Kimberley coast. As of 20:00 AWST (12:00 UTC) on Monday, December 29, the cyclone was located roughly 335 km (208 miles) west northwest of Cape Leveque and 355 km (221 miles) northwest of Broome. Maximum sustained winds (averaged over 10 minutes) near the center were 120 km/h (75 mph), with gusts to 165 km/h (105 mph). Hayley is tracking southeast at 11 km/h (7 mph). According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), Hayley is forecast to move east southeast on Tuesday, reaching the northern part of the Dampier Peninsula late in the day. It is expected to remain a severe Category 3 system until landfall, with a possible weakening phase just before impact. The warning zone extends from north of Broome to east of Cockatoo Island, including the Dampier Peninsula and Derby. A watch zone remains in effect inland east of Derby to Kuri Bay. No cancellations are currently in place. The cyclone environment remains favorable for further intensification, with sea surface temperatures near 30–31°C (86–87.8 °F), low vertical wind shear, and enhanced upper-level outflow. Dvorak analysis at 20:00 AWST (12:00 UTC) shows a T4.5 intensity, consistent with sustained 120 km/h (75 mph) winds and a central pressure of 977 hPa. Satellite imagery shows an emerging eye structure, suggesting continued short-term strengthening before interaction with coastal terrain. Hazardous conditions are expected to develop over the northern Dampier Peninsula from early Tuesday. Very destructive wind gusts up to 200 km/h (125 mph) are possible about Beagle Bay and Cape Leveque from Tuesday evening. Destructive wind gusts to 150 km/h (93 mph) are likely north of Broome to Cape Leveque from mid Tuesday afternoon. Gales with damaging gusts to 100 km/h (62 mph) may develop from Tuesday morning and extend eastward to Cockatoo Island later in the day, reaching Kuri Bay early Wednesday. Heavy rainfall capable of producing flash flooding is possible near the cyclone’s track for areas within the warning and watch zones. Tides will be higher than normal along the west Kimberley coast as Hayley approaches. Forecast models indicate a relatively consistent track toward the northern Dampier Peninsula, with landfall late Tuesday or early Wednesday morning. A mid-level trough to the southwest is steering the cyclone southeastward. Some guidance suggests a brief intensification period remains possible before increased wind shear and dry air intrusion contribute to weakening near landfall.

Flash floods kill 17 and destroy 1 800 homes across Afghanistan - (videos) Flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall and snowmelt have killed at least 17 people and left 11 injured across Afghanistan since January 1, 2026. Over 1 800 homes were destroyed in Herat, Badghis, and Faryab provinces, with authorities warning of continuing risk as moderate rainfall persists in western regions. . The floods followed several weeks of dry weather, during which frozen precipitation accumulated in mountainous areas and later melted rapidly under sudden warming and intense rain, triggering the flash floods. Most of the casualties have occurred since Monday in districts hit by flooding, and the severe weather also disrupted daily life across central, northern, southern, and western regions, according to Mohammad Yousaf Hammad, a spokesman for the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA). Hammad said the floods damaged infrastructure, killed livestock, and affected 1 800 families, worsening conditions in already vulnerable urban and rural communities, reported Al Jazeera. The Herat Province was the worst hit, with five members of one family, including two children, killed after their home collapsed due to flooding in the Kabkan district. Meanwhile, three people were killed when a flash flood swept a passenger bus away in Shindand district. More casualties were confirmed in Faryab, Badghis, and central regions. Eighteen items were distributed to each of the families of the 17 people who lost their lives, said ANDMA. These included eight sacks of flour, 25 kg (55 lbs) of lentils, blankets, a kitchen kit, an emergency shelter kit, solar kits, winter clothing, plastic mats, mattresses, tarpaulins, one pack of soap, and baby food. Families of six victims also received one tent each after their homes were destroyed, Mustaqim added. ANDMA response teams were deployed to assess the damage and assist displaced families. Humanitarian agencies have provided emergency relief materials to several affected areas.

Regional temperature records broken across the world in 2025 - Central Asia, the Sahel region and northern Europe experienced their hottest year on record in 2025, according to AFP analysis based on data from the European Copernicus program. Globally, the last 12 months are expected to be the third hottest ever recorded after 2024 and 2023, according to the provisional data, which will be confirmed by Copernicus in its annual report in early January. But the average, which includes land and oceans, masks overall records for certain parts of the world. Many poorer nations do not publish detailed climate data, so AFP has completed the global picture by independently analyzing Copernicus data from climate models, measurements from about 20 satellites, and weather stations. The data spans the whole world, hour by hour, since 1970. Here is what the detailed analysis revealed for 2025, during which 120 monthly temperature records were broken in more than 70 countries. Every country in Central Asia broke its annual temperature records. Landlocked, mountainous Tajikistan, where only 41% of the population has access to safe drinking water, saw the highest abnormal temperatures in the world, at more than 3C above its seasonal averages from 1981 to 2010. Monthly temperature records have been broken every month since May, with the exception of November. Neighboring countries such as Kazakhstan, Iran and Uzbekistan experienced temperatures 2C to 3C above the seasonal average. Temperature records were beaten in several countries in the Sahel and west Africa. Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Chad saw a rare divergence in temperatures, notching 0.7C to 1.5C above their seasonal average. The last 12 months were the hottest ever recorded in Nigeria, and one of the fourth hottest in the other countries. Scientists from the World Weather Attribution (WWA) network, who assess the role of human-induced climate change in extreme weather events, wrote in their annual report published on Monday that extreme heat events "have become almost 10 times more likely since 2015". Countries in the Sahel—the semi-arid region of west and north-central Africa stretching from Senegal to Sudan—are among the most vulnerable to rising temperatures, with many already facing armed conflict, food insecurity and widespread poverty.—Scorching summer in Europe- Around 10 European countries are on the verge of, or coming close to, breaking their annual temperature record, notably due to an exceptional summer. In Switzerland and several Balkan countries, summer temperatures were 2C and even 3C above their seasonal average. Spain, Portugal and Britain also recorded their worst summer on record, with extreme heat fueling massive wildfires. The driest spring in more than a century led to a UK water shortage. Northern Europe was largely spared the heat wave that hit Europe at the end of June but it instead experienced an abnormally warm autumn. The last 12 months are expected to be one of the two warmest years on record in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland.

2025 was one of three hottest years on record, scientists say -Climate change worsened by human behavior made 2025 one of the three hottest years on record, scientists said. It was also the first time that the three-year temperature average broke through the threshold set in the 2015 Paris Agreement of limiting warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) since preindustrial times. Experts say that keeping the Earth below that limit could save lives and prevent catastrophic environmental destruction around the globe.The analysis from World Weather Attribution researchers, released Tuesday in Europe, came after a year when people around the world were slammed by the dangerous extremes brought on by a warming planet.Temperatures remained high despite the presence of a La Niña, the occasional natural cooling of Pacific Ocean waters that influences weather worldwide. Researchers cited the continued burning of fossil fuels—oil, gas and coal—that send planet-warming greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. "If we don't stop burning fossil fuels very, very, quickly, very soon, it will be very hard to keep that goal" of warming, Friederike Otto, co-founder of World Weather Attribution and an Imperial College London climate scientist, told The Associated Press. "The science is increasingly clear."

Polar Vortex disruption expected after January stratospheric warming - A Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) event evolving over the Arctic through mid-January 2026 is forecast to weaken and displace the Polar Vortex, according to ECMWF and NOAA extended-range guidance. The disturbance is expected to propagate downward over the following weeks, raising the probability of Arctic air outbreaks and colder-than-normal conditions in parts of North America and Europe during the second half of January 2026. GFS stratospheric polar vortex valid for January 2, 2025Image credit: Stratobserve Forecast models suggest a Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) event could develop over the Arctic during mid-January 2026. Temperature anomalies between the 10 and 30 hPa levels show a rapid increase in the polar stratosphere, indicating a disruption of the wintertime circumpolar circulation that confines cold air to high latitudes. Forecasts from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the Global Forecast System (GFS) indicate a continued warming trend in mid-January, leading to a stretched and displaced Polar Vortex. gfs_nh-vort3d_20251224_f228_rot000Image credit: StratobserveWhile model guidance does not yet indicate a full reversal of stratospheric winds at 10 hPa, the disturbance is strong enough to alter hemispheric wave patterns and affect surface weather later this month. Such disruptions typically require 1 to 3 weeks to propagate downward into the troposphere. Current ensemble data suggest that this process could produce enhanced atmospheric blocking near Greenland and the North Atlantic, favoring northerly and north-easterly flow into Europe. The resulting cold anomalies are most likely across Scandinavia, the British Isles, and parts of Central and Eastern Europe during the second half of January. The developing stratospheric anomaly is forecast to support deeper troughing over western and central regions of North America, allowing Arctic air to extend periodically into the northern Plains, Great Lakes, and northeastern United States. The pattern is expected to remain variable, with alternating mild and cold phases rather than a uniform freeze across the continent.

Earth's growing heat imbalance driven more by clouds than air pollution, study finds --Earth is taking in more energy than it releases back to space—a growing "energy imbalance" that is fueling global warming. A new study led by scientists at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science finds that recent changes in air pollution are not the main reason this imbalance has increased. Aerosols—tiny airborne particles from sources such as pollution, wildfires, and volcanoes—can affect how clouds form and how much sunlight Earth reflects back to space. While aerosols can influence climate regionally, the new research shows their recent global impact has been small. Published in the journal Science Advances, the study analyzed nearly two decades of satellite observations combined with modern atmospheric reanalysis data. The researchers found that aerosol changes have affected the climate in opposite ways in the two hemispheres. The study is titled "Negligible contribution from aerosols to recent trends in Earth's energy imbalance." In the Northern Hemisphere, cleaner air in heavily industrialized regions has reduced the number of particles that help clouds reflect sunlight, allowing more solar energy to reach Earth's surface. In contrast, the Southern Hemisphere has seen large increases in natural aerosols from events such as the 2019–2020 Australian wildfires and the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption. These particles made clouds brighter and more reflective, sending more sunlight back to space. Together, the opposing effects largely cancel each other out, resulting in little net global influence from aerosols on Earth's rising heat imbalance. The study also shows that the recent increase in Earth's energy imbalance is driven mainly by changes in reflected sunlight, rather than by changes in heat escaping to space. From 2003 to 2023, Earth gained heat at a rate of about half a watt more energy per square meter each decade, largely because the planet is absorbing more sunlight. "Understanding this hemispheric 'balancing act' helps society focus on the true forces behind global warming—changes in cloud behavior linked to surface warming and natural climate variability—rather than mistakenly attributing recent warming to cleaner air," said Chanyoung Park, lead author of the study and a doctoral student in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the Rosenstiel School. "Even though the Northern Hemisphere may experience some regional warming due to reduced aerosols, this does not translate to a significant global impact. This clarity supports better climate planning, more accurate public communication, and informed policy decisions." The findings also highlight a potential limitation in some climate modeling studies, which focus mainly on pollution reductions in the Northern Hemisphere and may underestimate the growing influence of natural aerosol events in the Southern Hemisphere. "Earth's energy imbalance tells us how fast heat is building up in the climate system," said Brian Soden, a co-author of the study and a professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the Rosenstiel School. "Many earlier studies suggested that cleaner air might explain much of the recent increase, but our results show that aerosol changes largely cancel out between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. That means we need to look more closely at changes in clouds and natural climate variability to understand why the planet is continuing to gain heat."

Mount Etna’s Northeast Crater erupts for the first time in 28 years, Italy – video - Two paroxysmal eruptions occurred at Mount Etna’s Northeast Crater on December 27, 2025, marking the first major eruptive episode from this crater in almost 28 years. The events produced lava fountains up to 500 m (1 640 feet), eruptive columns rising over 10 km (6 miles) above sea level, and a short lava flow from the nearby Voragine Crater. Activity gradually declined by December 28, with continued strombolian explosions and weak effusion. Mount Etna’s Northeast Crater reawakened between December 24 and 28, ending nearly three decades of quiet. The activity marked a major change in the volcano’s summit dynamics, observed in real time by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology – Etna Observatory (INGV-OE). Early signs appeared on December 24, when the INGV monitoring network recorded a marked increase in volcanic tremor amplitude, ground deformation, and infrasonic signals. During the night between December 25 and 26, strombolian bursts at vent BN-2 inside Bocca Nuova intensified, with incandescent ejections up to 100 m (330 feet) above the rim. At the same time, glows from the Northeast Crater became visible through the cloud cover. On December 26, persistent bad weather obscured direct observations, but continuous rumbling was audible on the volcano’s slopes. In the early hours of December 27, visibility improved on the western and northern flanks, revealing an increase in activity at the Northeast Crater. Simultaneously, a vent on the eastern flank of the Voragine began emitting a lava flow toward the Valle del Bove, which by morning extended nearly 2 km (1.2 miles). The first paroxysmal episode began at around 10:00 LT (09:00 UTC) on December 27. Lava fountains rose 100–150 m (330–490 feet) above the crater rim, producing an ash- and lapilli-rich eruptive column that reached approximately 8 km (5 miles) above sea level. The phase lasted about one hour before gradually waning. After a brief lull, the second and more intense paroxysm started at 15:15 LT (14:15 UTC). Lava fountains soared between 400 and 500 m (1 300–1 600 feet), and a dense eruptive column climbed beyond 10 km (32 800 feet) a.s.l. This phase lasted roughly 45 minutes and was followed by a sequence of powerful bubble-type strombolian explosions that scattered coarse material across and beyond the cone. Small incandescent jets were observed from the vent on the upper eastern flank of the Voragine at dusk. Later that evening, the Northeast Crater resumed moderate explosive activity, ejecting incandescent bombs across the summit cone, but the activity did not evolve into further paroxysms. By dawn on December 28, vigorous strombolian activity continued from the vent high on the eastern flank of the Voragine, while a lava flow from its base remained weakly fed. According to INGV-OE’s latest bulletin issued at 20:13 UTC on December 28, the vent produced frequent ash emissions carried westward by strong winds, with volcanic tremor maintaining high but stable values. No significant ground deformation was detected, and tremor sources were localized between 2 600 and 2 900 m (8 500–9 500 feet) near the Northeast Crater. These events concluded a highly active year for Etna, which had already produced three eruptive phases in 2025: from February 8 to March 2, from March 15 to June 19, and from August 14 to September 2. The December sequence, however, was the most significant, marking the first paroxysmal activity of the Northeast Crater since 1998.

Glaciers are melting. It may reawaken the world’s most dangerous volcanoes --A powerful swarm of earthquakes in January suggested one of Iceland’s giant “ice volcanoes” may be awakening after a decade of slumber. In the months that followed, more earthquakes have rocked the ground.They are a sign that hot, viscous magma is flowing to the roots of Bardarbunga, which lies beneath Europe’s largest glacier Vatnajökull. It’s not a matter of if Bardarbunga erupts, but when — and it could be a big one.The volcano's 25 square-mile caldera is filled with ice, and when lava and ice meet, the consequences are explosive. When it last awoke in 2014, Bardarbunga produced Iceland’s biggest eruption in more than 200 years, spewing out fountains of lava hundreds of feet high.Scientists in Iceland have their eyes on this volcano, along with others nestled under the frozen landscape — roughly half of the country’s 34 active volcanic systems are covered in ice. They are trying to unravel whether a decades-old theory could be correct: that retreating ice, fueled by the climate crisis, is triggering more frequent and more explosive volcanic eruptions.At the heart of this quest is an effort to understand how the planet functions at a fundamental level, and how what humans are doing at the surface — namely, warming the Earth — could be interacting with natural processes deep beneath the ground.It’s “a connection that we haven't always understood,” said Ben Edwards, a professor of geosciences at Dickinson College. If the theory is proven correct, the consequences could be enormous, spelling a much more risky, explosive future, as global warming continues to eat away ice sheets and glaciers at a frenetic pace.

Long-duration M7.1 solar flare erupts from AR 4324, producing Earth-directed CME - A long-duration solar flare measuring M7.1 at its peak erupted from Active Region 4324 at 13:51 UTC on December 31, 2025. The event started at 13:12 and ended at 14:11 UTC. A Type IV and Type II (estimated velocity of 893 km/s) radio emissions were associated with the flare event, suggesting a strong coronal mass ejection (CME) was produced. In addition, a 10cm Radio Burst lasting 22 minutes and with a peak flux of 550 sfu was registered from 13:31 to 13:53 UTC. A 10cm radio burst indicates that the electromagnetic burst associated with a solar flare at the 10cm wavelength was double or greater than the initial 10cm radio background. This can be indicative of significant radio noise in association with a solar flare. This noise is generally short-lived but can cause interference for sensitive receivers, including radar, GPS, and satellite communications. Radio frequencies were forecast to be most degraded over the South Atlantic and parts of Africa and South America at the time of the flare. Analysis of the event showed it produced a partial halo CME off the NE limb, with arrival to Earth expected late on January 2 to early January 3 (UTC). Region 4324 has a ‘beta-gamma’ magnetic configuration and is capable of producing more strong eruptions on the Sun. Earth-directed CMEs from this region remain a possibility in the days ahead.

Earth's Radiation Belts "Fully Charged" As Next Solar Storm Could Spark Particle Precipitation - The Van Allen radiation belts are massive, doughnut-shaped regions of charged particles trapped by Earth's magnetic field. When the Sun blasts Earth with strong solar wind or solar storms, energetic particles are injected into these belts, increasing their overall energy levels. Now, the Van Allen radiation belts are "fully charged," according to space weather observer Stefan Burns. He warns that these belts of energetic particles have been building up due to repeated solar storms over the past few months. "The next solar storm to hit could cause this plasma to precipitate downward toward the planet's upper atmosphere," Burns said. Earth's radiation belts are FULLY CHARGED after repeated solar wind and solar storm impacts over the last couple months. Next solar storm to hit will cause this plasma to "precipitate" down towards the planet's surface pic.twitter.com/6GUfJCMPvY The effects of intense solar storms are particularly significant for satellites, GPS, radio communications, and space operations, where disruptions can occur. With growing discussion around space-based data centers and rapidly expanding satellite internet constellations, the question arises: can a modern society built on fragile semiconductors withstand repeated X-class solar flares or a Carrington-class coronal mass ejection? Related:

• Blue Origin Rocket Launch Halted After Earth Slammed By "Cannibal" CME
• "Intense Solar Radiation" Corrupted A320 Flight Systems, Airbus Rushes Emergency Update
• As AI Booms, US Ignores One Threat That Could Turn Off Everything
• Ancient Solar Storm Discovered In Tree Rings Reveals 'Catastrophic' Event 14,000 Years Ago

Will data centers in low-Earth orbit be able to withstand Carrington-class coronal mass ejections?

