The ACTUAL NEWS: Wednesday, February 12th 2025 Recap

Olga Nesterova

Feb 12

"Today in History" and the Latest National and Global News

TODAY IN HISTORY

1818: Chile formally declared independence from Spain, a year after its victory at Chacabuco.

1851: Gold was discovered in east-central New South Wales, sparking Australia's first gold rush.

1909: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded.

1912: Puyi, the last emperor of China, abdicated at the end of the Chinese Revolution.

1953: Egypt signed an agreement with Britain granting self-government to Sudan and self-determination within three years.

2002: Slobodan Milošević, former president of Yugoslavia, went on trial for war crimes in The Hague.

2019: The Republic of Macedonia officially changed its name to the Republic of North Macedonia, as per the Prespa Agreement.

QUICK ACTUAL NEWS

NATIONAL

Tulsi Gabbard has been confirmed and sworn in as the Director of National Intelligence.
The Department of Homeland Security, as part of its evaluation of the election security mission, announced on Tuesday that personnel working on misinformation, disinformation, and foreign influence operations targeting U.S. elections have been placed on administrative leave.
The White House Correspondents' Association protested a decision made by the White House on Tuesday to bar an Associated Press reporter from attending an event with President Donald Trump. This decision came in response to the news agency’s refusal to comply with the White House’s directive to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America," following Trump’s executive order in January instructing the Interior Secretary to change the name.
Trump signed an executive order granting Elon Musk’s government-efficiency team, DOGE, extensive authority to influence the structure of the Civil Service. The order also calls for agency officials to plan for “large-scale” workforce cuts.
Musk’s team announced that it would cut nearly a billion dollars in grants and contracts from the Education Department, with a particular focus on research funding.
White House officials are reportedly considering budget cuts ranging between 30% and 40% across various government agencies, with a significant focus on staff reductions, according to a report by the Washington Post on Wednesday.
The Trump administration terminated several FEMA officials after Musk claimed, falsely, that the agency had used disaster relief funds to accommodate migrants in luxury hotels in New York.
The U.S. Justice Department has notably stepped back from its previous anti-corruption stance under Trump’s administration. This includes loosening enforcement of laws that prevent companies from bribing foreign officials and directing prosecutors to drop a criminal case against New York Mayor Eric Adams.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, after having his case dismissed by Trump’s Department of Justice, expressed concern about $80 million in FEMA funds that had been allocated by the Biden administration but were blocked by Trump. Adams stated that an internal investigation was underway and that he had reached out to the White House for more information. Also, Trump is using his influence to reshape the future of New York City, including plans to eliminate bike lanes.
Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams reportedly discussed a possible Republican primary run, according to the New York Times. Sources familiar with the matter said Adams considered the option as recently as Monday. When approached for comment, Adams stated that he is running as a Republican.
Layoffs at the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), which manages the federal government’s real estate portfolio, began on Wednesday. These layoffs predominantly affected probationary employees, who were individually pressured to either resign or be placed on leave and subsequently terminated. According to sources, more than 100 individuals were impacted.
On Wednesday, Trump signed an executive order directing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reform the foreign service to ensure the “faithful and effective implementation” of Trump’s foreign policy agenda.
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, agreed to pay about $10 million to settle a lawsuit brought against the company by U.S. President Donald Trump and its former CEO, according to the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit on Wednesday, demanding access to information about migrants flown to a U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, claiming they were being denied their right to legal counsel.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Wednesday that it would no longer defend the independent status of three consumer and worker protection agencies: the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The DOJ intends to ask the Supreme Court to overturn a 90-year-old precedent that prevents the firing of agency commissioners without cause, unlike executive branch agencies whose heads can be removed at will. This decision was disclosed in a letter from Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris to Senator Richard Durbin.
Five unions filed lawsuits on Wednesday, seeking to block the Trump administration’s buyout program, which they argue could result in the mass firing of hundreds of thousands of federal workers who refuse to accept buyouts.
A U.S. judge allowed the Trump administration to proceed with a "buyout program" for federal workers, potentially leading to tens of thousands of employees being removed from the government payrolls as part of a broader initiative to reduce the size of the U.S. civil service.
President Donald Trump moved forward with plans to overhaul the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, becoming chairman of the organization and dismissing its president, Deborah Rutter, on Wednesday.
President Trump also stated on Wednesday that he wanted to close the federal Education Department immediately. While he had mentioned last week his desire to close the department through an executive order, he acknowledged that congressional and teachers’ unions' support would be necessary to fulfill his campaign pledge.
The U.S. Justice Department filed lawsuits against New York State officials on Wednesday over alleged failures to enforce federal immigration law, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Speaker Mike Johnson said on Wednesday that he agreed with Trump’s assertion that federal spending cuts could be made without congressional approval. This stance contradicts the U.S. Constitution’s separation of powers.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor expressed concerns on Wednesday about the limits of presidential power and the potential for government officials to disregard court rulings.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate advanced President Donald Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services, paving the way for a likely vote on the nomination in the coming days.
Religious groups filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the Department of Homeland Security over a new policy that permits the arrest of immigrants within houses of worship.
A federal judge issued a halt on Trump’s plan to cut $4 billion in research funding for universities, cancer centers, and hospitals. Another judge had previously frozen part of the plan on Monday.
The U.S. Department of Education announced on Wednesday that it had rescinded guidance issued during the Biden administration, which recommended that payments to college athletes through name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals be shared equally between male and female competitors.
President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that he might sign an order imposing reciprocal tariffs on every country that charges duties on U.S. imports. "I may do it later on, or I may do it tomorrow morning, but we'll be signing reciprocal tariffs," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
NASA’s acting administrator Janet Petro stated on Wednesday that Musk’s government-efficiency panel would be reviewing the space agency’s spending. Petro also noted that hundreds of NASA employees had accepted "buyouts" as part of the federal workforce reduction plan.
Financial firms are increasingly rolling back their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) initiatives. For example, Goldman Sachs will drop its requirement for corporate boards it advises to include women and minorities.
In Silicon Valley, which is traditionally one of the least religious areas of the U.S., Christianity is gaining traction, partly due to the growing influence of billionaire Peter Thiel.
Billionaire Elon Musk’s bid to buy OpenAI faces legal opposition, with Musk’s lawsuit arguing that the assets of the ChatGPT maker should not be used for private profit, according to a letter submitted by OpenAI to a federal court on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, U.S. Senate Republicans proposed a pair of bills to eliminate the $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit and impose a new $1,000 tax on electric vehicles to fund road repairs.

