THE WEEK IN REVIEW: FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 1, 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!

MARCH IS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH.

FOR THOSE OBSERVING, RAMADAN IS MARCH 1-29.

MARCH 1 IS THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF CRUSADER RABBIT.

MARCH 3 IS WORLD WILDLIFE DAY.

MARCH 4 IS THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SCARLET PUMPERNICKEL, THE FIRST MULTIPLE CHARACTER LOONEY TUNES SHORT.

MARCH 5 IS DENTIST DAY AND OREO COOKIE DAY. Coincidence?

MARCH 7 IS CEREAL DAY.

MARCH 8 IS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY.

MARCH 9 IS DENTAL HEALTH DAY.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…

*Has North Korea threatened the United States??? They certainly conducted yet another missile "test". (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The results of elections in Germany.

*Is the Crypto Market in danger???

*What are two human trafficking suspects awaiting trial in Romania doing in the United States???

*US President Donald Trump has announced impending tariffs against the European Union.

*French President Emmanuel Macron visited the US White House February 24.

*British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the US White House February 27. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Russia is apparently not happy with the recent diplomatic visits.

*Are Russia and/or China trying to recruit fired American Federal employees???

*The COVID state of the world, as of March 1, 2025.

*Diversity, Equality and Inclusion isn't just an American issue.

*Newly discovered frescoes raise some interesting questions.

*Skype is coming to an end.

IN THE MIDDLE EAST…

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

*More exchanges.

*Phase 1 is over. When does Phase 2 start???

*And now, Israel versus Syria.

THE RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR!

*As the war continues…  

*Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not accept any American proposal that would leave his country in debt for ten generations. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*North Korea’s continued involvement on Russia’s side.

*On the war’s third anniversary, the Ukraine receives aid from Sweden.

*In case of a ceasefire, England and France will send military assistance to the Ukraine.

*However the February 28 meeting between Ukraine President Zelenskyy, Donald Trump and JD Vance did not go well. (There are 7/SEVEN separate links in this item.)

*President Zelenskyy's post meeting comments.

*Europe wonders: what happens next after Zelenskyy talked to French President Macron and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*Russia's opinion on the Zelenskyy-Trump-Vance meeting.

*Zelenskyy certainly got a better reception in London as Europe rallies to the Ukraine. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Yet even if the Ukraine accepted Trump's offer, the US peace deal with Russia cuts still cuts their military aid.

*President Trump concedes Russia attacked (not invaded) the Ukraine, but is apparently still pro-Putin.

*Have you ever wondered about the actual causalities???

*US President Trump concedes Russia attacked (not invaded) the Ukraine, but is apparently still pro-Putin.

*Speculation: Is US President Donald Trump siding with Russia hurting the Ukraine???

*Speculation: Trump believes Zelenskyy to be a dictator, but why not Russian President Vladimir Putin???

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…

*Lake Kariba is doing better.

*The US states of Georgia and South Carolina faced an Air Quality Alert this week.

*US President Donald Trump fired the people trying to save the black footed ferret, and plans even more "changes" for the Environmental Protection Agency. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*The US Forestry Service canceled their Arbor Day Foundation donation.

*March 3 is World Wildlife Day.

🌌SPACE NEWS...

*The biggest thing in the universe???

*The black hole at the center of our galaxy.

*The light echo of Cassiopeia.

*When the planets align...

*An all female crew space flight is pending.

*The Blue Ghost captures an Earth rise.

*SpaceX is sending their own lunar lander to the moon.

😢PASSING PARADE…

*The innocent lives lost to war.  

*Clint Hill, the Secret Service Agent who tried to protect President John F. Kennedy during the fateful Dallas assassination on November 22, 1963 is no longer with us.

*Grammy winning singer and pianist Roberta Flack (♫The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face♫, ♫Killing Me Softly With His Song♫, lots more hits) has passed away.

*Actress Michelle Trachtenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gossip Girl, much more) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.

*Actor Gene Hackman (too many great performances to list) along with his wife Betsy Arakawa and a family dog.

*TV screenwriter and producer Roberto Orci (Star Trek and Transformers franchises, Fringe, more) is no longer with us.

*Singer Robert John (Pedrick Junior) (♫Sad Eyes♫, more) has passed away.

*Singer David Johansen, aka Buster Pointdexter (many hits over a long career) is no longer with us.

*Singer Angie Stone (♫No More Rain♫, ♫Wish I Didn’t Miss You♫, more) has passed away.

*Film and TV director Michael Preece (numerous credits over a long career) is no longer with us.

*Author Joseph Wambaugh (The Onion Field, The Blue Knight, much more) has passed away.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…

WE NEED MORE

GUN RESPONSIBILITY

NOW!

ALL INEQUALITY HAS TO STOP!

BAN BOOK BANS!

POLITICALLY…

ON FOREIGN ISSUES…

*Has North Korea threatened the United States???

