The ACTUAL NEWS: Tuesday, February 4th 2025 Recap
Today in History; U.S. Exits UN Human Rights Council and UNRWA, Democrats Push Back on DOGE "Takeover," U.S. to Take Control Over Gaza Strip, and Other National and Global News
TODAY IN HISTORY
1787: Shays's Rebellion, an uprising in western Massachusetts in opposition to high taxes and stringent economic conditions, was defeated by the Springfield militia.
1789: George Washington was elected as the first U.S. president by a unanimous vote in the first Electoral College.
1932: The United States hosted its first Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York.
1945: During the final stages of World War II, the Yalta Conference opened, with Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin meeting to plan the final defeat and occupation of Nazi Germany.
1948: Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) gained independence from Great Britain.
1974: Newspaper heiress Patty Hearst was kidnapped by members of the Symbionese Liberation Army.
2003: Yugoslavia officially changed its name to Serbia and Montenegro.
2004: The website Facebook was launched (as TheFacebook.com); it would later become the largest social
network in the world.
2012: British servicewoman Florence Green, the last surviving veteran of World War I, died at age 110.
2020: Kenyan politician Daniel arap Moi, who served as president for nearly 25 years, died at the age of 95.
QUICK ACTUAL NEWS
NATIONAL
Democratic U.S. congressional leaders pushed for legislation to prevent "unlawful meddling" by the newly established Department of Government Efficiency in the Treasury Department's payroll system. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer made the announcement on Tuesday, saying, “Today, Leader Jeffries and I are joining forces to introduce legislation to stop unlawful interference in the Treasury’s payment systems and protect Americans nationwide… We’re calling our bill 'Stop the Steal.'”
A medical advocacy group filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against major U.S. health agencies, challenging the sudden removal of websites containing public health information. This move follows an executive order from President Donald Trump aimed at addressing what his administration deems "gender ideology extremism."
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Treasury and Commerce Departments to create the nation’s first-ever sovereign wealth fund. Trump hinted that the fund might be used to acquire TikTok. Sovereign wealth funds are typically found in countries with budget surpluses, unlike the U.S., which operates with a deficit. The order did not clarify where the fund would source its money, though Trump previously suggested it could come from “tariffs and other intelligent measures.”
President Trump said on Tuesday that he would like to close the U.S. Department of Education through an executive order. “We spend more per pupil than any other country, and we’re ranked at the bottom. I want to let the states take charge of schools,” Trump commented in the Oval Office.
Prices for Shein, Temu, and Amazon Haul products are expected to rise for American shoppers, analysts say, following President Trump's decision to close a trade loophole that previously allowed low-value packages from China to enter the U.S. duty-free.
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) will restructure its Division of Enforcement’s task forces to move away from "regulation by enforcement" and focus more on combating fraud and supporting victims, according to the acting chairman of the CFTC on Tuesday.
Baltimore, Maryland and three organizations filed a lawsuit against President Trump’s administration on Monday, asking a federal court to halt and declare unconstitutional a pair of executive orders aimed at ending diversity programs.
An anonymous group of FBI employees sued the U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday, seeking to protect the identities of agents who investigated the supporters of Donald Trump involved in the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.
CBS News handed over documents to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Monday as part of an investigation into a "60 Minutes" interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
President Trump tweeted on Monday that there is significant interest in TikTok, as his administration works to facilitate the sale of the app. "GREAT INTEREST IN TIKTOK! It would be wonderful for China and everyone involved," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Richard Grenell, President Trump’s envoy, confirmed on Monday that at least six Americans remain wrongfully imprisoned in Venezuela, following his recent return to the U.S. after securing the release of six other Americans.
The U.S. Interior Department on Monday announced a series of orders aimed at advancing Trump’s goal of boosting domestic energy and minerals production while cutting regulatory red tape. Secretary Doug Burgum, a former governor of North Dakota, signed six orders on his first day, directing staff to accelerate project development and permitting. One order reversed Biden’s decision to withdraw large areas of federal waters from new offshore oil and gas development.
