Venezuela Prepares for Guerrilla Warfare, Google Targets Cybercrime, and the US Stops Penny Production

Geopolitical Tensions and Cyber Security

• ⚠️ Venezuela is reportedly preparing for a potential US attack by drafting a prolonged resistance strategy involving guerrilla tactics, small military units, and civilian militias.
• 🎯 Google has filed a federal lawsuit against a China-based operation running a massive text-fishing (smishing) scheme, potentially compromising millions of credit cards globally.
• 🤝 The Houthi rebels announced a pause in attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea, raising hopes for a return to normal cargo traffic through the Suez Canal, though experts remain cautious.

Economic and Technological Shifts

• 💰 The US Mint has produced its final penny after over 230 years, a decision driven by the cost of production, which is nearly 4 cents per coin, expected to save the government $56 million annually.
• 🚗 Waymo is launching its robo-taxis on highways in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and the Bay Area, marking a significant advancement for self-driving technology.
• 📺 Disney is reportedly losing millions daily due to an ongoing streaming dispute with YouTube TV, impacting carriage rights and ad revenue splits.
• 🔋 Toyota has begun production at its new $13.9 billion battery plant in North Carolina, with plans for further investment in its US electric vehicle strategy.

Political and Social Developments

• 🏛️ The US government shutdown has ended after 43 days with the House passing a funding bill, though key Democratic demands were not met.
• 🔍 Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene's signature on a discharge petition has initiated a process for releasing unclassified files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
• 🗳️ Jack Schlossberg, grandson of JFK, announced his candidacy for Congress in 2026, aiming to fill a New York seat.
• ⛪ Churches are exploring the use of artificial intelligence for ministry and congregation engagement, sparking debate about the role of technology in faith.

Cultural and Miscellaneous News

• 💎 A diamond brooch once owned by Napoleon, lost during his retreat from Waterloo, sold for $4.4 million at auction.
• 🎶 An AI-generated country song, "Walk My Walk" by Breaking Rust, has reached number one on Billboard's country digital song sales chart.
• 🖼️ Three original Bob Ross paintings were sold for over $600,000 to support PBS stations.
• 💰 The Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to an estimated $965 million, becoming the eighth largest prize in the game's history.