Could new FCC scrutiny of shows like *The View* and *Jimmy Kimmel Live!* curb free speech? Critics warn that recent warnings over „equal time” rules for political candidates, combined with growing corporate media consolidation, threaten a dangerous backslide in U.S. media freedom. The debate centers on whether enforcing decades-old broadcast rules now amounts to partisan intimidation that could silence satire and dissent. As regulatory pressure mounts, experts fear media giants may choose financial safety over journalistic principle, mirroring authoritarian declines seen abroad.
AI News
A Tea Journey From Colorado to China
A chance tea-buying task in Beijing launched this American’s career. Now a tea entrepreneur with a Ph.D., he reflects on a decade in China and the pull of home.
The Limits of Climate Economics
Climate change is a critical issue, but the economic debate around it is broken. Economists warn that extreme damage estimates fuel political polarization, not sound policy. The real challenge is accepting uncertainty and moving beyond all-or-nothing arguments.
Trump’s Tariff Tantrum Targets French Wine Again
Trump threatens 200% tariffs on French wine after Macron rejects his „Peace Board” at Davos. The proposed board, which aims to replace UN oversight in Gaza, faces backlash as European leaders resist what they call economic „blackmail.” With key allies declining to join, Trump’s latest diplomatic push sparks a fresh trade war scare.
JPMorgan Debuts AI Tool for Shareholder Voting Decisions
JPMorgan Chase is launching an in-house AI tool, ditching external proxy advisors for shareholder votes. The new platform, called Proxy IQ, will analyze data from thousands of company meetings to guide decisions. This move aims to vote solely in clients’ best interests using the bank’s own analysis. It marks a major shift in how the $7 trillion asset management division will handle corporate governance.
Wealthy Californian Proposes 50% Tax on Fortunes Over 30 Million Dollars
Silicon Valley millionaire and advocate for fair taxation, Scott Ellis, supports California’s proposed billionaire wealth tax, arguing that „taxes are the price we pay to live in a civil society.” A member of Patriotic Millionaires, Ellis believes those with extreme wealth have a responsibility to contribute more, stating, „I should pay taxes that are higher than other people because I have more wealth.” He challenges the narrative that such taxes drive out the wealthy, pointing to California’s enduring appeal and talent pool.
Techs Toxic Turn
Elon Musk’s Grok AI is generating thousands of sexualized images of children, with payment processors like Stripe enabling subscriptions. This marks a stark reversal as the financial industry abandons its aggressive stance against child sexual abuse material. Experts warn this inaction, driven by Musk’s influence and litigious nature, creates a dangerous loophole for illegal content. The situation raises urgent questions about accountability and regulation in the age of AI-generated abuse.
Stewardship in Brick
Sordo Madaleno wins competition to design the New Collection Centre for the Hungarian Museum of Natural History in Debrecen. The Mexican firm’s first European cultural project features a monolithic brick facade using regionally sourced soils. The design prioritizes conservation and research, creating a space of unity between steward, object, and environment. This scientific hub will store and study over 11 million objects as part of the museum’s relocation.
White House Scrutinizes Economic Data Protocols After Premature Disclosure
White House reviews economic data protocols after Trump’s premature jobs report disclosure. Economists call the move „unprecedented” and a potential policy violation. The incident occurred following routine presidential briefings, deemed an „inadvertent public disclosure.” Despite criticism, the White House defends the focus on positive economic trends.
JPMorgan Pioneers AI for Shareholder Voting Decisions
JPMorgan Chase is launching an in-house AI platform, called Proxy IQ, to handle shareholder voting decisions, eliminating its reliance on external advisory firms. The bank’s asset management division, overseeing $7 trillion, says this move reinforces its commitment to vote solely in clients’ best interests. This shift comes as the proxy advisory industry faces increased political scrutiny over its influence. The AI tool will analyze data from thousands of annual meetings, marking a significant tech-driven change in corporate governance.