New COVID-19 variants, XFG (Stratus) and NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus), are currently the dominant strains in the UK, potentially causing a “razor blade” sore throat along with typical COVID-19 symptoms. While these variants do not appear to be more dangerous, recent genetic changes may increase the likelihood of infection. COVID-19 rates are rising, particularly among the young and elderly, leading to an increase in hospital admissions. Public health advice remains consistent: avoid contact with vulnerable individuals, stay home when symptomatic, and practice good hygiene.
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Google’s search results have raised questions of bias, as the platform appears to be hiding AI-generated summaries for queries regarding Donald Trump’s potential dementia while offering summaries for Joe Biden. Specifically, when users search for “does Trump show signs of dementia,” no AI Overview is provided, but for similar queries about Biden, Google offers an AI-generated response outlining different perspectives. The absence of AI summaries for Trump contrasts with the company’s AI-generated responses for Biden, prompting speculation about Google’s motivations, especially given the former president’s contentious relationship with the platform. A Google spokesperson stated that the absence of AI overviews is due to the automated systems that do not always provide consistency, particularly in the current events.
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The Supreme Court has allowed Lisa Cook to remain as a Federal Reserve governor for now, declining to act on the Trump administration’s effort to immediately remove her from the central bank. The court will hear arguments in January regarding Trump’s attempt to force Cook off the Fed board and will consider whether to block a lower-court ruling in Cook’s favor. This case stems from Trump’s unprecedented bid to reshape the Fed board and stems from accusations of mortgage fraud against Cook, while a related case involving Trump’s firings of other federal officials is also being heard. Cook, who denies any wrongdoing, will be able to participate in the remaining two Fed meetings in 2025.
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The Trump administration has paused approximately $18 billion in funding for a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River and the Second Avenue subway project, citing concerns over unconstitutional diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. The U.S. Transportation Department confirmed the review was halted due to the government shutdown, a situation the administration attributed to “radical Democrats.” This move appears to target Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, who had previously expressed enthusiasm for the rail tunnel project. New York officials have criticized the decision, with Governor Kathy Hochul stating it prioritizes cultural interpretations over national needs.
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Governor JB Pritzker has publicly called for President Donald Trump’s removal from office. This demand follows President Trump’s statement suggesting cities, including Chicago, be used as military training grounds. Pritzker’s call marks his first time invoking the 25th Amendment in relation to the president.
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Taiwan will not agree to a 50-50 chip production deal with the US, and frankly, it’s not surprising. The core of the issue seems to stem from a suspicion, a wariness, that the US might be attempting a form of economic extortion. Why would Taiwan, which holds such a critical position in the global chip supply chain, willingly give up a significant portion of that power?
It feels like the US is attempting to leverage its perceived role as Taiwan’s protector, using it as a means to extract concessions. The underlying fear is that the US, once it secures a piece of the pie, could shift its stance, potentially leaving Taiwan vulnerable.… Continue reading
Walmart announced a plan to remove synthetic food dyes and 30 other ingredients, including preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and fat substitutes, from its store brands in the U.S. by January 2027. This initiative, affecting approximately 1,000 products under brands like Great Value, Marketside, and Freshness Guaranteed, aims to respond to consumer demand for fewer additives. While some targeted ingredients are already banned or rarely used, others have raised health concerns, with the company citing the availability of viable alternatives for maintaining product quality and affordability as the primary motivator for the change. Walmart’s Sam’s Club division is also removing more than 40 ingredients from its Member’s Mark products, signaling a broader industry shift toward cleaner ingredient labels.
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Amidst the looming government shutdown, Senator John Fetterman’s plan to support the Republican budget bill has sparked criticism from fellow Democrats, particularly Representative Brendan Boyle, who accused Fetterman of siding with Donald Trump. While most Democrats aim to leverage the situation to protect healthcare provisions, Fetterman’s stance against shutdowns leads him to vote for the GOP plan. This has created tension within the party as Democrats hope to extend expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, with the looming shutdown posing potential healthcare cost increases for Pennsylvanians. The disagreement reflects a broader divide on how to handle the budget impasse, with other Democrats expressing concern over healthcare cuts.
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The September ADP report revealed a concerning downturn in the US private sector, with a loss of 32,000 jobs and a significant downward revision of August’s figures. This decline, driven primarily by small businesses and widespread across various industries, contrasts sharply with economists’ expectations. The revision was, in part, due to a preliminary benchmarking of data, which adjusted the picture of hiring trends. These findings, coupled with other indicators like the BLS report, point toward a slowing labor market, heightening concerns amidst government uncertainties.
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Finland’s president hails the plan as “ingenious” to seize frozen Russian assets for Ukraine, and it’s interesting to unpack why this specific approach is being lauded. It seems the idea centers around a clever financial mechanism, not a straightforward seizure of assets, and that makes all the difference. The core concept is that the European Union would essentially provide Ukraine with an interest-free loan. That loan, however, would be “backed” by the frozen Russian assets – primarily held within the Euroclear financial repository in Belgium. This means if Russia refuses to pay war reparations (which they almost certainly will), those assets can be used to cover the loan.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood