Voices, The Peoples News
January 31, 2025
Published by Jedi Selman Since March 2000 to Inform and Educate
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Willie Nelson, 91, Cleared To Go On The Road Again
After Longer-Than-Expected Recuperation
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This daily Voices, The Peoples News is posted through the blog function of www.MPEN-Ohio.net
# Indigenous
Coeur d’Alene Tribe slams DOJ’s use of 1884 court case. Stevenson described the Tribes being included in the birthright citizenship discussion as “irresponsible, offensive, and wrong.” “Congress explicitly settled the question of whether Tribal members were citizenships in 1924,” Stevenson said, referencing the Synder Act of 1924, or the Indian Citizenship Act. “It’s ironic that we’re around the 100-year mark of this case.”
https://www.krem.com/article/news/politics/coeur-dalene-tribe-rejects-department-of-justice-use-1884-case-birthright-citizenship-debate/293-788ac04c-9793-4754-a7e0-e5a4f0ca79ab#:~:text=Coeur%20d’Alene%20Tribe%20rejects,people%20who%20are%20not%20citizens
# Border / Immigration / Migrants / Gangs
ICE raids Tampa home of couple with 2 children who have lived there for over a decade
https://www.newsbreak.com/10-tampa-bay-524568/3783679245629-ice-raids-tampa-home-of-couple-with-2-children-who-have-lived-there-for-over-a-decade
FYI: DEKA Greek #10 – see item #2
https://www.greekpod101.com/blog/2019/10/24/greek-numbers/
Italy denies asylum for 43 migrants relocated to Albania, and observers say they were denied lawyers
https://apnews.com/article/italy-albania-migrants-asylum-37fe7e9e217bdaec097f8706e8805cae
Lord Sugar says Trump’s mass deportation of immigrants has made America ‘nervous’
https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/trump-deportation-apprentice-lord-sugar-bbc-b2689082.html
No more rent money: Refugee agencies scramble to understand what Trump’s new ban means. ‘The Trump administration right now is the train causing confusion and delay,’ one advocate said
https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-ban-refugee-resettlement-groups-b2688821.html
Officials: Bridgeport nonprofit that helps refugees resettle faces up to $1 million in funding cuts
https://www.newsbreak.com/news-12-1587832/3779944397281-officials-bridgeport-nonprofit-that-helps-refugees-resettle-faces-up-to-1-million-in-funding-cuts
Senate passes immigration bill. Both Chambers Brace for Voucher Vote. The special session immigration bill incentivizes local law enforcement to crack down on immigration enforcement and could jail local elected officials who support sanctuary city policies
https://nashvillebanner.com/2025/01/30/tennessee-senate-immigration-bill/
The administration of Donald Trump has shut down or indefinitely halted most legal avenues for migrants to come to the U.S. The revoked pathways include an end or pause to the CBP One app, humanitarian parole, refugee admission
https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/01/22/us-closing-door-refugees-asylum-seekers-and-migrants
# Covid / Biologicals / Pandemics
China Warns US State Over COVID-19 Lawsuit: ‘Farce’: China has vowed “resolute and effective measures” against the state of Missouri if it doesn’t stop its “farce” of a lawsuit over the country’s early handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. If the court rules in Missouri’s favor, Beijing will have to pay $25 billion in damages or risk the seizure of its assets in the Show Me State.
https://www.newsweek.com/china-warns-missouri-covid-19-pandemic-lawsuit-masks-ppe-2024017
# Chemicals / Herbicides / Pesticides / Bugs
Industry pushes to weaken chemical regulations under new administration
https://www.ehn.org/industry-pushes-to-weaken-chemical-regulations-under-new-administration-2671039757.html
# DOGE [Department of Government Efficiency]
Musk and allies have reportedly seized key HR office – and skipped past officials to send mass resignation email. Musk has reportedly installed several allies in the Office of Personnel Management as he seeks to significant cut the federal workforce
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/elon-musk-white-house-federal-workers-b2689291.html
DOGE Chair Joni Ernst takes on food stamps in new bill to hold states ‘accountable’
https://www.newsbreak.com/news/3782008300047-doge-chair-joni-ernst-takes-on-food-stamps-in-new-bill-to-hold-states-accountable
Elon Musk Is Trying to Get Control of Key Payment System—at Any Cost. A top Treasury official plans to resign after a fight with Elon Musk’s allies over access to a sensitive payment system.
