Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/19-states-sue-hhs-over-gender-transitions-silver-up-another-10-china-runs-caribbean-wargames/
Health
Nineteen states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Department of Health and Human Services over plans to stop Medicare and Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care provided to minors. The lawsuit argues that the move exceeds authority and violates procedural laws. The suit follows Kennedy’s announcement to end payments to providers offering such treatments, which he cited as posing risks to children. Supporters of the policy have described gender-affirming care for minors as experimental and potentially harmful, aligning with recent federal legislative efforts to restrict such procedures.
Additionally, a federal judge appointed by former President Obama blocked West Virginia’s ban on artificial food dyes such as Red 40 and Yellow 5 in food and pharmaceuticals. The judge ruled that the law’s vague criteria for deeming additives “poisonous and injurious” could harm manufacturers and infringe on interstate commerce and federal oversight. The ban, supported by Governor Patrick Morrisey, would have imposed misdemeanor charges and fines for violations. Kennedy’s health initiatives have linked such dyes to conditions including ADHD and autism. The food industry has argued that the additives are safe under federal FDA standards and that the ban lacks sufficient evidence of risks.
In other news, leaked details from White House discussions describe a proposed risk-based policy under President Trump for overseeing gain-of-function pathogen research. The policy would involve reviews by scientists, institutions, funding agencies, and a proposed Independent Review Board, with penalties such as debarment for non-compliance. It aims to track and limit high-risk studies across agencies including HHS, NIH, and DOE, with a final rollout expected in early 2025 after delays from government shutdowns. Some experts have expressed concerns that the policy could limit essential research on infectious diseases and affect low-risk virology studies.
Meanwhile, a study found that 25% of American infants lack bifidobacteria, a gut microbe important for immune development, which is associated with tripled risks of allergies, asthma, and eczema. Researchers attribute this to factors including antibiotic use, expanded vaccination schedules, C-sections that bypass vaginal microbiome transfer, formula feeding, and pesticide exposure detected in homes, water, and urine samples. Probiotic supplementation with bifidobacteria has been shown to help restore gut microbiomes in affected infants, potentially mitigating some deficits from antibiotics or formula feeding.
Lastly, research reportedly shows that up to 97% of individuals who self-report nonceliac gluten sensitivity exhibit no reaction to gluten in blinded studies. Symptoms in these cases are more likely linked to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gut-brain interactions, as demonstrated by improvements on low-FODMAP diets that target fermentable carbohydrates rather than gluten. The lack of biomarkers makes diagnosis challenging, and avoiding gluten unnecessarily may cause nutritional deficiencies in fiber, folate, and minerals, potentially worsening IBS through changes in gut microbiota and increased food-related anxiety. Experts recommend testing for celiac disease and wheat allergy before IBS-focused treatments, such as temporary elimination diets or addressing psychological factors. Surveys indicate that around 1 in 10 people worldwide report nonceliac gluten or wheat sensitivity, with some studies suggesting gluten components may contribute in a subset of cases alongside IBS.
Economy
Silver prices rose 10% to close at $79.25 during the session on December 27, amid thin liquidity and buying that reportedly liquidated short positions among retail and institutional traders. Gold prices reached $4,534 on the same day, resulting in a narrower gold-silver ratio. Bullion dealers have reported sold-out inventories and premiums above spot prices, including $91 in Shanghai and $91 in Dubai. The London forward curve showed backwardation, which dealers say indicates supply constraints. China plans to implement export licensing for silver starting January 1. Industrial demand from solar panels is described as inelastic even at higher price levels. However, potential short-term factors including tax-related selling, margin increases by the CME, and a stronger U.S. dollar could add volatility. Copper substitution in solar technology is advancing gradually, with full conversion expected to take years, as rising silver costs reportedly affect manufacturer profits. Analysts have cautioned that the rally may face a breather due to overextended momentum and potential profit-taking if geopolitical tensions ease.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong criticized bank lobbying to amend the GENIUS Act, which limits stablecoin issuers from paying direct interest but allows platforms to offer rewards. Armstrong stated that reopening the legislation would cross a “red line” and hinder competition. He predicted that banks would eventually support yield-sharing on stablecoins upon recognizing the market’s potential. Separately, JPMorgan Chase froze accounts of stablecoin startups BlindPay and Kontigo, citing ties to sanctioned regions such as Venezuela, accessed through partner Checkbook, amid increased chargebacks from rapid onboarding. The bank stated that the action targeted high-risk jurisdictions, not stablecoins themselves, and noted its support for such businesses, including recent initial public offerings. Bank representatives have argued that yield offerings by stablecoin platforms could erode traditional deposit models and introduce systemic risks if not further restricted.