SpaceX moving over 4,400 Starlink satellites to lower orbit— SpaceX will be moving around 4,400 satellites to a lower orbit in 2026, according to a Starlink official. Michael Nicholls, vice president of Starlink engineering, posted the news on social platform X, announcing the company’s plan to change the orbit of the satellites in order to reduce the chances of collision with others or space debris. Earth’s orbit has become increasingly cluttered with satellites, and Elon Musk’s SpaceX is responsible for a significant portion of the rapid increase in objects in orbit.One recent paper noted the risks of such a crowded orbit, suggesting that in the event that Earth lost the ability to control satellites as a result of something like a solar flare, scientists would have as little as three days to gain control before catastrophic collisions would begin to occur. “Lowering the satellites results in condensing Starlink orbits and will increase space safety in several ways,” Nicholls wrote. “As solar minimum approaches, atmospheric density decreases, which means the ballistic decay time at any given altitude increases — lowering will mean a >80% reduction in ballistic decay time in solar minimum, or 4+ years reduced to a few months.” The satellites will be lowered from 342 miles to about 298 miles, putting them in a portion of Earth’s orbit with less space debris and fewer planned satellite constellations.

Climate policies can backfire by eroding 'green' values, study finds - A popular vision of life after climate action looks like vegetarians riding bikes, city centers without cars, and people foregoing air travel. But a new paper published in Nature Sustainability finds that climate policies targeting lifestyle changes (say, urban car bans) actually may weaken people's green values, thereby undermining support for other needed environmental policies. "Policies don't just spur a target behavior. We find that they can change people's underlying values: leading to unintended negative effects, but also possibly cultivating green values," says SFI Complexity Postdoctoral Fellow Katrin Schmelz, lead author on the study.Schmelz, a behavioral economist and psychologist who also holds an Associate Professorship at the Technical University of Denmark, began gathering data while at the University of Konstanz in Germany. Along with SFI Professor and economist Sam Bowles, she surveyed more than 3,000 Germans representative of the country's demographics, asking about climate policies and, for comparison, COVID-19 policies.The survey yielded evidence that well-intended, but poorly designed, mandates can make even "green" citizens less green. Restrictions that promote carbon-neutral behavior, like urban car bans, may trigger strong negative reactions—even among people who would voluntarily choose sustainable lifestyles.This erosion of existing values is a clear example of what's known in psychology and economics as the "crowding-out effect." A person's aversion to control "crowds out" their pre-existing motivation to follow a green lifestyle—for example, riding their bike, walking, and taking public transportation, or being more mindful when heating or cooling their home. "These crowding-out effects are big enough that policymakers should worry," says Bowles.Another key finding, which surprised the authors, was a 52% greater negative response to climate mandates than to COVID-19 mandates. "We saw incredible hostility in the U.S. and other countries towards controls during the COVID-19 pandemic, hindering the implementation of much-needed public policies. It looks like the climate case could be much worse," says Bowles. "The science and technology to provide a low-carbon way of life is nearly solved. What's lagging behind is a social–behavioral science of effective and politically viable climate policies."

Mississippi River mining plan in Minnesota dredges up concerns about damage to natural areas -- The Mississippi River snakes below the bluffs at Spring Lake Park Reserve near Hastings, where people stroll or ski along the trails to take in the view of the majestic river. But some local officials and river lovers are raising alarms about the prospect of that scenic vista changing. A proposal for a new phase of gravel mining at Grey Cloud Island could come with mining equipment—some of it 65 feet tall—within the river itself. Dakota County Planning Manager Kurt Chatfield said visitors would see and hear Amrize Midwest Inc."s Nelson Mine all the time. The mining company says it would comply with any reviews and regulations, but others worry the operation would mar the natural area and its recreational uses for decades. "The mine will impact literally millions of future park visitors," Chatfield said. "It will impact a whole generation." The Dakota County Board and the Metropolitan Council are asking the company and the city of Cottage Grove, where the mine is located, for more information about the environmental impact of the changes to the mine, particularly on local parks. The mine has operated on Grey Cloud Island since the 1950s, and the current quarries are expected to be depleted in five years. The new project would move the mine into the Mississippi River riverbed to extend its ability to harvest sand and gravel for the next two decades. The county and Met Council recently asked the Minnesota Court of Appeals to review the final environmental report before the project can proceed. In legal documents, they argue that the current review lacks additional analysis to ensure regional parks and trails are protected. Cottage Grove approved the company's environmental report on Nov. 5. Colleen O'Connor Toberman, land use and planning program director for the nonprofit Friends of the Mississippi River, said the city was not "providing adequate oversight" to the decision. "Minnesotans are at risk of losing a part of the river that they love so that a private company can extract more profits from its site," she said.. When Cottage Grove approved the final environmental impact statement, Mayor Myron Bailey said the city took its role in the process "very seriously." "The city's narrow role here is to gather the potential impacts of this proposed project to inform permitting decisions made by other agencies," he said at the meeting. The city did not respond to requests for updated comments on the appeal.

ACES Delta Green Hydrogen Project Nears Completion | RBN Energy - Construction on the ACES Delta green hydrogen project in Utah is 95% complete and commissioning has begun, according to media reports. It would be one of the largest green hydrogen production and storage facilities in the U.S. once operational. Located in Delta, UT, the site would have 220 MW of electrolysis capacity powered by renewable energy. The project would enable utility- and industrial-scale green hydrogen production and also support the Intermountain Power Agency’s IPP Renewed Project — an 840-MW hydrogen-capable combined-cycle power plant that would initially be capable of running on a blend of 70% natural gas and 30% hydrogen, potentially expanding to 100% hydrogen by 2045. Hydrogen produced at the site would be stored in underground salt-dome caverns. The project received a $504.4 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in 2022. The power plant will replace an existing 1,800-MW coal-fired power plant, which stopped producing power just before Thanksgiving. The coal units will remain operational while the state looks for new customers for their power, as state law prohibits decommissioning work on the units. The units had been running at low capacities for several years due to a lack of demand, the IPA said. Chevron acquired a majority stake in the project, a joint venture with Mitsubishi Power Americas, in 2023.

Iowa Gas Stations Must Now Offer E15 Gasoline | RBN Energy --Now that the calendar has turned to 2026, most gas stations in Iowa are required to advertise and sell E15 gasoline. The requirement was included the state’s E15 Access Standard, which was adopted by the state legislature in 2022.Gas stations and convenience stores that were operating when the law was passed are required to offer E15 from at least one dispenser, unless they qualify for one of three waivers. Locations built after January 1, 2023, must offer E15 from at least 50% of their fueling positions.E15 is gasoline blended with between 10.5% and 15% ethanol. Most gasoline available at U.S. pumps today is E10, or gasoline blended with up to 10% ethanol. E15 is approved for use in all vehicles of model year 2001 and newer, as well as flexible-fuel vehicles, by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As we noted in Turn, Turn, Turn, E15 and E10 are similar in terms of cost and performance, but there are important differences. On the positive side for E15, it’s a little less expensive than E10, in part because E15 has a slightly lower energy density. On the downside for E15, its fuel efficiency is about 1%-2% less than E10. A vehicle’s miles-per-gallon rating from the EPA is based on its efficiency using 100% gasoline; adding ethanol, which has less energy than a comparable amount of gasoline, lowers fuel efficiency. That means that while you will likely save some money at the pump, E15 might not take you as far between fill-ups. All 50 states are permitted to sell E15, but it is only permanently allowed to be sold year-round in a few. The EPA approved eight states — Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Ohio and South Dakota — for year-round sales in 2025.

Gasoline prices influence drivers. It’s not the same for EVs. - A screaming deal on electric vehicle charging can be found just outside Washington. A fast e-filling station near the Beltway charges 16 cents a kilowatt-hour, a fraction of the price elsewhere. Almost no one uses it. Meanwhile, the most expensive Tesla charging station in the Washington metro area is at a shopping center in the District of Columbia. According to Plug & Play EV, a charging-analytics company that provided data for this story, prices reach 76 cents a kWh. Lots of Teslas line up there. Something new is afoot in how EV drivers choose where to charge, something different from the classic hunt for a cheap gallon of gas. And that suggests that one of the nation’s most reliable political and economic indicators — the dollars per gallon on that big gas station sign — could fade in importance as more electric vehicles show up. “The dynamics of electricity pricing, and the cost of charging a car, are so much more complicated than gasoline,” said Jon Krosnick, a political science professor at Stanford University. Krosnick should know. He co-authored a 2016 study on how gasoline prices affected the U.S. public’s view of the president. Examining three decades of data, the study found that when gas prices rose by 10 cents, the incumbent president’s favorability polling dropped by six-tenths of 1 percent. The cost of energizing a car plays a small but significant role in determining who holds the White House. Buying gasoline is a frequent experience in a country where 78 percent of people drive to work. As a significant line item in most household budgets, gas prices can sway Americans’ view of their personal financial situation, not to mention their assessment of the overall economy and the government’s stewardship. A 2019 study found that when gas prices rise, optimism drop. Such a clear relationship may break down in the new and dynamic world of EV charging. At least in these early days of EV adoption, price isn’t the main driver. Take the two charging stations mentioned above. Were they gasoline prices, this astonishing price spread — like paying $1 a gallon at the first location and $4.75 at the other — would trigger an affordability stampede. People would drive miles out of their way to grab that lower price. But EV drivers don’t, for lots of reasons. Charging experts and conversations with EV drivers reveal the many factors at play. The convenience and low cost of charging in a person’s own garage, the dominance of Tesla, the relative affluence of EV drivers, the speed of EV charging, a new network effect and public ignorance of the cost of electricity all play a part in informing an EV driver’s decision. This gas-versus-electricity relationship is playing out at a time when the price of electricity is more political than ever. Electricity prices played a strong role in November’s elections. In Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the governor’s office in part by promising to curb recent spikes in electricity prices. The same happened in New Jersey, where Democrat Mikie Sherrill tapped into voters’ worries that life has become unaffordable — including utility bills. Meanwhile, today’s gasoline prices seem less connected than usual to the national temper.

Back to the Basics – Why the Return of the IEA’s Current Policies Scenario Matters | RBN Energy -The International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2025 (WEO 2025) represents a big shift in how the agency is framing the future of global energy. After several editions that leaned hard into an accelerated energy transition, the IEA has brought back its Current Policies Scenario (CPS), a baseline view built solely on policies that are on the books today — not those announced, proposed or aspirational. For folks watching global crude markets, especially in the U.S. oil and gas patch, that is a lot more than just a structural tweak to the outlook. It’s a clear signal that the IEA sees a growing disconnect between its earlier assumptions and how energy demand is really playing out. In today’s RBN blog, we’ll dig into what’s changed and why it matters.As shown in Figure 1 below, the IEA’s outlook has, in recent years, anchored its long-term oil demand projections around two main scenarios: Net Zero Emissions (NZE; green line) and Stated Policies (aka STEPS; orange line). The NZE envisions an aggressive energy transition pathway, with global oil demand falling steeply to around 25 MMb/d by 2050. STEPS assumes partial implementation of announced government policies, with demand peaking near 100 MMb/d in the early 2030s before gradually declining. These two scenarios, with their widening divergence, have framed much of the global energy transition debate but have increasingly failed to reflect actual consumption trends. The reintroduction of the Current Policies Scenario (CPS; blue line) in WEO 2025 directly addresses that gap. CPS provides a more grounded baseline by including only those energy and climate policies that are fully enacted and backed by concrete legislation or regulation. It does not incorporate aspirational goals or future policy pledges. Under this scenario, oil demand continues to rise steadily through mid-century, reaching about 113 MMb/d by 2050. This is more than a structural adjustment — it marks a significant recalibration of the IEA’s modeling and serves as a clear reminder that, for now at least, hydrocarbons remain deeply embedded in global energy systems and economic growth. In the absence of sweeping new policy interventions, the CPS — and STEPS, to a lesser extent — expect that oil will continue to play a critical role in sustaining global mobility, industrialization and economic resilience, anchoring energy security in both developed and emerging markets. Demand growth for crude oil (along with natural gas and coal) is concentrated in emerging markets and developing economies (light-blue layers in Figure 2 below) under the CPS, as population and economic expansion drive robust increases. According to the IEA, nearly 90% of projected crude oil demand growth through 2050 occurs in non-OECD regions, with Asia (excluding China), Africa and the Middle East leading the way. These areas are undergoing rapid industrialization and rising mobility, particularly in sectors that are difficult to decarbonize. For example, global jet fuel demand is expected to grow by more than 50% by 2050, with limited near-term alternatives such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Global petrochemical demand is set to grow by more than 5 MMb/d by 2050, aided by rising consumption of plastics and polymers. Heavy-duty transport, which still accounts for roughly 20% of global oil demand, remains technologically and infrastructurally constrained. These are not marginal contributors — they are foundational to global development and represent large, persistent and economically anchored sources of hydrocarbon demand. Meeting the world’s rising oil demand requires dependable sources of new production — and the IEA expects shale/tight oil (orange layer in Figure 3 below), much of it coming from the U.S., will continue to play a vital role under the CPS, along with conventional crude oil (dark-blue layer), NGLs (green layer) and extra-heavy crude oil and bitumen (light-blue layer). Despite oil price fluctuations, U.S. production has demonstrated remarkable resilience, reaching 13.85 MMb/d in December, up from about 9.1 MMb/d a decade ago, with crude from shale plays accounting for the lion’s share of the growth. This steady performance, even amid volatile market conditions, underscores the ongoing importance of U.S. barrels in offsetting declines from aging global fields. As demand continues to grow — particularly in non-OECD regions — sustained shale output will remain critical to the U.S. oil supply outlook.

Electricity in 2025: solar surges, gas influence fades, but volatility and weak demand persist - Eurelectric data shows that 2025 marked a turning point for Europe’s power sector - a year defined by contrasts and complexity. Record solar growth reduced reliance on fossil fuels and helped contain emissions, but persistent price volatility and weak electricity demand exposed the urgent need to accelerate electrification and scale up system flexibility to safeguard Europe’s competitiveness.The EU leaves behind a year marked by new decarbonisation milestones. According to Eurelectric estimates, in 2025 power sector emissions stood at around 45% of 1990 levels, reflecting three decades of steady progress in decarbonisation. Yet momentum towards the EU’s 50% renewables threshold slowed — showing that balancing rapid green growth with market stability and demand recovery remains a challenge.Solar power was the clear standout performer. With a total generation of more than 340 TWh, solar reached 12.5% of the EU generation mix, the highest share ever recorded. Solar output rose by 60 TWh year on year - equivalent to Portugal’s entire annual electricity demand. This surge helped offset declines in hydro (-13%) and wind (-4%) between 2024 and 2025. Nuclear remained stable at around 24%, continuing to provide reliable baseload, while fossil fuels generation was largely contained thanks to the surge in solar output.Wholesale day-ahead electricity prices averaged €88/MWh in 2025 - below 2023 levels but slightly higher than in 2024. Prices were higher in the first half of the year due to weaker wind and hydro output, before easing in the second half as strong solar generation and lower gas prices improved market conditions.Despite this moderation, price volatility persisted. Negative prices occurred in around 3.3% of hours, while price spikes above €150/MWh accounted for 9.3% of hours - well below 2022 levels but higher than in 2024 - reinforcing the growing need for system flexibility.At the same time, electricity prices became less tied to fossil fuel costs. On average across the EU, around 74% of hours in 2019 saw power prices above the cost of gas-fired generation - a proxy for the influence of fossil fuels on power prices - compared with just 32% in 2025, showing how renewables can help decouple electricity prices from gas. Unlocking these benefits fully will require accelerated investment in storage and flexibility.Electricity demand remained the sector’s weakest point. Overall consumption in 2025 was broadly unchanged compared to 2024 yet remained around 7% below 2021 levels, reflecting an uneven and incomplete industrial recovery across countries, alongside continued efficiency improvements..

Microsoft wants to resurrect Three Mile Island. It will never happen. - Neil Chatterjee - Microsoft and Constellation Energy have spent the last year trying to resurrect the Three Mile Island Nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania. The plant shut down in 2019 under economic pressure, after a separate part of the facility was decommissioned following a partial meltdown in 1979. The effort is laudable, especially in light of Microsoft’s rapidly rising demand for clean energy to fuel its artificial intelligence data centers. Unfortunately, it will never work. A fully shut-down nuclear plant has never been restarted in America for good reason: There are too many regulatory, material and logistical hurdles to overcome. So far, Constellation Energy has painted a rosy picture. It originally stated the plant would be back online by 2028. Then, in early 2025, it revised its estimated opening date to 2027 following various inspections and the restoration of the plant’s water systems. But traditional nuclear projects have a long history of going over budget and past schedule. A big factor is that the U.S. regulatory environment is not friendly to traditional nuclear power. As the former head of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in the first Trump administration, I have seen firsthand how red tape can choke even the best-intentioned projects under goodwill regulators. Reactors that were permanently shut down must go through an extensive regulatory review process and request special exemptions for both their operations and use of radioactive fuel. Constellation Energy and Microsoft have some solace in that the Department of Energy offered their project public support. But the Department of Energy isn’t the only player in town. To ensure safety, Three Mile Island will also have to pass rigorous rounds of inspections, receive environmental approval and get the green light from the likes of the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, FERC and other state and local offices. Even under a pro-business, pro-energy, regulation-slashing Trump administration, this is quite a gauntlet — especially because pro-nuclear government officials may nevertheless be hemmed in by existing laws and review processes outside of their control. If regulatory barriers were the only holdup, perhaps there would be reasons to be more bullish on Three Mile Island. After all, President Trump has offered full support to nuclear energy and is committed to winning the energy-intensive AI race against China, red tape or not. But regulatory barriers are just the start. Nuclear reactors can’t be simply switched back on like a light bulb. They’re more like a car left undriven in a garage for too long with old oil, putrid gasoline, rat-chewed wires and a rusty frame — except that nuclear plants are infinitely more complicated than any car. At Three Mile Island, the reactor vessel could be brittle and fatigued. The core rods may need to be refurbished, the steam generators might have corroded, the turbines may break after not being rotated for years. And we know the cooling tower was partially removed as a fire hazard. Replacing and restoring this equipment and more will not come cheaply. Constellation Energy originally projected it would take $1.6 billion to bring the facility back onto the grid, but that was before it fully cracked open the hood. Then there are the basic economic realities of traditional reactors. Three Mile Island, Indian Point, Crystal River and others were shut down not because they were unsafe or failed to produce energy, but because maintenance was costly and they couldn’t keep up with the low price of other energy sources like natural gas. As energy demand rises, those costs may become more comparable. But restarting Three Mile Island is still an expensive bet that will take years or decades of the right economic conditions to pay off.