https://newrepublic.com/post/190983/top-treasury-official-quit-elon-musk-fight-payment-system
Elon Musk Plans to Take Over GSA Next—With Disturbing Plan of Action. A report reveals Elon Musk’s new goal: getting rid of government buildings.
https://newrepublic.com/post/190970/elon-musk-gsa-government-buildings
Also: Federal Buildings Closing: Federal buildings chief eyes 50% space reduction, moving GSA out of its headquarters
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/facilities-construction/2025/01/federal-buildings-chief-eyes-50-reduction-of-office-space-moving-gsa-out-of-its-headquarters/
And: GSA – General Services Administration
https://www.gsa.gov/
# Economy / Finance / Trade / Banks
Trump says tariffs on Canada and Mexico coming Saturday, and he’s deciding whether to tax their oil
https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-oil-afb915762af6994573353135bcd30a1b
‘Go Find Another Sucker Nation’: Trump Fires Off Fresh Threat to Ten More Countries. BRICS countries’ continued use of the dollar plays a major role in it being the world’s reserve currency and widely used for international trade. If the bloc decides to step away from the dollar, it could decrease the U.S.’s financial dominance.
https://www.newsweek.com/brics-dollar-donald-trump-tariffs-2024004
The Social Security Administration’s new boss is an unmatched operator—and now the second biggest business figure in Trump-land. Here’s an organization that pays $1.5 trillion in annual benefits to over 70 million retirees, survivors, and disabled elders each year; yet for the constituency whose lifestyles hinge on its services, it remains consumer-unfriendly territory
https://www.aol.com/social-security-administration-boss-unmatched-100000344.html
To Pay for Trump Tax Cuts, House GOP Floats Plan to Slash Benefits for the Poor and Working Class. A menu of options being circulated by congressional Republicans also includes new tax cuts for corporations and the ultrawealthy.
https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-tax-cuts-congress-republicans-plan-slash-benefits
Trump’s sudden federal funding freeze shuts down Medicaid, Meals on Wheels before court forces reversal. Federal judge blocks Trump’s attempt to freeze funding for Medicaid, Meals on Wheels, and other vital programs
https://www.nationofchange.org/2025/01/30/trumps-sudden-federal-funding-freeze-shuts-down-medicaid-meals-on-wheels-before-court-forces-reversal/
# Education / Schools
Trump Targets School Funding in Disturbing “Indoctrination” Order: Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order that could gut funding for public schools across the country.
https://www.timesleader.net/news/trump-signs-executive-orders-on-school-choice-and-school-funding-and-combatting-antisemitism/article_4a8acc0f-db96-58f1-957e-e4cbd7bec96b.html
Trump axed support for tribal and Hispanic-serving colleges. They’re not happy about it. Joe Biden promised to put together a presidential advisory board for leaders of colleges with the most Hispanic students. Trump immediately nixed that idea.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2025/01/30/trump-tribal-hispanic-colleges/77910584007/
Senate committee advances ESA bill at a cost to taxpayers of $1 billion. Bill doesn’t prohibit illegal foreign national student participation. SB 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, passed the committee by a 9-2 vote and is expected to pass the full Senate. Creighton authored a bill in 2023 that passed the Senate and failed in the House.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/texas/article_ec4cde06-de5d-11ef-81d2-8f1a8df1af71.html
Teacher Humiliates Black Students By Comparing Them To Monkey Photo, Lawsuit Says
https://www.newsbreak.com/the-morning-hustle-1590243/3785545554274-teacher-humiliates-black-students-by-comparing-them-to-monkey-photo-lawsuit-says
High school teacher faces backlash over ‘outrageously offensive’ class photo: ‘Are you kidding me?’
https://www.aol.com/article/news/2020/01/10/racist-monkey-photo-longwood-high-school-new-york-lawsuit-student/23898420/?utm_source=spotim&utm_medium=spotim_recirculation&spot_im_redirect_source=pitc&spot_im_comment_id=sp_IjnMf2Jd_23898420_c_GquO52&spot_im_highlight_immediate=true
# Employment / Labor / Unions
Over 1,300 Google Employees Have Signed a New Petition Asking For Job Security. Google laid off thousands of employees in the past two years, which has left some employees feeling insecure about keeping their jobs.
https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/google-employees-petition-ceo-sundar-pichai-for-job-security/486298
Fed Workers ‘Kicking And Screaming’ At Trump’s Buyout Offer. Government workers are reeling after Trump presented a “generous offer” to federal employees refusing to return to the office on a full-time basis.