The U.S. Senate on Monday confirmed Chris Wright, a fracking executive, as President Trump’s energy secretary in a 59-38 vote, with seven Democrats and one Independent voting in favor.
President Trump nominated Pierre M. Gentin, McKinsey & Co.'s chief legal officer, to serve as the U.S. Commerce Department's general counsel, according to Senate records.
Tulsi Gabbard’s confirmation as Director of National Intelligence moved forward on Tuesday when a Senate committee supported her, despite concerns about her lack of experience and past statements seen as sympathetic to U.S. adversaries.
The U.S. Air Force clarified on Tuesday that its equal opportunity programs will remain intact, distinguishing them from the department's ongoing review of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Acting Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Gwendolyn Defilippi issued a memo for clarification on January 30.
Service members arrived at Guantanamo Bay over the weekend to prepare the Navy base in Cuba for an influx of deported migrants. Marines from the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, joined personnel from U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Army South, bringing the total number of deployed service members to 150.
The Pentagon lifted the temporary social media suspension imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s team to realign communications with the new administration’s vision and objectives, according to an internal email obtained by DefenseScoop on February 3.
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has issued a call for industry ideas on implementing President Trump's January 27 "Iron Dome for America" executive order. The request for information (RFI) was issued just four days after the order, which mandates the Pentagon to develop a comprehensive defense system for the U.S. homeland.
The EPA has begun clearing toxic debris from homes destroyed by the Los Angeles wildfires, though the full cleanup is expected to take months. Meanwhile, the Trump administration warned over 1,100 EPA employees working on climate change and other programs that they may face termination.
More than 20,000 federal employees have indicated they are willing to or have already quit their jobs under a voluntary incentive program, which has a Thursday deadline, Reuters reported.
Layoffs of federal workers are likely if too few employees quit under the White House’s deferred resignation program, according to a memo from a General Services Administration official, cited by the Washington Post on Tuesday.
The first U.S. military aircraft carrying detained migrants to Guantanamo Bay arrived on Tuesday, as the Trump administration prepares to house potentially tens of thousands of migrants at the naval base in Cuba.
The Trump administration has begun efforts to remove at least one transgender service member and is turning away transgender applicants, an emergency legal filing revealed on Tuesday.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Pam Bondi as the new attorney general on Tuesday, elevating one of President Trump’s most loyal political allies to lead U.S. law enforcement.
Shares of vaccine makers and packaged food companies dropped on Tuesday after Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick for U.S. health secretary, moved closer to securing the position following a favorable Senate committee vote.
President Trump’s overhaul of U.S. foreign assistance has caused turmoil in the aid and development sector, leaving many contractors facing financial difficulties, including staff layoffs and millions of dollars in unpaid invoices.
A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday upheld President Joe Biden's mandate, which requires federal contractors to pay their employees a minimum wage of $17.75 an hour.
President Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Wednesday effectively banning transgender girls and women from participating in school and college sports events, a White House official confirmed.
Senate Republicans introduced a resolution on Tuesday to overturn the Biden administration's proposed fee on methane emissions, one of the EPA's final actions aimed at reducing emissions from oil and gas producers.
The Trump administration appointed a former speechwriter for President Trump as the new top public diplomacy official at the U.S. State Department. The appointee has a history of controversial views on U.S. foreign policy toward Taiwan and inflammatory remarks about women and minorities, including advocating for "competent white men" to be in charge.
GLOBAL
Greenland will hold a general election on March 11, announced its prime minister on Tuesday. The upcoming election is expected to focus on Greenland’s independence ambitions, its fragile economy, and its relations with Denmark and the United States—especially following renewed interest from U.S. President Donald Trump in the Arctic territory.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping did not have a conversation on Tuesday, according to a U.S. official, despite earlier statements by trade advisor Peter Navarro suggesting otherwise.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will visit Panama in April to discuss strategies with his Panamanian counterpart aimed at tackling irregular migration and the flow of drugs, as confirmed on Tuesday.
