Thousands of demonstrators hit the streets of Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 2, to protest recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and deportations under the Trump administration. The protest escalated as crowds moved onto the 101 freeway, shutting down traffic for hours and causing major congestion throughout downtown.
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The demonstration began on Olvera Street before growing in size as marchers made their way to City Hall. Protesters later moved onto the freeway, where some sat in lanes, waved flags and carried signs, calling for immigration reform. The California Highway Patrol closed both directions of the freeway as law enforcement monitored the situation.
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Protest reaches City Hall, triggers police response
Throughout the day, fireworks were heard over the crowd, and some demonstrators leaned out of car windows, chanting in support of the protest. Video from the scene appeared to show graffiti on freeway walls and a Metro bus marked with anti-ICE messages.
By late afternoon, police reported that protesters had reached the steps of City Hall. Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department were deployed to manage the demonstration and ease traffic disruptions. The protest later moved to the Main Street Bridge, further backing up roads. Law enforcement intervened, pushing the crowd away and restricting access to both vehicles and pedestrians.
At around 8 p.m., police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly. Officers formed a skirmish line to clear the remaining protesters, and the freeway was reopened shortly after.
Demonstrations spread beyond Los Angeles
Protests were not limited to downtown Los Angeles. A smaller rally of about 250 people gathered in Pacoima, where police said drivers were blocking traffic and performing stunts. Additional demonstrations were reported in southern California cities, such as Riverside and San Diego.
In Texas, an estimated 1,600 people marched through downtown Dallas, denouncing the administration’s immigration policies. Many carried Mexican and American flags, while others held signs in support of immigrants.
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Minimal arrests reported
Demonstrators said they were marching to highlight concerns over deportations and to provide a voice for those affected by immigration enforcement actions.
Despite the large turnout, law enforcement reported minimal arrests. The LAPD confirmed that at least one person was taken into custody but did not provide details.
Tags: California, California Highway Patrol, Dallas, Donald Trump, Immigration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, migrants, Protests
[Craig Nigrelli]
THOUSANDS OF DEMONSTRATORS FILLED THE STREETS OF LOS ANGELES ON SUNDAY, PROTESTING RECENT ICE RAIDS AND DEPORTATIONS UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. THE PROTEST ESCALATED WHEN CROWDS MOVED ONTO THE 101 FREEWAY, SHUTTING DOWN TRAFFIC FOR HOURS AND CAUSING MAJOR CONGESTION ACROSS DOWNTOWN.
THE DEMONSTRATION GREW AS MARCHERS MADE THEIR WAY TO CITY HALL BEFORE MOVING ONTO THE FREEWAY. PROTESTERS SAT IN LANES, WAVED FLAGS, AND CARRIED SIGNS DEMANDING IMMIGRATION REFORM. THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL CLOSED BOTH DIRECTIONS OF THE FREEWAY AS LAW ENFORCEMENT MONITORED THE SITUATION.
THROUGHOUT THE DAY, FIREWORKS WERE HEARD OVER THE CROWD, AND SOME DEMONSTRATORS LEANED OUT OF CAR WINDOWS, CHANTING IN SUPPORT OF THE PROTEST. VIDEO FROM THE SCENE APPEARED TO SHOW GRAFFITI ON FREEWAY WALLS AND A METRO BUS MARKED WITH ANTI-ICE MESSAGES.
BY LATE AFTERNOON, POLICE REPORTED THAT PROTESTERS HAD REACHED THE STEPS OF CITY HALL. OFFICERS FROM THE LAPD AND LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT WERE DEPLOYED TO MANAGE THE DEMONSTRATION AND CLEAR DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC. THE PROTEST LATER MOVED TO THE MAIN STREET BRIDGE, FURTHER BACKING UP ROADS. LAW ENFORCEMENT MOVED IN, PUSHING THE CROWD AWAY AND RESTRICTING ACCESS TO BOTH VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS.
AROUND 8 P.M., AFTER DECLARING THE GATHERING AN UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY, OFFICERS FORMED A SKIRMISH LINE TO CLEAR THE REMAINING PROTESTERS. THE FREEWAY WAS REOPENED SHORTLY AFTER.