https://dailycaller.com/2025/01/30/fed-workers-kicking-and-screaming-at-trumps-buyout-offer/
US Government Workers Are Sharing What The “Current Mood” Is Like. “You know that scene in Titanic where the band plays as the ship sinks…?”
https://www.yahoo.com/news/people-us-government-sharing-current-215126730.html
‘They’ll have to drag me out before I go.’ EPA workers stand firm despite Trump chaos. Staff outside D.C. headquarters respond to funding freeze and other orders from the new administration.
https://www.hcn.org/articles/theyll-have-to-drag-me-out-before-i-go-epa-workers-stand-firm-despite-trump-chaos/
# Environment / Climate / Infrastructure / EPA / BLM
In the most untouched, pristine parts of the Amazon, birds are dying. Scientists may finally know why
https://www.worldenergydata.org/in-the-most-untouched-pristine-parts-of-the-amazon-birds-are-dying-scientists-may-finally-know-why/
Wildfires erupt near North Carolina towns ravaged by Hurricane Helene. Firefighters scrambled Wednesday afternoon to contain a wildfire that forced evacuations in a part of western North Carolina that was ravaged by Helene in the fall.
https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/wildfires-ravage-north-carolina-regions-still-reeling-from-hurricane-helene/1739610
# Foods / Things that impact your health
Behind the Ban: Breaking down the risks of Red Dye 3 and chemicals like it: Stricter regulations reflect growing concerns over negative physiological effects of Red 3 and other synthetic dyes on your body, including causing cancer.
First, Red 3 disrupts thyroid hormone regulation
Second, Red 3 may promote thyroid tumor formation
Third, Red 3 can have toxic effects on the brain in multiple ways.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/the-fda-banned-red-3-food-coloring-a-scientist-explains-the-dyes-history-and-health-risks
# General News
Can fresh icebreakers break the ice between the US and Canada? The Icebreaker Collaboration Effort, or ICE Pact, between the United States, Canada and Finland is meant to pool new ship construction.
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2025/01/28/can-fresh-icebreakers-break-the-ice-between-the-us-and-canada/
Rape, manslaughter, drug trafficking: NPR pulls lid off pardoned MAGA rioters’ rap sheets
https://www.npr.org/2025/01/30/nx-s1-5276336/donald-trump-jan-6-rape-assault-pardons-rioters
# Gov / Politics
Chris Christie Slams President Trump for Having No Clue About U.S. History. In fact, it might be the former New Jersey governor who needs to check his facts.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/chris-christie-claims-donald-trump-has-no-clue-about-us-history/
Trump Thinks the EU Can Only Surrender to His Demands. Can It Prove Him Wrong?
https://carnegieendowment.org/europe/strategic-europe/2025/01/europeans-dont-have-to-be-the-losers-trump-thinks-they-are?lang=en
Trump can’t bully Latin America without consequences. Aggressive U.S. foreign policy could push regional governments into China’s arms.
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/01/28/colombia-us-petro-trump-deportation-flights-migration-tariff-threats/
Beyond “Maximum Pressure” in US Policy on Iran: Leveraging Regional Partners to Contain Iran’s Actions and Shape its Future Choices
https://mei.edu/publications/beyond-maximum-pressure-us-policy-iran-leveraging-regional-partners-contain-irans
‘I want to point out’: Trump blames disabled workers for tragic crash in profane new rant
https://www.rawstory.com/donald-trump-air-collision/
‘It was a trap’: Ex-prosecutor says ‘afraid’ Trump just ‘summoned the sleeping giant’: “There is a reason Trump is afraid of the federal bureaucracy, the career civil servants he wants to replace. They are powerful. That’s what Trump has done with the so-called “buyout offers” that have been offered to federal workers by the Trump administration. “Buyouts are not unheard of in the federal government.
