THE WEEK IN REVIEW: FEBRUARY 9-15, 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 15 IS CANADA’S FLAG DAY.🍁

FEBRUARY 17 IS KOSOVO’S INDEPENDENCE DAY.

FEBRUARY 24 IS ESTONIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY.

FEBRUARY 26 IS WORLD PISTACHIO DAY.

FEBRUARY 27 IS POLAR BEAR DAY.

FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE, FEBRUARY 28 IS TOOTH FAIRY🧚 DAY.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…

*How will America’s new tariff on steel and aluminum imports affect foreign relations??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Greece finally has a new President.

*Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have switched electrical sources.

*America to sell India stealth fighters.

*The COVID state of the world, as of February 15, 2025.

*The MPOX state of the world, as of February 15, 2025.

*The Tariff Wars continue as Ontario, Canada will no longer sell American made alcohol.

*Of tariffs and counter tariffs.

*Do American vessels now have free access to the Panama Canal???

*Who deliberately drove their car into a Munich, Germany crowd February 13???

*More American sanctions have been issued against the International Criminal Court.

*At the 2025 Asian Winter Games…

*A “blip” in the ocean???

*A mother again at 73!

*He wants to buy a garbage dump???

*Speculation: Is the US stopping foreign aid hurting America???

IN THE MIDDLE EAST…

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

*There was a delay in releasing further hostages. Threats ensued, but the process soon resumed. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*King Abdullah II of Jordan visited America February 11 to discuss US President Trump’s intentions towards Gaza. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Speculation: No US Aid unless you cooperate???

THE RUSSIA UKRAINE WAR!

*As the war continues… 

*A look at American Secretary of State Pete Hegseth’s speeches about NATO and addressing the Ukraine. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*World reactions to the latest developments. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The Ukraine wants "a seat at the table" and security guarantees before talking to Russia. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Ukraine's neighbors hold their own summit concerning the US/Trump Administration's announcements. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Speculation: American President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan to end the war favors Russia???

*Speculation: Yet President Trump might still favor the Ukraine to a point in exchange for mineral rights???

*Speculation: President Trump would consider deploying American Troops to the Ukraine, if they guarded those mineral rights too.

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…

*Former US President Biden issued $20 Billion in Green Grants during his time in office. The current administration wants it all back!

*A potential oil spill in Russia???

*February 27 is Polar Bear Day.

🌌SPACE NEWS...

*Where are NASA's moon records???

*Does Neptune have a new neighbor???

*The 💕💕hearts of Mars???

*Asteroid 2024 YR4 versus Earth???

*The Pros and Cons of the Starlink System.

*The ultimate layover at the International Space Station may be ending as the astronauts deny President Trump's claim of being "abandoned" by President Biden. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

😢PASSING PARADE…

*The innocent lives lost to war.  

*Sam Nujoma, the first President of Namibia, has passed away.

*Russell Nalle, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, is no longer with us.

*The innocent life lost during a stabbing attack in Austria February 15.

*Former professional football🏈 player turned actor Peter Tuiasosopo (Street Fighter, Necessary Roughness, more) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

*Animator Jerry Eisenberg (worked for Hanna-Barbera Productions, Ruby-Spears Productions, more) is no longer with us.

*Actor Kevyn Major Howard (much TV and movie work from 1981-1996) has taken his last bow on life's stage.

*Actress Genevieve Page (worked from 1943-1993 between stage and screen) has taken her last bow on life's stage.

*Singer Tommy Hunt of The Flamingos has passed away.

*Author Tom Robbins (Even Cowgirls Get The Blues, Jitterbug Perfume, more) is no longer with us.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…

MONDAY FEBRUARY 17 IS PRESIDENTS DAY.

WE NEED MORE

GUN RESPONSIBILITY

NOW!

ALL INEQUALITY HAS TO STOP!

BAN BOOK BANS!

POLITICALLY…

ON FOREIGN ISSUES…

*King Abdullah II of Jordan visited America February 11 to discuss US President Trump’s intentions towards Gaza. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*America to sell India stealth fighters.

*Secretary of State Pete Hegseth’s NATO speech about the Ukraine.

*Point out a mistake and get fired???

*The Tariff Wars continue as Ontario, Canada will no longer sell American made alcohol.