DOE Orders Indiana Coal Units Totaling More Than 950 MW To Run Past Retirement Dates - The U.S. Department of Energy on Dec. 23 ordered Northern Indiana Public Service Co., a division of NiSource, andCenterPoint Energy to continue running three coal-fired units in Indiana, totaling more than 950 MW, beyond their planned retirement at the end of the month.DOE contends that portions of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator face an emergency situation, citing studies by the grid operator and the results of recent capacity auctions that indicate tightening supply conditions.“The emergency conditions resulting from increasing demand and shortage from accelerated retirement of generation facilities will continue in the near term and are also likely to continue in subsequent years,” DOE said in its 90-day emergency orders to MISO, NIPSCO and CenterPoint. However, MISO reviewed NIPSCO’s plan to retire the coal-fired units at its Schahfer power plant and CenterPoint’s proposal to shutter its F.B. Culley Unit 2, all of which were scheduled to occur on Dec. 31.DOE has issued a string of last-minute emergency orders under the Federal Power Act’s Section 202(c) to keep power plants in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Washington from retiring. Those generating units total about 3.1 GW.The latest emergency orders were issued a day after the Trump administration froze work on five offshore wind farmstotaling 7 GW.The Indiana units must run until March 23, although DOE can extend the orders, as it has done for the Campbell power plant in Michigan and the Eddystone units near Philadelphia.Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana, a ratepayer advocacy group, contends the DOE orders will drive up electricity bills.“The federal government’s order to force extremely expensive and unreliable coal units to stay open will result in higher bills for Hoosiers who are already reeling from record-high rate increases in 2025,” Ben Inskeep, CAC program director, said in a statement.The DOE’s emergency orders for the Campbell power plant are being challenged in federal appeals court by Michigan’s attorney general, Minnesota and Illinois as well as a coalition of advocacy groups led by the Sierra Club and Earthjustice. In a Dec. 19 court brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the advocacy groups said DOE failed to show MISO faces an energy emergency.

12 New Shale Well Permits Issued for PA-OH-WV Dec 15 - 21 - Marcellus Drilling News - The combined number of new permits issued to drill shale wells across the Marcellus/Utica region was 12 for the week of Dec. 15 - 21. Pennsylvania issued 8 new permits, while Ohio issued 4. West Virginia issued no new permits for that period. Among the companies receiving new permits were Seneca Resources, CNX Resources, Gulfport Energy, and EOG Resources. Belmont County | CNX Resources | Energy Companies | EOG Resources | Gulfport Energy | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Seneca Resources | Tioga County (PA) | Tuscarawas County | Weekly Permits | West Virginia | Westmoreland County

PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Dec. 20 to 26 - 378,000 Gallon Gasoline Spill; 521,600 Gallon Spilled Into Mine Voids; Crude Oil Pipeline Rupture - From December 20 to 26, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 379 inspection entries and inspection reports posted from previous weeks. Follow these links to spreadsheets showing the violations and inspections occurring between December 20 to 26-- Click Here for violations issued. Click Here for inspection entries. [Note: There were many more violations issued by DEP than PA Environment Digest can highlight here.] So far this year, DEP took these actions as of December 19--

• -- NOVs Issued In Last Week: 65 conventional, 14 unconventional
• -- Year To Date - NOVs Issued: 5,702 conventional and 1,258 unconventional
• -- Enforcements 2025: 405 conventional and 166 unconventional (orders, agreements)
• -- Inspections Last Week: 322 conventional and 583 unconventional
• -- Year To Date - Inspections: 20,140 conventional and 25,433 unconventional
• Monroe Energy Reported 378,000 Gasoline Spill In Delaware County. On December 23, the Department of Environmental Protection issued an administrative order to Monroe Energy’s MIPC, LLC to develop an interim cleanup plan and start a thorough investigation at its Chelsea Pipeline Station and Tank Farm in Aston, Bethel, and Upper Chichester townships, Delaware County, as a result of a gasoline leak reported from the tank farm. In addition, MIPC must provide bottled water to residents within 1,000 feet of the facility who utilize private drinking water wells until the extent of contamination is determined. DEP learned from MIPC on December 17, 2025, that gasoline that leaked from a tank within its property in August 2025 may have released up to 378,000 gallons of fuel. MIPC is currently reporting no known offsite impacts and has been inspecting the unnamed tributary to Marcus Hook Creek. Read more here.
• MarkWest Midstream Reports 2 More Pipeline Construction Fluid Releases Into Mine Voids - On December 19 and 22, the Department of Environmental Protection was notified by MarkWest Liberty Midstream & Resources LLC that horizontal drilling operations on the construction of the shale gas-related Chiarelli to Imperial pipeline resulted in losses in 45,000 gallons of drilling fluids into coal mine voids under Mount Pleasant Township, Washington County. MarkWest reported at least 10 incidents with a total of 521,600 gallons of drilling fluids lost to abandoned mines since this project began since the first losses on October 27. Read more here.
• Allegheny National Forest Doing Superfund Assessment Of American Refining Group Oil & Gas Properties. On December 26, the Warren Times Observer reported the US Forest Service is conducting a federal Superfund environmental assessment of the pollution left behind at oil and gas facilities abandoned by American Refining Group [ARG Resources, Inc.] in Highland Township, Elk County.The Warren Times said the Forest Service is coordinating with the US Environmental protection and the Department of Environmental protection on the assessment and possible cleanup work. Read more here.

10 Abandoned Conventional Well Violations

• Diversified Prod LLC [2,478 Days] December 18, 2025 compliance violation of the Thompason/Bloniarz 1 and Yasenosky 2 conventional wells in Georges and Nicholson Townships, Fayette County and found them in violation of a March 7, 2019 DEP Consent Order requiring the wells to be plugged and site site fully restored by November 17, 2025. New violation issued for failure to comply with a DEP order. Response requested by January 7.
• Amer Natural Resources LLC [2,202 Days] December 22, 2025 compliance evaluation of the Grove/Crambo 1 (Ohio Twp.), Grove/Crambo 2 (Ohio Twp.), Merle Minick 1 (Aleppo Twp.), Merle Minick 2 (Aleppo Twp.), John Lenzner 1 (Ohio Twp.) and John Straka 2 (Glenfield Boro) conventional wells in Allegheny County found the wells continued to be abandoned and not plugged. The owner remains in violation of a plugging order issued on December 12, 2019 and again on March 27, 2025.. Original violation for failing to comply with order issued on September 24, 2025. Violations continued. No response requested of the owner. DEP inspection report example. Amer Natural Resources holds 49 permits.
• Bemorich Inc. [684 Days] December 16, 2025 follow-up inspection of the American Window 1 conventional well in Washington Township, Fayette County found the well still abandoned, not plugged and venting gas. Owner did not submit annual production (most recent report 2015), waste generation or well integrity (most recent report 2018) reports. Original abandonment violation issued February 1, 2024. Violations continued. Response requested by January 2. DEP inspection report Bemorich holds 2 permits.
• Tombuco Inc. December 22, 2025 inspection of the McCalmont 69 conventional oil and gas well in Butler Township, Butler County found the well abandoned and not plugged. Owner failed to submit annual production, waste generation and well integrity reports. Well was never inspected. Violations issued. Response requested by January 12. DEP inspection report. Tombuco holds 4 permits, including one other abandoned well.

So far in 2025, DEP issued or continued 685 violations to 131 conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells. In 2024, DEP issued 860 new or continued violations to conventional oil and gas well owners for abandoning and not plugging their wells.The violations were issued to these conventional owners in 2025: Conventional Well Spill/Releases - Minard Run Oil Co December 22, 2025 inspection of Allegheny National Forest Warrant 5107 25P conventional well in Jenks Township, Forest County in response to a notification of a crude oil release from a pipeline rupture. The crude oil traveled down a road ditch for 20 feet, across the road through a culvert and flowed downhill into a spring ultimately entering Guiton Run (High Quality) after traveling 150 feet. Pockets of crude oil were found in Guiton Run for about 1,400 feet. Remediation measures were installed at various locations in the path of the release to stop the flow. A repair crew was onsite to fix the pipeline. Violations issued. Response requested by January 14. DEP inspection report. Minard holds 4,610 permits, including 390 abandoned wells.

DEP Invites Comments On Chapter 105 Permit ForDaylighting 3 CNX Midstream Natural Gas Pipelines To Prevent Damage From Longwall Coal Mining In Washington County The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the December 27 PA Bulletin inviting comments on a Chapter 105 permit for the daylighting three 10-inch CNX Midstream Operating Company, LLC natural gas pipelines to prevent damage from underground longwall coal mining. (PA Bulletin, page 8793)The project impacts 3,300 feet of the Morris to Ninevah Jumper, Morris to Ninevah Jumper Upgrade and the NV113 well pad pipelines in Morris Twp., Greene County and Morris Twp., Washington County. No hearings on the applications have been scheduled, but hearings may be requested.Comments are due January 26-- 30 days after these notices.Send comments to DEP Southwest Oil and Gas Management Program, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4745 or send email to: RA-EPSW-OGSUBMISSION@pa.gov. Contact DEP Southwest Oil and Gas Management Program, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4745 or send email to: RA-EPSW-OGSUBMISSION@pa.gov to arrange to review the applications.

Appalachian Gas Output, Data Center Outook a Match Made in Heaven - Hart Energy (paywalled) Legacy Marcellus operations built by Chesapeake Energy—now Expand Energy—form the backbone of one of the most prolific gas regions in North America, where scale and infrastructure continue to anchor Appalachian supply. Chesapeake Energy’s former Marcellus operations, now part of Expand Energy, underscore the scale and durability of Appalachian gas as infrastructure and demand converge to extend the basin’s relevance. The Marcellus and Utica shales are already legends carved into Appalachia's rock, but their story may be among the biggest in the natural gas market ...Natural gas development continues across Appalachia, where Marcellus and Utica production supports rising regional demand, LNG exports, and data center growth. Williams Cos.’ Appalachian infrastructure anchors the Marcellus and Utica as demand-backed gas basins, moving molecules from prolific shale to power plants, data centers and LNG markets as growth resumes.Coterra Energy’s Marcellus drilling reflects Appalachia’s steady, demand-driven growth, where disciplined development, pipeline access and rising power and LNG demand are reshaping the basin’s next phase. PDC Energy’s Marcellus operations highlight Appalachia’s mature but growing play, where strategic drilling, infrastructure access, and rising natural gas demand continue to drive regional production.

MVP’s Southgate Natural Gas Expansion Gets FERC Blessing - Changes to an expansion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC (MVP), designed to move natural gas supply into North Carolina, is one step closer after FERC gave its approval. (Map showing the Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate expansion in Virginia and North Carolina, highlighting the proposed MVP Southgate segment in red connecting to Transco near Danville, alongside existing MVP and ETNG pipeline routes.) At A Glance:
Project to add 175,000 Dth/d capacity
Shorter route cuts environmental impacts
Staff flags overlap with Transco expansion

U.S. Propane Inventories Build as Gulf Coast Stocks Hit Records and Exports Decline - The EIA reported a 785-Mbbl build in U.S. propane/propylene inventories for the week ended December 26, a notable departure from industry expectations for a 1.5-MMbbl draw and the historical average draw of 2.2 MMbbl for the week. This marked the first inventory build for the corresponding week since our recordkeeping began in 2011. Total stocks increased to 100.3 MMbbl, placing inventories 18% above the same week in 2024 and the five-year high. Inventories are also 22.3 MMbbl, or 29%, above the five-year average, underscoring the unusually high level of supply entering the winter period. PADD 3 (Gulf Coast) propane inventories rose by 2 MMbbl, pushing total regional stocks to a record-high 64 MMbbl. Inventories are 13.3 MMbbl, or 26%, above the same period in 2024 and the five-year maximum. Stocks are also 20.7 MMbbl, or 48%, above the five-year average, indicating that Gulf Coast propane inventories remain elevated relative to historical late-December levels. Weekly U.S. propane exports averaged about 1.7 MMb/d, down roughly 418 Mb/d from the prior week and below the year-to-date average of about 1.9 MMb/d. Exports fell below the four-week average of about 2 MMb/d and the roughly 2.1 MMb/d reported during the same week last year, reflecting a softer week for propane export activity.

U.S. LNG Buildout Accelerates Ahead of Schedule With Fourth Train Completed at Corpus Christi Expansion -- Cheniere Energy Inc. has completed the fourth train at the Corpus Christi LNG (CCL) Stage 3 expansion project in South Texas. North America LNG export flow tracker showing daily U.S. LNG feed gas deliveries near 18.9 million Dth on Dec. 29, 2025, with volumes by export terminal including Sabine Pass, Corpus Christi, Freeport, Calcasieu Pass, Cameron, Plaquemines, Cove Point and Elba Island.At A Glance:
Fourth train finished Dec. 19
Project expected to be completed in 2026
U.S. feed gas demand grows

American LNG Supply Hits High Gear in 2025 With Output Poised to Double - Lower 48 LNG exports shattered records this year, preserving a trend that began in 2016 when shipments first began, and one that is likely to continue as even more projects are under construction. Bar chart showing U.S. LNG exports rising from 3.6 million tons in 2016 to 108.6 million tons in 2025, illustrating rapid growth in U.S. liquefied natural gas export volumes, with 2025 data as of Dec. 17. At A Glance:
U.S. exports top 100 Mt/y for first time
Most shipments went to Europe
Climb is likely to continue

Legal Fights Over LNG Exports Intensify as Activists Reopen Commonwealth, Rio Grande Cases -Environmental opponents of U.S. natural gas exports are back on the offensive with a slate of state and federal permit challenges for two Gulf Coast projects already under development. At A Glance:

• Groups seek to overturn Commonwealth permit
• Rio Grande LNG FERC authorization under fire
• Activists previously won in both venues

Seasonal Demand Swings, Increasing LNG Supplies Pose Risks for U.S. Feed Gas Demand in 2026 - U.S. LNG feed gas is up by nearly 5 Bcf/d as the year comes to a close and peaked at 18.8 Bcf/d in December, according to NGI data. The four trains at Cheniere Energy Inc.’s Corpus Christi LNG (CCL) expansion project in South Texas and the Plaquemines LNG facility that came online in 2025 lifted feed gas deliveries from year-ago levels of about 14 Bcf/d.

U.S. LNG Exports Break 100 Million Tons in Record 2025 - U.S. liquefied natural gas exports set new records in 2025 as new capacity came online and existing terminals ran at high utilization, pushing annual shipments past levels previously thought years away. Preliminary data from LSEG show the United States exported 111 million metric tons of LNG last year, making it the first country to surpass the 100-million-ton threshold in a single year. That volume puts U.S. exports nearly 20 million tons ahead of Qatar and about 23 million tons above 2024 levels, reinforcing the country’s position as the world’s largest LNG supplier. The growth was driven primarily by new projects entering service and a rapid ramp-up at recently commissioned facilities. Plaquemines LNG shipped 16.4 million tons in 2025 after starting exports at the end of last year, according to LSEG data. U.S. export terminals remained highly utilized through most of the year, with December exports reaching a record 11.5 million tons. Europe remained the dominant destination for U.S. LNG as the region continued to replace Russian gas and manage winter demand. About 9 million tons were shipped to Europe in December alone. Turkey sharply increased its purchases late in the year, buying more U.S. LNG in December than the entire Asian market. Asia took 1.23 million tons during the month, while Egypt remained a notable buyer amid domestic supply shortages. The scale of the shift is difficult to overstate. In less than a decade, the United States has moved from no LNG exports to supplying roughly a quarter of global trade. The approach — flexible contracts, free-on-board pricing, and access to abundant shale gas — has made U.S. cargoes increasingly attractive to buyers seeking supply security. More capacity is set to come online in 2026. Plaquemines is targeting full output, several smaller projects are still ramping up, and the first train at Golden Pass LNG is expected to begin production later this year.

Freeport LNG Reports All Three Trains at Texas Export Plant Experienced a Trip - U.S. liquefied natural gas company Freeport LNG said all three trains at its LNG export plant in Texas experienced a trip due to an interruption of feed gas to the facility, according to a regulatory filing on Wednesday. “The plant operators managed the cooldown and restarts of train 1, train 2, and train 3 as efficiently as possible to minimize flaring,” the filing said. Freeport’s three trains are capable of turning about 2.4 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) of gas into LNG. One billion cubic feet of gas is enough to supply about five million U.S. homes for a day. Get the Latest US Focused Energy News Delivered to You! It's FREE: Quick Sign-Up Here Freeport did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Freeport is one of the most closely watched U.S. LNG export facilities because fluctuations in its operations have the potential to cause swings in global gas prices. On Wednesday, front-month gas futures for January delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange were down 3.8% at $4.242 per million British thermal units, after hitting their highest level since December 11 at $4.593 earlier in the session. Before news of the train shutdown, gas flows to Freeport were on track to remain around 1.1 bcfd on Tuesday, according to LSEG data. Average gas flows to the eight large U.S. LNG export plants have risen to 18.4 bcfd so far this month, up from a monthly record high of 18.2 bcfd in November.

Execs Predict Where Henry Hub Price Will Land in Future | Rigzone -Executives from oil and gas firms have revealed where they expect the Henry Hub natural gas price to be at various points in the future in the fourth quarter Dallas Fed Energy Survey, which was released recently. The survey asked participants what they expect Henry Hub natural gas prices to be in six months, one year, two years, and five years. Executives from 110 oil and gas firms answered this question and gave a mean response of $3.99 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) for the six month mark, $4.30 per MMBtu for the year mark, $4.57 per MMBtu for the two year mark, and $5.00 per MMBtu for the five year mark, the survey showed. Executives from 121 oil and gas firms answered this question in the third quarter Dallas Fed Energy Survey and gave a mean response of $3.35 per MMBtu for the six month mark, $3.53 per MMBtu for the year mark, $3.94 per MMBtu for the two year mark, and $4.50 per MMBtu for the five year mark, that survey showed. Executives from 116 oil and gas firms answered this question in the second quarter Dallas Fed Energy Survey and gave a mean response of $3.66 per MMBtu for the six month mark, $3.81 per MMBtu for the year mark, $4.12 per MMBtu for the two year mark, and $4.50 per MMBtu for the five year mark, that survey showed. In the first quarter Dallas Fed Energy Survey, executives from 117 oil and gas firms answered this question and gave a mean response of $3.71 per MMBtu for the six month mark, $3.98 per MMBtu for the year mark, $4.30 per MMBtu for the two year mark, and $4.83 per MMBtu for the five year mark, that survey showed. The latest Dallas Fed Energy Survey also asked participants what they expect the Henry Hub natural gas price to be at the end of 2026. Executives from 124 oil and gas firms answered this question and gave an average response of $4.19 per MMBtu, the survey highlighted. The low forecast was $1.75 per MMBtu, the high forecast was $6.50 per MMBtu, and the average daily spot price during the survey was $4.84 per MMBtu, the survey pointed out. The fourth quarter Dallas Fed Energy Survey was the first Dallas Fed Energy Survey which asked participants what they expect the Henry Hub natural gas price to be at the end of 2026. The previous Dallas Fed Energy Survey asked participants what they expect the Henry Hub natural gas price to be at the end of 2025.

