Older Americans Are Abandoning Weight-Loss Medications KFF Health News
Researchers have deciphered the mystery of multiple sclerosis after years of investigation.
Two specific bacteria in the gut are identified as triggers for the disease, confirmed through studies involving identical twins and mice.
This discovery reshapes our understanding of MS: pic.twitter.com/1YOHkSekqv
— Craig Brockie (@CraigBrockie) January 6, 2026
South of the Border
Even those who back the Venezuelan opposition are calling for Maduro’s release Council Estate Media
Former Army Ranger Discusses Trump’s Venezuela Crisis Katie Halper, YouTube. I have seen Greg Stoker before and find him insightful. He exudes intelligence and approachability.
Trump’s Stance on Drugs Julian Macfarlane
* * * BREAKING: Trump admits to kidnapping Maduro and launching military action in Venezuela to assert personal control over their oil resources.
This is profoundly disappointing on every level. How can any advocate for freedom endorse this? pic.twitter.com/xc8JEXWWMj
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) January 7, 2026
The U.S. and Venezuela have come to an agreement permitting the export of up to $2 billion of Venezuelan crude oil to U.S. ports, according to President Trump. This move may redirect oil shipments intended for China and alleviate pressures on Venezuela’s sanctioned oil sector. https://t.co/SiHz3RlJQl pic.twitter.com/jZR7CdmxMl
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 7, 2026
Big Oil is not sharing Trump’s ambition to revive Venezuela’s oil industry CNN
* * * U.S. plans to seize a Venezuela-linked oil tanker claimed by Russia, sources report CNN (resilc)
The Navy is focusing on securing a runaway tanker Oil shipments continue from Venezuela despite U.S. embargo Reuters
Is Bloomberg slanting the narrative for Trump? Chevron Prepares 11 Oil Vessels Amid Disappearance of Venezuela’s Dark Fleet
AI-generated images of Maduro garner millions of views across social media The Guardian
Russia Deploys Submarine to Escort Tanker Targeted by U.S. near Venezuela Wall Street Journal. The vessel is now portrayed as an obsolete, empty ship.
Climate/Environment
Introducing a new, high-resolution Global Warming Stripes graph utilizing @NASA GISS temperature data.
Two- and three-year averages now show an increase of +1.5°C, while the 2025 annual figure was marginally lower due to La Niña.
Join us today for Climate Chat as we reflect on the past and anticipate 2026 https://t.co/Bnn5wMHPcs pic.twitter.com/b4aa2I9BZn
— Leon Simons 🌍 (@LeonSimons8) January 4, 2026
La Niña still has some momentum.
The 30-day relative Niño 3.4 Index has descended to -0.86˚C, marking the lowest level seen during this event.
La Niña has weakened the subtropical jet stream, diminishing the likelihood of East Coast snowstorms, which are expected to persist. pic.twitter.com/m9LzdIb3Ga
— Ben Noll (@BenNollWeather) January 4, 2026
‼️Record high minimum temperatures shattered across Greece, Turkey, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, and North Africa: lows hitting 19°C!
In the coming days, Greece may face TROPICAL NIGHTS
This marks one of the most extreme weather events in European history
0 cold records reported in Central Europe https://t.co/ySip3NuSy9— Extreme Temperatures Around The World (@extremetemps) January 5, 2026
The northern Greenland ice dome has melted previously and could do so again New Scientist
Farmers are confronted with severe water restrictions as the Colorado River disappears Farm Progress
China?
China prohibits the export of dual-use goods to Japan amidst rising tensions over Taiwan Aljazeera (Micael T)
China’s initiative for 50% domestic chip manufacturing boosts stock prices, though faces challenges Asia Times (Kevin W)
China Deploys Type 052C Class Air Defense Destroyer for Operations Near Japan: Capabilities Explored Military Watch
Africa
Turkey’s intelligence chief proclaims Africa a crucial priority Middle East Eye (resilc)
The climate crisis coupled with aid cuts and escalating poverty is driving Madagascar into turmoil Independent
European Disunion
Rubio informs lawmakers that Trump intends to acquire Greenland while minimizing military options Wall Street Journal. Lead story.
