https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/doj-eyes-minnesotas-vouching-system-for-voter-registration-demands-records-5965362?utm_source=partner&utm_campaign=ZeroHedge

to Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon demanding that he turn over all records documenting same-day voter registrations, records for votes cast by voters registered under same-day voter registrations, and other records related to the registrations and votes.

The request is for records going back 22 months, including the March 5, 2024, primary election and Nov. 5, 2024, general election.

The demand was made under the Civil Rights Act of 1960 and is to “ensure Minnesota’s registration and voting practices are in compliance with federal law, particularly the minimum requirement under [the Help America Vote Act],” according to the letter.

Minnesota’s “system seems facially inconsistent with the Help America Vote Act of 2002. We’ll see!” Dhillon posted on X on Friday.

The Help America Vote Act was passed by Congress in 2002 to reform the voting process by improving voting systems and voter access, following the 2000 election, when Florida’s recount exposed significant flaws in outdated punch-card voting machines that resulted in “hanging” and “dimpled” chads. Minnesota passed same-day voter registration in 1974.

Simon’s office did not return a request for comment about the demand.

Former Trump administration special government employee Elon Musk, who has been outspoken about recent developments in Minnesota, said the state’s voting system was “made for fraud” in an X https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2004950762145911234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2004950762145911234%7Ctwgr%5Eba07154f2f82f8a4479f39864a7696c942188622%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthenationaldesk.com%2Fnews%2Famericas-news-now%2Fconcerns-rise-over-minnesotas-same-day-registration-amid-welfare-fraud-scandal-voting-registration-tim-walz

on Dec. 27, 2025.

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon speaks during a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington on Sept. 29, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Meanwhile, federal investigations into alleged widespread fraud continue in Minnesota.

In the latest move, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/sba-suspends-6900-minnesota-borrowers-over-potential-covid-19-loan-fraud-5965232

6,900 of the state’s borrowers amid suspected fraudulent activity in the state’s pandemic-era loan programs, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said on Jan 1.

President Donald Trump said this week his administration plans to continue targeting alleged social services fraud in the state but may also focus on other states.

California, Illinois, and New York could be committing fraud that is allegedly worse, Trump said.

The DOJ has charged nearly 100 people in Minnesota as fraud investigations continue, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.

https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden

Fri, 01/02/2026 - 15:20

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/doj-eyes-minnesotas-vouching-system-voter-registration-demands-records

https://x.com/juanrallo/status/2007177634510450856

https://x.com/SovereignRiz/status/1929510959556518146

[1]: https://x.com/michaelnicollsx/status/2006790372681220530?s=20

[2]: https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/01/spacex-begins-significant-reconfiguration-of-starlink-satellite-constellation/

[3]: https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/01/spacex-begins-significant-reconfiguration-of-starlink-satellite-constellation/#comments

A commercial imaging satellite owned by Vantor captured this view of a failed Starlink satellite last month.

https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/01/spacex-begins-significant-reconfiguration-of-starlink-satellite-constellation/

First it was over the White House's Venezuela policy, but now conservative and contrarian libertarian-leaning firebrand Rep. Thomas Massie is lashing out at President Trump over his https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/trump-says-us-will-intervene-if-iran-kills-protesters-adding-fuel-irans-protest-fire

and ultimatum.

Amid the nearly weeklong economic and anti-government protests in Iran, Trump added fuel to the fire on Friday, stating on Truth Social that if Iran shoots and "violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue."

?itok=JQBuycBs

This sounded to many like threat of regime change in another Middle East capital - though Trump might be thinking of other 'options' such as more sanctions and efforts to further isolate the Islamic Republic on the world stage.

Massie on Friday in response listed three points as a counter to and critique of Trump: "We have problems at home and shouldn’t be wasting military resources on another country’s internal affairs," Massie wrote on X.

He said that second, "Military strikes on Iran require Congressional authorization." He followed with the final criticism of, "This threat isn’t about freedom of speech in Iran; it’s about the dollar, oil, and Israel" - while reposting Trump's original message.

Massie has long been a thorn in the side of Trump's latest foreign policy adventures, and the Republican from Kentucky along with Sen. Rand Paul has a significant following among Trump's MAGA base.

He indeed gives voice to the growing viewpoint that Trump should stick to his campaign promises and not allow the United States military to be the "police force of the world".

Journalist Glenn Greenwald has meanwhile also called out Trump for not being 'America First' enough, while highlighting Massie's commentary...