Crude Oil Exports Decline on Softer Asian Demand - U.S. Gulf Coast (USGC) crude oil exports declined by 870 Mb/d last week to 3.2 MMb/d (far right of chart below), placing volumes more than 600 Mb/d below the 2025 year-to-date (YTD) average. Export reductions were observed across all major USGC loading regions with the exception of Louisiana, whose flows were consistent with those of the prior week. As discussed in our Crude Voyager, this week-over-week contraction was driven primarily by weaker demand from Asia-Pacific (APAC) destinations. Crude volumes loaded onto vessels with APAC discharge ports fell approximately 33% versus the prior week. This softening in demand was also reflected in vessel traffic, with only three Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) entering the Gulf last week, down sharply from eight VLCC arrivals in the previous week.

U.S. Crude Oil Imports Plummet to 2021 Levels - According to the EIA’s Weekly Petroleum Status Report (WPSR) released today, oil imports into the U.S. plummeted for the week ending December 26 to under 5 MMb/d. This decline of more than 1.1 MMb/d reduced imports to their lowest level since February of 2021. As discussed in our Crude Oil Billboard, although flows from Canada held steady just under 3.6 MMb/d, imports declined from Mexico (-27%), Saudi Arabia (-20%), Iraq (-64%), and Libya (-100%). Additionally, flows from countries not considered one of the 10 major trade partners of the U.S. (Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Iraq, Libya, Mexico, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela) fell from nearly 1.2 MMb/d to under 400 Mb/d. Weekly data remain inherently noisy, and additional data over the coming weeks will need to be analyzed to determine whether recent movements represent a sustained trend or merely short-term volatility.

US Crude, Product Inventories Rise Again - The American Petroleum Institute (API) estimated that crude oil inventories in the United States saw a build of 1.7 million barrels in the week ending December 26. Crude oil inventories rose by 2.4 million barrels in the week prior.Crude oil inventories in the United States are so far showing a net decrease of 5.1 million barrels for the year, according to Oilprice calculations of API data. Earlier this week, the Department of Energy (DoE) reported that crude oil inventories in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) have risen by 200,000 barrels to 413.2 million barrels in the week ending December 26 as the Trump Administration trudges ahead to replenish depleted stockpiles.US production fell during the week of December 19 to13.825 million bpd, down from 13.843 million bpd in the week prior, according to the latest EIA data. This is 262,000 bpd more than the beginning of the year levels. At 12:56 pm ET, Brent crude was trading essentially flat on the day at $61.95 (+0.02%). Brent is now $0.50 down from this time last week. WTI was also trading down on the day, by $0.12 (-0.21%) at $57.97.Gasoline inventories saw another increase this week, gaining 6.2 million barrels in the week ending December 26. In the week prior, gasoline inventories grew by 1.1 million barrels. As of last week, gasoline inventories were slightly above the five-year average for this time of year, according to the latest EIA data. Distillate inventories also rose in the reporting period, gaining 1 million barrels, after gaining 700,000 barrels in the week prior. Distillate inventories were still 5% below the five-year average as of the week ending December 19, the latest EIA data shows. Cushing inventory—the inventory kept at the delivery hub for the WTI Crude futures contract—rose by 800,000 barrels, after increasing by 600,000 barrels in the prior week.

Texas may allow frackers to discharge wastewater into rivers - GRANDFALLS, Texas — The name of this city in far West Texas, surrounded by scrub desert and pump jacks, may seem like a misnomer. But nearly 100 years ago, when settlers came to the area, the roar of the Pecos River could be heard from the tiny town a few miles away. Since then, the river has turned into a whisper of its former self, in some places forming only puddles. That could soon change. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is considering whether to grant permits that would allow three companies to discharge recycled fracking wastewater into the Pecos River, sparking concerns from environmental groups. The projects, if approved, would include the first of what could be many plants that treat fracked water in the United States’ largest oil-producing region.

Oil Execs Quizzed on Capital Spending, Workforce Changes - Oil and gas executives answered questions on capital spending and workforce changes in a special questions segment of the fourth quarter Dallas Fed Energy Survey. In this segment, participants were asked what their expectations were for their firm’s capital spending in 2026 versus 2025. Executives from 124 oil and gas firms answered this question, with 26 percent answering “increase slightly”, 24 percent answering “remain close to 2025 levels”, 20 percent answering “decrease significantly”, 19 percent answering “decrease slightly”, and the remaining 11 percent answering “increase significantly”, the survey showed. “Reponses varied widely among executives,” the survey noted. They survey also pointed out that “responses differed depending on the firm’s size and type”. “‘Remain close to 2025 levels’ was the most selected response from executives at large E&P [exploration and production] firms (35 percent), whereas the most selected response from executives at small E&P firms was increase slightly (29 percent),” the survey added. “More executives (48 percent) at oil and gas support services firms expect their firm’s capital spending in 2026 to decrease relative to the number of executives (29 percent) anticipating an increase,” it continued. The fourth quarter Dallas Fed Energy Survey highlighted that E&P firms were classified as small if they produced fewer than 10,000 barrels per day and large if they produced 10,000 barrels per day or more. Responses came from 69 small firms and 17 large firms, the survey pointed out. Executives from 86 exploration and production firms and 38 oil and gas support services firms answered the question, the survey showed. “In the U.S., small E&P firms are greater in number, but large E&P firms make up the majority of production (more than 80 percent),” the fourth quarter Dallas Fed Energy Survey noted.

By Balancing Risks and Rewards, Refiners Can Profit from a Well-Executed Turnaround | RBN Energy Regularly scheduled turnarounds, which are undertaken to perform maintenance, inspections and upgrades that cannot be done while a refinery is running, are one of the most important (and expensive) activities of any refiner. Unlike unplanned outages, turnarounds and more significant work on key units within a refinery are necessary activities that are thoroughly planned in advance to maintain and improve asset performance. In today’s RBN blog, we look at what happens during a typical turnaround, the ways refiners seek to manage their risk, and the biggest potential payoffs that come with a well-executed project. Successful turnarounds are essential to a refinery’s performance and profitability, but also enhance their ability to operate safely, meet environmental regulations, and prevent major failures or unplanned shutdowns. In addition, they create a window for debottlenecking and capital upgrades that can improve a refinery’s throughput, energy efficiency and competitiveness. But an expensive turnaround project, especially when combined with deteriorating regulatory and/or market conditions, may also set the stage for a permanent shutdown, as was the case with Valero’s plans to shutter its Benecia refinery in California by April (see Us and Them) and some other recent closures. In fact, with more shutdowns of refining capacity likely to come over the next couple of decades due to declining domestic demand (as detailed in the next edition of our biannual Future of Fuels report, to be published at the end of January), the impending need for a high-cost turnaround could very well be the deciding factor that sets the timing for future closures. Managing the process requires a refiner to delicately balance a number of factors when deciding when to schedule a turnaround, how much work will be done, and how long it will last. How turnarounds are handled can vary considerably from refinery to refinery. Some refiners bring down nearly the entire plant at the same time (generally only considered by single-train facilities), while others bring down a few units at a time. It depends on which strategy works best for that particular plant. In recent years, refiners have been shifting toward partial plant turnarounds, where portions of the plant, rather than the whole thing, are brought down at different times. Most U.S. refineries have been around for decades, many with units that have been operating since the 1970s or longer. And while a refinery unit — such as a crude distillation unit (CDU), fluid catalytic cracker (FCC) or catalytic reformer — needs to undergo periodic maintenance to sustain desired performance levels, there are no hard-and-fast rules about what needs to be done when. (Our Future of Fuels report includes a Probable List and a Watch List of global refinery projects. The Probable List includes projects we expect to start up in the next five years, along with important details for each, including startup timing, crude capacity, type of crude expected to be processed, product yields by type, downstream unit capacities, project cost and other relevant attributes. The much larger Watch List identifies projects that have been proposed and, in some cases, are even in advanced development, but which we don’t expect to come online within our five-year forecast timeframe.) A typical refinery unit goes anywhere from two to 10 years between turnarounds (with four- to five-year intervals most common), so deciding when and what type of work might be needed requires a lot of planning and some difficult choices. On one hand, it’s possible for a refiner to stretch the time between turnarounds, although that can lead to lower performance, higher operating costs and longer (and more expensive) maintenance periods. On the other hand, more frequent turnarounds mean increased downtime and less operational continuity, so they can be equally costly. Inspection deadlines and regulatory requirements can also determine when a unit turnaround needs to happen. Refineries have long-term plans for managing unit turnarounds, which are typically timed to occur when product demand is lower and severe weather is likely to be less of a risk, especially in locations that experience extreme heat and/or cold or are more susceptible to severe storms and hurricanes. Labor availability can also play an important role in turnaround timing considerations. Most refiners have a five-year plan in place for individual units within their refineries and are working three or more years ahead on timing and unit optimization, including plans to shift production to other sites when possible. The goal is to have turnaround work sequenced out across individual units and refineries so that disruptions to production (and cash flow) are as limited as possible. Because turnarounds are expensive and carry significant operational and financial downsides if they aren’t executed properly, or unexpected problems pop up, refiners seek to manage those risks in four general ways, according to our friends at Refined Technologies:

• Duration: The first step is to limit, to the extent possible, how long a turnaround will last. The operational history of a unit undergoing turnaround work and a refiner’s monitoring program play a critical role in determining the potential scope of the work required and how long it will take. For example, tracking the fractionation efficiency of a crude unit can help determine if it’s meeting performance standards, how it might fit into a refiner’s overall turnaround schedule, and how much work might be needed. It can be the difference between a well-managed turnaround with targeted maintenance and upgrades and one where plenty of unexpected, unplanned work (often called “discovery”) could be required. It’s a little like the difference between starting a home renovation with a specific plan in mind and the blueprints in hand or just tearing down the walls to see what’s there. We should note that “scope creep” — additional problems found once a turnaround begins — happens with just about every project and can be a major complication. (Should the problem be addressed now, or can it be done later? Will that shorten the time before the next turnaround is needed?)
• Cleanup: During the cleanup phase the targeted unit or units are shut down, emptied and readied for inspections and planned repairs, including a return to normal atmospheric conditions so that workers can safely operate there. The sooner cleanup can be completed, the sooner the next steps can begin.
• Maintenance: During this period, anywhere from 500 to 3,000 contract workers can be on site, including pipefitters, welders and other specialists. Once work is completed, everything is put back together and extensively tested. (One of the biggest risks to a successful, timely turnaround is not getting a unit put back together properly. Even a single out-of-place gasket can cause big problems.)
• Startup: The startup phase for a typical refinery unit is four to seven days but can be longer for larger units like an FCC. (A refinery’s overall turnaround usually lasts for 30-45 days from start to finish.) This is also the time to do major construction and/or upgrades to a unit, if needed. As we noted recently in Ghost Train, Phillips 66 took this approach at its Sweeny, TX, refinery with its Crude Flexibility Project, which allowed its larger sour crude unit to nearly double its intake of light/sweet crudes, and its Distillate Flexibility Project, which added about 10 Mb/d of jet fuel output from its prior ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) production stream.

Are Colorado's new natural gas pipeline rules tough enough? - A state audit in 2023 painted a grim picture of Colorado's oversight of natural gas pipelines, but critics say despite the findings and legislation mandating improvements, new rules backed by regulators are inadequate.The Colorado Public Utilities Commission support most of the recommendations by an administrative law judge that will carry out a 2021 law to strengthen the regulation of the thousands of miles of gas pipelines running underground across the state.Administrative Law Judge Robert Garvey issued his recommendations on the proposed rules in October after several parties submitted comments and a hearing was held. The areas covered by the rules include requiring companies and utilities to use advanced technology to detect pipeline leaks, the levels of methane emissions that require action by operators and timelines for checking different types of pipelines.Local governments and environmental organizations advocating for stronger protections for public health and the environment voiced disappointment that the PUC didn't go far enough. The commissioners are expected to issue a written decision soon."We are concerned that the commission missed the mark," said Erin Murphy, an attorney with the Environmental Defense Fund. "We're concerned the commission's order may not successfully prioritize environmental protection alongside public safety."The Colorado law clearly required considering both public health and the environment for new rules on using advanced technology to better detect pipeline leaks, Murphy said. Stressing that EDF wants to read the PUC's written decision for the details, Murphy said it appears the rules might not be strong enough in some cases, such as the frequency of required surveys of pipelines. EDF said in a filing with the PUC that advanced monitoring technologies are already widely available and are "highly effective and cost effective."In 2021, lawmakers said more robust oversight of natural gas pipelines was needed because of dramatic increases in the drilling and distribution of gas; the construction of new homes and businesses around pipelines and gas operations; and efforts to cut emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The blistering report released in 2023 by the state auditor added impetus to toughening the regulations. The audit found pervasive problems that violated state and federal regulations, inadequate inspections and a lack of documented action taken against repeat offenders even in cases of explosions that killed and injured people. Industry organizations urged the PUC to hold off on approving new rules because a federal agency, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, was in the process of updating its rules. They warned of potential conflicts between state and federal regulations.However, new guidance on detecting and repairing pipeline leaks set to run in the Federal Register in the last days of the Biden administration wasn't published.The Colorado General Assembly passed a bill in this year's session that required the state to complete its new rules by Nov. 1.The federal pipeline agency, PHMSA, oversees interstate transmission pipelines and oil and hazardous liquid gathering lines in populated and environmentally sensitive areas. The agency can certify states to regulate intrastate pipelines. Colorado oversees natural gas pipelines within its borders.Murphy of EDF said states can adopt rules that are more stringent than federal rules. Her agency advocates for Colorado to adopt vigorous gas pipeline rules."We have a loss of leadership at the federal level, which means that the federal baseline rules right now are decades old, dating back to the '70s," Murphy said. "Colorado has this directive from the legislature to adopt rules for advanced leak detection and repair. This is a great opportunity to really update these rules in a meaningful way."

Major gas line rupture in Castaic prompts shelter-in-place order and I-5 closure, California - videos - A high-pressure natural gas transmission pipeline ruptured near Ridge Route Road and Pine Crest Place in Castaic, Los Angeles County, at about 16:20 LT on December 27, 2025 (00:20 UTC on December 28), prompting a shelter-in-place advisory and a full closure of Interstate 5 until about 21:00 LT. 7. The line, operated by Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), runs parallel to the southbound lanes of Interstate 5. A strong natural gas odor was reported across large parts of the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys shortly after the incident. Los Angeles County officials issued a shelter-in-place order at 17:40 for nearby neighborhoods, including areas around Northlake Hills Elementary School, totalling over 19 000 people. Residents were instructed to close doors, windows, and ventilation systems due to the risk of ignition and air contamination. The advisory remained in effect for several hours and was lifted later in the evening after utility crews isolated the damaged section of pipeline. Interstate 5 was closed in both directions between Lake Hughes Road and the Lower Crossover shortly after 17:12, with northbound traffic detoured to SR-126 and southbound to SR-138. The highway reopened around 21:00 after officials confirmed the gas release had been controlled. In an official statement, SoCalGas said its crews had safely isolated the damaged portion of the line, stopping the leak. The company confirmed there were no indications of ignition or explosion and noted that significant land movement had been observed near the break. The cause of the rupture remains under investigation. Preliminary assessments and field reports indicate that significant ground movement occurred near the break, suggesting a possible link between recent slope instability and the pipeline failure. Authorities have not confirmed whether the rupture triggered the slide or resulted from it. Several non-residential customers experienced service interruptions, and SoCalGas warned that residents could continue to smell natural gas in the area as remaining gas dissipates. Los Angeles County Fire Department reported no injuries. The Los Angeles Fire Department separately clarified that odor reports in the city were linked to the Castaic rupture and posed no immediate threat.

LNG Canada Gas Intake Remains Erratic on Power Outage and Train 1 Restart | RBN Energy - Gas intake to the LNG Canada liquefaction site in Kitimat, BC has been erratic during the month of December. Based on data from RBN’s Canadian NatGas Billboard, gas intake is estimated to have dropped to zero (blue square in chart below) between December 14-16 and December 21-22 after, respectively, a third-party power outage on December 12 and another restart of Train 1 that began on December 19 and is scheduled to last two weeks. Owing to the limited nature of data disclosure, only partial pipeline flow data is available for LNG Canada’s gas intake making the above zero flow estimates conjectural in nature. However, gas flow has likely been very limited or zero at times this month as a single LNG tanker, the Diamond Gas Victoria, has been continuously docked at the LNG Canada site since December 12, according to Bloomberg ship tracking data. This marks the longest — two weeks — that any LNG tanker has been tied up in Kitimat, with the ship still on site as of December 26. It remains unclear if the tanker has yet loaded any LNG. Bloomberg’s tracking data reveals that an additional eight LNG tankers remain in the waters of northern BC awaiting instructions that might send them to Kitimat. Aside from the unplanned third-party power outage, it is uncertain if there have been technical issues with the two mega-trains at LNG Canada, each the second largest in the world after those installed at QatarEnergy, which have prevented consistent and higher gas intake since beginning commercial operations at the start of July.