U.S. acknowledges that military intervention is one of the ‘options’ on the table for obtaining Greenland Financial Times
U.S. discusses potential military strategies to acquire Greenland, according to the White House BBC. We have cautioned that Trump is serious about this. However, this remains speculative until we observe troop movements. Might Trump demonstrate a display of force?
EU Commissioner Kubilius: A U.S. military action in Greenland would undermine NATO TASS via machine translation (Micael T)
In light of the Greenland crisis: Ulf Kristersson appears ready to sacrifice his autonomy for Trump Arbetet via machine translation (Micael T)
Europe is ignoring the Venezuelan crisis Responsible Statecraft
Europe’s disregard for Trump’s unlawful actions in Venezuela is not only misguided—it’s foolish The Guardian (resilc)
Housing Crisis: Transition from Market Failures to Government Failures Hintergrund via machine translation (Micael T)
Finland’s preschool classrooms are at the forefront of the battle against Russian influence Associated Press (Micael T)
Old Blighty
Residents warned to be cautious of unexploded bombs during their morning walks Telegraph
The UK’s North Sea oil sector is facing survival challenges as investment declines OilPrice
Britain’s Covert Involvement in the Destruction of Yugoslavia Kit Klarenberg
Israel vs. The Resistance
‘Lawless land’: Israeli settlers displace Bedouins from a West Bank community New Arab
Israel has put out tenders for the construction of over 3,400 settler homes in occupied East Jerusalem Anadolu Agency
Israel has introduced a system for digitally surveilling Palestinians around the clock without trial. One announcement stated:
“Following directives from political leaders, and following coordinated efforts by the IDF, Shin Bet, Israeli Police, the Ministry of Justice, and the Legal Advisor for…
— Shaiel Ben-Ephraim (@academic_la) January 5, 2026
New Not-So-Cold War
Ukraine’s allies have signed a declaration concerning troop deployment post-ceasefire France24 (resilc)
A Perspective from Moscow: Europe and Russia have hit a sober realization, and it’s concerning International Affairs (Micael T)
It’s time to revisit the Charge of the Light Brigade:
🚨🇭🇺BREAKING: Hungary REVEALS the European Union is preparing for war.
“In Brussels, the decision has been made to go to war. They have chosen the path of conflict.”pic.twitter.com/E4kaBudMrj
— Based Hungary 🇭🇺 (@HungaryBased) January 6, 2026
Why sanctions on Russia might have instigated the conflict in Ukraine and will likely prolong it Ian Proud
Did Russia send a clear message to Trump? Who disclosed Maduro’s location? Larry Johnson
The rise of extremist elements in the Russian liberal opposition Events in Ukraine
Washington allocates $2.7 billion to diminish Russia’s monopoly on nuclear energy OilPrice (resilc)
Big Brother Is Monitoring Your Observations
The Strictest Privacy Regulation in the Nation is Now in Effect Ars Technica. A rare positive development!
Access Agreement Providing ICE with Medicaid Patients’ Data 404 Media
Imperial Decline Watch
The Politics of Destruction Aurelien
From Gaza to Venezuela, the U.S. has been revealed as the primary antagonist Jonathan Cook (Randy K)
Why the principle of ‘Might Makes Right’ is perilous for everyone Moon of Alabama (Kevin W). A noteworthy discussion, especially considering its implications.
Gathering of Ukraine Allies: Insights from Lt. Col. Daniel Davis YouTube. Davis made a bold comparison, likening Trump to Hitler, from 29:00 onwards.
What prompts the international system to enter a definitive post-Western phase in 2026? New Eastern Outlook (Micael T)
The Body Count of Empires: The Hidden Casualties of U.S. Actions Since 1967 William Murphy
U.S. arms stockpiles are thriving, with CEOs celebrating following Maduro’s ousting Responsible Statecraft (resilc)
Global Oil Reserves: Who Holds Them and Who Can Extract Them Visual Capitalist (resilc). It’s worth noting that Venezuela’s confirmed reserves may be dramatically exaggerated.