*America now faces a tariff on all steel and aluminum imports. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Does anyone remember the first attempt on steel tariffs???

*Of tariffs and counter tariffs.

*Do American vessels now have free access to the Panama Canal???

ON IMMIGRANT ISSUES…

*A Judge has overturned President Trump’s Executive Order ending Birthright Citizenship as unconstitutional.

*Border Czar Tom Homan needs more funds to continue the Immigrant Purge, but where would the funds come from??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Private prisons are expecting business to improve???

*Churches are suing to protect their religious sanctuaries.

*A potential rule change could hurt legitimate asylum seekers.

*Local Dallas, Texas police officers would not aid ICE raiders.

*Immigration cases are backlogged and the Department of Justice fires judges???

ON DOMESTIC ISSUES...

*All recently hired Federal employees are now fired. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*A lot of other employee reductions are being made too.

*Even at the National Archives and the Department of Homeland Security??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*But there was one group that should have NEVER been touched.

*Yet can they be rehired???

*The Department of Government Efficiency’s access to the Treasury Department’s computers is now more limited.

*The DOGE examining the Pentagon is on the horizon, but what are they doing at the Department of Education??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*DOGE is now examining Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.

*The Internal Revenue Service will not be spared either.

*Have you been to the DOGE website??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*AND NOW THERE MAY BE DOGE IMPERSONATORS TOO!

*Is the current administration violating a court order??? An appeals court decision went against the government. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The Office of Special Counsel will not need to be replaced just yet.

*The White House to have more access to the Department of Justice, which is now having a hard time investigating and prosecuting public corruption. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been ordered to suspend all supervisory activities while the recent changes are being legally challenged. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*More revelations about DOGE employees.

*Opinion: Elizabeth Warren on Trump, Musk and DOGE’s interests concerning the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

*Opinion: Should Elon Musk’s power be growing???

*Opinion: Farmers’ regret.

ALSO...

*Out of the mouth of babes…

*Apparently the current administration isn’t worried about election security.

*The severance package offers can be made after all.

*The government wants FEMA money back from New York City.

*Is it even possible to impeach a Federal Judge???

*The current Republican Regime apparently doesn’t want bribery accusations investigated.

*Yet not every Republican agrees that proper procedures are not being followed.

*The Kennedy Center doesn’t like the current administration’s pending changes to their organization. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Donald Trump wants to get into investment advising.

*More valid security clearances have been revoked.

*If the DOGE is supposed to save the government money, why has its budget seriously increased while Elon Musk’s companies are doing better than others??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*More staff cuts are on the horizon!

*The Associated Press has lost its White House access over not calling it the Gulf of Mexico America. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*There are no more past court actions pending against Donald Trump.

*A new President is in office but the previous one is still getting blamed???

*The end of the penny???

*First Politico and now Reuters???

*President Trump wants to do away with the White House Rose Garden???😕

*Speculation: Is President Donald Trump looking at a THIRD possible impeachment trial???

*Speculation: What to do with Internal Revenue Service agents.

*Opinion: Trump at the Super Bowl.

*Opinion: The price of eggs and Trump on inflation. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Opinion: You’ll need more than a name change.

*Opinion: Voters' regret.

*Opinion: President Trump and the courts.

*Opinion: The noted hacking group Anonymous on current events.

*Opinion: President Trump, so far.

*"If it saves the country, it's NOT illegal."—Donald Trump.

*Keeping track of all the legal actions against the current Trump Administration.

*The latest from the White House.

MEDICAL NEWS…

*A new feature when needed, considering recent Federal mandates limiting the information sharing of the Center for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health, etc.

*Concerns over the Bird Flu are growing as some COWS show signs of the disease. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Tuberculosis cases are multiplying between Kansas and Ohio.

*Texas is suffering a measles outbreak.

*But what happened to all of the Center for Disease Control's data on the above???

*A look at what Robert Kennedy Junior has planned as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services.

*A double standard???

*Louisiana's Health Department plans to no longer endorse mass vaccinations.

*Medical Researchers are suing to restore recently cut funding.

*Any school with a COVID Vaccine mandate can no longer receive Federal funds!

*President Trump's Executive Order ending access to Gender Affirming Care has been temporarily blocked.

*Trans youth health care is still available in Kansas, for now.

⚖THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…

*Will lawsuits concerning the current administration reach the Court???