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-trap-buyout-offers-vance/
‘It’s an Illegal Executive Order. And It’s Stealing.’ Trump wants to go around Congress and freeze enormous amounts of federal spending. Can he?
https://www.govexec.com/transition/2025/01/chaos-reigns-across-government-trump-freezes-large-swaths-federal-spending/402553/
FBI emails sent to senator show Anti-Trump agent responsible for opening Jack Smith elector case
https://www.yahoo.com/news/fbi-emails-sent-senator-show-173845919.html
‘An abject lie and you know it!’: Patel claps back at Adam Schiff. “I’ve never, never, ever accepted violence against law enforcement. I’ve worked with these men and women as you know you go and I did not make a single dime out of it,” he added.
https://justthenews.com/government/security/abject-lie-and-you-know-it-patel-claps-back-adam-schiff
Marco Rubio says Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark is ‘not a joke’: “This is not a joke,” Rubio said “The Megyn Kelly Show” on SiriusXM. “This is in our national interest and it needs to be solved.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/30/marco-rubio-buy-greenland-009030
Trump Gutted Key Aviation Safety Committee Before D.C. Plane Crash. It’s hard to understand why he thought this was a good idea.
https://www.the-express.com/news/politics/162087/donald-trump-aviation-safety-dei-crash
# Gov / Politics / Global
Hamas releases eight hostages from Gaza and Israel releases 110 imprisoned Palestinians under ceasefire deal
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8j6rq855jo?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=6717b5c8b449f59fb206a87d
German general warns of Russian meddling: ‘We are no longer at peace.’ “We are no longer at peace. We are observing hostile activities against the Bundeswehr in Germany, against infrastructure, including espionage,” Sollfrank said.
https://telegrafi.com/en/gjenerali-gjerman-paralajmeron-nderhyrjen-ruse-nuk-jemi-ne-paqe/
# Law Enforcement / ATF / FBI / CIA
Assailant’s gun in killing of Border Patrol agent in Vermont linked to two Pennsylvania murders
https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/teresa-youngblut-border-patrol-agent-shooting-suspect-court-b2689363.html
# Legal / DOJ / ICJ / International Criminal Court [ICC]
Chinese Communist Party Quietly Operates Shadow Justice System In US Cities: Chinese Communist Party (CCP) law enforcement officials have enlisted U.S. nonprofits to conduct global law enforcement operations, a DCNF investigation found.
https://dailycaller.com/2025/01/29/chinese-communist-party-quietly-operates-shadow-justice-system-us/
# Media
F.C.C. Chair Orders Investigation Into NPR and PBS
https://san.com/cc/fcc-chair-opens-investigation-into-pbs-npr-sponsorship-practices/
Post Office cuts 100 jobs to fund subpostmaster pay after Horizon scandal
https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/post-office-cuts-100-jobs-143740829.html
UPS plunged after saying it’ll deliver fewer Amazon packages. Its CEO says it’s about ‘taking control of our destiny.’
https://www.businessinsider.com/ups-ship-fewer-amazon-packages-shares-drop-2025-1
# Medicare / Medicaid
Gutting Medicaid will take health care away from hardworking
https://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/gutting-medicaid-will-take-health-care-away-from-hardworking-west-virginia-families
# Medical / General News
Bernie Sanders Explodes After RFK Calls Him Out For Big Pharma Funding Corruption. Bernie Sanders exploded during RFK Jr.’s Senate confirmation hearing Thursday after RFK Jr. accused him of accepting donations from pharmaceutical companies.
https://newrepublic.com/post/190958/robert-f-kennedy-jr-bernie-sanders-big-pharma-money
‘I won’t regret this’: young women turn to sterilization as Trump intensifies war on reproductive rights
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/30/sterilization-women-roe-v-wade-trump
Woman Dies In Illinois Hospital After Being Left Out On The Roof For 7 Hours
https://lawandcrime.com/lawsuit/death-trap-woman-died-with-50-degree-body-temperature-after-being-trapped-on-hospital-roof-for-7-hours-lawsuit-says/
Medical Billing’s New Trick: Calling Everything ‘Surgery’
https://www.newsbreak.com/money-talks-news-2283881/3760665510606-medical-billing-s-new-trick-calling-everything-surgery
RFK Jr. defends different vaccine schedule for blacks and whites in testy exchange with Sen. Angela Alsobrooks
https://www.newsbreak.com/new-york-post-509648/3784222323585-rfk-jr-defends-different-vaccine-schedule-for-blacks-and-whites-in-testy-exchange-with-sen-angela-alsobrooks
RFK Jr. kept asking to see the science that vaccines were safe. After he saw it, he dismissed it
https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-vaccine-trump-science-autism-9b99621b01f11b7f0bdc81e5a0b82d2b
Sermo Barometer Finds 78% of US Physicians Think Health Insurance Companies Have Too Much Influence Over Patient Care Plans; 52% Globally
https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/health-insurance-companies-have-too-much-influence-over-patient-care-doctors-say
This Woman’s Health Insurance Company Assigned Her a Dead Doctor
https://www.greenmatters.com/news/insurance-company-assigns-dead-pcp
# Medical Technology
“AI nurses” as “good as any doctor”: RFK Jr. confirms he wants to take away people’s health care
https://www.yahoo.com/news/ai-nurses-good-doctor-rfk-110006607.html
Hospitals across the country are using artificial intelligence
https://emerj.com/top-5-hospitals-using-machine-learning/
# Military / General News / Global
Sweden to provide Ukraine with $1.2 billion military aid package
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/01/30/sweden-to-provide-ukraine-with-12-billion-military-aid-package/
Philippine president offers a deal to China: Stop sea aggression and I’ll return missiles to US: China has repeatedly demanded that the Philippines remove the missile system, saying it was “inciting geopolitical confrontation and an arms race.”
