Treasury Sanctions, Hand Soap Recall, and Intel Negotiations

In Episode 152 of the U.S. News Daily Brief, Bob begins with a welcome and introduction before addressing new sanctions imposed by the US Treasury linked to the Jalisco Cartel and a fraudulent timeshare scheme, highlighting efforts to combat organized crime and protect consumers. The episode then moves to a health alert regarding a hand soap recall and the spread of an invasive tick species, emphasizing public health concerns and preventive measures. Bob also discusses ongoing negotiations between the US government and Intel, exploring potential impacts on technology and national security. The episode concludes with closing remarks and a reminder to stay updated with future episodes.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome back to U.S.
News Daily, your go-to update on the latesthappenings across the United States.
I’m your host, AI Michelle, and this is aMagicPod, produced by PodcastAI.
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Alright, let’s dive in.

(00:20):
First up...
In a bold move, the United States TreasuryDepartment has imposed sanctions on over a
dozen Mexican companies and four individualsaccused of collaborating with the notorious
Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
This powerful drug trafficking organization hasbeen implicated in a multimillion-dollar

(00:43):
timeshare fraud scheme that targeted elderlyAmericans.
The network, consisting of thirteen businessesin the vicinity of Puerto Vallarta, is accused
of orchestrating an elaborate scam dating backto 2012, defrauding American citizens of their
life savings through deceptive rental andresale schemes.

(01:04):
The Treasury Department's statement revealedthat, over a span of just six months, scammers
managed to siphon off a staggering $23.1million from mostly American victims.
The sanctions, introduced under the Trumpadministration, aim to prevent Americans from
conducting business with these cartelassociates and freeze any of their assets

(01:25):
within the United States.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized theongoing commitment to dismantling the cartels'
revenue streams, particularly theirexploitation of elderly Americans through
fraudulent timeshare operations.
The Jalisco cartel, also known by its Spanishinitials CJNG, has a reputation for violence

(01:47):
and intimidation.
In a chilling revelation, it was reported thatthe cartel has murdered call center workers who
attempted to leave their jobs.
In June 2023, it was confirmed that eight youngworkers were killed under such circumstances.
The cartel is infamously known for producingand smuggling millions of doses of fentanyl
into the United States, contributing toapproximately 70,000 overdose deaths annually.

(02:12):
The Department of Justice has labeled theJalisco cartel as one of the five most
dangerous transnational criminal organizationsglobally.
The cartel's leader, Nemesio Oseguera, alsoknown as "El Mencho," is a high-priority target
for both Mexican and American authorities.
The United States government has placed areward of up to fifteen million dollars for

(02:35):
information leading to his arrest orconviction.
This announcement is part of an ongoing effortby the Trump administration, in collaboration
with the Mexican government, to curb cartelactivities and their diverse income streams.
The United States Treasury Department haspreviously imposed sanctions on a range of
individuals, from a Mexican rapper accused oflaundering cartel money to Mexican banks

(02:59):
involved in the sale of precursor chemicals forfentanyl production.
In a related development, Mexico hastransferred twenty-six high-ranking cartel
figures to the United States as part of asignificant deal with the Trump administration.
Mexican Security Minister Omar García Harfuchstated that these transfers are strategic
measures to enhance public safety and dismantlecriminal networks.

(03:23):
However, officials clarified that this move isnot linked to ongoing negotiations concerning
potential tariffs threatened by PresidentTrump.

HEALTH ALERT (03:32):
Hand soaps sold across the United States have been recalled due to a dangerous
bacterial contamination.
The recall involves soaps potentially taintedwith Burkholderia cepacia, a bacterium that
poses serious health risks, especially toindividuals with weakened immune systems or
chronic lung conditions.

(03:52):
The contamination could lead to severerespiratory infections or other complications
if the bacteria enter the body through cuts orabrasions.
Consumers are urged to check their products anddiscontinue use immediately if they identify
any of the recalled soaps.
The United States Food and Drug Administrationis working closely with manufacturers to ensure

(04:15):
the contaminated products are removed fromshelves and that consumers are notified.
It's crucial for everyone to stay informed andcautious when purchasing and using hygiene
products.
An invasive tick species is making its way intomore parts of the country, spreading a
little-known infection that can leave peoplewith debilitating symptoms and, in rare cases,