In case you're wondering why three fanatically pro-Israel oligarchs (Miriam Adelson, Paul Singer and John Paulson) are single-handedly funding the campaign to remove https://twitter.com/RepThomasMassie?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

from Congress, see below.

Too much America First. Can't have that: https://t.co/i7NwMmkNC1

— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/2007123264230072442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

For many others, however, Trump's reviving a Monroe Doctrine concept of how foreign policy should work might sound promising and refreshing. But it does require Washington to lessen or remove its footprint from conflict theatres ranging from Eastern Europe to the Middle East, as well as perhaps a policy of much less provoking China over the hot button Taiwan issue.

* * *

And more shots fired from MGT to boot...

?itok=UcAPPb3V

https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden

Fri, 01/02/2026 - 14:40

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/rep-massie-blasts-trumps-iran-warning-we-have-problems-home

https://x.com/tfl1728/status/2007165822327034249?s=46&t=2dnzdyjtW2NLX1w2Q73rWg

Leverage is getting wiped, this is actually a good thing. https://x.com/DefiWimar/status/2007014071099396495

"The collapse phase has entered the banking system." https://x.com/GhorbaniiNiyak/status/2007072128076550568

https://x.com/juanrallo/status/2007165522866253846

Our multi-tier criminal justice system has a recidivism problem, where corporations re-offend due to inadequate consequences. https://x.com/Mrcryptoxwhale/status/2007066254046113900

https://x.com/isabellaaizoa/status/2006955513448394968

Military Intelligence Chief Igor Kostyukov transfers info to America https://t.co/XTCEc08DyD

— RT (@RT_com) https://twitter.com/RT_com/status/2006776256109690908?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Putin had informed President Trump about the alleged incident on the day it occurred via phone call, and Trump initially appeared to accept Moscow’s version, expressing sympathy and saying he "wasn't happy about it." He followed by sharing a New York Post article which said Moscow "is the one standing in the way of peace."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow would not withdraw from peace talks with Washington, but would still adjust its negotiating stance and respond militarily, adding that potential targets had already been selected. "Such reckless actions will not go unanswered," he said.

What might this response look like? Author and geopolitical pundit Glenn Diesen writes the https://x.com/Glenn_Diesen/status/2007064691927879767

:

WSJ reports that Russia’s attacks on Odessa (ports, bridges, etc.) are cutting Ukraine’s economic lifeline. This was a predictable Russian response after Ukraine/NATO began using Odessa to target Russian civilian ships.

It is equally predictable that Russia will annex Odessa if there is no peace agreement that restores Ukraine’s neutrality and prevents Odessa from being used as a NATO front line. Our political-media establishment should learn about the security dilemma instead of cosplaying a the 1930s.

Diesen ends with this apt conclusion: "NATO is not 'helping' Ukraine by intensifying attacks on Russia, it is sacrificing Ukraine in the hope of bleeding Russia."

Reporting in mainstream media indicates a US intelligence consensus which casts doubt on Ukrainian drones being intentionally sent against Putin's residence; however, there does seem to be acknowledgement that a drone wave was active in the general area.

?itok=hbItECwo

The below is conveyed from The Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/u-s-finds-ukraine-didnt-target-putin-in-drone-strike-615ce4be

:

U.S. national-security officials said Wednesday that Ukraine didn’t target Russian President https://www.wsj.com/topics/person/vladimir-putin

or one of his residences in an alleged drone operation, challenging Moscow’s assertion that Kyiv sought to kill the Russian leader.

That conclusion is supported by a Central Intelligence Agency assessment that found no attempted attack against Putin had occurred, according to a U.S. official briefed on the intelligence. The CIA declined to comment.

The U.S. found that Ukraine had been seeking to strike a military target located in the same region as Putin's country residence but not close by, the official said.

The big question remains, if drones did target the residence, was the CIA involved in assisting with targeting information?

https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden

Fri, 01/02/2026 - 14:00

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/kremlin-makes-show-handing-evidence-us-side-proving-ukrainian-attack-putin-residence

https://www.reddit.com/r/greentext/comments/1q26njp/anon_watches_river_monsters/


https://x.com/Rumoreconomy/status/2007148098653696362

For several months, we have https://x.com/zerohedge/status/2003102684296130864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2003102684296130864%7Ctwgr%5E6f157825eb0729b9a41ffd7eb1b7c2b3dc104d7b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zerohedge.com%2Ftechnology%2Fsoaring-memory-costs-sink-nintendo-shares-goldman-says-selloff-buy-dip-opportunity

a sharp increase in DDR5 DRAM pricing, as evidenced by DRAMeXchange data, driven primarily by surging AI-related cloud computing demand and hyperscalers accelerating data center buildouts.