Amigo LNG Pushes Toward FID With Waha Seen Below $3 in Early Export Window - The partnership behind the proposed Amigo LNG terminal plans to reach a final investment decision (FID) on the Mexican floating export facility early next year after securing “adequate” offtake agreements, developers told U.S. regulators. (Map showing the proposed Amigo LNG export facility on Mexico’s Pacific coast near Guaymas, Sonora, highlighting NGI Mexico Gas Price Index locations, major natural gas import and export points, operational and proposed pipelines, and connections to U.S. gas supply via the Waha Hub in West Texas.) At A Glance:
FID targeted for early 2026
7.8 Mt/y total planned Amigo LNG capacity
Waha averages below $3/MMBtu in 2028

Argentina’s Shale Expansion Elevates It Above Colombia in Oil Output Rankings - Argentina has surpassed Colombia to become South America’s fourth-largest oil producer, underpinned by a sustained surge in unconventional hydrocarbon development centered on the Vaca Muerta shale. Since the 2012 nationalization of YPF, Buenos Aires has pursued aggressive investment and drilling programs that have steadily lifted both oil and gas output to repeated record highs, positioning Argentina as a growing player in the global supply landscape and a potential influence on benchmark prices such as Oil – Brent Crude, Oil – US Crude, and Natural Gas. The expansion of shale production adds incremental barrels and cubic feet to international markets at a time when investors are closely monitoring non-OPEC supply growth, fiscal reforms in Argentina, and infrastructure constraints that could affect export capacity and future price dynamics. Over the past month, prices for major energy benchmarks have softened: US crude futures (CM:CL) are down about 2.2%, Brent crude (CM:BZ) has slipped roughly 2.9%, and US natural gas (CM:NG) has fallen about 10.6%, reflecting a mix of macroeconomic concerns, seasonal demand patterns, and robust non-OPEC output that include emerging shale regions like Argentina. From a short-term trading perspective, 1-day technical indicators show a Hold signal for US crude, suggesting a neutral stance amid recent consolidation, while Brent crude is flashing a Sell signal, pointing to lingering downside pressure. In contrast, US natural gas currently carries a Strong Buy signal despite its recent decline, indicating that some technical models anticipate a potential rebound or at least a short-term retracement.

U.S. LNG Strengthens Grip on Europe as Equinor Delays Project to Extend Hammerfest Exports - Equinor ASA has delayed a project to extend the life of the Hammerfest LNG export plant in Norway and cut its emissions as the work has become more complicated than previously anticipated and the project’s costs have ballooned. At A Glance:

• Facility is Europe’s largest LNG plant
• Project costs increase to nearly $2B
• Work to maintain feed gas delayed by one year

Frigid Temperatures, Henry Hub Surge Lift TTF to One-Month High -- European natural gas prices hit their highest point in a month on Monday as cold weather descended on parts of the continent. European Union gas storage chart showing 728.19 TWh of gas in storage as of Dec. 27, 2025, equal to 63.7% full, with inventories 132.6 TWh below last year and 116.0 TWh below the five-year average, alongside historical storage trends and percent-full levels. At A Glance:
TTF trades at nearly $10.00
TTF, JKM still within narrow range
U.S. natural gas prices expected to weaken

Global Natural Gas Prices Fizzle as More LNG Hits the Market, Demand Softens -A look at the global natural gas and LNG markets by the numbers. North America LNG export flow tracker showing U.S. LNG export volumes rising to about 19 million Dth on Dec. 29, 2025, with daily flows from Corpus Christi, Sabine Pass, Cameron, Calcasieu Pass, Plaquemines, and other LNG terminals, based on NGI data as of Dec. 31, 2025.

• $9.66/MMBtu: Global benchmark natural gas prices are ending the year at levels last seen before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. As seasonal temperatures turn toward the milder side in Europe, the February Title Transfer Facility contract sank to around $9.66 by mid-week. This is despite European Union gas storage levels falling below the five-year average for most of December. Increasing LNG output, particularly from the United States, has eased the market’s concerns over supplies. East Asia has maintained the price premium, but it has declined to similar levels as demand softens among leading buyers in Japan and South Korea.
• 19 Bcf/d: Pipeline nominations to U.S. LNG terminals have held steady near 19 Bcf/d for most of the week, helping to lift Henry Hub near the $4 mark. LNG feed gas nominations have previously hit 19 Bcf/d during the month as projects continue to reach advanced commissioning stages, but pushed to new highs consistently since the Christmas holiday. Nominations have been driven by Plaquemines LNG pulling above operational capacity and an uptick at Sabine Pass LNG.
• 460 Bcf/y: ST LNG LLC has asked the U.S. Department of Energy to approve exports for a proposed 8.4 Mt/y capacity project offshore the Texas coast. Project partners requested approval of 460 Bcf/y in LNG exports from the Matagorda, TX site through 2050. The project is outlined to utilize up to four floating LNG units combined with a floating storage unit, anchored equipment and a three-mile lateral pipeline to connect to existing offshore infrastructure. The terminal would be supplied feed gas by the Katy and Tres Palacios supply hubs. First LNG production is targeted to begin in 2029, if approved.

ICE to Extend TTF Trading Hours as Europe Continues to Drive Global Natural Gas Market - Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE) again reported record trading across its global natural gas markets and is preparing to expand trading hours for European benchmark Title Transfer Facility (TTF) futures and options as liquidity continues to grow.Chart titled “Global Futures Settles Through 2029” showing Henry Hub, JPN/KOR (JKM) and TTF natural gas futures prices from 2026–2029. Henry Hub averages near $3.66/MMBtu on a 12-month strip as of Dec. 24, 2025, while JKM and TTF trade near $9.69/MMBtu and $9.48/MMBtu, respectively, with forward curves extending through CY2029. At A Glance:
ICE eyeing 22-hour TTF trading schedule
TTF trading surpasses 100 million contracts
JKM trading also set new record this year

Russian Gas Exports to Europe Fall 44 Percent in 2025 | Ukraine news - #Mezha -In 2025, exports of Russian pipeline gas to Europe fell by 44% and stood at about 18 billion cubic meters, the lowest figure in the last half-century. This trend indicates substantial depletion of traditional supply routes and Europe’s shift to a different import scheme. For historical reference: in 1973 the Soviet Union delivered 6.8 billion cubic meters of gas, and in 1975 – 19.3 billion cubic meters. The export peak occurred in 2018–2019: volumes exceeded 175–180 billion cubic meters per year and brought tens of billions of dollars. The decline is linked to the termination of the transit agreement through Ukraine and the overall decrease in energy imports from Russia to the EU. Currently the only transit route for exports of Russian gas to Europe remains the Turkish Stream, through which gas is also supplied to Serbia, Hungary, and Slovakia. Additionally, Russia supplies liquefied natural gas by tankers and remains one of the EU’s major LNG suppliers after the United States. Such developments

Global 2025 LNG Exports Saw Biggest Jump in Three Years - Takeaways by Bloomberg AI:

• Global exports of liquefied natural gas in 2025 likely saw the biggest jump in three years, as new supply came online in North America.
• The US is poised to cement its role as a major exporter, becoming the first ever to ship out more than 100 million tons of LNG this year.
• Globally, trading volumes of LNG are expected to continue growing 7.5% to 8% next year, driven by a wave of new supply and lower prices that should stimulate demand.

Global exports of liquefied natural gas in 2025 likely saw the biggest jump in three years, as new supply came online in North America.Exports are estimated to have risen 4% from last year to 429 million tons, according to Kpler, which tracks shipping data. That’d be the largest annual increase since 2022, when exports climbed 4.5% from the year before, the data showed. The rise was largely driven by projects like LNG Canada and Plaquemines in the US ramping up output. The US is poised to cement its role as a major exporter, becoming the first ever to ship out more than 100 million tons of LNG this year. The nation is expected to continue adding supply, doubling output by the end of the decade and boosting exports in turnThat will likely drag Asian and European gas prices lower. Already, Asian prices are near the lowest in a year, while European futures have fallen more than 40% from the start of the year.The additional output could also further tighten demand for vessels transporting the super-chilled fuel. Last month, the cost of sending LNG across the Atlantic Ocean reached the highest in almost two years as a surge in supply boosted demand for tankers.December’s exports figures are likely to hit a record of about 41 million tons, according to Kpler. China and Japan remain the world’s biggest buyers, tied for first place this year, though total Chinese imports this year are about 15% lower than 2024, the data showed.Egypt’s inbound shipments continued to grow after the country became a net importer last year. The nation likely bought about 8.9 million tons of LNG this year, up more than three times from last year.Globally, trading volumes of LNG are expected to continue growing 7.5% to 8% next year, driven by a wave of new supply and lower prices that should stimulate demand, Bloomberg Intelligence said in a note.

Israel Eyes Gas Pipeline to Cyprus for Global LNG Exports -A trilateral summit in Jerusalem this week between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus has advanced strategic ties amid shared regional challenges, including tensions with Turkey, while yielding key economic breakthroughs in energy cooperation.One major development: Plans to link Israel's offshore gas fields—Leviathan, Tamar, and Karish-Tanin—to new LNG facilities in Cyprus for worldwide export via tanker ships. Officials from Israel and Greece, speaking to Globes, revealed that anticipated revenues could attract private investment for the short pipeline, sparing governments from direct funding. Unlike current exports to Jordan (via the Fajr pipeline) and Egypt (direct line), which serve local needs, Cyprus-bound gas targets global markets. Egypt, facing a production shortfall of 25 BCM annually against 70 BCM consumption, imports heavily from Israel—rising from 2.2 BCM in 2020 to 10 BCM in 2024—despite economic strains and a $35 billion deal for 130 BCM from Leviathan partners. Last year, Israel exported 13.2 BCM while producing 13.9 BCM domestically, a sharp increase from 2020's 4.3 BCM exports.Energy Minister Eli Cohen has explored options like onshore or floating LNG units to diversify exports. In parallel, construction on the Israel-Cyprus electricity interconnector—linking to the EU grid—begins soon.The Cypriot government affirmed commitment to joint projects in gas, power links, and renewables, "based on international law and respect for all countries' rights to their exclusive economic zones and continental shelves."This veiled reference targets Turkey, which disputes maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean, rejecting UN conventions on continental shelves and viewing islands like Cyprus as extensions of the mainland—limiting them to 6 nautical miles of territorial waters. Turkey's 1974 invasion and support for the unrecognized Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus further complicate claims, including potential economic zones. The pipeline could exacerbate Turkish ire, especially after Ankara's opposition to the Cyprus-Lebanon maritime deal and talks for a Turkish-Syrian border agreement under Erdogan's influence, potentially encroaching on Cypriot zones key to the project.

How Could Australia’s Natural Gas Reserve Policy Impact U.S. LNG, Global Markets? -Australia’s ruling Labor Government has outlined plans for a long-anticipated policy that would require some of the Pacific’s largest LNG exporters to reserve supplies for the domestic market. (Map of Australia showing major natural gas liquefaction facilities and LNG market hubs, including Gorgon, Wheatstone, Pluto, Prelude, Ichthys near Darwin, and Queensland LNG projects at Gladstone and Wallumbilla. Source: Energy Information Administration.) At A Glance:
Aussie exporters could reserve 15–25% of production
JKM spot volatility, flexibility impacts expected
Asian demand could support U.S. LNG prices

Venezuela reduces oil production by 15% after the American blockade Venezuela has begun closing heavy crude oil wells in the Orinoco Belt, as a result of the American blockade that has led to a reduction in shipments and a flooding of storage spaces, according to sources familiar with the plans of the state oil company PDVSA speaking to Bloomberg. The company started disabling production wells two days ago, following a decision made on December 23, as part of efforts to cut production in response to restrictions on its exports. According to the sources, Venezuela aims to reduce its oil production by about 15% of total production, which is approximately 1.1 million barrels per day, by cutting production in the Orinoco Belt by 25% to about 500,000 barrels per day. The Orinoco wells and the Junin area will be the first areas to close, followed by some wells in Ayacucho and Carabobo, with a focus on heavy crude oil which is difficult to export due to the sanctions. The American blockade disrupts trade routes for shipments of crude oil aboard ships affected by the sanctions, which increases storage surplus and inventories in Venezuela. Additionally, shipments of naphtha are under scrutiny, limiting PDVSA's ability to process heavy oil for export via pipelines. At the same time, the American company Chevron continues to ship Venezuelan crude oil to the United States under a special license, as production is sent to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast equipped to process heavy sour oil, a globally limited sector. These supplies remain important for complex refineries, especially as sanctions restrict other similar supplies from various producers. Data indicates that the Trump administration focused on enforcing existing sanctions and preventing unauthorized exports, without announcing new sanctions, which has kept Chevron's license intact as illegal oil export paths continue to narrow. Through the reduction of heavy oil production, Venezuela seeks to adapt to the American blockade and the saturation of its storage, reflecting the impact of sanctions on the stability of global oil exports. Chevron’s continued supply of Venezuelan oil highlights the country's production importance in meeting the demand for complex heavy oil, amidst ongoing geopolitical pressures on energy markets.

Storm Halts Oil Transshipment at CPC Marine Terminal - Severe weather conditions have temporarily disrupted operations at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) Marine Terminal in the Black Sea. On December 29, 2025, the Consortium suspended oil transshipment due to adverse weather and active storm warnings, The Caspian Post reports via CPC. Oil acceptance was also halted the same day because storage facilities reached capacity. CPC said all shippers were notified in a timely manner. The Consortium stressed that the decision reflects its strict commitment to environmental protection and industrial safety, prioritizing the prevention of oil spill incidents during marine terminal operations. CPC noted that shipment regularity has also been affected by earlier damage to Single Point Mooring (SPM-2) caused by an unmanned boat attack, as well as ongoing repair at SPM-3, which have been complicated by harsh winter hydrometeorological conditions. The company said information on the resumption of stable pipeline and marine terminal operations and a return to standard oil shipment volumes will be announced later. The CPC Crude Oil Pipeline System is one of the largest energy projects in the CIS. The 1,511-kilometer Tengiz-Novorossiysk pipeline transports more than two-thirds of Kazakhstan’s export oil, along with crude from Russian oil fields, including the Caspian region. The CPC Marine Terminal operates three Single Point Moorings, allowing tankers to load oil safely offshore. CPC shareholders include the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan’s KazMunayGas, and major international energy companies, reflecting the project’s strategic importance for regional and global energy markets.

Oil theft tunnel from refinery line uncovered in Karachi; four arrested - An attempt to steal oil from a major refinery pipeline in Karachi was foiled after law enforcement agencies uncovered a tunnel built for illegal tapping of the line, leading to the arrest of four suspects. According to the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), the suspects had dug a deep tunnel inside a warehouse with the intention of stealing oil from the National Oil Refinery pipeline. Acting on intelligence information, the police conducted a raid and took the suspects into custody before they could carry out the theft. Police officials said the arrested individuals were involved in illegal tapping of the PARCO pipeline and had constructed a tunnel measuring approximately 17 feet in depth and 140 meters in length. The tunnel was reportedly designed to reach the underground pipeline without attracting attention. During the operation, law enforcement officials recovered clips, pipes, and other specialised equipment used for oil theft from the possession of the suspects. Authorities said further investigation is underway to determine whether the accused were part of a larger network involved in fuel theft. Officials recalled that a similar attempt to steal oil from the PARCO pipeline running from Port Qasim to Multan in Karachi had also been foiled earlier, highlighting ongoing efforts by criminal elements to target energy infrastructure. Police said the suspects would be presented before the court after completion of legal formalities, while security around key oil pipelines in the city has been further strengthened.

China's CNOOC Discovers Massive Oilfield in Bohai Sea - CNOOC Ltd, China’s top offshore crude oil and natural gas producer, has announced the discovery of a major new oilfield in the Bohai Sea. The Qinhuangdao 29-6 discovery in the shallow Neogene formations of the Bohai Sea is yet another oilfield estimated to hold more than 100 million tons of crude, or about 730 million barrels, and discovered by CNOOC recently, the company said. Through continued exploration, the proved in-place volume of Qinhuangdao 29-6 Oilfield has exceeded 100 million tons of oil equivalent. The oil property of the major new discovery is medium-heavy crude, the Chinese major added. The Qinhuangdao 29-6 Oilfield is the second one-hundred-million-ton-class lithological oilfield discovered in the mature exploration area of the Shijiutuo Uplift, CNOOC said. This further highlights the value of exploration and consolidates the resource base for increasing CNOOC’s reserves and production, according to the company. In the middle of 2025, CNOOC launched production of heavy crude from its Kenli 10-2 Oilfields Development Project, which is the largest shallow lithological oilfield offshore China. The project in the southern Bohai Sea will see 79 development wells commissioned, including 33 cold recovery wells, 24 thermal recovery wells, 21 water injection wells, and 1 water source well. CNOOC expects the project to achieve peak production of about 19,400 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) in 2026.

Why China Is Driving Short-Term Oil Prices But OPEC Still Holds The Lever - For most of the past decade, oil markets have treated decisions by OPEC as the primary signal for price direction. That hierarchy is being tested, but not overturned. What has changed is where traders look for short-term cues. Increasingly, those cues are coming from China, not because Beijing controls supply, but because its buying behavior now dominates marginal demand and near-term price discovery. As reported by Reuters, China has overtaken OPEC as the most influential force in oil price formation, driven by the scale and timing of its crude purchases rather than any formal attempt to manage prices. The change shows us how oil markets have become increasingly demand-led, with China sitting right in the center. China is the world’s largest crude importer, but its influence extends beyond just the volumes that make headlines. Refinitiv analysts recently noted that the traditional view of producers like OPEC+ as the primary oil price setters has been “challenged in 2025 by China,” explaining that Beijing’s use of strategic stockpiles to provide a crude price floor and ceiling effectively supplanted producer group direction this year. cite analyst voices added, I can provide additional options. Unlike OECD buyers, China’s oil system blends state-owned majors, independent refiners, and strategic stockpiling entities whose buying behavior is opaque and often poorly reflected in real-time data. Cargoes can move into commercial storage, strategic reserves, or floating storage with limited visibility. That uncertainty itself has become a market variable. When Chinese buying accelerates, prices tend to firm even if global supply remains healthy. When imports slow, prices drop even with OPEC output restraint. Over the past two years, this pattern has repeated enough times that traders now treat Chinese import momentum as a more immediate price driver than OPEC production targets, many of which are either anticipated or only partially implemented. OPEC (and particularly Saudi Arabia) still controls the bulk of global spare capacity. That capacity continues to anchor longer-term expectations. But spare capacity matters less when demand fluctuations dominate short-term pricing. In today’s market, the marginal barrel is shaped more by whether China is actively pulling crude from the market.