GOOD TO KNOW

Many of the top employees that Trump has fired were involved in investigations concerning Musk's companies.

GLOBAL

Three detainees, including one American, have been released from detention in Belarus, the White House announced on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, President Trump stated that he did not believe it was practical for Ukraine to join NATO and that it was unlikely Ukraine would regain all of its lost territory.
European powers, including Britain, France, and Germany, emphasized on Wednesday that they must be involved in any future negotiations regarding Ukraine's future. They highlighted that a fair agreement with security guarantees is essential for achieving lasting peace.
Britain's Foreign Office stressed that the UK aims to position Ukraine in the strongest possible position moving forward.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to travel to Europe and the Middle East from February 13 to 18, the State Department confirmed on Wednesday. His trip will include stops in Germany, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin called for caution on Wednesday, stating that the country would seek dialogue with the United States following President Trump's decision to impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas that Israel would resume fighting in Gaza unless the group releases hostages by Saturday.
In an overture to President Trump, the Palestinian Authority ended its long-standing practice of compensating the families of Palestinians imprisoned or killed by Israel.
North Korean state media condemned President Trump's proposal to take control of Gaza and relocate Palestinians, labeling it absurd and accusing the U.S. of extortion. The commentary from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) expressed concern that the hopes of Palestinians for peace and security were being undermined, although Trump was not directly named.
Japan's Industry Minister Yoji Muto said on Wednesday that Japan has requested an exemption from U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum.
Russia released Marc Fogel, an American teacher who had been imprisoned for more than three years. Fogel subsequently met with President Trump at the White House.
Italian police arrested 181 individuals suspected of ties to a notorious Sicilian mafia organization.