More than $13 million in U.S. funding for an international security force helping fight armed gangs in Haiti has been frozen due to President Donald Trump’s 90-day suspension of foreign aid, according to the United Nations.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday dismissed Ecuador’s announcement of tariffs on Mexican goods, noting that Mexico’s trade with Ecuador is a minor part of its exports.
Mexico will not allow the U.S. to send migrants to Guantanamo Bay, preferring to receive them directly. Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente said the Mexican government sent a diplomatic note to the U.S. embassy in Mexico regarding this stance on Tuesday.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is traveling to Washington, D.C., to meet with Trump administration officials and members of Congress to discuss aid for victims of the Los Angeles-area wildfires, according to his office.
Members of President Donald Trump’s trade team are united in their goal to shift U.S. government revenue sources from income taxes to tariffs and other external sources, a top trade official said on Tuesday.
Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka attended a presidential prayer breakfast in Washington, marking the first opportunity for a Pacific Islands leader to press the region’s priorities on aid and climate issues with the Trump administration.
President Donald Trump expressed support on Tuesday for efforts to resettle Palestinians from Gaza to places where "they can live without fear of violence". Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump mentioned discussions with Jordan, Egypt, and other countries in the region, though these nations reportedly disagree with the idea of "removing" Palestinians from their homeland.
The family of an American killed when a Malaysian Airlines plane was shot down over Ukraine in 2014 can sue Russia’s largest bank for allegedly providing money transfers to a group blamed for the downing, a U.S. appeals court ruled on Tuesday.
The impact of new tariffs on the U.S. economy remains unclear, though their immediate effect on stocks was dramatic. On Monday, stocks plunged in the morning but recovered much of the losses after news that import duties on Mexico would be delayed. However, the market ended lower when no deal was reached with Canada until after the market closed. Auto stocks were particularly affected.
U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Florida on Thursday. The meeting coincides with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S. and the resumption of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas concerning a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release. Qatar has acted as a mediator in these talks.
Hamas is ready to open talks with the Trump administration, according to a senior Hamas official cited by Russia's RIA state news agency on Wednesday.
President Trump said on Tuesday that he would be open to making a deal with Iran to improve bilateral relations but emphasized that Tehran should not develop nuclear weapons.
Trump’s new 10% tariff on all Chinese imports took effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday. In retaliation, China imposed tariffs on U.S. natural gas, coal, and other products. China’s market regulators also announced an investigation into Google.
The European Union plans to engage quickly with the United States regarding President Trump’s proposed tariffs. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said on Tuesday that negotiations would be tough, with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stating that Europe would protect its interests through pragmatic solutions.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa had a discussion with Elon Musk on the subject of misinformation about South Africa, following President Trump’s decision to suspend aid to the country over its land reform policy. Musk's father reportedly arranged the call.
Salvador’s government offered to hold deported migrants from any nationality, as well as U.S. citizens convicted of crimes, in its detention facilities "for a price." President Nayib Bukele made the proposal during a visit from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Legally, U.S. cannot deport its citizens to El Salvador, yet President Trump labeled the proposal as "interesting".
President Trump invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the White House next week, according to a White House official, shortly after a U.S. military plane left to return deported migrants to India.
Five Arab foreign ministers and a senior Palestinian official sent a joint letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, opposing the idea of displacing Palestinians from Gaza, which President Trump first proposed in late January.
Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated that his government aims to restore ties with the U.S. in the coming days, though they have yet to make contact with the Trump administration, according to an interview with The Economist.
Precision airstrikes led by Iraqi security forces killed five ISIS operatives near Kirkuk, Iraq, on January 31, according to a U.S. Central Command post on Tuesday.
Iran’s scientists are exploring a faster, albeit cruder, method to develop an atomic weapon, according to intelligence findings.