Oil Prices Edge Higher As Geopolitical Risks Raise Supply Fears -Global crude oil prices recorded modest gains at the start of the week as traders reacted to heightened geopolitical tensions and lingering uncertainty over global supply conditions. Brent crude hovered near the $61 per barrel mark on Monday, supported by concerns over potential disruptions in key producing regions and cautious optimism surrounding diplomatic efforts to end the Russia–Ukraine conflict. At last check, Brent futures traded at $60.87 per barrel, representing a 0.7 percent increase from Friday’s settlement of $60.43. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude also advanced by around 0.7 percent to $57.27 per barrel, up from $56.86 in the previous session. Market sentiment was influenced in part by comments from US President Donald Trump, who said significant progress had been made toward resolving the Russia–Ukraine war following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy confirmed that discussions had advanced on multiple fronts, revealing that approximately 90 percent of a proposed 20-point peace framework had been agreed. He added that security guarantees between the US and Ukraine were fully settled, while parallel arrangements involving Europe were close to finalisation. Military cooperation, he said, had been completely agreed, with work continuing on an economic recovery and prosperity plan. Despite the diplomatic momentum in Eastern Europe, developments in the Middle East have continued to inject risk into energy markets. Saudi Arabia’s air operations in Yemen and fresh rhetoric from Iran’s leadership have raised concerns about the stability of oil supplies from the region. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said over the weekend that the country is engaged in what he described as a “comprehensive war” involving the United States, Israel and parts of Europe. In comments published on the official website of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Pezeshkian warned that the current conflict is more complex than the Iran–Iraq war of the 1980s. He accused Western nations of backing efforts to undermine Iran’s stability, a statement that further unsettled markets already sensitive to geopolitical risk. However, analysts caution that upside pressure on oil prices may be limited in the medium term. Several international organisations have warned that global oil supply could exceed demand in 2026, driven by rising output from non-OPEC producers and softer consumption growth. Additional data from the United States also pointed to increased production capacity. Oilfield services firm Baker Hughes reported that the US oil rig count rose by three in the latest week, bringing the total to 409 rigs as of December 26. Although this figure remains 74 rigs lower than the same period last year, the uptick suggests continued drilling activity. The rig count is widely viewed as an indicator of near-term US oil output, which could add to global supply levels in the months ahead.

Airstrikes Causing Concerns Over Potential Supply Disruptions - The oil market, which posted an inside trading day on Monday, retraced Friday’s sharp losses amid geopolitical tension in the Middle East, with Saudi airstrikes in Yemen causing concerns over potential supply disruptions and Russian claims that Ukraine launched a drone attack on a Russian presidential residence. Following a meeting between Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, Russia said it was reviewing its position in peace talks as it claimed that Ukraine attacked the Russian presidential residence in northern Russia. The crude market posted a low of $56.91 on the opening but gradually traded higher to $58.30 by mid-day. The market later erased some of its gains and settled in a sideways trading range during the remainder of the session. The February WTI contract settled up $1.34 at $58.08 and the February Brent contract settled up $1.30 at $61.94. The product markets ended the session higher, with the heating oil market settled up 2.05 cents at $2.1275 and the RB market settled up 1.81 cents at $1.7152. Russia and Ukraine on Monday remained far apart on territorial issues that are blocking a peace deal. The Kremlin said Russia’s President Vladimir Putin told U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday that Russia would review its position in peace negotiations after what Moscow said was a Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian presidential residence. Ukraine has dismissed Russia’s accusation that 91 drones attacked Putin’s residence in northern Russia as a lie, and has accused Moscow of attempting to undermine peace talks. Earlier on Monday, Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said that a 20-point peace plan to end Russia’s war should be put to a referendum in Ukraine. He said that a ceasefire of at least 60 days would be necessary to hold such a referendum. He also stated that a draft peace framework to end Russia’s war envisages U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine for 15 years. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that a meeting with Russia would be possible only after U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders agree on a Ukraine-proposed peace framework to end Moscow’s war. On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy were “getting a lot closer, maybe very close” to an agreement to end the war in Ukraine, though both leaders acknowledged that some details, such as the future of Donbas, remain unresolved. President Trump said it will be clear “in a few weeks” whether negotiations to end the war will succeed. He said they were 95% of the way to such an agreement, and that he expected European countries to “take over a big part” of that effort with U.S. backing. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelenskiy said an agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine has been reached. Ukraine’s President said he and U.S. President Donald Trump made significant progress in talks and agreed that U.S. and Ukrainian teams would meet next week to finalize issues aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. Just before Ukraine’s President and his delegation arrived at President Trump’s Florida residence, President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke in a call described as “productive” by the U.S. president and “friendly” by Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov. IIR Energy reported that U.S. oil refiners are expected to shut in about 192,000 bpd of capacity in the week ending January 2nd, cutting available refining capacity by 47,000 bpd. Offline capacity is expected to increase to 625,000 in the week ending January 9th.

Oil settles up over 2% on dented peace hopes in Ukraine, tensions in Yemen (Reuters) - Oil prices settled more than $1 a barrel higher on Monday as Russia accused Ukraine of attacking President Vladimir Putin’s residence, while traders braced for potential supply disruptions in the Middle East due to rising tensions in Yemen. Brent crude futures rose $1.30, or 2.1%, to settle at $61.94 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained $1.34, or 2.4%, to close at $58.08. Russia on Monday accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack on the Russian presidential residence in northern Russia, due to which Moscow now plans to review its position in peace talks. Ukraine dismissed Russian statements about the drone attack and its foreign minister said Moscow was seeking "false justifications" for further strikes against its neighbor. "Unless Russia surprises the world by backing away from previous demands regarding territory and security guarantees, we are looking for the complex to edge higher through the rest of this week and next week," oil trading advisory firm Ritterbusch and Associates said. Prior to the drone attack claims, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had said on Monday that significant progress had been made in talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and agreed that U.S. and Ukrainian teams would meet next week to finalize issues aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. The oil market’s focus has also shifted toward the Middle East, Gelber & Associates said in a note. "Fresh instability, including Saudi air strikes in Yemen, is keeping supply-disruption headlines in play," the energy consultancy said. Yemen’s Saudi-led coalition said any military moves by the main southern separatist group in the eastern province of Hadramout that undermined de-escalation efforts would be countered to protect civilians, the Saudi state news agency reported on Saturday. An escalation of fighting on Thursday killed two people from the separatist group Southern Transitional Council’s Hadhrami Elite Forces in Hadramout, the group said in its statement. Saudi airstrikes followed early on Friday, targeting the STC forces in the area, a source told Reuters. Strong Chinese waterborne crude imports are also helping tighten oil markets, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo. He added that $60 a barrel was the soft floor for Brent, with prices expected to recover slightly in 2026 because non-OPEC+ supply growth is likely to stall in the middle of 2026. Energy investors awaited data on U.S. stockpiles for the week ended December 19. The report, which was expected to be published at 10:30 a.m. ET on Monday, was delayed without assigning a new publication time. An extended Reuters poll showed U.S. crude oil inventories were expected to have fallen in the week ended December 19, while distillate and gasoline inventories were expected to have risen.

Oil Prices Climb as Trump Issues Stark Warning to Iran - Oil prices were holding onto gains early on Tuesday, reversing an earlier dip in Asian trade, as geopolitical risks in Russia and Iran outweighed oversupply concerns in thin semi-holiday trading. Both benchmarks were up by about 0.4%, with WTI Crude at above $58 per barrel and Brent Crude topping $62 a barrel, following renewed geopolitical risk premium, mostly due to comments from U.S. President Donald Trump in the past 24 hours. Following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida, President Trump said the United States had hit a dock on a shore in Venezuela, where alleged drug boats “load up.” “They load the boats up with drugs, so we hit all the boats and now we hit the area…And that is no longer around,” President Trump said. At the same press pool with the Israeli PM, President Trump suggested that the United States could launch new strikes on Iran if the Islamic Republic resumes work on its nuclear weapons program.“I've been reading that they're building up weapons and other things, and if they are, they're not using the sites we obliterated, but possibly different sites,” President Trump said. “We know exactly where they're going, what they're doing, and I hope they're not doing it because we don't want to waste fuel on a B-2,” the U.S. President added, referring to the bomber jet the U.S. used in the previous strikes in June 2025. “It's a 37-hour trip both ways. I don't want to waste a lot of fuel.” Meanwhile, oil prices were also supported byreports that Vladimir Putin told President Trump that Russia would review its position in the U.S.-brokered peace talks to end the war in Ukraine after what Moscow claimed was a drone attack by Ukraine on one of the residences of the Russian president. The Kremlin will continue dialogue with the U.S., but the attack that Russia claims was aimed at the presidential residence would not go “unanswered,” TASS news agency quoted Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov as saying on Tuesday. Russia also weighed in on the U.S.-Iran tensions, urging restraint after President Trump’s hint that the U.S. could strike Iran again if Tehran resumed work on its nuclear weapons program.

Oil Pauses Ahead of OPEC Meeting -Oil steadied as traders weighed geopolitical tensions from Venezuela to Russia and Yemen against concerns about a global glut. West Texas Intermediate futures were little changed to settle near $58 a barrel in quiet trading ahead of New Year’s. The United Arab Emirates said it will withdraw forces from Yemen following a flare-up in tensions with oil-rich ally Saudi Arabia over military operations in the conflict-hit country. At the same time, President Donald Trump’s push for a peace plan in Ukraine faces fresh obstacles after Russia’s Vladimir Putin said he would revise his negotiating position. Moscow’s oil has come under tighter international sanctions in an effort to force an end to the war. Despite those risks, OPEC+ members meeting this weekend are expected to stick with plans to pause further supply hikes amid growing evidence of a global surplus, according to three delegates. Crude remains on course for a steep annual decline on concern production will eclipse demand after OPEC+ ramped up output in a bid to recapture market share. Among signs of abundant supplies, the amount of oil held on idle tankers has been steadily rising, Vortexa Ltd. data show. The supply outlook has been further complicated as the Trump administration presses on with a partial US blockade that has crimped exports from Venezuela. The South American country has started to shut wells and see local storage tanks fill, in a reality check for President Nicolas Maduro, who throughout the blockade has attempted to maintain exports that are at the core of the economy. In the US, crude stockpiles at the key Cushing, Oklahoma, hub saw the biggest weekly build since late October in the period to Dec. 19, according to government figures. On a nationwide basis, holdings of gasoline and distillates also rose. West Texas Intermediate for February delivery edged down 13 cents to settle at $57.95 a barrel in New York. Brent for February settlement, which expires Tuesday, was 2 cents lower to settle at $61.92 a barrel. The more-active March contract fell 16 cents to settle at $61.33 a barrel.

Oil flat as Russia-Ukraine peace hopes fade, Yemen tensions rise (Reuters) - Oil was steady after a choppy session on Tuesday as investors weighed dented hopes of a Russia-Ukraine peace deal and rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East around Yemen. Brent crude futures for February delivery , which expire on Tuesday, settled down 2 cents, or 0.03%, at $61.92 a barrel. S U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude settled down 13 cents, or 0.22%, at $57.95. On Monday, both benchmarks settled more than 2% higher as Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes against Yemen and after Moscow accused Kyiv of targeting a Russian presidential residence, denting hopes of a peace deal. "This latest stumbling block could see a risk premium return to the commodity, keeping prices in no man’s land," said Tudor, Pickering Holt analyst Matt Portillo in a note on Tuesday of the purported attack on Russian President Vladimir Putin's home. Russia has said it will toughen its position in peace talks after accusing Kyiv of attacking the residence, an allegation that Kyiv dismissed as baseless and designed to undermine peace negotiations. "The peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine could be delayed further, which is supportive to prices," said Dennis Kissler, senior vice president of trading at BOK Financial, adding that the actual effect on crude exports remains minimal. The ongoing U.S. blockade of Venezuelan oil and suspension of Caspian CPC Blend exports because of poor weather supported prices on Tuesday, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo. Adding to supply concerns were strikes by a Saudi Arabia-led coalition on what it described as foreign military support to UAE-backed southern separatists in Yemen. Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday that its national security was a red line and backed a call for UAE forces to leave Yemen within 24 hours, shortly after a Saudi-led coalition carried out an airstrike on the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla. The UAE said it was disappointed with Saudi Arabia's statement and surprised by the airstrikes on Mukalla. The UAE's Defence Ministry said later that it has voluntarily ended the mission of its counterterrorism units in Yemen, the only remaining forces it has in the country after ending its military presence in 2019. Traders also watched other Middle East developments after U.S. President Donald Trump said that the United States could support another major strike on Iran were Tehran to resume rebuilding its ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programmes. Despite renewed fears of potential supply disruptions, perceptions of an oversupplied global market remain and could cap prices, analysts say. Prices are likely to trend downwards in the first quarter of 2026 because of a "growing oil glut", said Marex analyst Ed Meir.

Oil Prices Weaken as Oversupply Clouds 2026 Outlook -Crude oil prices edged lower in early Asian trading, underscoring a market that is increasingly unwilling to price in geopolitical risk when the medium-term supply outlook points toward excess barrels. Ongoing instability in the Middle East and the protracted Russia-Ukraine conflict would typically underpin a persistent risk premium, yet recent price action suggests those forces are being offset by structural concerns about global balances. Front-month WTI crude futures slipped 0.1% to $57.87 per barrel, while front-month Brent eased 0.1% to $61.25 per barrel, reflecting a market that is cautious rather than reactive.The restraint in prices highlights how expectations for future supply are shaping near-term trading behavior. The International Energy Agency projects that global oil supply will exceed demand by 3.85 million barrels per day in 2026, a magnitude large enough to cap rallies even when headlines point to potential disruptions. This projection has shifted investor focus away from episodic geopolitical flare-ups toward the durability of the supply overhang, limiting follow-through buying and encouraging sellers to fade strength. As a result, crude is trading with a muted response to risk, signaling that the market views any supply shocks as likely temporary rather than transformative. For investors, the implication is a tighter ceiling on prices despite an unstable geopolitical backdrop. In the base case, crude prices remain range-bound as surplus expectations for 2026 continue to anchor sentiment and suppress risk premiums, keeping upside attempts short-lived. The primary upside risk scenario would emerge if geopolitical escalations translate into sustained and material supply losses that meaningfully narrow the projected surplus, forcing a reassessment of balance assumptions. Investors will next watch for confirmation or revision of global supply and demand forecasts and for evidence that disruptions are either transient or persistent enough to challenge the prevailing oversupply narrative.

Oil Heads For Worst Annual Loss Since COVID As US Crude Production Hits Record High -- Oil futures are gaining in early U.S. trade, but on track to end the year substantially lower. As Dow Jones reports, the unwinding of OPEC+ output cuts, along with higher non-OPEC production, fueled oversupply concerns in 2025, while U.S. sanctions and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Russia-Ukraine and more recently Venezuela led to frequent price spikes. "The crude supply surplus will acquire greater transparency than was the case through most of the fall period as floating storage gradually finds its way into onshore facilities," But away from the geopolitical chaos, domestic supply and production remain key... DOE

• Crude -1.934mm
• Cushing +543k
• Gasoline +5.845mm
• Distillates +4.977mm

Crude stocks fell for the 3rd week in the last 4 while product inventories saw their 8th straight weekly build in a row... The US Crude Oil Total Inventory (excluding Strategic Petroleum Reserve) fell to 422,888 thousand barrels in the week ending Dec. 26, 2025, lowest since Oct. 31, 2025... decoupling from the crude price... US crude production remains near record highs as the rig count has continued to slide all year... Oil headed for its steepest annual loss since the start of the pandemic in 2020, in a year that has been dominated by geopolitical risks and steadily rising supplies across the globe. OPEC+ roiled markets earlier this year by reversing its longstanding policy of defending prices and raised output, seeking to reclaim market share as countries including Brazil and Guyana boosted supply and the US pumped at record levels. The producer group is expected to hold off on output hikes during talks this weekend. A punishing surplus is expected to weigh on prices in 2026 - Global oil markets have been been oversupplied this year.

Oil Prices Enter the New Year Lower on Oversupply Concerns - The oil market posted an outside trading but continued to trade within last Friday’s trading range ahead of the New Year, as the market weighed the expectations of oversupply against the geopolitical risks. The market traded mostly sideways in overnight trading before it breached its previous high as it rallied to a high of $58.55 early in the session. The market, however, gave up its gains and sold off sharply during the remainder of the session as the market’s expectation of an oversupply offset the geopolitical risks. It extended its losses to 75 cents as it posted a low of $57.20 ahead of the close. The February WTI contract settled down 53 cents at $57.42 and ended the year down almost 20%, while, the February Brent contract ended the session down 48 cents at $60.85 and logged an annual decline of about 19%. Meanwhile, the product markets ended lower, with the heating oil market settling down 2.99 cents at $2.1206 and the RB market settling down 1.56 cents at $1.7054. The Omani Foreign Ministry said Oman’s Foreign Minister met his Saudi counterpart in Riyadh on Wednesday to discuss containing an escalation Saudi-UAE tensions over Yemen and finding a political solution to the crisis, after a Saudi-led airstrike on the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla on Tuesday. U.S. special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said President Donald Trump’s advisers held talks on Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and national security advisers from the UK, France and Germany to discuss the next steps in ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Ukraine’s top negotiator Rustem Umerov also participated. Russia’s Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, said its forces were pressing forward in northeastern Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin had ordered expansion of territory Moscow calls a buffer zone there in 2026. The U.S. Treasury Department reported that the U.S. issued new Venezuela-related sanctions on four crude oil tankers and four firms. IIR Energy said U.S. oil refiners are expected to shut in about 192,000 bpd of capacity in the week ending January 2nd, cutting available refining capacity by 47,000 bpd. Offline capacity is expected to increase to 625,000 bpd in the week ending January 9th. The EIA reported that U.S. oil production reached a record high in October. U.S. oil output increased by 31,000 bpd to 13.87 million bpd. Oil output in New Mexico increased by 31,000 bpd to a record 2.38 million bpd, while output from the federal offshore gulf region increased by 46,000 bpd to 2 million bpd in October, the highest level since August 2019. Texas oil production meanwhile fell 45,000 bpd to 5.8 million bpd. Product supplied increased by 158,000 bpd to 9 million bpd in October.