*One Justice's opinion of the current Court.

ROE V. WADE OVERTURN>AFTERMATH

*A look at the current administration's recent actions on the matter.

SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…

*Manhattan’s acting US Attorney Danielle Sassoon resigned rather than honor a Department of Justice order to drop all charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*And Danielle Sassoon wasn’t the only one. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*The kids take a stand.

*Why some people suddenly have higher electric bills.

*Selling stock to support a cause.

*Shows are being canceled at the Kennedy Center in protest of the political takeover. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Has Allstate Insurance been spying on drivers???

*Google is reducing the number of Cultural/Diversity, Equality and Inclusion events it celebrates.

*The PBS/Public Broadcasting System’s current standing on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion.

*Potential flag censorship may soon happen in Utah.

*Stonewall never happened???

*The US Army will no longer accept transgender soldiers.

*Pending transgender discrimination cases may not get their day in court.

*The Inspectors General are still fired.

*Fort Bragg: from the Confederacy to World War 2.

*Why are the portraits of previous President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris no longer on display at the Department of Justice???

*On music and Black History Month.

*The stolen game.

*Opinion: “Their voices should be heard.”—Jesmyn Ward.

✅IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!

*Is President Trump right about tariffs and trade???

*About Kamala Harris’ 60 Minutes interview.

*The Federal Emergency Management Agency is neither perfect nor political.

*A historical look at yellow journalism.

*There are NO 150 year old people, real or fictitious, on Social Security!

*Former President Barack and Michelle Obama are NOT getting a divorce.

*About your fingernails.

MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…

*At least one Republican wants to end Federal funding to the Public Broadcasting System/PBS and National Public Radio/NPR.

*No US Ambassador to the United Nations until Medicaid is killed???

*Cut back Social Security to give the rich more tax cuts???

*The possible budget pending in Congress. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)

*Yet not everyone in Congress agrees with current funding cuts.

*The first Congressional hearing over the DOGE. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*Whistle blowers wanted.

*Despite opposition, Tulsi Gabbard is the new Director of National Intelligence and Robert F. Kennedy Junior the new Secretary of Health and Human Services. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

*If approved, apparently nominee Linda McMahon will only lead the Department of Education long enough to close it.

*One Congressman is already making plans for President Trump to acquire Greenland.

*Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota has decided not to seek reelection.

*Senator Mitch McConnell versus President Trump???

*Speculation: Will Kash Patel become the new head of the FBI???

ELSEWHERE…

*Steve Bannon will serve no jail time, but—

*The TikTok app is back in some platforms, for now.

*There will be no Country Music Television/CMT Awards this year.

*In Super Bowl 59🏈, the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22.

*Who will be in the 2025 class to join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame???

😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

*A quarter from 1976 may be worth more than 25 cents today.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: FEBRUARY 9-15, 2020

BEWARE THE CORONAVIRUS!

FEBRUARY IS HEART💓 HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH.

FEBRUARY IS AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH.

FEBRUARY 15 IS THE 55TH ANNIVERSARY OF CANADA’S MAPLE LEAF FLAG.

SERBIA CELEBRATES STATEHOOD FEBRUARY 15.

FEBRUARY 17 IS INDEPENDENCE DAY IN KOSOVO.

AMONGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…

*The Olympics versus the Coronavirus! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*The Aboriginies get to stay in Australia!
*It will soon be officially illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender or gender preference in Switzerland.
*So much for that idea.
*A grand way to celebrate Valentine's Day!💕
*Can you hear it???

ENGLISH ITEMS...
*Great Britain’s post Brexit e-border might not be ready before 2025!
*Prime Minster Boris Johnson is reshuffling his cabinet. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)
*Prime Minister Johnson versus American President Donald Trump???

PHILIPPINES’ POINTS…
*Can the Philippines silence the media???
*Is President Rodrigo Duterte reducing alliances with the United States???

CONCERNING CHINA...
*What happened to the reporters???

THE TERRORIST REPORT…
*Stopped before they could get organized.
*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.

THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…🌐
*BP hopes to achieve ZERO carbon emissions by 2050!