Energy & Geopolitics
China’s People’s Liberation Army aired rare wargaming simulations on state television, showing conflict scenarios in the Caribbean, including near Cuba, Mexico, and the Gulf of Mexico. This occurred amid U.S. efforts to disrupt Venezuela’s oil exports to Asia through measures such as gunboat diplomacy and tanker seizures. The footage, from an event in Henan province, depicted red forces representing the PLA countering blue enemy units. It relates to disruptions in Venezuelan crude flows, which account for more than half of China’s imports from the country via a shadow fleet. Some international observers have described U.S. actions in the region as aggressive overreach that could destabilize Latin America.
Turkey obtained $9 billion in financing from Russia for its Akkuyu nuclear power plant, the country’s first, which is being built by Rosatom on the Mediterranean coast. The funds are mainly for 2026 and 2027 to speed up completion, targeted for that year. Under the build-own-operate model, Rosatom assumes financial and operational risks. Turkey has expanded renewables, including solar and wind, to 74 gigawatts of installed capacity, which has reduced natural gas imports. Critics have noted that the deal may increase Turkey’s long-term dependence on Russian energy despite efforts to diversify nuclear partnerships.
US Politics
Elon Musk called for the prosecution of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz over an estimated $9 billion in Medicaid fraud since 2018. An investigation reportedly uncovered over $110 million in a single day through visits to purported childcare centers without children and other ineligible facilities. State officials identified 14 high-risk programs costing $18 billion during that period, with audits showing irregularities among providers, particularly in the Somali community. President Trump described Minnesota as a hub of fraudulent activity under Democratic leadership. State officials have reported recovering $250 million in fraud since 2021 through enhanced oversight and cooperation with federal probes.
Sources
Silver’s Event Horizon: 10% Surge to $79.25 Shatters Decades of Manipulation
Commodities do not move 10% in a day during normal market conditions. A 10% move is not a rally. It is a liquidation event.
Source | Submitted by PhilH
The Gluten-Free Myth: Why IBS, Not Gluten, Is Likely Behind Your Symptoms
The likely culprit for a majority of gluten reactions may be irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
25% of American Babies Lack Vital Gut Bacteria, Tripling Risks of Allergies and Asthma
One in four kids have no bifidobacteria, which is an essential bacterial strain that kids are supposed to be born with, supposed to be colonized in their gut, is critical for immune development, is basically critical for healthy development.
Leaked: Trump’s Risk-Based Overhaul of Dangerous Gain-of-Function Virus Research
Trump signed an Executive Order on May 5 to stop risky gain-of-function scientific studies
Coinbase CEO Draws ‘Red Line’ on GENIUS Act Reopening, Blasts Bank Lobbying
“We won’t let anyone reopen GENIUS,”
JPMorgan Freezes Stablecoin Startups’ Accounts Over Venezuela Sanctions Ties
JPMorgan Chase has reportedly frozen bank accounts linked to two venture-backed stablecoin startups after identifying exposure to sanctioned and high-risk jurisdictions.
Turkey’s $9 Billion Nuclear Wager: Cementing Ties with Russia
Turkey just took another very large, very deliberate step deeper into Russia’s energy orbit — and this time it comes with a $9 billion price tag.
China’s PLA Broadcasts Rare Caribbean War Games Amid US Gunboat Push on Venezuela
PLA’s decision to publicly broadcast wargaming scenarios, an unusually rare event, constitutes an external signal directed at the Trump administration in response to U.S. gunboat diplomacy in the Caribbean.
19 States Sue RFK Jr. Over Bid to End Federal Funding for Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
Nineteen states and the District of Columbia are suing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Department of Health and Human Services over plans to prevent government payments for transgender treatments.
Obama Judge Derails West Virginia’s Artificial Food Dye Ban
An Obama-appointed judge has blocked a state ban on food dyes in West Virginia.
Elon Musk Demands Prosecution of Tim Walz Over Minnesota’s $9 Billion Medicaid Fraud Scandal
“Prosecute Tim Walz,”
10 Silver Days of Christmas: Bears Bite, But Bulls Hold Firm
Short answer: I wouldn’t buy fresh here. I’d look to accumulate in the coming drawdown, and stay nimble if you’re playing via options.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Reuters, Coinpaper, Medscape, Medical Xpress, Nature Magazine, RT, The Hill, OilPrice.com, The Guardian, and CBS News.