Oil prices log steepest annual drop since 2020 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Wednesday and recorded an annual loss of nearly 20%, as expectations of oversupply increased in a year marked by wars, higher tariffs, increased OPEC+ output and sanctions on Russia, Iran and Venezuela. Brent crude futures shed about 19% in 2025, the most substantial annual percentage decline since 2020 and its third straight year of losses, the longest such streak on record. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude logged an annual decline of almost 20%. On the last day of the year, Brent futures settled at $60.85 a barrel, down 48 cents, or 0.8%. U.S. WTI crude fell by 53 cents, or 0.9%, to settle at $57.42 a barrel. BNP Paribas commodities analyst Jason Ying anticipates Brent will dip to $55 a barrel in the first quarter before recovering to $60 a barrel for the rest of 2026 as supply growth normalises and demand stays flat. "The reason why we're more bearish than the market in the near term is that we think that U.S. shale producers were able to hedge at high levels," he said. "So the supply from shale producers will be more consistent and insensitive to price movements." U.S. crude stocks fell last week, but distillate and gasoline inventories grew more than expected, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. “It was a modestly supportive report on crude drawdown, but the inners of the report are not so great and it will probably be a rough January and February with the holidays in the rearview mirror," Crude inventories fell by 1.9 million barrels to 422.9 million barrels in the week ended December 26, the EIA said, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for an 867,000-barrel draw. U.S. gasoline stocks rose by 5.8 million barrels in the week to 234.3 million barrels, the EIA said, compared with analysts' expectations for a 1.9 million-barrel build.​ Distillate stockpiles, including diesel and heating oil, rose by 5 million barrels to 123.7 million barrels, versus projections of a 2.2 million-barrel rise. Oil production in the U.S. hit a record in October, according to the latest data from the EIA. Oil markets had a strong start to 2025 when former President Joe Biden ended his term by imposing tougher sanctions on Russia, disrupting supplies to major buyers China and India. The impact of the war in Ukraine on energy markets intensified when Ukrainian drones damaged Russian infrastructure and disrupted Kazakhstan's oil exports. The 12-day Iran-Israel conflict in June added to the threats to supply by disrupting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global seaborne oil, which fanned oil prices. In recent weeks, OPEC's biggest producers, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have become locked in a crisis over Yemen. U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered a blockade on Venezuelan oil exports and threatened another strike on Iran. But prices eased after OPEC+ accelerated its output increases this year and as concerns about the impact of U.S. tariffs weighed on global economic and fuel demand growth. Key events driving Brent crude oil prices in 2025 OPEC+, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allied producing nations, paused oil output hikes for the first quarter of 2026 after releasing some 2.9 million barrels per day into the market since April. The next OPEC+ meeting is on January 4. Most analysts expect supply to exceed demand next year, with estimates ranging from the International Energy Agency's 3.84 million barrels per day to Goldman Sachs' 2 million bpd. "If the price really has a substantial fall, I would imagine you will see some cuts (from OPEC+)," said Martijn Rats, Morgan Stanley's global oil strategist. "But it probably does need to fall quite a bit further from here on - maybe in the low $50s." "If today's price simply prevails, after the pause in Q1, they'll probably continue to unwind these cuts." John Driscoll, managing director of consultancy JTD Energy, expects geopolitical risks to support oil prices even though market fundamentals point to oversupply. "Everybody's saying it'll get weaker into 2026 and even beyond," he said. "But I wouldn't ignore the geopolitics, and the Trump factor is going to be playing out because he wants to be involved in everything."

Oil Steadies after Biggest Annual Loss Since 2020- Oil prices steadied on the first day of trade in 2026 after registering their biggest annual loss since 2020 as investors weighed oversupply concerns against geopolitical risks including the war in Ukraine and Venezuela exports. Brent crude futures dropped 4 cents on Friday to $60.81 a barrel by 1029 GMT while US West Texas Intermediate crude was down 3 cents at $57.39, said Reuters. Russia and Ukraine traded allegations of attacks on civilians on ‌New Year's Day ‌despite talks overseen by US President Donald ‌Trump ⁠that are ‌aimed at bringing an end to the nearly four-year-old war. Kyiv has been intensifying strikes against Russian energy infrastructure in recent months, aiming to cut off Moscow's sources of financing for its military campaign in Ukraine. Elsewhere, the Trump administration's efforts to increase pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro continued with Wednesday's imposition of sanctions on four companies and associated oil ⁠tankers that it said were operating in Venezuela’s oil sector. Traders widely expect OPEC+ to continue its pause on output increases in the first quarter, said Sparta Commodities analyst June Goh. "2026 will be an important year on assessing OPEC+ decisions for balancing supply," ⁠she said, adding that China would continue to build crude stockpiles in the first half, providing a floor for oil prices. The Brent and WTI benchmarks recorded annual losses of nearly 20% in 2025, the steepest since 2020, as concerns about oversupply and tariffs outweighed geopolitical risks. It was the third straight year of losses for Brent, the longest such streak on record. "As of now, we are expecting a fairly boring year for (Brent) oil prices, range-bound around $60-65 a barrel," said DBS energy analyst Suvro Sarkar. Phillip Nova analyst Priyanka Sachdeva said ‌the muted price movement reflected a struggle between short-term geopolitical risks and longer-term market fundamentals that point towards oversupply.

Crude Oil Futures: Crude Oil Prices Plunge Amid Oversupply and Tariff Concerns --Crude oil fell ₹23 to ₹5,200 rupee per barrel in the futures trade on Friday, amid weak global trends as oversupply concerns weighed on prices. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil futures for January delivery slipped by ₹23, or 0.44 per cent, to 5,200 rupee per barrel in a business turnover of 18,114 lots. The February contract dipped by ₹22, or 0.42 per cent, to ₹5,210 per barrel in 2,222 lots. According to Axis Securities, crude oil prices are trading lower by close to 1 per cent, marking its worst annual decline since 2020, with prices down by 20 per cent last year. "Oversupply concerns and tariff-related uncertainties weighed on the market. Geopolitical tension and demand-side challenges are likely to keep crude prices range-bound for a few months in 2026," the brokerage firm said in a note. In the international market, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures for February delivery fell 0.16 per cent to $57.33 per barrel while Brent Crude for March contract was trading 0.25 per cent lower at $60.70 per barrel in New York. "Crude prices are continuing to be weak in-spite of sanctions on Russia and Iran and blockade on Venezuelan crude. A large volume of Russian crude was reportedly floating off the coast of China in oil tankers amid a lack of buyers,"

Oil prices settle lower after biggest annual loss since 2020 (Reuters) - Oil prices settled lower on Friday on the first trading day of 2026 after registering their biggest annual loss since 2020, as investors weighed oversupply concerns against geopolitical risks, including the war in Ukraine and Venezuela exports. Brent crude futures closed down 10 cents to $60.75 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude eased 10 cents to $57.32. Russia and Ukraine traded allegations of attacks on civilians on New Year's Day despite talks overseen by U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at ending the nearly four-year-old war. Kyiv has been intensifying strikes against Russian energy infrastructure, aiming to cut off Moscow's sources of financing for its military campaign. The Trump administration ratcheted up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday, imposing sanctions on four companies and associated oil tankers it said were operating in Venezuela’s oil sector. Maduro said in a New Year's interview that his country is willing to receive U.S. investment in its oil sector, coordinate in the fight against drug trafficking and hold serious talks with the United States. Trump also threatened to aid protesters in Iran if security forces fire on them, days into unrest that has left and posed the biggest internal threat in years to Iranian authorities. "Despite all these geopolitical concerns, the oil market seems unmoved. Oil prices are locked in this long-term trading range, and there’s a sense that the market is going to be well supplied no matter what happens," said Phil Flynn, senior analyst with the Price Futures Group. In the Middle East, a crisis between OPEC producers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over Yemen has deepened after flights were halted at Aden's airport on Thursday. OPEC+, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allied producers, is due to meet on Sunday. Traders widely expect the group to continue pausing output increases in the first quarter, said Sparta Commodities analyst June Goh. "2026 will be an important year on assessing OPEC+ decisions for balancing supply," she said, adding that China would continue to build crude stockpiles in the first half, providing a floor for oil prices. The Brent and WTI benchmarks each lost nearly 20% in 2025, the steepest since 2020. It was the third straight year of losses for Brent, the longest streak on record. Phillip Nova analyst Priyanka Sachdeva said the muted price movement reflected a struggle between short-term geopolitical risks and longer-term market fundamentals that point towards oversupply.

Saudi Arabia bombs Yemen port city over weapons shipment from UAE for separatists -- (AP) — Saudi Arabia bombed Yemen’s port city of Mukalla on Tuesday after a weapons shipment from the United Arab Emirates arrived for separatist forces in the war-torn country, and warned that it viewed Emirati actions as “extremely dangerous.” The bombing followed tensions over the advance of Emirates-backed separatist forces known as the Southern Transitional Council. The council and its allies issued a statement supporting the UAE’s presence, even as others allied with Saudi Arabia demanded that Emirati forces withdraw from Yemen in 24 hours’ time. The UAE called for “restraint and wisdom” and disputed Riyadh’s allegations. But shortly after that, it said it would withdraw its remaining troops in Yemen. It remained unclear whether the separatists it backs will give up the territory they recently took. The confrontation threatened to open a new front in Yemen’s decade-long war, with forces allied against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels possibly turning their sights on each other in the Arab world’s poorest nation. It also further strained ties between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, neighbors on the Arabian Peninsula that increasingly have competed over economic issues and regional politics, particularly in the Red Sea area. Tuesday’s airstrikes and ultimatum appeared to be their most serious confrontation in decades. “I expect a calibrated escalation from both sides. The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council is likely to respond by consolidating control,” said Mohammed al-Basha, a Yemen expert and founder of the Basha Report, a risk advisory firm. “At the same time, the flow of weapons from the UAE to the STC is set to be curtailed following the port attack, particularly as Saudi Arabia controls the airspace.”

Saudi Arabia Bombs Yemeni Port, Claims Attack Targeted Weapons Bound for UAE-Backed Forces -Saudi Arabia on Tuesday bombed the southern Yemeni port city of Mukalla, claiming to target a weapons shipment bound for the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC), which has taken territory from Saudi-backed forces in recent weeks. It’s unclear at this point if there were any casualties in the strikes.Riyadh said it targeted an arms shipment after ships from the UAE arrived at the port. “The ships’ crew had disabled tracking devices aboard the vessels, and unloaded a large amount of weapons and combat vehicles in support of the Southern Transitional Council’s forces,” the Saudi military said in a statement, according to The Associated Press.“Considering that the aforementioned weapons constitute an imminent threat, and an escalation that threatens peace and stability, the Coalition Air Force has conducted this morning a limited airstrike that targeted weapons and military vehicles offloaded from the two vessels in Mukalla,” the statement added.The UAE’s Foreign Ministry denied the Saudi claims but said that it had shipped vehicles to its own forces in Yemen and that Riyadh was aware of the shipment. “The ministry confirms that the shipment concerned did not include any weapons, and that the vehicles unloaded were not intended for any Yemeni party, but were shipped for use by UAE forces operating in Yemen,” the ministry said.The UAE’s Defense Ministry later announced that it was pulling troops out of Yemen. “The Ministry of Defense announces the termination of the remaining counterterrorism teams in Yemen,” the ministry said, according to The Cradle, adding that the move came “of its own volition, ensuring the safety of its personnel, and in coordination with relevant partners.”The Saudi strikes demonstrate fractures among the Gulf powers and the anti-Houthi coalition in Yemen, which formed the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) back in 2022 when the Saudis gave up on their goal of re-installing former Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi in Sanaa, which has been under Houthi control since 2014.

Yemen’s separatists announce a constitution for an independent south in escalation of conflict (AP) — Yemen ‘s separatist movement on Friday announced a constitution for an independent nation in the south and demanded other factions in the war-torn country accept the move in an escalation of a confrontation that has pitted Gulf powerhouses Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates against each other. The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council depicted the announcement as a declaration of independence for the south. But it was not immediately clear if the move could be implemented or was largely symbolic. Last month, STC-linked fighters seized control of two southern provinces from Saudi-backed forces and took over the Presidential Palace in the south’s main city, Aden. Members of the internationally recognized government — which had been based in Aden — fled to the Saudi-capital Riyadh. On Friday, Saudi warplanes bombed camps and military positions held by the STC in Hadramout province as Saudi-backed fighters tried to seize the facilities, a separatist official said. It was the latest direct intervention by Saudi Arabia, which in recent weeks has bombed STC forces and struck what is said was a shipment of Emirati weapons destined for the separatists. Ostensibly, Saudi Arabia and the UAE and their allies on the ground in Yemen have all been part of a Saudi-led coalition fighting Iranian-backed Houthi rebels who control the north in the country’s decade-long civil war. The coalition’s professed goal has long been to restore the internationally recognized government, which was driven out of the north by the Houthis. But tensions between the factions and the two Gulf nations appear to be unraveling the coalition, threatening to throw them into outright conflict and further tear apart the Arab world’s poorest country. The head of the STC, Aidarous al-Zubaid, issued a video statement Friday saying that the constitution his group issued would be in effect for two years, after which a a referendum would be held on “exercising the right to self-determination for the people of the South.” During those two years, he said, the “relevant parties” in north and south Yemen should hold a dialogue on “a path and mechanisms that guarantee the right of the people of the South.”

Protests erupt in Iran over currency’s plunge to record low (AP) — Iran’s largest protests in three years erupted Monday after the country’s currency plummeted to a record low against the U.S. dollar, and the head of the Central Bank resigned. State TV reported the resignation of Mohammad Reza Farzin, while traders and shopkeepers rallied in Saadi Street in downtown Tehran as well as in the Shush neighborhood near Tehran’s main Grand Bazaar. Merchants at the market played a crucial role in the 1979 Islamic Revolution that ousted the monarchy and brought Islamists to power. The official IRNA news agency confirmed the protests. Witnesses reported similar rallies in other major cities including Isfahan in central Iran, Shiraz in the south and Mashhad in the northeast. In some places in Tehran, police fired tear gas to disperse protesters. Monday’s protests were the biggest since 2022, when the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Jina Amini in police custody triggered nationwide demonstrations. She was arrested by the country’s morality police for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly. Witnesses told The Associated Press that traders shut their shops Monday and asked others to do the same. The semiofficial ILNA news agency said many businesses stopped trading even though some kept their shops open. On Sunday, protests were limited to two major mobile markets in downtown Tehran, where the demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans. Iran’s rial on Sunday plunged to 1.42 million to the dollar. On Monday, it traded at 1.38 million to the dollar. Reports about Farzin’s possible resignation had been circulating over the past week. When he took office in 2022, the rial was trading at around 430,000 to the dollar. The rapid depreciation is compounding inflationary pressure, pushing up prices of food and other daily necessities and further straining household budgets, a trend that could worsen with a gasoline price change introduced in recent days. According to the state statistics center, the inflation rate in December rose to 42.2% from the same period last year and is 1.8% higher than in November. Food prices rose 72% and health and medical items were up 50% from December last year, according to the statistics center. Many critics see the rate as a sign of approaching hyperinflation.

Iran protests draw swift crackdown as U.S. calls on Tehran to respect "rights of the Iranian people" - CBS News— Iran's prosecutor general said Wednesday that economic protests that have gripped the country were legitimate, but he warned that any attempt to create insecurity would be met with a "decisive response," as the Islamic Republic's rulers tried to clamp down on a fourth day of unrest. "Peaceful livelihood protests are part of social and understandable realities," Mohammad Movahedi-Azad told state media after protests started by shopkeepers in the capital city Tehran, which were joined by students and others in several cities across the country. "Any attempt to turn economic protests into a tool of insecurity, destruction of public property, or implementation of externally designed scenarios will inevitably be met with a legal, proportionate and decisive response," warned Movahedi-Azad. His comments came days after the Mossad intelligence agency of Iran's arch-foe Israel posted on social media that it was "with you on the ground," in a message to Iranian protesters. Posting on its Persian-language X account, the spy agency encouraged Iranians to "go out into the streets together." In a post shared via its own Farsi language account on X, the U.S. State Department said Wednesday that it was "deeply concerned by reports and videos that peaceful protesters in Iran are facing intimidation, violence, and arrests." "Demanding basic rights is not a crime. The Islamic Republic must respect the rights of the Iranian people and end the repression," the U.S. government said in the post. The protests come amid mounting tension between the U.S. and Iran after President Trump said he had heard, after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that Iran could be attempting to rebuild its nuclear program following the unprecedented U.S. strikes on its enrichment facilities in June. Mr. Trump warned that if Iran did try to rebuild, "we'll knock them down. We'll knock the hell out of them. But hopefully that's not happening."On Tuesday, Iran's president said Tehran would respond "to any cruel aggression" with unspecified "harsh and discouraging" measures.The protests, driven by dissatisfaction at Iran's economic stagnation and galloping hyperinflation, began Sunday in Tehran's largest mobile phone market, where shopkeepers shuttered their businesses. They gained momentum through Tuesday, with students at 10 universities in the capital and in other cities, including Iran's most prestigious institutions, joining in.Nevertheless, the protests remain limited in number and concentrated in central Tehran, with shops elsewhere in the sprawling metropolis of 10 million people unaffected. And the government appeared to be cracking down on the unrest, both on the streets with a heavy security presence, and by declaring a last-minute holiday to prompt the closure of schools and businesses. Iran's economy has been in the doldrums for years, with heavy U.S. and international sanctions over Tehran's nuclear program weighing heavily on it. The currency, the rial, has also plunged in recent months, losing more than a third of its value against the U.S. dollar since last year.Videos posted on social media have shown crowds chanting anti-government slogans as they marched through the streets, while others show security forces using tear gas and purportedly live ammunition. CBS News has not been able to independently verify the video clips posted online, some of which show heavily armed security forces appearing to detain multiple people, including students, and others in which apparent gunfire can be heard.

Most of Iran Shuts Down as Government Grapples With Protests and Economy - The New York Times --Businesses, universities and government offices stayed closed on Wednesday across most of Iran under a government-ordered shutdown, as the president struggled to address public frustration that has fueled mounting protests over the faltering economy and the government. The one-day shutdown in 21 of Iran’s 31 provinces, including Tehran, the capital, came as President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday appointed a new central bank chief, the former economy minister Abdolnaser Hemmati. The president acknowledged that it was an “extremely difficult and complex” role that would subject the new bank head to intense pressure and criticism, according to state news media. Iran’s inflation rate has spiked, driving frustrated merchants to the streets in Tehran and other cities, and prompting the abrupt resignation of the former central bank head, Mohammad Reza Farzin, on Monday. The disruptions caused by the days of protests came as footage circulating on social media on Wednesday and verified by The New York Times showed demonstrators throwing objects at the gates of a government building complex in Fasa, in south-central Iran, and then shaking them until they opened. The protests have spread and drawn in demonstrators from across sectors and society, with the demonstrators increasingly also expressing frustration and anger at the regime over not only the economy but severe water shortages and more. “Death to the dictator,” protesters shouted at a demonstration in Hamedan in west-central Iran, according to a video posted by BBC Persian. Iran’s prosecutor general, Mohammad Movahedi-Azad, said on Wednesday that “peaceful livelihood protests” stem from “social and understandable realities,” but he warned that any attempt to use the economic protests to undermine security, destroy public property, or implement “externally designed scenarios” would be met with “a legal, proportionate and decisive response.” Mr. Hemmati, the new central bank chief, outlined his priorities on Wednesday, saying the three main pillars of his agenda are curbing inflation, controlling the exchange rate by addressing corruption and other issues linked to the currency system, and shoring up Iran’s banks. Iran has experienced waves of mass protests in recent years fueled by economic difficulties, restrictions on women and water issues. The government has often quashed the demonstrations with deadly violence and arrests. Whether the steps the government has pledged to take, including discussions with demonstrators, can quell the unrest without similar brutality remains unclear.