Ukrainian forces are facing dire shortages of infantry troops and their supply routes are under attack by Russian drones in Pokrovsk, where key battles are taking place.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the revival of the Soviet-era Eurovision alternative, the Intervision Song Contest, to counter what he claims is the "decadence of modern Western culture". The contest is set to take place in Moscow this year, with countries like China, Cuba, and Brazil expected to participate.
The Georgian government is moving forward with legislation to increase penalties for protest-related offenses, amid a protracted political crisis in the South Caucasus nation.
Kabul’s UN compound was targeted on Sunday by gunfire from a Taliban member, injuring a security guard. The Taliban spokesperson called it a "one-way misunderstanding" but provided no further details.
At least 10 people were killed in a school shooting in Orebro, Sweden, at a school for adult education. Local police described the incident as a "nightmare."
U.S. Vice President JD Vance will attend the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit in Paris next week, a French diplomatic source confirmed. Last month, President Trump announced a $500 billion AI project named Stargate, although Europe’s adoption of AI technology has been slower than in the U.S.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Pacific Patrol
The guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley travels in the Pacific Ocean, Jan. 30, 2025, while underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of responsibility conducting routine training operations.

VIDEO QUICK NEWS
Trump signed an EO withdrawing the U.S. from the UN Human Rights Council and UNRWA, putting UNESCO & UN memberships under review.
Doocy: "Sounds like you’re going to wind down USAID.."
Trump: “Sounds like it. I could see Marco Rubio being in charge. Some of the money is well spent I guess but much of it is really fraudulent.”
Trump: “Elon Musk has done a great job. Look at all the fraud he has found in this USAID. It is a disaster, radical left lunatics. They have things that no one would even believe. The whole thing with 100 million spent on you know what. I’d like to see what the kickbacks are.”
Trump: “The Gaza has not worked. It has never worked. I think they should get a good fresh piece of land. We can find some people to put some money into it. (…) I don’t know how they could want to stay. It’s a demolition site. If we could find the right piece of land or numerous pieces of land and build them some nice places. They could be in Jordan, they could be in Egypt.”
Trump: “I left instructions to obliterate Iran if I was taken out by them: If they do it, they get obliterated. There won’t be anything left.”
Jeffries: “Spending agreements passed through the appropriations process are law. When those laws are violated, the constitution has been violated.”
Jeffries: "As leader Schumer indicated, the problem lies with some individuals that have been put in charge of this raid on the government, including Elon Musk."
Republicans claim that “now” Mexico has put 10K “permanent” troops at the border although previously they’ve had 15K troops.
Crockett: “What we’re not going to do is stand around while they pull this bullshit that they’re trying to pull right now.”
Trump shares the plan to "relocate" Palestinians to Jordan or Egypt despite their unwillingness to house Palestinians on their territory.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Visits The White House
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he sees the United States having a "long-term ownership position" on the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who spoke alongside Trump at a press conference, said the U.S. president's idea was worth paying attention to and “was taking it to another level.”

The exact quotes
Trump: "I love Israel, I love Gaza, I will visit. I will visit also Saudi Arabia. It's a beautiful place. I will be visiting a lot of places, I was invited everywhere."
"I envision "world people" living in Gaza. People from all over the world will live there. it is a beautiful place. The riviera of the Middle East. We will make sure it will be world class."
"Despite of them saying no, I feel like Jordan and Egypt will give us land that is needed to get it done (referring to Palestinian "resettlement")."
Trump also adds that "this is necessary as Palestine would've broken their word."
"It doesn't mean anything about two state, one state.."
Reporter from Afghanistan asks a question about defending human and women's rights in Afghanistan". Trump claims he doesn't understand a word she is saying "due to accent" and adds "beautiful country, live in peace!"
Trump also claims that "Gaza was a mess even before the Israeli bombings.”
A journalist asks "don't you think you will unite the Muslim world against you?" Netanyahu says: "if you want a future, you need to knock out the threats."
Netanyahu calls Trump "the greatest friend Israel has ever had at The White House."
