The ACTUAL NEWS: Wednesday, February 5th 2025 Recap

Feb 5

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

TODAY IN HISTORY

146 BCE: The Third Punic War, the last of three between Rome and Carthage, came to an end culminating in the final destruction of Carthage, the enslavement of its people, and Roman hegemony over the Mediterranean.

1900: The first of two Hay-Pauncefote treaties (named for U.S. Secretary of State John Hay and British Ambassador Lord Pauncefote) was signed between the United States and Great Britain over control of the proposed Panama Canal.

1917: Mexico adopted its present constitution.

1943: American middleweight boxer Jake LaMotta, the “Bronx Bull,” handed Sugar Ray Robinson his first defeat.

2003: U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell appeared before the United Nations Security Council to present evidence that Iraq possessed proscribed weapons of mass destruction and posed an immediate danger.

2017: In the first overtime game in Super Bowl history, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots overcame a 25-point deficit to defeat the Atlanta Falcons.

2020: After being impeached by the House of Representatives over his actions in the Ukraine scandal, President Donald Trump was acquitted in the Senate.

QUICK ACTUAL NEWS

NATIONAL

Senate committees advanced the controversial nominations of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health Secretary and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence.
Newly sworn-in U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi plans to sign a directive on Wednesday, her first day in office, which could allow Justice Department lawyers to be dismissed if they refuse to pursue legal arguments on behalf of President Donald Trump's administration, according to Fox News.
The controversial email system used by Elon Musk and his associates to contact all federal employees for the first time operates "entirely on government computers" and does not use a non-government server, officials from the Office of Personnel Management stated in a court filing on Wednesday. NOTE: proof needed
UnitedHealth has contacted the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding billionaire investor Bill Ackman’s now-deleted post on social media platform X, where he mentioned taking a short position in the healthcare conglomerate.
The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee voted 16-12 on Wednesday to advance President Trump's nominee, Howard Lutnick, for Commerce Secretary. All Democrats, except for Senator John Fetterman, opposed the nomination. Lutnick, a billionaire Wall Street CEO, had previously advised Trump on implementing country-by-country tariffs to restore "reciprocity" in trade relations.
Congressional Republicans have introduced several bills to honor Trump, including proposals to rename Dulles Airport in his honor and to add his likeness to Mount Rushmore.
Josh Kraft, the son of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, is running for mayor of Boston against the progressive incumbent, Michelle Wu.
U.S. government workers, fearing massive downsizing, struggled with the decision of whether to accept a "buyout offer" from the Trump administration ahead of a Thursday deadline, which warned that those who declined could face termination.
The U.N. refugee agency has appealed to donors to bring forward planned payments after the Trump administration froze hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign aid, the agency’s head told Reuters.
A federal judge in Maryland became the second nationally to block the Trump administration’s executive order aimed at curtailing birthright citizenship in the U.S.
United Steelworkers President David McCall filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit from U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel, which accused him, rival bidder Cleveland-Cliffs, and its CEO Lourenco Goncalves of illegal actions to block a $14.9 billion deal.
A former member of the National Labor Relations Board has filed a lawsuit against President Trump, alleging she was wrongfully fired from the agency that protects workers’ rights. Gwynne Wilcox claims her January 27 firing violated the National Labor Relations Act, which only permits board members to be dismissed for neglect of duty or malfeasance.
The Trump administration took action on Wednesday targeting transgender girls' and women's participation in school sports. President Trump signed an executive order instructing federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and Department of Education, to interpret Title IX, the law barring sex discrimination in federally funded education programs, as prohibiting the participation of transgender girls and women in female sports.
Officers from various U.S. federal agencies searched for alleged members of the Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua on Wednesday in Aurora, Colorado, a city with a large migrant population where Trump outlined his immigration policies during his campaign.
The U.S. Federal Reserve remains inclined toward further rate cuts this year, although concerns about the impact of new Trump administration policies on tariffs, immigration, and regulations must first be fully understood, Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin stated on Wednesday.
The U.S. Postal Service announced it would resume accepting all inbound mail and packages from China and Hong Kong on Wednesday after temporarily suspending the service. USPS and Customs and Border Protection are working together to implement an efficient collection mechanism for the new China tariffs to minimize disruptions in package delivery.
Senator Mitch McConnell fell twice near the Senate chamber on Wednesday, according to Punchbowl News. In one instance, the Kentucky Republican fell down the stairs and was helped by other senators, and later fell inside the chambers. Representatives for McConnell did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Representatives from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency have been working at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, where they’ve gained access to critical payment and contracting systems, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The Acting U.S. Deputy Attorney General confirmed on Wednesday that FBI agents working on January 6 investigations are not at risk of termination, accusing FBI leaders of "insubordination" for failing to comply with demands for information about those cases, according to a memo obtained by Reuters.
A U.S. bankruptcy judge blocked a settlement between families suing Alex Jones over his false claims about the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, ruling that their attempt to divide the conspiracy theorist’s assets exceeded the court’s authority.
President Donald Trump has revoked federal security protection for former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, The New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are scheduled to brief senators on Thursday regarding last week’s midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a military helicopter near Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport, which resulted in 67 deaths, a congressional aide confirmed on Wednesday.
Many of America's top figure skaters will gather in Washington, D.C., for a live "Legacy on Ice" tribute show to support families impacted by the January 29 plane crash that killed young skaters returning home from a training camp.