*The possible implications of Chevron losing a US issued Venezuelan oil permit. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Donald Trump has announced impending tariffs against the European Union.

*Are Russia and/or China trying to recruit fired American Federal employees???

*President Trump shared an AI generated video of “his” Gaza February 25. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*French President Emmanuel Macron visited the White House February 24.

*British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the White House February 27. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Ukraine President Zelenskyy addressed some members of Congress before his meeting at the White House.

*However that February 28 meeting between Ukraine President Zelenskyy, Donald Trump and JD Vance did not go well. (There are 7/SEVEN separate links in this item.)

*President Zelenskyy's post meeting comments.

*The Democrats response to the meeting.

*What happens next???

*American Republicans are rallying behind Trump/Vance while the US has since stopped funds to restore the Ukraine's energy infrastructure. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Yet even if the Ukraine accepted Trump's offer, the US peace deal with Russia cuts still cuts their military aid.

*President Trump concedes Russia attacked (not invaded) the Ukraine, but is apparently still pro-Putin.

*What are two human trafficking suspects awaiting trial in Romania doing in the United States???

*A Federal Judge has ruled that the United States Refugee Admissions Program must be reinstated because President Trump didn’t have the authority to end something initiated by Congress.

*With Trump's desire to "annex" Canada as the 51st State, Trump Counselor Peter Navarro is allegedly considering redrawing America's Northern Border.

*The current regime’s Tariff/Trade Wars is costing America tourism business. (There are3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*Speculation: After the fiasco with Ukraine President Zelenskyy, Trump went to Mar-a-Lago for golf. Did JD Vance have a good time skiing???

ON IMMIGRANT ISSUES…

*Title 42 is being reactivated to justify deporting migrants.

*Projections versus results.

*Could Civilian Contractors carry out the mass deportations Trump wants???

*Yet could rich foreigners be allowed in for the right price???

*Military personnel are now on Southern Border Guard Duty.

ON DOMESTIC ISSUES...

*Now the Justice Department has joined the FBI in telling their employees not to respond to Elon Musk’s “Explain/Justify your job or get fired” email. (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)

*The Pentagon and other agencies have ignored Musk’s demand too. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The amended threat.

*The "Justify your job or get fired" email may become a weekly event! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*What DOGE has cut, so far.

*Yet the receipts still don’t add up.

*One group refused to help DOGE.

*DOGE is suffering employee shortage too.

*Yet while DOGE might be unconstitutional, Trump has given it and Musk even more power! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The Government Oversight Agency has declared all the mass firings illegal, but doesn’t have the authority to reinstate the employees.

*Yet 6/SIX employees will regain their jobs, for now.

*The mess all the firings have caused, so far.

*How all the assorted firings may affect the economy.

*But now Musk is asking all the fired Air Traffic Controllers to return to work!

*It’s interesting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the agency investigating Tesla is now facing firings too.

*Even MORE layoffs/firings are on the horizon, starting with NOAA/the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that monitors and reports the weather, but government spending hasn’t been reduced yet. (There are 4/FOUR separate links in this item.)

*DOGE is planning its first real estate closure.

*Is there unrest behind the scenes??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Now Elon Musk thinks Social Security is a Ponzi Scheme???😕

*Opinion: Elon Musk as SpaceX employer.

*Opinion: Who are all the layoffs hurting???

*Opinion: Musk believes Verizon's Federal Aviation Authority Communications system is "faulty", even though it's made and serviced by L3Harris!

*Opinion: Now Musk thinks everyone who didn't respond to his "Justify/Explain Your Job Or Be Fired" email are either dead or never existed.

*Opinion: Who watches the watchman???

*Speculation: Is Elon Musk at war with Washington??? Yet profiting from his government connections??? (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

ALSO...

*Now the Department of Education is facing the "buyout before firing" offer.

*California is actually getting some Federal assistance, post wildfires.

*New National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard is firing agents over the subject matter of private chat discussions.

*FBI Director Kash Patel wants input from the Ultimate Fighting Championship???

*Donald Trump and Elon Musk want to “audit” Fort Knox??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*President Trump defended/fawned over Musk at a recent Cabinet meeting.

*Lilly plans more US manufacturing plants in the US to avoid threatened pharmaceutical tariffs.

*The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is questioning the administration’s actions against it.

*Will retired Air Force Lieutenant General Dan Caine be the next Joint Chiefs Chairman???

*Dan Bongino has been nominated as Deputy Director of the FBI.

*Student Loan Debt is going up.

*Trump has ordered layoffs at the Social Security Administration despite the fact that department already has one of the lowest payrolls on record.

*Now the entire Democratic Party is suing the Trump Administration.

*The White House will decide who has press access. Will the news be accurate??? (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*How Trump prefers at least FOX News how to cover him.

*The White House also now says all news sources covering government activities must be named, even if they are “insiders who wish to remain anonymous.”

