THE WEEK IN REVIEW: FEBRUARY 2-8, 2025: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

ALTHOUGH W.H.O. HAS ENDED THE PANDEMIC,

THE VIRUSES ARE STILL ONGOING.

PLEASE GET VACCINATED,

WEAR A MASK😷 WHEN NECESSARY

& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

THE COVID-19/CORONAVIRUS!

FEBRUARY IS HEART💖 HEALTH MONTH, BLACK HISTORY MONTH

& CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH😁 MONTH.

FEBRUARY 8 IS THE 110TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA.

FEBRUARY 9 IS PIZZA🍕 DAY.

FEBRUARY 10 IS UMBRELLA⛱ DAY.

FEBRUARY 11 IS INVENTORS’💡 DAY.

FEBRUARY 13 IS PANCAKE🥞 DAY.

FEBRUARY 14 IS SAINT VALENTINE’S💖 DAY.

FEBRUARY 14 IS ALSO THE 95TH ANNIVERSARY OF

DASHIEL HAMMETT’S NOVEL THE MALTESE FALCON.

FEBRUARY 15 IS CANADA’S FLAG🍁 DAY.

FEBRUARY 17 IS KOSOVO’S INDEPENDENCE DAY.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…

*Canada and the United States have reached a temporarily(?) agreement that will delay the tariffs for at least 30 days.

*Mexico has reached a similar agreement with the United States.

*China’s response to United States initiated tariffs.

*American President Donald Trump met with Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba February 7.

*A potential tourist project in Indonesia that Donald Trump is involved with had been paused due to environmental issues.

*Spanish work weeks will be reduced to 37.5 hours with no reduction in pay.

*The COVID state of the world, as of February 8, 2025.

*The MPOX state of the world, as of February 8, 2025.

*Piano master Sergei Rachmaninov's last living student is still playing!

*A lost city in a basement???

*Having a ball.

IN THE MIDDLE EAST…

*Concerning Israel, Palestine, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Gaza Strip and more. (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)

*As part of a new agreement with Israel, the United States will take control of the Gaza Strip, but those living there will have to relocate as Donald Trump hopes to acquire “long term ownership”. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The world’s reactions to the above. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*And now the United States is selling Israel $7 Billion in arms/weapons.

*Meanwhile, aid is reaching Gaza and more hostages are being released as the ceasefire continues. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The International Criminal Court now faces American sanctions for investigating the US and its allies like Israel, yet those sanctions may not work out as hoped. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*“If I’m assassinated, Iran will be obliterated.”—Donald Trump.

THE RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR!

*As the war continues…  

*The Ukraine continues to receive aid from European allies.

*Analysis: How some events in the United States may benefit Russia.

THE TERRORIST REPORT…

*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice through arrest and trial.

🌐THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…

*Why did a river turn red???

*England's largest Bird Sanctuary is growing.

*Fact checking Wind Turbines.

*Analysis: The current Republican Regime in America versus the Environment. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

🌌SPACE NEWS...

*Wondering about the early universe...

*Just how big is the universe???

😢PASSING PARADE…

*The innocent lives lost to war. 

*Former original Tuskegee airman Harry Stewart Junior has passed away.

*The innocent lives lost during a Philippines helicopter crash February 6.

*The 10 innocent lives lost during an Alaska flight crash February 6.

*Actor Tony Roberts (many roles over a decades long career) has taken his last bow on life's stage.

*Former Major League Baseball⚾ Commissioner Fay Vincent is no longer with us.

*Former Major League Baseball⚾ player turned coach Rich Dauer has passed away.

*Former professional football🏈 player turned coach Dick Jauron is no longer with us.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…

WE NEED MORE

GUN RESPONSIBILITY

NOW!

ALL INEQUALITY HAS TO STOP!

BAN BOOK BANS!

POLITICALLY…

ON FOREIGN ISSUES…

*President Trump met with Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba February 7.

*Nippon Steel will only invest in US Steel, not try to buy it.

*As part of a new agreement with Israel, the United States will take control of the Gaza Strip, but those living there will have to relocate as Donald Trump hopes to acquire “long term ownership”. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The world’s reactions to the above. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*And now the current administration is selling Israel $7 Billion in arms/weapons.

*Canada and the United States have reached a temporarily(?) agreement that will delay the tariffs for at least 30 days.

*Mexico has reached a similar agreement with the United States.

*China’s response to US initiated tariffs.

*The latest concerning the Panama Canal.

*Although his actual authority to do so has not been verified, Elon Musk has announced the impending closure of the United States Agency for International Development/USAID.

*USAID employees worldwide were officially “on leave” until a Federal Judge paused it. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*World reaction to the possible ending.

*Yet this event could affect AMERICAN farmers!

*But would you believe Melania and Ivanka Trump both supported USAID???

*Mail or no mail???

*“If I’m assassinated, Iran will be obliterated.”—Donald Trump.