GLOBAL

The Chinese Foreign Ministry called for dialogue between China and the United States as an additional 10% U.S. tariff on all Chinese products took effect. In response, China announced counter-tariffs of up to 15% on some U.S. imports, effective February 10, allowing both nations time to negotiate a potential deal. China’s foreign ministry also said it had lodged complaints with the United States regarding "irresponsible" remarks about the Panama Canal and "attacks" on China's cooperation with Panama over the canal.
President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. would take control of war-torn Gaza and create a "Riviera of the Middle East" after resettling Palestinians elsewhere, a proposal that shattered decades of U.S. policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson praised Trump’s plan to take over Gaza, asserting that House Republicans would "stand with" the President on this initiative. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also tweeted on Tuesday in support, commending Trump for "Making Gaza Beautiful Again."

Human Rights Watch criticized the proposal calling the displacement of Palestinians a moral abomination.

The United Arab Emirates rejected any attempt to displace Palestinians and deny them their "inalienable rights," according to a statement from the UAE foreign ministry.

Jordan's King Abdullah rejected any efforts to annex land or displace Palestinians, responding to Trump’s proposal to take over Gaza. This plan, announced by Trump on Tuesday, has sparked widespread international condemnation.

Gazans criticized Trump’s proposal to resettle Palestinians elsewhere, vowing to remain in their homes, despite the President’s vision of transforming Gaza into a "Riviera of the Middle East."

An official from the Lebanese Hezbollah group described the U.S. plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza as "criminal orders." The statement, made by Hussein Moussawi, political advisor to Hezbollah’s secretary general, was published on Wednesday.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva rejected Trump’s Gaza plan on Wednesday, dismissing the U.S. President's ambitions and tariff threats as "bravado."

France also rejected Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. might take control of Gaza, stating that it would violate international law and destabilize the region.

U.S. Arab American and Muslim leaders, some of whom supported Trump in the 2024 election, condemned the proposal, calling it unacceptable and antithetical to lasting peace.

Far-right Israeli politician Itamar Ben Gvir and settler groups in the occupied West Bank praised Trump’s comments about moving Palestinians out of Gaza, urging swift action.

The White House alleged on Wednesday that Trump has not committed to deploying U.S. troops to Gaza as part of his plan for a U.S.-led takeover of the region despite President's comments last night live on television.

The U.S. Department of Defense is preparing plans to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria, according to NBC News. The Pentagon is considering a full withdrawal within 30, 60, or 90 days, following discussions with Trump.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led group, stated on Wednesday that they have not been informed of any U.S. plans to withdraw from northern and eastern Syria. The SDF’s spokesperson warned that ISIS and other malicious forces could exploit a U.S. withdrawal to regain control.

The U.S. Navy announced that Australian, Japanese, Philippine, and U.S. defense forces will conduct joint maritime operations within the Philippine exclusive economic zone on February 5 to enhance cooperation and interoperability.

The Philippine lower house impeached Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, setting the stage for a high-profile trial in the Senate.

Eyes will be on Paris next week to see if the U.S. can find common ground with China and nearly 100 other nations on the safe development of artificial intelligence (Reuters).

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his upcoming trip to Paris, France, and Brussels, Belgium, from February 8-12, 2025, to strengthen transatlantic cooperation and advance global AI development.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister stated on Wednesday that Ukraine and other European nations could store U.S.-sourced liquefied natural gas (LNG), strengthening Europe's energy security as gas imports from Russia cease.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Wednesday that Ukraine continues to receive military aid from the U.S. allocated by the Biden administration, with no indication of any "new" support. He made this statement following a meeting with British Foreign Minister David Lammy.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian urged OPEC members to unite against potential U.S. sanctions after Trump’s announcement of plans to reduce Tehran’s oil exports to zero.

Hungary’s government will offer free grants to rural pensioners to renovate their homes, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Wednesday, as he prepares for elections in about a year.

The U.S. has halted purchases for foreign food aid programs due to a review of federal aid spending under the Trump administration, despite a waiver issued two weeks ago for food assistance.

The UK will invest £17 million in innovative energy projects to support Ukraine’s energy system recovery, Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced during his visit to Kyiv. This funding will support the second round of the InnovateUkraine competition, aimed at piloting low-carbon solutions for Ukraine’s energy needs.

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau announced the Canada-U.S. Economic Summit, to be held in Toronto on February 7, 2025, to promote business and investment between the two nations.

Guatemala will accept 40% more deportation flights from the U.S., President Bernardo Arevalo said after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday. Rubio confirmed that Guatemala had agreed to accept deportees of various nationalities, and pledged support for Guatemala’s efforts to repatriate non-Guatemalan citizens.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

A protester holds a sign referencing Elon Musk, who is heading U.S. President Donald Trump's drive to shrink the federal government, as demonstrators gather in protest of U.S. President Donald Trump outside New York's City Hall, in New York City, U.S., February 5, 2025.