PENTAGON

The U.S. Air Force has successfully combined two damaged F-35s into one operational stealth fighter, nicknamed "Franken-bird." The jet completed its maiden flight and is expected to be combat-ready by March.
Speaking to the press in Germany, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that there are no immediate plans to reduce U.S. troop levels in Europe. However, the administration is committed to reviewing the positioning of U.S. military forces worldwide, with a clear prioritization of the Indo-Pacific region over Europe.
On the first day of the latest Bamboo Eagle exercise off the California coast, at least 20 U.S. Air Force tanker aircraft, including 10 KC-46s and an equal number of KC-135s, provided support, according to online flight tracking data. This large-scale exercise is rapidly becoming one of the U.S. military’s most critical, as well as a key event for allied nations, focused on preparing for a potential future coalition fight in the Pacific against China.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also announced that Elon Musk will be reviewing the Pentagon’s budget to identify and eliminate wasteful spending. Hegseth specifically pointed to climate change-related programs as areas the Pentagon should not be involved in.
U.S. military officials are urgently working to upgrade aging systems that track objects in space. The capability, which they say is increasingly inadequate due to the rapid expansion of satellites and advanced space technology from rival nations, is considered crucial to national security.
Officials from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) indicated on February 10 that the U.S.’s vulnerable cybersecurity systems are indirectly allowing North Korea to strengthen its nuclear arsenal. However, the problem can be mitigated using existing technology, they said.
The Pentagon has clarified that out-of-state travel costs for service members seeking in-vitro fertilization treatment will now be covered, after initially announcing the program would be discontinued on January 29.
A new report from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) urges the Trump administration and Congress to adopt a comprehensive strategy to maintain U.S. leadership in space, including establishing diplomatic channels with China.

CARTOON OF THE DAY

TWEETS OF THE DAY

VIDEO QUICK NEWS

Leavitt on barring the AP from the White House: I was very up front in my briefing on day one that if we feel that there are lies being pushed by outlets in this room, we are going to hold those lies accountable. And it is a fact that the body of water off the coast of Louisiana is called the Gulf of America.

Musk asked about conflict of interests with him auditing Pentagon while his companies receive federal funding.

Trump on the deal with Russians: It’s very fair.

Donald Trump’s plan to “end the war in Ukraine”, delivered by Secretary of Defense, Hegseth.

US has presented Ukraine with a draft agreement on critical minerals, handed over by the Treasury Secretary in Kyiv.

Zelenskyy will now take 2 days to approve the deal.

Kremlin Spokesperson offered a readout of the Trump-Putin call.

Trump: Ukraine needs to make peace. It wasn’t a good war to go into (NOTE: UKRAINE WAS INVADED)

Putin is coming to the White House, Trump will go to Moscow, but first - they meet in Saudi Arabia.

"What if Ukraine surrenders to Russia? It would be the greatest betrayal of a European ally since Poland in 1945."

UK: The House of Commons discussed the future of Ukraine and the potential consequences.

Macron: The situation in Gaza is not a real estate operation.

U.S. Federal Deficit Increases Sharply in January and Fiscal Year 2025

The U.S. federal government posted a $129 billion budget deficit for January 2025, a significant rise from the $22 billion deficit in January 2024. This increase is attributed to calendar shifts in benefit payments, as well as rising outlays for Social Security, Medicare, and interest. January receipts totaled $513 billion, an 8% increase from the previous year, while outlays were $642 billion, up 29%. The adjusted deficit, excluding calendar shifts, was $21 billion.

For the year-to-date, the federal deficit reached a record $840 billion for the first four months of fiscal 2025, up 58% from the same period last year. Receipts were up by 1% at $1.596 trillion, while outlays increased by 15% to $2.436 trillion, both record figures for the period.

Lawmakers Question Access to Classified Nuclear Info by Musk's Department of Government Efficiency

Two Democratic U.S. lawmakers expressed concerns about whether members of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have access to classified nuclear weapons information. The lawmakers pressed U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright about potential security risks, particularly regarding the Department of Energy's IT systems, which manage the nation's nuclear stockpile.

The lawmakers highlighted concerns that DOGE employees, including individuals without security clearances, could gain access to sensitive information, such as data related to nuclear weapons and financial systems for energy projects. Wright assured that DOGE members had not accessed classified material and emphasized that they were not looking into nuclear secrets.

The controversy centers on the potential for DOGE members, including a former SpaceX intern, to access secure data within the Department of Energy's systems.

TODAY'S COVER PHOTO

Snow covers the north lawn of the White House

That's all from me for now. Thank you 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.

DONATE