On day one of the new year, Samsung co-CEO Jun Young Hyun told employees in an https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/soaring-memory-costs-sink-nintendo-shares-goldman-says-selloff-buy-dip-opportunity

that customers have praised the differentiated competitiveness of its next-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, or HBM4, saying, "It's even earning an assessment from customers that 'Samsung is back'." He noted that Samsung will also benefit from favorable memory market conditions this year, as demand for artificial intelligence chips has materialized much quicker than initially anticipated.

The other week, Goldman analyst Maho Kamiya https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/soaring-memory-costs-sink-nintendo-shares-goldman-says-selloff-buy-dip-opportunity

that mounting concerns about soaring memory prices posed new risks for Nintendo, which manufactures consumer electronics such as the popular Switch 2.

"Some investors think that Nintendo will be selling Switch 2 at a loss and gross profit falling into the red. While rising memory prices are a risk factor that could depress hardware margins, we think concerns are somewhat excessive," Kamiya told clients last week.

While end-use consumer electronics companies such as Nintendo may be pressured by higher memory costs, the same pricing surge is expected to "turbo-charge earnings" for Samsung's memory business, according to UBS analyst Nicolas Gaudois.

Gaudois explains why:

DDR and NAND contract pricing coming out higher than expected

With 4Q25 memory contract pricing negotiations now completed, we lift our forecast for DDR contract pricing to +35% QoQ (was +21%), and for NAND +20% (was +15%). We believe customers are trying to secure 1Q26 contract pricing in earnest, with further potential for upside. We now forecast blended DDR contract pricing to increase 29% QoQ (was +15%) and NAND +20% (was +10%) in 1Q26. From there on, we continue to forecast DRAM to remain undersupplied until 1Q27, and NAND 3Q26. We see the ongoing upside in conventional memory pricing as the main stock driver for Samsung. At 1.43x NTM book, we believe the stock is not yet discounting the strength and length of the upcycle ahead.

HBM shipments to catch up in 2026E

While we maintain our 2026 DRAM bit growth forecast of 15% YoY, we could see up to 2 pct pts upside depending on production yields / efficiency / mix. We continue to forecast HBM shipments to reach 7.5bn Gb in 2026, up 77% YoY. We continue to expect Samsung to provide HBM4 samples to Nvidia by February, which could lead to qualification by 2Q26 (with production starting earlier in 1Q). We believe Samsung remains first source for HBM for AMD and Open AI. Regarding Google, we believe Samsung is second source for TPU 7p, while Micron may be second source for TPU 7e (first source in both cases being SK Hynix).

Increasing forecasts well ahead of consensus on DDR/NAND ASP estimates

We increase our 4Q25 OP forecast to Won18.1tn from Won15.0tn (VA consensus: Won15.3tn) on the back of increased DRAM and NAND ASPs. We raise 2026E/27E OP to Won135.3tn/Won143.6tn (from Won101.2tn/Won109.5tn respectively), well ahead of consensus Won86.9tn/Won109.6tn respectively, and lift our 2026/27 EPS forecasts by 31%/29%. These changes are due to raised DDR/NAND ASPs as well as DRAM bit growth forecasts, which more than offset us lowering smartphone margins due to rising memory prices.

Valuation: lift price target to Won154,000 from Won128,000 – Buy

We value Samsung ordinary shares at 1.97x NTM book (was 1.79x) considering our 2026-30 average ROE estimate of 16.3% (was 14.6%) and CoE of 8.3% (was 8.2%). We also raise our Samsung GDR PT to US$2,610, from US$2,230, with the latest FX.

We've shown readers DDR5 DRAM pricing via DRAMeXchange...

Update: two months later https://t.co/Q4TPIrpzxV

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) https://twitter.com/zerohedge/status/2003102684296130864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

But now, take a look at DDR5 DRAM pricing on Amazon!

?itok=BxgIFWLI

As a reminder, AI workloads are built around memory.

ZeroHedge Pro Subs can view the full note in the usual place, which includes a https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/g3gspkawz7kxjj370xz21/Samsung-Memory.pdf?rlkey=l6i7bh0zyfvq9e08x5jjzk2pi&st=l38jxtk3&dl=0

.

https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden

Fri, 01/02/2026 - 12:40

https://www.zerohedge.com/ai/ubs-says-soaring-memory-chip-prices-turbo-charge-samsung-earnings

🔗 https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/1q24jls/friendly_reminder/

#bitcoin #reddit #news