Funding Freeze, Year of the Snake, and Polka Dot History

In partnership with

Funding Freeze Halted

A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration's order yesterday to pause funding for all federal grants, loans, and other financial assistance just minutes before the directive was scheduled to go into effect. The block lasts until Monday afternoon and sets a hearing for arguments that morning.

The White House's order intended to temporarily halt trillions of dollars in aid to initiatives including education, healthcare, child care, disaster relief, housing assistance, and small businesses. The Office of Management and Budget sent a two-page memo and an 836-page spreadsheet to federal agencies Monday night, asking them to provide details about their spending programs.

The move aimed to review funding to ensure financial assistance programs align with President Donald Trump’s policies. Critics argue the order violates the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, which outlines the procedure presidents must follow when they seek to withhold funds—much of which is authorized and required to be disbursed by Congress via the annual appropriations process (see overview).

Separately, Trump is reportedly offering buyouts to federal workers who don't want to return to the office as long as they resign by Feb. 6.

Year of the Wood Snake

The Lunar New Year begins today, marking the start of the Year of the Wood Snake in the Chinese zodiac. The 15-day celebration, observed by millions across Asian communities worldwide, begins with the new moon and concludes with the Lantern Festival on Feb. 12. China anticipates 9 billion trips during the 40-day travel period, the world’s largest annual human migration.

The snake—the sixth animal in the 12-year zodiac cycle—symbolizes wisdom, growth, and transformation. People born in snake years are traditionally regarded as charismatic, intelligent, and creative, but also strategic, mysterious, and stubborn. The wood element adds qualities such as growth, flexibility, and charm. Notable figures born in snake years include Chinese President Xi Jinping, former US President John F. Kennedy, and Taylor Swift; see which zodiac animal you are here.

Holiday traditions emphasize family and good fortune, with customs including red decorations, family reunions, and red envelope gifts. See our 1440 Topics page on the holiday here.

Cannabis Study 

The largest study on cannabis and its impact on brain function suggests the use of the substance has a statistically significant effect on working memory, per findings released yesterday.  

Researchers examined 1,003 individuals ages 22 to 36 using brain imaging technology. Participants were categorized based on their lifetime usage: Heavy users had used cannabis more than 1,000 times, moderate users had used it between 10 and 999 times, and nonusers had used it fewer than 10 times. Results (view abstract) showed 63% of heavy lifetime cannabis users and 68% of recent users experienced reduced brain activity when performing working memory tasks. Working memory allows individuals to retain and manipulate short-term information, such as memorizing directions or solving math problems mentally. 

The study further found heavy cannabis use negatively impacted brain regions responsible for decision-making, memory, attention, and emotional processing. See an overview of cannabis here. 

In partnership with Mode Mobile

Incoming Call: Nasdaq

In partnership with Mode Mobile

First Disruption To Smartphones In 15 Years?

$325 million. That's how much Mode Mobile customers have earned and saved by simply using their phones. Known as the Uber of smartphones, their tech has monetized the 40 hours a week that we spend on our phones, and they’ve been named the fastest growing software company in 2023 according to Deloitte.

Missed investing in Uber before they went public? Don’t miss Mode—invest in their pre-IPO offering at just $0.26/share and lock in up to 2X bonus shares.*

Please support our sponsors!