Trump: "1.5M Palestinians will move from their unlucky existence which will be paid by the neighboring countries.. it could be 1, 3, 4, ..12 or 1 country. They will move away from this demolition site and they will live in peace and harmony somewhere nice. We will take control over Gaza strip."
NBC: "You want to claim a sovereign territory?"
Trump: "Yes, I see a longterm ownership. It is such great area in such bad condition. It only will get worse. This is a great idea that got tremendous praise."
Netanyahu: "My goal is for Gaza to never be a threat. Trump takes it to another level, he has great vision for this piece of land."
Legal Foundations Laid for Special Tribunal to Address Russia’s Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine
Today, senior legal experts from the European Commission, the European External Action Service, the Council of Europe, Ukraine, and 37 states established the legal groundwork for a Special Tribunal to prosecute Russia for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. The "Schuman draft Statute" was introduced as the legal framework for the Tribunal's operations.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a severe violation of the UN Charter, and that justice for Ukraine is now in progress. In addition to the Tribunal, a new Claims Commission will be formed to determine compensation for victims, holding Russia accountable for its actions. The European Commission also recommended participation in negotiations for the establishment of this Commission.
The Special Tribunal will be able to hold Russian leaders accountable, and Ukrainian authorities will be able to refer relevant cases to the Tribunal.
"When Russia chose to roll its tanks over Ukraine’s borders, breaking the UN Charter, it committed one of the gravest violations: the Crime of Aggression. Now, justice is coming. Justice for Ukraine. We have laid down the legal foundations for a Special Tribunal. There can also be no justice without compensation. Russia must be held accountable for its aggression – and it must pay. We made a first step towards a Claims Commission with the participation of the EU. This new body will determine claims recorded in the Register of Damage." Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
"Today we have taken an important step towards establishing a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. There is broad international support for this and a broad international commitment to accountability. Unpunished crimes only encourage new atrocities. This is a signal to the world that no one from Russia’s leadership is untouchable." Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission
"During the last three years, we have witnessed the atrocities committed by Russia against the Ukrainian people. Let me be clear, these crimes will be met with full accountability. Today is a historic step to bring justice to an unjust war, delivering on our promise for unwavering support to Ukraine and its people. I thank all Core Group participants for their unrelenting commitment to justice, and I look forward to the swift establishment of these crucial mechanisms." Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection
The creation of the Claims Commission and Tribunal is a critical step in ensuring accountability and justice for Ukraine, with the first round of negotiations for the Claims Commission set to begin in March 2025.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Climate change could cause the U.S. housing market to lose $1.47 trillion in value over the next 30 years, according to a new study by First Street.
The Proud Boys no longer control their name. A judge ruled that as part of a nearly $3 million settlement against the group, the trademark is now awarded to a Black church they vandalized.
Leaders of the New Orleans Saints (NFL) played a key role in managing a local Catholic archdiocese’s sex abuse scandal. They used their influence to shape public opinion and provided communications expertise to handle the crisis.
Super Bowl security: Homeland Security officials expressed confidence in the security arrangements for the game in New Orleans. President Trump is also set to attend the Super Bowl this weekend.
The Sims celebrated its 25th anniversary today. The iconic video game franchise has sold more than 200 million copies since its debut and accumulated 1.2 billion hours of playtime last year alone.
Meta’s investment in VR and AR is set to exceed $100 billion this year, according to the Financial Times. The company has invested over $80 billion into AR and VR development since acquiring Oculus in 2014, including a $19.9 billion investment into its Reality Labs division last year. The division is expected to receive another $20+ billion this year.
Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of U.S. President Donald Trump, allegedly broke Italian and European Union environmental protection laws while hunting ducks near Venice in December, according to two Italian Green Party lawmakers.
That’s it from me for now. Thank you so much for reading.
SUPPORT INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM
ONEST Network is an independent media company that relies solely on your support. We value independence, enabling us to report ACTUAL NEWS while keeping your data secure. Your donation would be greatly appreciated to help us continue our operations.
Comentarios