*There is now a “Pardon Czar”??? And will Pete Rose get a pardon??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*“King” Trump serenaded with Les Mis anthem. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Trump's overall approval rating has dropped since the last polling.

*Opinion: Voter remorse grows.

*Speculation: Legitimate action or petty revenge???

*Speculation: Will the price of eggs be successfully lowered???

*Analysis: One look at the current status of the economy.

*Keeping track of all the legal actions against the current Trump Administration and its personnel: Elon Musk, etc.

*The latest from the White House.

*Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver the annual State of the Union Address March 4.

MEDICAL NEWS…

*Will Utah be the first state to stop fluoridating water???

*The mixed results of Georgia's Medicaid program.

*Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York isn't happy Musk ended proposals to lower prescription drug prices.

*One child has died as the current measles outbreak spreads, yet Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior said “It’s not unusual.” (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Kennedy has since changed his opinion on the subject.

*Now the Center for Disease Control cannot even write papers with the World Health Organization.

*Speculation: Does Robert F. Kennedy Junior know what he’s doing???

*Advice: Don't hesitate, vaccinate!

⚖THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…

*A Federal Judge ruled that the Trump Administration still owes foreign aid money to nonprofit organizations. Yet the Court said “No,” for now. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*But will the Court allow Trump to eliminate foreign aid completely???

*The Court is considering the current regime's Spending Freeze even as Trump wants total control of ALL government spending! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Speculation: Will the Court overturn same gender marriages???

SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…

*The fired USAID workers were allowed to clear out their desks under armed guard.

*With the attempted firing declared illegal, Hampton Dellinger will still lead the Office of Special Counsel, but Trump might take the matter to the Supreme Court.

*Why does the Defense Department's Health Agency need a new leader???

*Now the Department of Education wants to eliminate Diversity, Equality and Inclusion programs in schools???

*The current Pentagon wants DEI erased from all military websites.

*Yet some still believe in Diversity, Equality and Inclusion.

*Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos has changed the opinions direction of the newspaper. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Transgender personnel are to be “separated” from US military forces, while Iowa Republicans have ended all Transgender Civil Rights and Protections in their state. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Concern over civil rights is growing as Donald Trump declared English the official language of America. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*Trying to get fired veterans rehired.

*Considering they were fired before their 90 days tryouts ended, a Federal Judge has ruled the firing of probationary employees was probably illegal and they must be reinstated.

*The deaths of Gene Hackman, his wife and a family dog will be investigated by authorities.

*The Department of Justice has released some of the Jeffery Epstein Files, but was the event just a media stunt??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Was it misconduct???

*So how did the Economic Blackout go February 28???

*Remembering drummer Anthony “Tony” Williams and Harry Belafonte. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Advisory: Doing your Federal Income Taxes this year will be harder than ever, especially after DOGE fired the tech team behind the free filing website. Yet despite a union contract, the remaining employees MUST return to their offices instead of working from home. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*Opinion: Why did the current Securities and Exchange Commission drop this case???

*Opinion: Diversity, Equality and Inclusion programs are not the "enemy".

✅IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!

*What is Medicaid???

*Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy Junior on the measles.

*One audit of DOGE’s receipt wall.

*About SSRI antidepressants.

MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…

*The proposed Trump Budget is one step closer to becoming official. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Elon Musk did not appear before Congress February 25, but says he is AGAINST the new budget. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Was Freedom of Speech Censored at a February 26 Congressional meeting???

*Ukraine President Zelenskyy addressed some members of Congress before his meeting at the White House February 28.

*First it was the idea of making his birthday a National holiday. Now another Congressional Representative has suggested adding Donald Trump to Mount Rushmore! But should it be done??? (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*More Town Halls where the voters want answers. The Republican response??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*One Representative wants to stop a potential Trump Grift.

*Texas House Representative Dan Crenshaw wants to kill Tucker Carson???😮

*Senator Tammy Duckworth versus Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

*March 1 is the 235th anniversary of Congress authorizing the very first Census.

ELSEWHERE…

*Is the Crypto Market in danger???

*Now we have to worry about egg SMUGGLING???😕

*First eggs, and now beef prices are starting to rise.

*New changes to the Postal System are pending.

*Why have Marines been ordered to switch uniforms???

*PepsiCo plans to close a Frito Lay plant it owns in Liberty, New York.

*At the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards… 

*Skype is coming to an end.

*Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune will soon be streaming.

*March 2 is Texas Independence Day, when the state broke away from Mexico before joining America.

*March 3 is the 180th anniversary of Florida joining the United States.

😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

*You have the right to get something broken repaired.

*Cherry Coke is returning.

*Mice know CPR???

*What a bank error!

THE FREE CHOICE E-ZINE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ITS LOYAL READERSHIP FOR GRANTING US 101,650 PAGE VIEWS IN FEBRUARY 2025.