PROTESTS WEREN’T LIMITED TO DOWNTOWN L.A. A SMALLER RALLY OF ABOUT 250 PEOPLE GATHERED IN PACOIMA, WHERE POLICE SAID DRIVERS WERE BLOCKING TRAFFIC AND PERFORMING STUNTS. ELSEWHERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, DEMONSTRATIONS WERE ALSO REPORTED IN RIVERSIDE AND SAN DIEGO. IN TEXAS, AN ESTIMATED 1,600 PEOPLE MARCHED THROUGH DOWNTOWN DALLAS, DENOUNCING THE ADMINISTRATION’S IMMIGRATION POLICIES. MANY CARRIED MEXICAN AND AMERICAN FLAGS, WHILE OTHERS HELD SIGNS IN SUPPORT OF IMMIGRANTS.
DEMONSTRATORS SAID THEY WERE MARCHING TO HIGHLIGHT CONCERNS OVER DEPORTATIONS AND PROVIDE A VOICE FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY RECENT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.
DESPITE THE LARGE TURNOUT, LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED MINIMAL ARRESTS. AT LEAST ONE PERSON WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BUT LAPD AUTHORITIES DID NOT PROVIDE DETAILS.
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- A new lawsuit is claiming for the first time people died as a result of the 2023 East Palestine, Ohio train derailment disaster.
- The wrongful death lawsuit does not describe the deaths but says among those who died are a 1-week-old baby.
- The lawsuit also accuses the rail company and its contractors of mishandling cleanup efforts.
Vice President JD Vance and the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Lee Zeldin, are visiting East Palestine, Ohio, on Monday, Feb. 3, to mark two years since the train derailment. Vance and Zeldin’s visit comes on the heels of a new lawsuit that claims for the first time people died as a result of the train derailment’s aftermath.
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What does the latest lawsuit claim?
The new lawsuit contains the first of seven wrongful death claims filed against Norfolk Southern, including the death of a 1-week-old infant. It also accuses the railroad and its contractors of mishandling cleanup efforts while the EPA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) signed off on them and failed to tell residents about the health risks.
Court documents describe some of the lingering health problems, however, they do not include details about the deaths.
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Are there other lawsuits?
The court filings follow a flurry of recent lawsuits from individuals and businesses that argue a $600-million class-action lawsuit does not offer enough money to cover future expenses linked to the disaster or to prevent another derailment.
What happened two years ago?
On Feb. 3, 2023, dozens of railcars went off the tracks, including some cars carrying toxic materials. Five of the cars contained vinyl chloride. Officials decided to burn the railcars over fears of an explosion.
As a result, spewing toxic plumes of smoke into the East Palestine area. A later investigation revealed that the decision to burn the cars was unnecessary and misguided.
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How are the defendants responding to the allegations?
Norfolk Southern and officials have yet to respond to the new lawsuit or separate federal claims filed against the EPA and CDC.
Previously, the EPA defended its role in the burning of railcars, saying they were only on the site to provide information about the potential consequences and measure the resulting toxic release of chemicals.
Tags: CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chemical spill, chemicals, Death, disaster, Donald Trump, East Palestine, Environmental Protection Agency, JD Vance, Lawsuit, Norfolk Southern, toxic chemicals, train derailment, Trains
[CRAIG NIGRELLI]
VICE PRESIDENT J-D VANCE ALONG WITH THE HEAD OF THE E-P-A ARE VISITING EAST PALESTINE, OHIO, MONDAY. MARKING TWO YEARS SINCE A DISASTROUS TRAIN DERAILMENT.
HIS VISIT COMES ON THE HEELS OF A NEW LAWSUIT CLAIMING FOR THE FIRST TIME PEOPLE DIED AS A RESULT OF THE TRAIN DERAILMENT’S AFTERMATH.
THE NEW SUIT CONTAINS THE FIRST OF SEVEN WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIMS FILED AGAINST NORFOLK SOUTHERN, INCLUDING THE DEATH OF A 1-WEEK OLD INFANT.
IT ALSO ACCUSES THE RAILROAD AND ITS CONTRACTORS OF MISHANDLING CLEANUP EFFORTS WHILE THE E-P-A AND C-D-C SIGNED OFF ON IT AND FAILED TO TELL RESIDENTS ABOUT THE HEALTH RISKS.
OTHER RESIDENTS IN THE LAWSUIT CITE LINGERING HEALTH PROBLEMS AND ARE CONCERNED THEY MAY BECOME MORE SERIOUS OVER TIME.
COURT DOCUMENTS DESCRIBE SOME OF THE LINGERING HEALTH PROBLEMS, HOWEVER, THEY DO NOT INCLUDE DETAILS ABOUT THE DEATHS.