*The International Criminal Court now faces sanctions for investigating the US and its allies like Israel, yet those sanctions may not work out the way President Trump hopes. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced he will not be attending the upcoming G20 Summit because host country South Africa believes in Diversity, Equality and Inclusion as well as Climate Change.

*New Attorney General Pam Bondi has ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation to stop looking into any possible foreign influence on American politics.

*Speculation: Another reason why the United States Agency for International Development/USAID might be facing a potential shutdown.

ON IMMIGRANT ISSUES…

*Deportation is one thing, but to remain shackled during the entire journey???

*Are legal Venezuelans about to be deported???

*American criminals to be held in El Salvador prisons???

*Immigrants to start receiving legal aid again???

*The Justice Department is suing Illinois over Chicago being a Sanctuary City.

*Is the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency somehow manipulating Google???

*Catch and release???

*Opinion: The bad immigrant???

ON DOMESTIC ISSUES...

*Although they allegedly only have “Read Only Access" of Treasury data, Elon Musk’s accomplices on the late night highly questionable and probably illegal computer raids have been identified. (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)

*One member resigned because of his racist past while another was fired from a previous job for leaking company secrets to a rival firm. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Yet the self admitted racist will be returning.

*Just what is Musk and company doing with the data???

*The Treasury Department is now being sued for Musk’s actions.

*President Trump has since named Musk “a special government employee”.

*President Trump has since also agreed to restrict the Department of Government Efficiency’s access to the Treasury Department’s computers.

*However the US Attorney General has a different opinion on the matter at this time.

*What is DOGE’s plans for the Federal Aviation Authority’s Air Traffic Control systems???

*A Federal Judge has decided DOGE will have access to the Department of Labor's computers.

*And what is a DOGE representative doing in the Department of Energy computers???

*Another look at Elon Musk and DOGE, courtesy of Time magazine.

*Yet President Trump is reported to hate the article and especially that issue's cover.

*There will be no transgender athletes in women’s sports, not even from other countries. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

ALSO...

*Federal Election Commissioner Ellen Weintraub—who denied all Republican lies concerning the 2020 Presidential Election being stolen—refuses to resign.

*The National Archives needs a new administrator.

*The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration faces its own storm.

*Central Intelligence Agency employees have been offered severance.

*However, the Federal Employee buyout program is now temporarily(?) on hold.

*Yet more new hires for the current administration.

*Kids, schools and the Department of Education are next!

*The Government may start selling Federal properties.

*DOGE has gained access to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with the Office of Management and Budget's new leader Russell Vought as its temporary manager.

*Is American Media in trouble???

*One analysis of the current administration, so far.

*A look at the current administration’s effects on the US military. See images below.

*A government sponsored, pro-Christian agency???

*Yet it may soon be a crime to fight against racism???

*NO Federal funding for scientific research!

*Does the potential new Director of the FBI have ties to Russia???

*Current President Donald Trump will no longer allow previous President Joe Biden Security Clearance or Daily Briefings he was eligible for.

*Other eligible but past Federal employee's Security Clearance has also been canceled.

*The current administration has fired the Kennedy Center Trustees with President Trump naming himself the board's new chairman!

*Analysis: Everyone currently under DOGE's scrutiny.

*Opinion: Trump versus the United States???

*Opinion: The current Federal Administration's effects on State races.

*Opinion: What’s going on???

*An opinion on what the Center for Disease Control CAN'T say.

*One opinion of the current administration, so far.

*Opinion: Voters' regret.

*Speculation: The new Attorney General versus the Democratic Party???

*Speculation: What's next for DOGE???

*The latest from the White House.

⚖THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…

*Will the Court overturn a 1964 ruling giving journalist's protection against frivolous defamation lawsuits from public figures???

SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…

*President Donald Trump's acknowledgement of Black History Month.

*A recap of LGBTQ+ medical news, so far.

*Medicare changes since January 20, 2025.

*No hospital will turn a patient in need away.

*Yet why has the state of Texas canceled medical insurance for almost two million people???

*What is missing, so far, from Government and Military websites.

*While the current Republican Regime is noted for being against Diversity, Equality and Inclusion programs; Elon Musk's SpaceX is being paid by NASA to send the first woman and first person of color to the moon!

*Despite the Federal Government's current position on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion programs the Boy Scouts of America have changed their name to welcome everybody.

*Is there a showdown brewing in Howell, Michigan???

*Who now controls the Proud Boys brand name???

✅IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!

*Fact checking Wind Turbines.

MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…

*The Senate confirmed Pam Bondi as the new Attorney General.

*Russell Vought has been confirmed to head the Office of Management and Budget.

*The rich may get new tax cuts at others' expense. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Yet apparently some Republicans don’t totally agree with the current agenda.

ELSEWHERE…

*Influenza cases are rising in the US.

*Ron DeSantis' wife as the next governor of Florida???

*The 2025 Grammy winners and one marriage proposal. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The Groundhog saw his shadow, which allegedly means 6/SIX more weeks of winter.😟

😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

*A lost city in a basement???

*Having a ball.