Iran protests escalate with deadly police clashes -- - The widening protests in Iran over the country’s worsening economy escalated Thursday, with demonstrators clashing with police in multiple provinces, leaving several people dead. At least three protesters were killed and 17 others wounded during an attack on a police station in Iran’s western province of Lorestan, the semiofficial Fars News Agency reported. The clashes between activists and security forces have intensified since the protests kicked off over the weekend, triggered by degrading economic hardships, currency devaluation and poor living conditions. The recent demonstrations are the biggest in Iran since three years ago, when a country-wide uprising flared up over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody. Amini was arrested for allegedly improperly wearing her headscarf. One member of the Basij paramilitary force, one that is often deployed by the Tehran regime to suppress protests, was killed Wednesday and at least 13 other people were injured in Kuhdasht, a city in Lorestan province, state-linked news media reported. The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights said Thursday that Iran’s authorities have detained at least 29 demonstrators so far across the country. “The people of Iran want freedom. They have suffered at the hands of the Ayatollahs for too long,” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Monday on social platform X. “We stand with Iranians in the streets of Tehran and across the country as they protest a radical regime that has brought them nothing but economic downturn and war.”

Nationwide Shutdown, Rising Protests and a Leadership Reshuffle Deepen Iran’s Crisis as Oil Falls 20% - Iran is experiencing a countrywide shutdown triggered by intensifying protests and a deepening political and economic crisis. This government-ordered shutdown has impacted businesses, educational institutions, and government offices spanning 21 provinces. The escalating protests have led to violent confrontations, resulting in the death of a member of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. This incident, marking the first fatality among security forces during these protests, took place in Kouhdasht, a city in Iran's Lorestan province. Video evidence shared by the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) depicts severe clashes between protesters and security forces across various cities.Protesters were seen chanting slogans against the regime and facing off with security forces in crowded streets.As per the report by the Fox News, the shutdown, affecting two-thirds of Iran's provinces, comes at a time when President Masoud Pezeshkian is dealing with escalating public discontent driven by inflation, unstable currency, and falling living standards.This turmoil coincides with a series of significant leadership changes, further adding to the prevailing uncertainty.Despite oil prices posting one of their steepest annual declines since 2020, Iran's ongoing protests and internal unrest remain an underappreciated geopolitical risk for global energy markets.In 2025, crude prices slid nearly 20% as oversupply fears dominated sentiment—driven by higher OPEC+ output, flat demand growth, and persistent sanctions on major producers including Iran, Russia, and Venezuela. Brent crude settled the year around $60.85 a barrel, while U.S. WTI closed near $57.42, reflecting a market that has largely priced in weak fundamentals rather than geopolitical disruption.However, Iran's current crisis introduces a layer of uncertainty that could quickly alter this balance. As a key oil producer operating under sanctions, any escalation in protests that disrupts production, export logistics, or regional stability—particularly around the Strait of Hormuz—could inject a fresh geopolitical risk premium into prices.Even limited supply interruptions or heightened shipping risks may tighten markets in the short term, countering the prevailing oversupply narrative.While analysts such as BNP Paribas expect Brent to dip toward $55 in early 2026 before stabilising near $60 as supply growth normalises, Iran's domestic instability could cap downside risks. If unrest intensifies or spills over into broader regional tensions, oil markets may see sharper price volatility than fundamentals alone would suggest.While 2025 has been defined by surplus and soft demand, Iran's internal turmoil remains a potential catalyst capable of reshaping oil price trajectories at a time when markets appear complacent about geopolitical risk.

Russia 'Confidently Advancing' In Ukraine, Over 30 Settlements Captured In December: Putin - Russian President Vladimir Putin has made clear to both his citizens and to the world that the 'special military operation' in Ukraine will continue on until all goals are achieved, and that his forces are advancing 'confidently'. He chaired a televised meeting with the country's top military officials, focused on a status update regarding Ukraine, and crucially coming the day after Presidents Trump and Zelensky met in Florida in a failed effort to reach breakthrough on the proposed peace deal. Moscow is pressing ahead with its goal of fully capturing and pacifying the four Ukrainian regions it declared part of the Russian Federation in fall of 2022 via a 'popular referendum'. "The goal of liberating the Donbas, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions is being carried out in stages, in accordance with the plan of the special military operation," Putin described before underscoring, "The troops are confidently advancing." At the meeting it was also announced that Russian troops have made more gains in the last 24 hours, especially the capture of Dibrova village in Donetsk region. According to an update of the meeting via RT translation, battlefield gains of the past month are significant: In December, Russian forces liberated over 700 square kilometers of territory, taking some 32 settlements under control, Gerasimov said at the meeting. This month, the military has shown the highest rate of progress in the entire outgoing year, he noted, adding that troops are advancing “along virtually the entire frontline.” "The adversary is not undertaking any active offensive actions. They have concentrated their main efforts on strengthening their defenses and are attempting to slow the pace of our advance by conducting counterattacks in isolated areas and using drones en masse," Gerasimov said. The Kremlin has at the same time reiterated that it is not interested in a 'Plan B or Plan C' in terms of a peace deal, but that it only seeks lasting political settlement. This will of course include international recognition of its territories in the Donbass.

Zelensky says Putin ‘doesn’t want success for Ukraine,’ contradicting Trump - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian President Vladimir Putin “doesn’t want success for Ukraine,” contradicting an earlier statement from President Trump. “I don’t trust Putin. And he doesn’t want success for Ukraine, really, he doesn’t want — he can say it. I believe that he can say such words to President Trump. I believe in it, that he can say it, but it’s not true,” Zelensky told Fox News’s Bret Baier on “Special Report” in an interview that aired Monday. “Really, he doesn’t want to have — from President Trump — more pressure with sanctions and etcetera.” During a press conference with Zelensky on Sunday after a meeting between the two leaders, Trump was asked by a Reuters reporter about discussion with Putin on the subject of “what responsibility Russia will have for any kind of reconstruction of Ukraine.”” “They’re going to be helping; Russia is going to be helping. Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed,” Trump replied. After Trump made the comments in the press conference, Zelensky appeared briefly puzzled. Throughout his first year back in office, Trump’s administration has pushed for an end to the war in Ukraine to little success. Trump has met with Zelensky multiple times, including one notable February meeting that was rife with public tension.

Medvedev: Zelensky will ‘have to stay in hiding for the rest of his worthless life’ - -A high-ranking Russian official issued a thinly veiled threat against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, doubling down on unsubstantiated accusations that Ukraine tried to target Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence in a drone strike.Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who now sits on Russia’s security council, accused the Ukrainian leader of “trying to derail the settlement of the conflict,” in a post Monday on the social platform X, referring to ongoing peace talks aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine. “He wants war,” Medvedev continued, referring to Zelensky. “Well, now at least he’ll have to stay in hiding for the rest of his worthless life.” Russia has continued bombarding Kyiv with strikes, as U.S.-brokered negotiations have continued, raising questions about whether Moscow wants to derail peace talks. President Trump has said he believes Putin wants to achieve peace, despite the ongoing strikes. Kremlin’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow’s negotiating position to end its war in Ukraine was now under review, after accusing Kyiv of trying to attack the presidential residence in northern Russia with 91 long-range drones overnight. Lavrov said all drones were destroyed by Russian air defenses, with no injuries or damage. Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha said early Tuesday that Russia still has not presented any “plausible evidence” of an attack on Putin’s residence, writing on X, “And they won’t. because there’s none. No such attack happened.”

'Bribes For Votes' Scheme Uncovered In Ukraine Parliament Involves Members Of Zelensky's Party -Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities have announced charges against members of an organized crime group that operated in the Verkhovna Rada. Among the suspects are five members of parliament from Volodymyr Zelensky’s party, reports Do Rzezcy. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) announced that the charges were filed regarding bribes paid for votes in parliament. According to investigators’ findings, MPs were paid to influence decisions made in the legislative chamber in a persistent and well-organized manner. In an official statement posted on Telegram, NABU announced that, in cooperation with SAP, an undercover investigation had identified an organized criminal group that included serving members of Ukraine’s parliament. The investigation’s findings indicate that members of this group accepted illegal benefits in exchange for votes in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The bureau also emphasized that these activities are part of a broader strategy to combat corruption at the highest levels of government. On Saturday, the website Ukrainska Pravda revealed that the suspects are members of parliament from President Volodymyr Zelensky’s party, Servant of the People: Yevhen Pyvarov, Ihor Nehulevsky, Olha Savchenko, and Yuri Kisel. The website also reported the name of Yuri Koryachenkov. According to the investigation’s findings, the group had a hierarchical structure and a clear division of roles. It included current Ukrainian deputies and officials from the Chancellery of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine." "The group’s activities were coordinated by one of the deputies,” the report reads. The Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported that “when organizing the votes, group members sent instructions with the numbers of bills in a specially created WhatsApp group.” “Following the votes, payments were systematically transferred to individual deputies,” the report added. The news comes after the “golden toilet” corruption scandal rocked Ukraine just months ago, and which led to the arrest of top ministers in Zelensky’s government and the arrest of Zelensky’s top aide. In addition, a long-time business associate of Zelensky fled to Israel after receiving a tip-off just hours before a NABU raid on his residence.

Russia Says Ukrainian Drone Attack Killed 27 at Hotel and Cafe in Kherson -Russian officials said on Thursday that 27 people, including two children, were killed in a village in Russian-controlled Kherson when a Ukrainian drone attack hit a hotel and cafe that was full of people celebrating the New Year.According to Russia’s TASS news agency, the attack that hit the village of Khorly on the Black Sea coast involved three “large fixed-wing UAVs capable of carrying up to 15 kilograms of explosives.” The news agency published photos and videos of the aftermath.“Many people were burned alive. A child was killed. In fact, the crime can be compared to what happened in Odessa’s Trade Union House,” said Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-backed governor of Kherson. According to The Associated Press, Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on the attack. Russian officials are vowing retaliation, with former President Dmitry Medvedev, deputy of the Russian Security Council, saying, “Retaliation is inevitable as our army advances.”Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova pointed the finger at Ukraine’s Western backers, saying that “those who sponsor the bastard terrorists in Ukraine” are primarily to blame.“I think every president and prime minister of European Union and NATO countries should get a report this morning – perhaps while having coffee with a croissant, poached eggs, and biscuits topped with jam – that would contain the breaking news we are discussing now, as it is tearing our hearts apart,” Zakharova said.“They need to realize just once deep inside that the billions of dollars and euros they have sent to Kiev are being spent on burning people alive on New Year’s night,” she added.

Israel Bans Dozens of Aid Groups from Operating in Gaza, Including Doctors Without Borders - Starting on January 1, Israel will ban 37 international aid groups and charities from operating in Gaza in its latest effort to add to the misery for the Palestinian civilians living in flimsy tents and bombed-out buildings in the Strip.The groups being banned include several prominent international aid organizations: Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the Catholic charity Caritas, the Norwegian Refugee Council, and Oxfam. The NGOs will also be barred from working in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.Israel will stop the groups from operating in Gaza for failing to comply with its stringent new requirements, which include handing over information about their Palestinian employees. The new Israeli rules also include vague ideological requirements that can disqualify any NGO that “promotes delegitimization campaigns” against Israel, or if it, or any officeholder, has called for a boycott of Israel.An Israeli official claimed, without providing evidence, that an investigation revealed “employees of certain organizations were involved in terrorist activity… in particular, Doctors Without Borders.” The action against MSF is seen in part as an Israeli reaction to the organization’s criticism of Israel’s genocidal campaign in the Strip.In a statement warning of the consequences of banning it from Gaza, MSF said that it has served hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza this year. “If Israeli authorities revoke MSF’s access to Gaza in 2026, a large portion of people in Gaza will lose access to critical medical care, water, and lifesaving support,” the group said. “MSF’s activities serve nearly half a million people in Gaza through our vital support to the destroyed health system. MSF continues to seek constructive engagement with Israeli authorities to continue its activities.”

Israel Bans Aid Groups For The Same Reason It Bans Journalists, And Other Notes - Caitlin Johnstone -- Israel has banned 37 aid groups from working in the Palestinian territories, citing plainly spurious reasons. Among the aid groups banned are Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and Oxfam. Israel banned the aid groups from Gaza for the same reason it continues to ban journalists. Of course it’s about eliminating aid itself, but it’s also about eliminating witnesses. Doctors and aid workers largely became the de facto journalists on the ground in Gaza when Israel banned international news media and began systematically assassinating Gaza-based Palestinian journalists. So Israel wants to get rid of those de facto reporters to hide its crimes.Doctors Without Borders was one of the top humanitarian groups publicly accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza in 2025. A lot of what we learned about the Israeli massacres of starving civilians at “Gaza Humanitarian Fund” sites came from MSF doctors describing the gunshot wounds they’d been seeing at medical facilities. MSF were the first to report the horrifying story of IDF soldiers entering hospitals they’d attacked in Gaza and destroying individual pieces of medical equipment to make them unusable, providing unassailable proof that Israel was actually targeting Gaza’s healthcare system itself rather than “Hamas bases in hospitals” as Israel falsely claimed. Doctors Without Borders were constantly putting out reports condemning Israel’sattacks on medical facilities where it had staff, and its doctors often spoke to the western press about the horrors they’d seen in Gaza.And now they’ve been taken out, one of dozens of aid groups who Israel will no longer allow to operate in the occupied Palestinian territories. They took them out for the same reason they took out the journalists, and for the same reason Israel and its supporters try to stomp out speech that is critical of the Gaza holocaust throughout the western world, and for the same reason witnesses who try to tell law enforcement about the crimes of the Mafia tend to go missing. They want to keep their crimes in the dark.

Israel Becomes First Country To Recognize Somaliland as an Independent Nation - Israel has become the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland, an autonomous region within Somalia’s internationally recognized borders. Somaliland declared independence in 1991 and has operated as a de facto independent state for decades, though it doesn’t control all of the territory it claims. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi on Friday and signed a declaration recognizing the Republic of Somaliland as a “sovereign and independent state.” Earlier this year, Somaliland was named in reports as one of the African governments the US and Israel had contact with about potentially moving Palestinians in Gaza to its territory to achieve Israel’s goal of ethnic cleansing, raising concerns from Arab states that the recognition could be related to Israel’s designs for the Strip. According to The Associated Press, a joint statement from more than 20 mostly Middle Eastern or African countries and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) affirmed “the full rejection of any potential link between such measure and any attempts to forcibly expel the Palestinian people out of their land.”Israel’s recognition of Somaliland could also serve its military interests, including the possibility of using one of Somaliland’s ports on the Gulf of Aden as a base of operations for future attacks on Yemen.

China Condemns Israel's Recognition Of Somaliland As Taiwan Embraces Move - The Chinese Foreign Ministry released a statement on Monday condemning Israel’s recognition of the separatist Republic of Somaliland, after Taiwan became the first state to welcome Tel Aviv's move. China opposes the Israeli recognition of Somaliland as an "independent sovereign state" and the decision to "establish diplomatic relations" with it, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian. "No country should encourage or support other countries’ internal separatist forces for its own selfish interests," he added, while urging the country of Somalia to halt "separatist activities and collusion with external forces."The spokesman made the comments during a news briefing. "China firmly supports Somalia's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and opposes any moves that undermine Somali territorial integrity," he went on to say.A day earlier, Taiwan became the first state to welcome Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. The Taiwanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Israel, Taiwan, and Somaliland are "like-minded democratic partners sharing the values of democracy, freedom, and rule of law."Last week, Israel became the first state to formally recognize Somaliland, which broke away from Somalia in 1991 but had never been recognized by any UN member state. Somali officials slammed the move. The Israeli government has been aiming for Somaliland to serve as a potential destination for Palestinians that Tel Aviv aims to forcibly displace from Gaza, according to multiple reports over the past year. Somali Prime Minister Hamza Barre said that Israel was “searching for a foothold in the Horn of Africa” and called on it to recognize and accept a Palestinian state instead. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud referred to the move as a "naked invasion" and said it poses a "threat to regional stability."The Arab League, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), African Union, and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also strongly rejected the Israeli recognition of Somaliland. Iran's Foreign Ministry called the move "malicious."China’s rejection of the recognition coincided with a report by Hebrew newspaper Maariv, which claimed that after recognizing Somaliland, Israel is now considering recognizing the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Yemen, hoping for strategic cooperation on the Red Sea coast against Ansarallah.The secessionist STC has recently swept across large swathes of central and southern Yemen with the hopes of creating an independent state. According to recent reports, Israel and Taiwan have also been enhancing their relationship. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Francois Wu recently made a secret visit to Israel, sources told Reuters on 11 December. In October this year, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te said that Israel serves as a model for the island to strengthen its defenses.

British Teacher Branded A Terrorist Threat For Showing Trump Videos In US Politics Class -In a chilling display of ideological censorship, a veteran teacher in Britain has been referred to the government’s Prevent counter-terrorism program simply for showing videos of President Trump to his A-level students during a lesson on U.S. politics.The incident unfolded at Henley College in Oxfordshire, where the teacher—a qualified educator since the mid-1990s and —introduced clips from Trump’s inauguration and campaign to illustrate the recent U.S. election.Just days after Trump’s victory, two students complained, claiming the material was “biased” and left them “emotionally disturbed,” with one even alleging nightmares. The college swiftly escalated the matter to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), who prioritized a Prevent referral, warning that the teacher’s views “could be perceived as radical,” potentially amounting to a hate crime or radicalisation.The teacher, speaking out against this farce, described the ordeal as “completely jarring. It’s dystopian, like something from a George Orwell novel.”He added, “It was just terrifying; just mind-boggling. We were discussing the US election, Trump had just won and I showed a couple of videos from the Trump campaign. Next thing, I was accused of bias. One of the students said they were emotionally disturbed and claimed to have had nightmares.”Firmly rejecting the extremist label, the teacher, a self described “mainstream Republican,” stated “I am not an extremist,” and accused the college of “complete Left-wing bias,” noting, “They don’t tolerate anything about Donald Trump.” The college’s official communication hammered the point, alleging the teacher had “shown your students videos of Donald Trump, his campaign, propaganda and other videos which are unrelated to what is being taught.”