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Monday, 5:21 AM

January 12, 2026

Good morning news friend! Discover today’s defining stories and the future they set in motion. 📰🌟

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DOJ Subpoenas Fed Chair

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell disclosed that the Justice Department issued grand jury subpoenas related to his June 2025 testimony on the Fed’s $2.5 billion building renovation.

The probe, led by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro since November 2025, follows Trump administration criticism of Fed spending and interest rate policies. Trump considered removing Powell but held back amid market concerns. The investigation challenges the Fed’s independence amid political pressure.

Powell’s term ends May 2026; Trump has picked a successor but not announced it. The Supreme Court will review efforts to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook.

The dollar weakened, futures slid and gold rose after Powell’s announcement. The Fed plans a January 27-28 meeting with little chance of rate changes.

Sources: WallStreetJournal, AP News, Bloomberg.

Iran Protests Escalate

Protests over inflation and economic hardship have spread to 180 Iranian cities, causing over 500 deaths thousands of arrests.

The government imposed an almost total internet blackout and deployed violent crackdowns, with hospitals reporting many injured by live fire. Iranian officials threatened attacks on Israel and U.S. military targets if confronted.

Israel remains on alert but has not signaled intervention. President Trump is reviewing military, cyber, and sanction options to respond, following a previous June 2024 strike on Iran’s nuclear sites.

The unrest represents Iran’s most serious political challenge since 2022, with risks of escalating violence and broader regional instability.

Sources: AP News, Reuters, Reuters, NYTimes, WallStreetJournal.

Credit Card Rate Caps

President Trump proposed capping credit card interest rates at 10% for one year, starting January 20. Current average rates hover around 20%, with some reaching 30%, and U.S. credit card debt totals about $1.1 trillion.

Bipartisan legislation to cap rates at 10% exists but hasn’t passed. Industry groups warn the cap could reduce credit access and push consumers to riskier lenders. Trump’s administration previously rolled back an $8 late fee cap and limited the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s authority.

The announcement aligns with Trump’s broader efforts to address affordability and target big businesses ahead of midterm elections, though no legislative or enforcement details were provided.

Sources: Reuters, NYTimes, Yahoo, FinancialTimes

Oil Giants Cautious

President Trump urged US oil giants to invest $100 billion to revive Venezuela’s oil sector after Maduro's removal.

ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods called Venezuela “uninvestable” without legal reforms and security guarantees, citing past asset losses. Chevron, the only major US company still operating there, plans to boost production by 50% within 18-24 months from 240,000 barrels per day.

ConocoPhillips seeks PDVSA restructuring and asset recovery worth over $13 billion. Infrastructure repairs will cost billions and take years, with production below 1 million barrels per day versus nearly 4 million in the 1970s.

Energy Secretary projects production growth by mid-2026. No US government funds were pledged.

Sources: Reuters, Co, Thedailynewsonline.

Goodbye, Cavities?

A clinical study found that arginine, a natural amino acid in saliva, reduces tooth decay by altering dental plaque formation.

In tests on participants with active cavities, dentures treated with arginine showed higher pH levels and less acidity after sugar exposure. Arginine shifted biofilm structure and decreased acid-producing Streptococcus mitis/oralis bacteria while increasing arginine-metabolizing bacteria.

These changes make biofilms less harmful and protect tooth enamel. Since arginine is naturally present and safe, incorporating it into toothpaste or mouthwash could prevent cavities across all ages.

This research suggests arginine as a promising additive for dental care aimed at reducing cavities through natural biofilm modulation.

Sources: SciTechDaily.

Engineered Antibody to Boost Cancer-Killing

Researchers developed engineered antibodies with four binding sites targeting the CD27 receptor to activate cancer-killing T cells more effectively than traditional two-site antibodies.

CD27 activation normally requires a natural ligand often missing in cancer patients, weakening T cell responses. The new antibodies cluster up to four CD27 receptors and recruit a second cell to amplify activation signals.

Lab tests in mice and human cells showed enhanced activation of CD8⁺ T cells, improving anti-tumor effects. Led by Professor Aymen Al-Shamkhani, the study introduces a promising approach for next-generation cancer immunotherapies by enabling stronger T cell activation through improved receptor clustering.

Sources: SciTechDaily

“Usually, the fellow who trusts nobody is a crook himself, for a thief always figures the other fellow is trying to pick his pocket.”

Baked with love,

Anna Eisenberg ❤️