😢PASSING PARADE…
*The growing death toll from the Coronavirus. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Actress Paula Kelly (Soylent Green, Night Court, much more) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.
*Rock poster artist Bonnie MacLean has passed away.
*Actor Patrick Jordan (The Pink Panther Strikes Again, Star Wars 4: A New Hope) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Actress Lynn Cohen (the Broadway stage, Sex and the City, various other TV shows) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
THE IMPEACHMENT AFTERMATH...
*Will Trump's post impeachment actions be investigated???
THE BORDER WALL-KIDS-IMMIGRATION ISSUES…

*With families being separated upon apprehension, President Trump declared the lack of a border wall a “national emergency”. There have since been legal and legislative battles initiated over this.
*Which is more important???
*WHAT’S paying for the wall???
*But is the wall effective???
NOTE: While we are doing our best to provide coverage, the above is a serious, ongoing issue. Especially since no one has yet to discuss the costs of separating families and who is truly responsible for the deaths of FOUR detainees (known to date), let alone if anyone might actually be making a profit from this situation.
TARIFF TALK…
*“We warned you!”—Big Oil.
POLITICALLY…
*Is the 2020 Presidential election protected from outside interference???

*Is Trump trying to sway public opinion his way???
*Roger Stone WAS found guilty, but the sentence will be…??? Causing the prosecution team to resign from the case! (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Who watches the watchman???
*Was she punished for actually doing her job???
*Is Attorney General Barr responsible for all the recent Department of Justice problems??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*How Trump is considering avoiding another Ukraine “situation”.
*Trump versus Democratic hopeful Mike Bloomberg, Rounds 2 and 3. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Trump versus New York.
*Trump versus John Kelly.
*Trump versus British Prime Minister Boris Johnson???
*He needs the protection, but the bill??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Does Education Secretary Betsy DeVos know???
*February 17 is Presidents Day.
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY… ☑

*The winners and losers.
*What it means for the Democrats.
*From Trump’s perspective.
*No longer in the running: Andrew Yang, Senator Michael Bennett, and Deval Patrick. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)
TRUMP TWEETS...
*It’s Anti-Romney time!
*A joke???
*Guess who doesn’t like Trump’s Tweets!
IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!✅
*Trump refused to shake hands and the speech was torn up AFTER he gave the State of the Union address. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*Was it true???
THE BUDGET BATTLE…💲
*A budget to get re-elected by???
*The problems the proposed budget will cause in regards to health care. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…

*The Senate FINALLY shows some concern!
*But a phone call???
*“You abused your power. Again!”—Nancy Pelosi.
*Hand forcing???
*Attorney General Barr is scheduled to appear before the House of Representatives’ Judiciary Committee March 31.
*Speculation: Will Barr be the House’s next investigation subject??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
ELSEWHERE…
*Harvard and Yale: innocent or guilty???
*How NOT to do your job!
*The merger has been approved between the US divisions of T-Mobile and Sprint.
*The 2020 Oscars, for the Best in movies, were awarded to…
*The 2020 Golden Raspberries (aka, the Razzies) NOMINEES, for the Worst in movies, are...
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…
*After all these years
*A super solver!

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: FEBRUARY 9-15, 2014

TODAY IS NATIONAL DAY IN SERBIA.

AMONGST EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND THE WORLD THIS PAST WEEK...

*The Winter Olympics are under way in Sochi, Russia. For those keeping track, as of earlier today (February 15), the medal leaders were Germany, Switzerland, and Russia.
*Canada has allegedly been dumping its garbage in the Philippines!
*Yemen plans to realign the country into a federation of 6 regions.
*The People's Republic of China and The Republic of China (Taiwan) have started formal meetings after a 65 year hiatus.
*Yoichi Masuzoe is the new Governor-elect of Tokyo, Japan.
*Tammam Salam is the new Prime Minister of Lebanon.
*The United States Federal Government officially recognizes same-gender marriages in legal matters, but it is up to the individual states to allow those unions.
*Scientists at Australian National University believe they have discovered the oldest known star, estimated at 13.6 BILLION years of age.
*Pending the results of an anti-trust investigation, Comcast hopes to purchase Time-Warner Cable.
*Civil unrest continues in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

PASSING PARADE

Temple, Circa 2000s

Caesar, circa 1961

Unfortunately, we have lost some notable folks this past week...

*Shirley Temple Black: Former child actress and American Ambassador

*Sid Caesar: Comedy pioneer

*Ralph Waite: actor perhaps best known for his role on The Waltons

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