China and Russia are unlikely to challenge the U.S., claims Hegseth after military demonstrations in Venezuela South China Morning Post (guurst). A lesson in hubris may be on the horizon.
Trump 2.0
Trump cautions Republicans that failing to win the midterms will lead to his impeachment ABC (Kevin W)
Supreme Court Developments
The Legalization of Bribery: U.S. Code 666 and the Roberts Court Christopher Armitage (Chris N). A critical examination.
Economic Landscape
More initiatives like this, please:
On March 8, Switzerland will vote on the “Cash is Freedom” initiative, which aims to ensure the enduring presence of cash and safeguard the Swiss franc against any replacement without public consensus. 🎙️ A press conference for the launch was held this morning. https://t.co/zpuTMkGQRB
— The Solari Report | Catherine Austin Fitts (@solari_the) January 6, 2026
THE HARD BIFURCATION: A Convergence of Financial Liquidity and Physical Bankruptcy https://t.co/MBgGrZMpap The global economy is now facing a fundamental breakdown in the ability to convert financial claims into tangible production. This issue became evident with the bankruptcy of U.S. Magnesium in September 2025.
— Dr. Steve Keen (@ProfSteveKeen) January 6, 2026
Dismal Trends in U.S. Auto Sales, 2025: Stellantis and Nissan on the Brink of Catastrophe. GM, Ford, and Honda See Sales Increase but Still Lag Far Behind Past Peaks; Toyota and Hyundai-Kia Set New Records Wolf Richter. We have previously noted the significant troubles within the auto industry.
Electric vehicle discounts are not viable for the long term, according to industry experts BBC (Kevin W)
Volkswagen’s Resolution for the New Year: Reintroducing Physical Buttons Car and Driver
Mr. Market Shows Optimism
Financial conditions are easing as investors express enthusiasm over possible fiscal and monetary stimulus in the coming year. Yields on junk bonds have dipped to their lowest point since 2022, even as bankruptcies are beginning to rise: pic.twitter.com/X5IVUMkZzw
— Lisa Abramowicz (@lisaabramowicz1) January 7, 2026
Artificial Intelligence Discussions
There are concerning issues surrounding virtual health care Aftonbladet via machine translation (Micael T)
I strongly disagree with my GP and specialist regarding the role of general practitioners. This reflects the rationalization of the shortage of primary care physicians and the decline in care quality:
Remember when I mentioned AI potentially replacing most general practitioners, as they often act merely as dispensers of pharmaceuticals? It appears this is already happening: “NEWS RELEASE: Utah and Doctronic Announce a Revolutionary Collaboration for AI Prescribed Medications…”
— HealthRanger (@HealthRanger) January 7, 2026
APHORISTIC INTELLIGENCE TRUMPS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Atlantic
The mother of one of Elon Musk’s children claims his AI bot repeatedly generates explicit content involving her NBC (Kevin W)
The Ongoing Crisis
A review of Elon Musk’s 2025 promises— and his failures Mashable (resilc)
The same pattern can be observed at Kia and Hyundai: A Toyota tech gets called for work but then examines a later step motor1(resilc)
Class Struggles
Revealing. Financial elites view themselves as paramount over the nations they inhabit: Pensions are not a ‘tool’ in domestic investment initiatives, warn officials Financial Times
Rhode Island Considers a Tax on the Wealthy to Offset Trump Policies Bloomberg
Antidote of the Day (via):
And here’s a bonus:
Rare footage of a coyote couple at Central Park partaking in courtship behaviors—playful pawing, nipping, and chasing at night, captured through thermal imaging. 🐺 ❤️ 🐺 pic.twitter.com/N9K5ADe09a
— Manhattan Bird Alert (@BirdCentralPark) January 7, 2026
Additionally:
When an animal provides unmistakable guidance
— Science girl (@sciencegirl) January 7, 2026
For yesterday’s related content, see the Links and Antidote du Jour here.
