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US to 'Indefinitely' Sell Venezuelan Oil
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said at a Goldman Sachs energy conference in Miami on Wednesday that the U.S. will sell Venezuela's oil into the marketplace, first moving backed-up, stored oil, and then, "indefinitely," all the production that comes out of the country.
This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the interim authorities in Venezuela will turn over between 30 and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the U.S., which will be sold at market price — currently at $55 per barrel — "to benefit the people of" both countries.
This amount is more than Venezuela's current monthly production rates, as per November data, and less than what the U.S. produces every four days, as per December data. Venezuela holds an estimated 303 billion barrels of oil reserves, and pumped more than 3 million barrels per day in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Anti-Trump narrative
Trump's interest in Venezuela was never about counter-narcotics, but rather about oil as many warned. Aside from the administration's neocolonialist intentions, it makes no sense to extort Venezuela for tar-like heavy crude that is low-quality, expensive to extract and difficult to process, while creating precedent for China to seize critical minerals in its own hemisphere, thereby strengthening a key threat.
Pro-Trump narrative
This is a brilliant foreign policy that makes Venezuela's corrupt regime-linked interim authorities pay civil restitution for their own wrongdoing, providing short-term funding for a plan to reconstruct the country and benefit the people of Venezuela. Furthermore, this transfer is set to disrupt shipments to China and Russia, further breaking Beijing's influence over Venezuela.
Nerd narrative
There's a 46% chance that the U.S. will invade Venezuela before Jan. 20, 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Yemen Separatist Leader Flees Talks, Faces Treason Charges
Aidarous al-Zubaidi, leader of Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC), this week failed to board a scheduled flight to Saudi Arabia for negotiations and "fled to an unknown location," according to a statement from the Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki.
Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council stripped al-Zubaidi of his membership and referred him to the public prosecutor on charges including "high treason" for allegedly attempting to secede, with the decision issued by council chairman Rashad al-Alimi.
The Saudi-led coalition carried out limited pre-emptive airstrikes on Al-Zubaidi's home province of al-Dhalea, southern Yemen, after intelligence indicated that he had mobilized large forces, including "armoured vehicles, combat vehicles, heavy and light weapons, and ammunition."
Establishment-critical narrative
The STC leader’s flight does not signal collapse but recalibration. By stepping away from Saudi pressure while retaining influence through local allies and administrative footholds, the UAE-backed STC highlights the limited legitimacy that Riyadh’s southern framework commands. Even without full control of Hadramawt and al-Mahra, the STC’s expansion has reshaped the balance of power, exposing the weakness of Saudi-backed governance. From this angle, southern autonomy is not the source of instability, but a response to years of political stagnation and failed management.
Pro-establishment narrative
The STC leader’s flight offers a revealing glimpse into how the Saudi-UAE project in Yemen is falling apart. When a central southern actor avoids Riyadh rather than submit to recalibration, it points to unresolved tensions between security priorities, territorial control, and political endgames. What was presented as stabilization now resembles parallel management of influence, with ports, borders, and local forces treated as assets rather than parts of a coherent state. Yemen’s fragmentation is less a wartime accident than the cumulative result of misaligned regional strategies.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that the ceasefire between the U.S. and Yemen’s Houthis, mediated by Oman, will be broken before June 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
China Bans Dual-Use Exports to Japan Over Taiwan Remarks
China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) announced a ban on the export of dual-use items to Japan for military purposes on Tuesday, following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan.
In November 2025, Takaichi suggested that Japan could intervene militarily if China attacked Taiwan, provoking condemnation from China and the MOC, which stated that the comments constituted "gross interference" in China's internal affairs.
In a statement, the ministry justified strengthening the controls as necessary to safeguard China's national security interests and fulfill its international non-proliferation obligations, with the MOC clarifying that the ban would take place immediately.
Pro-China narrative
China's export ban on dual-use items to Japan is a justified response to Tokyo's dangerous rhetoric and reckless interference in China's internal affairs. Japan cannot expect to continue profiting from Chinese markets while simultaneously undermining the nation's core national interests and hinting at military intervention, which would violate the one-China principle.
Anti-China narrative
China's export controls targeting Japan are utterly unacceptable and deviate wildly from international practice. By introducing these punitive trade measures, China is deliberately undermining the established norms of fair commerce. The restrictions, therefore, warrant the most severe diplomatic protest from Japan, as well as their immediate withdrawal by China.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that if China invades Taiwan before 2035, Japan will respond with military forces, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
UK and France Pledge to Station Troops in Ukraine if Peace Deal Agreed
The leaders of the U.K. and France, Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron, on Tuesday pledged to deploy soldiers in Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia.