(04:37):
can be deadly.
In May, scientists at the ConnecticutAgricultural Experiment Station in New Haven
discovered that the longhorned tick had becomea carrier for the bacterium that causes the
Ehrlichiosis infection.
With cases already on the rise, this is asignificant cause for concern.
Goudarz Molaei, the director of thelaboratory's tick-testing program, warned that

(05:00):
climate change is likely to eliminate winter intheir region, meaning ticks like the longhorned
tick will be active year-round.
This invasive species, native to East Asia, hasbeen detected in at least twenty-one states,
with Michigan reporting its first sighting inJune.
The tick likely arrived in the United States onthe backs of imported livestock or other

(05:20):
animals.
Ehrlichiosis, a potentially deadly tick-bornedisease, is becoming so prevalent that a region
of the country has been unofficially named the"Ehrlichiosis Belt," stretching from as far
north as Connecticut and New York to as farwest as Arkansas.
The infection sends about sixty percent ofpatients to the hospital and kills about one in

(05:42):
one hundred patients, according to the Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention.
Infected individuals typically experiencesymptoms like fever, chills, muscle aches,
headaches, and fatigue one to two weeks afterbeing bitten.
The number of Ehrlichiosis cases has risensteadily since 2000, with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention reporting twothousand ninety-three cases in 2019, up from

(06:08):
two hundred cases in 2000.
Studies suggest the actual number of annualEhrlichiosis cases is grossly underreported.
The Centers for Disease Control and Preventionalso noted an increase in emergency room visits
for tick bites in July compared to the pasteight years.
Manisha Juthani, the commissioner of theConnecticut Department of Public Health,

(06:31):
emphasized the importance of taking precautionslike wearing long pants and tucking them into
socks and conducting tick checks on familymembers and pets after spending time outdoors.
The longhorned tick, while often preferringlivestock, poses a formidable public health
risk due to its ability to reproduce withoutmates and carry pathogens typically carried by

(06:54):
other tick species.
The recent discovery of the Ehrlichia bacteriumin the longhorned tick raises concerns about
what other pathogens this tick might contractand transmit to humans.
Jennifer Platt, who contracted Ehrlichiosis in2011, spent months on antibiotics and in
physical therapy due to the infection.

(07:15):
Her experience underscores the importance ofraising awareness about tick-borne diseases,
especially lesser-known ones like Ehrlichiosis.
In a significant development for the technologysector, the administration of United States
President Donald Trump is reportedly in talkswith Intel, exploring the possibility of the
government taking a stake in the renownedchipmaker.

(07:37):
This news comes amidst Intel's ongoing effortsto revitalize its operations and regain its
footing in the competitive chip manufacturingindustry.
According to a report by Bloomberg News,Intel's shares saw a notable increase of over 7
percent in regular trading, followed by anadditional 2.6 percent rise after the market

(07:57):
closed, indicating investor optimism about thepotential deal.
The discussions between the Trumpadministration and Intel are said to be focused
on supporting a planned factory in Ohio, whichhas faced delays.
The potential agreement is rooted in a recentmeeting between President Trump and Intel's
Chief Executive Officer, Lip-Bu Tan.

(08:18):
During this meeting, which also includedCommerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury
Secretary Scott Bessent, strategies to bolsterthe United States' technological and
manufacturing sectors were discussed.
While the specific details of the stake and itsfinancial implications remain under discussion,
White House spokesman Kush Desai has urgedcaution, labeling any talk of deals as

(08:43):
speculative until officially announced.
Nonetheless, the move is seen as part of abroader strategy by President Trump to enhance
the United States' position in the global chipindustry, considered crucial for national
security.
Intel, once the leader in chip manufacturing,has faced challenges in recent years, with its

(09:03):
market value plummeting from two hundredeighty-eight billion dollars in 2020 to one
hundred four billion dollars currently.
The company has struggled to keep pace withindustry giants like Nvidia, particularly in
the booming artificial intelligence chipmarket.
Any deal with the government is expected to aidIntel in completing its ambitious twenty-eight

(09:24):
billion dollar chip fabrication plants in Ohio,which have been postponed to a 2030 completion
date.
This initiative is part of Intel's strategy toregain market leadership and boost its
manufacturing capabilities.
This potential partnership with Intelrepresents another step by the Trump
administration to deepen governmentalinvolvement in the chip industry, aligning with

(09:46):
recent moves such as a deal with Nvidia thatinvolves the United States government receiving
a share of sales in exchange for allowingexports of specific artificial intelligence
chips to China.
Alright, that's a wrap for this episode.
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(10:08):
Thanks again for listening, and hope to catchyou next time.