Credit: REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton — **Credit:** REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

VIDEO QUICK NEWS

Democrats in the House Oversight committee called for Elon Musk to testify.

Question: “Is there an inconsistency with Republicans railing against 'unelected bureaucrats' in charge and yet ceding Article 1 powers to the executive branch under Elon Musk?”

Johnson: “I think there's a gross overreaction in the media to what's happening.”

Democrat Al Green has brought Articles of Impeachment against President Trump over the threat of "ethnic cleansing in Gaza."

DISINFORMATION: White House claims Biden administration did "nothing" to help people in California and North Carolina.

Schumer: "We will win! We will win! We won't rest! We won't rest!"

Leavitt claims DOGE “engineers” have “read only” access to the federal financial system.

Question: “The WHCA announced Amber Ruffin who has called the President a "toddler with his pants pulled down" will be the entertainment for this year's correspondents' dinner. Does the White House have a reaction to this choice, will the President be attending this year?”

Leavitt: “I’ll talk to the boss and see what we decide.”

Trump signs the EO banning transgender women from women sports: "If you’d like to gather around me."

Japan Airlines plane hits Delta Air Lines jet while taxiing at Seattle Airport

On this note..

Trump at Bondi's swearing-in ceremony as United States Attorney General in the Oval Office today: "I'd also like to thank Justice Clarence Thomas and his incredible wife, who's here someplace. There she is! Incredible, highly respected wife, I will say."

U.S. Transportation Secretary to Reevaluate Air Traffic Control Rules After Deadly Collision

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Wednesday that he is reconsidering rules that allowed reduced staffing at Washington D.C.'s Reagan National Airport before the fatal Army helicopter-plane collision that claimed 67 lives last week. This tragic incident has raised significant questions regarding both air traffic control procedures and the use of military helicopters in the congested airspace near the airport.

During a speech in Washington, Duffy expressed concerns about the military's decision to fly helicopters near Reagan National Airport, calling into question the necessity of such flights. "If we have generals who are flying in helicopters for convenience through this airspace, that's not acceptable. Get a damn Suburban and drive - you don't need to take a helicopter," Duffy remarked, suggesting that military personnel should consider alternative means of transportation.

The Army Black Hawk helicopter involved in the collision was on a training mission, and there are indications that the pilot may have been using night vision goggles at the time. Duffy also questioned the timing of the flight, stating, “We’re going to hopefully find this out, but if they had night vision goggles on a mission like that at nine o'clock at night and not at 1 a.m. - it is unacceptable.”

Additionally, he noted that the helicopter was flying at 300 feet—above the maximum 200 feet allowed for that route, highlighting the need for stricter airspace regulations. "We have to take a real look at the safety around this airspace… We can fly training missions at a different time of night,” he added.

Following the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed strict restrictions on helicopter flights around Reagan National Airport, effective until at least late February. Duffy also revealed that, prior to the accident, two air traffic control positions had been consolidated for managing both helicopters and aircraft, a decision he now plans to reassess. "We're going to pull that authority back to make sure that we have the right policies in place inside our towers to make sure when you fly you're safe," Duffy stated.

The FAA is currently facing a staffing shortage of about 3,000 air traffic controllers, a situation Duffy addressed by outlining plans to ramp up training and recruitment efforts. "It's going to take us time to get more air traffic controllers," he said.

NOTE: As reported by the Associated Press on January 21st 2025, Trump fired heads of TSA, Coast Guard and gutted key aviation safety advisory committee just a day after his inauguration.

Duffy also highlighted the need for technological upgrades to the aging infrastructure used by the FAA. "We’re going to upgrade it and make sure that America has the most innovative, technologically advanced air system, air traffic control system that's going to make it safer," he concluded, emphasizing the critical need for modernization in U.S. aviation safety.

Duffy also mentioned that he had a conversation with Elon Musk seeking his advice.

Iran Signals Willingness for U.S. Talks Despite Tensions

A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday that Iran is ready to engage in talks with the United States to resolve disputes, despite President Donald Trump’s decision to restore his "maximum pressure" campaign on the country.

The official stated, "Iran is ready to give the United States a chance to resolve disputes," adding that discussions over the Palestinian issue and the nuclear deal should be treated separately. The official also clarified Iran's stance on Gaza, saying, "Iran does not agree with any displacement of Palestinians and has communicated this through various channels."

The official stressed that the nuclear deal and concerns over Iran’s nuclear program should not be conflated with other regional matters. "If Washington is seeking a deal, it must rein in Israel," the official asserted, referring to U.S. relations with Israel, which have been a point of contention.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi echoed this sentiment, explaining that U.S. concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions are "not a complicated issue" and can be addressed, given Tehran's opposition to weapons of mass destruction. "Iran has no intention to build nuclear weapons," Araqchi “reaffirmed”.

Trump’s "maximum pressure" campaign includes measures aimed at driving Iran’s oil exports to zero to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons, a goal Tehran insists it does not pursue.

That’s it from me for now. Thank you so much for reading.

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