Signed alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a "Coalition of the Willing" summit in Paris, the three-page declaration of intent said the U.K. and France would play a leading role in building what was described as the Multinational Force – Ukraine (MNF-U), adding it would "set stable conditions for an enduring peace and Ukrainian sovereignty" once a ceasefire was agreed.
The document pledged to create "military hubs" in Ukraine and to lead the restoration and training of its troops, seeking to expand military cooperation. It also said the U.K. and France "reaffirm their commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrityof Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, as well as to Ukraine's irreversible pathway to Euro-Atlantic integration."
Pro-Trump narrative
Thanks to the work of Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the U.S. signed a five-point plan with European leaders that will enhance Ukraine's security should it reach a peace deal with Russia. It will include U.S.-led ceasefire monitoring and a verification mechanism that would address any breaches, attribute responsibility and determine remedies. This will be a huge win for Trump and the U.S. if it succeeds.
Pro-Europe narrative
Standing side by side with American allies, the U.K. and France, alongside other "Coalition of the Willing" partners, have laid the legal groundwork to station troops in Ukraine, allowing it to remain sovereign and secure for the long term, once a peace deal is reached. This is part of the countries' iron-clad commitment to stand with Ukraine.
Pro-Ukraine narrative
Ukraine thanks all the nations that participated in the drafting of the security guarantees. This is no longer just rhetoric but includes substantial agreements with concrete progress for Ukraine, making sure it will not endure Russian aggression again. Now it's time to reach a peace deal — though Putin shows an unwillingness to compromise and reach a deal.
Pro-establishment narrative
On paper, this is a coup for Ukraine and European partners a multinational force with the backing of U.S. However, beneath the surface, European leaders are concerned how much they can trust the Trump administration to back them up, especially in light of its threats to acquire Greenland, the Danish territory, even though the country is a NATO member.
Cynical narrative
While the Trump administration has repeatedly promised that a peace deal is closer than ever — and this occasion is no exception — the hard reality is that Russia has been categorical in its rejection of NATO troops in Ukraine. It has also not shown any interest in compromising on territory so all this talk of post-war security arrangements could be a wasted exercise that never comes to fruition.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance there will be a bilateral ceasefire or peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine by April 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Stanford AI Predicts Over 100 Diseases From Sleep Data
Researchers at Stanford University developed an AI model called SleepFM that can predict the risk of developing over 100 health conditions using sleep data. The model was trained on nearly 600,000 hours of sleep recordings from about 65,000 participants.
It was tested on sleep analysis tasks such as tracking sleep stages and diagnosing sleep apnea severity before being used to predict future disease onset. Polysomnography uses sensors to record brain activity, heart function, respiratory signals, and eye movements.
SleepFM analyzed over 1,000 disease categories from health records and identified 130 conditions that could be predicted with fair accuracy. It incorporates data streams like electroencephalography, electrocardiography, electromyography, and breathing airflow.
Techno-optimist narrative
AI transforms healthcare by catching diseases earlier and more accurately than human doctors alone. Algorithms detect lung cancer with 94% accuracy before radiologists can see abnormalities, while AI-powered imaging identifies heart disease that might escape the human eye entirely. These tools don't just diagnose faster — they enable proactive, data-driven treatment that saves lives through early intervention.
Techno-skeptic narrative
AI in medicine erases the human connection that defines genuine care and amplifies corporate surveillance. Algorithms can't capture the catch in a patient's voice or unspoken fears, yet doctors now turn away mid-conversation to review AI-generated text. This technology doesn't free physicians to listen better — it trains them out of critical thinking to funnel intimate health data to billionaire-controlled corporations.
Nerd narrative
There is a 45% chance there will be a major AI-related healthcare class action lawsuit before 2028, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Rep. LaMalfa Dies at 65, GOP Majority Narrows to 218-213
U.S. Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa died at age 65 on Monday after suffering a medical emergency at his home and undergoing emergency surgery. LaMalfa had represented California's 1st Congressional District since 2013.
LaMalfa's death reduced the Republican House majority to 218-213, leaving Speaker Mike Johnson with only a two-vote margin on party-line legislation. The slim majority came after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene officially resigned at 11:59 pm on Monday.
President Donald Trump dedicated his Jan. 6 speech to House Republicans in LaMalfa's honor, stating he considered canceling but decided LaMalfa would have wanted him to proceed. Trump praised LaMalfa for voting with his priorities 100% of the time.
Republican narrative
This tragedy is the loss of a principled conservative who championed rural America, farmers and constitutional governance against coastal elites. His consistent advocacy for Northern California communities and alignment with Republican priorities demonstrated true legislative service over political spectacle. The district remains solidly Republican, ensuring his legacy continues through a special election victory.