https://www.voanews.com/a/philippine-president-offers-deal-to-china-stop-sea-aggression-and-i-ll-return-missiles-to-us/7956717.html
Russia may expand and upgrade its nuclear arsenal if the United States continues to push ahead with the development of a missile defense system, a top Russian diplomat said in an interview published on Thursday.
https://www.newsweek.com/russia-may-expand-nuclear-arsenal-counter-us-efforts-russian-diplomat-2023718
# NATO
11 Baltic cables damaged in 15 months, pushing NATO to boost security. NATO is deploying eyes in the sky and on the Baltic Sea to protect cables and pipelines that stitch together the nine countries with Baltic shores.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/01/28/11-baltic-cables-damaged-in-15-months-pushing-nato-to-boost-security/
# Pharmaceuticals
Drug Companies Are Price Gouging Again. The price of at least 250 diabetes, cancer and other essential medications will increase, further putting those who need these lifesaving drugs in a financial hole.
https://dcjournal.com/drug-companies-are-price-gouging-again/
# Social
Arkansas Senate approves bill to prohibit discrimination despite concerns it would impede minorities. Some senators who voted against a similar bill in 2023 voted for SB 3
https://arkansasadvocate.com/2025/01/30/arkansas-senate-approves-bill-to-prohibit-discrimination-despite-concerns-it-would-impede-minorities/
# Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Meta Agrees to Pay Trump $25 Million to Settle Facebook Censorship Lawsuit
https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/meta-trump-lawsuit-25-million-settle-facebook-instagram-ban-1236290290/
Uh, So, It Appears DeepSeek Just Accidentally Leaked Users’ Chats. A publicly accessible database belonging to DeepSeek allowed full control over database operations, including the ability to access internal data. The exposure includes over a million lines of log streams with highly sensitive information.
https://www.wiz.io/blog/wiz-research-uncovers-exposed-deepseek-database-leak
# Transportation / Travel
Canal control off the table with Rubio, Panama president says. “There will be no negotiation about ownership of canal.”
https://apnews.com/article/panama-canal-us-rubio-mulino-a3b1ccdf2fe1b0e957b44f1cf7a9fcfe
Rubio warns of risk of China shutting down Panama Canal in any conflict
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/rubio-warns-risk-china-shutting-down-panama-canal-any-conflict-2025-01-30/
Rubio says Trump’s interest in Greenland and Panama Canal is legit and driven by China concerns
https://apnews.com/article/rubio-trump-panama-canal-greenland-cf950b07453035d3e25d23807bc136e8
# UFO / UAP Disclosure
UFO Whistleblower Claims Trump Is Being Lied To About Those Drones in New Jersey. “Someone is not presenting the whole story to our new president.”
https://futurism.com/ufo-whistleblower-trump-drones
# Veterans / VA
VA leaders dismiss directors of offices for women, minority veterans. Veterans Affairs leaders abruptly dismissed the directors of the Center for Women Veterans and the Center for Minority Veterans, the latest set of staff changes for the department since President Donald Trump took office Jan. 20.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/01/30/va-dismisses-directors-of-centers-women-minority-veterans.html
# Weather
Hawaii Winter Storm Could Bring 2 Feet of Snow. Published Jan 30, 2025 at 2:22 PM EST. As much as 2 feet of snow could fall on Hawaii’s summits beginning Thursday and lasting through the first part of the weekend, according to a winter storm warning from the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Honolulu.
https://www.newsweek.com/hawaii-winter-storm-two-feet-snow-2023725