Democratic narrative
Johnson's razor-thin majority has effectively vanished, creating an opportunity to advance Democratic priorities. After LaMalfa's death, combined with other Republican defections, the GOP will barely be able to muster votes while Trump's waning popularity accelerates their collapse. Democrats must seize this moment to pass legislation, release Epstein files and rein in executive overreach before the walls close in on Trump completely.
Nerd narrative
There's a 24.9% chance that Republicans will hold the most seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2026 midterm elections, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
US Unveils New 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines
The Trump administration released the new "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030" on Wednesday, encouraging Americans to eat more protein and full-fat dairy while reducing their consumption of ultra-processed foods and added sugars.
The updated dietary guidelines return to a pyramid shape — this time inverted upside down — and emphasize protein, dairy and healthy fats along with fruits and vegetables at the top, while whole grains are de-emphasized at the bottom.
During a White House press conference, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. touted the new guidelines as a move that will "revolutionize our nation's food culture and make America healthy," urging Americans to "eat real food."
Right narrative
These groundbreaking, data-based guidelines finally tell Americans the truth after decades of government lies protecting corporate profits over health. The new inverted food pyramid puts real food — protein, full-fat dairy, vegetables and fruits — at the top while eliminating added sugars and highly processed junk. Prioritizing nutrient-dense foods will reverse the chronic disease epidemic, cut the nation’s dependence on pharmaceuticals, and strengthen military readiness for national security purposes. This is another win for MAHA.
Left narrative
The new dietary guidelines represent an ideologically motivated disaster that contradicts established science by promoting meat and dairy while villainizing beneficial processed foods like fortified breads and cereals. Evidence overwhelmingly shows plant-based proteins are healthier than animal sources, yet these guidelines push a meat-heavy agenda that will increase saturated fat consumption and worsen America's chronic disease crisis. The administration ignored rigorous scientific review from expert committees to serve industry interests rather than public health.
US Seizes Two Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Including Russian-Flagged Vessel
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced on Thursday that the U.S. Coast Guard seized two Venezuela-linked "ghost fleet" tankers in back-to-back predawn operations, one in the North Atlantic and the other in international waters near the Caribbean.
The U.S. European Command reported that the U.S.-sanctioned M/V Bella 1 — now renamed as Marinera and reflagged to Russia — was seized pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after USCGC Munro tracked the vessel in the North Atlantic.
The empty tanker was boarded in waters between Iceland and the U.K. after a weekslong pursuit since its crew refused to allow the boarding in the Caribbean. There were no confrontations despite reports that Russia had deployed assets to escort the ship, and Moscow has demanded humane treatment of its nationals onboard.
Establishment-critical narrative
The U.S. military illegally seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in international waters, violating the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea that guarantees freedom of navigation. The vessel had proper Russian documentation and was operating lawfully when American forces boarded it without jurisdiction. This brazen act of piracy endangers Russian crew members and sets a dangerous precedent for maritime law.
Pro-establishment narrative
Seizing dark fleet tankers evading sanctions represents legitimate enforcement against vessels engaged in illicit oil trade for the benefit of the regimes of Iran, Russia and Venezuela. These ships manipulate tracking systems and pose severe environmental risks while funding rogue regimes. All captains operating this kind of vessel must understand that they must immediately surrender to the authorities.
Nerd narrative
There's a 67% chance that the U.S. will import any crude oil from Russia between 2025 and 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
ICE Agent Fatally Shoots Woman in Minneapolis
A 37-year-old woman was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday morning during what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described as its largest immigration enforcement operation ever in Minnesota, with approximately 2,000 federal agents deployed.
Department of Homeland Security officials claimed the woman "weaponized her vehicle" in an attempt to run over ICE officers, calling it an act of domestic terrorism. However, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz disputed this account after viewing video footage.
One video circulating online shows ICE agents ordering the woman to exit her vehicle, with an agent attempting to open the driver's side door. As the vehicle moved away, an agent standing near the front fired multiple shots into the car. The vehicle's bumper is shown passing him, but it's unclear whether it made contact. Another video from a separate angle appears to show the officer being hit on the leg.
Right narrative
This was clearly self-defense after the woman refused orders to exit the vehicle and put the car in reverse to run over the officer. This is further corroborated by evidence that shows a bullet hole in the windshield, debunking false claims about the shooting angle. Complying with law enforcement prevents these tragic outcomes. The mayor should stop inciting riots and instead work to keep his city safer.
Left narrative
Video evidence shows the ICE agent shooting a woman in the head, and no amount of strategic framing can justify this horrific killing, which is a predictable outcome of the Trump administration's reckless immigration crackdown. Despite efforts by right-wing media to mischaracterize the incident, the facts remain clear and call for accountability.