THE COURT FILINGS FOLLOW A FLURRY OF RECENT LAWSUITS FROM INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES ARGUING A 600-MILLION DOLLAR CLASS-ACTON LAWSUIT DOESN’T OFFER ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER FUTURE EXPENSES LINKED TO THE DISASTER OR TO PREVENT ANOTHER DERAILMENT.
ON FEBRUARY 3RD, 2023, DOZENS OF RAILCARS WENT OFF THE TRACKS, INCLUDING SOME CARRYING TOXIC MATERIALS.
FIVE OF THE CARS CONTAINED VINYL CHLORIDE AND OFFICIALS DECIDED TO BURN THE RAILCARS OVER FEARS OF AN EXPLOSION, AS A RESULT, SPEWING TOXIC PLUMES OF SMOKE INTO THE EAST PALESTINE AREA.
A LATER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE DECISION TO BURN THE CARS WAS UNNECCESSARY AND MISGUIDED.
NORFOLK SOUTHERN AND OFFICIALS HAVE YET TO RESPOND TO THE NEW LAWSUIT AND SEPARATE FEDERAL CLAIMS FILED AGAINST THE E-P-A AND C-D-C.
PREVIOUSLY, THE E-P-A DEFENDED ITS ROLE IN THE BURNING OF RAILCARS, SAYING THEY WERE ONLY ON SITE TO TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES AND MEASURE THE RESULTING TOXIC RELEASE.
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Super Bowl LIX airs Sunday, Feb. 9, on Fox. Much like every year, most viewers will not only watch the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, but also the commercials.
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Reports indicated that a 30-second ad space during the game is now selling for a record $8 million. The cost depends on the placement and duration of the ad during the game.
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How many people are expected to watch?
More than 120 million viewers are expected to tune in to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday.
Some big-name brands such as Anheuser-Busch, Pepsi, Frito-Lay and Taco Bell will try to grab viewers’ attention when there is a break in the action on the field.
The content will be familiar, including the Budweiser Clydesdales, as well as other beverage, snack and tech products.
What type of commercials will air?
Some companies have already released trailers or full commercials in advance of the big game. This includes a 30-second spot from Uber Eats.
Actor Matthew McConaughey does his best impression of legendary Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka and tries repeatedly to pronounce the Bears nickname.
How far in advance do companies have to buy spots?
Mark Evans, executive vice president of ad sales for Fox Sports, said space sold out in November 2024, and there is a waiting list for marketers hoping to get a slot if anybody pulls out.
The high demand has pushed prices up. By comparison, last year a 30-second spot went for $7 million during the Super Bowl.
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Are any companies sitting out this year’s ad game?
Car commercials won’t be as common this year compared to years past. Ad experts said that only Jeep and Ram products will make an appearance.
In addition, State Farm Insurance pulled its ads after the massive wildfires in Southern California left billions of dollars in damage, as well as complaints from some homeowners about canceled or lack of available coverage.
[CRAIG NIGRELLI]
SUPER BOWL 59 AIRS THIS UPCOMING SUNDAY ON FOX AND MUCH LIKE EVERY YEAR, MOST VIEWERS WILL NOT ONLY BE RIVETTED TO THE GAME BETWEEN THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AND THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES, BUT ALSO THE COMMERCIALS. REPORTS INDICATE THAT A 30-SECOND SPOT IS NOW SELLING FOR A RECORD, $8 MILLION, DEPENDING ON PLACEMENT OF THE AD DURING THE GAME. .
MORE THAN 120 MILLION VIEWERS ARE EXPECTED TO TUNE IN ON SUNDAY EVENING. AND SOME BIG NAME BRANDS LIKE ANHEUSER-BUSCH, PEPSI, FRITO-LAY AND TACO BELL WILL TRY TO GRAB YOUR ATTENTION WHEN THERE IS A BREAK IN THE ACTION ON THE FIELD. THE CONTENT WILL BE FAMILIAR INCLUDING THE BUDWEISER CLYDESDALES, AS WELL AS THE USUAL OTHER BEVERAGE, SNACK AND TECH PRODUCTS.
SOME COMPANIES HAVE ALREADY RELEASED TRAILERS OR FULL COMMERCIALS IN-ADVANCE OF THE BIG GAME. INCLUDING THIS 30-SECOND SPOT FROM UBER EATS. ACTOR MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY DOES HIS BEST IMPRESSION OF LEGENDARY CHICAGO BEARS COACH MIKE DITKA AND TRIES TO PRONOUNCE THE TEAM’S NICKNAME IN HIS BEST CHICAGO DIALECT.
MARK EVANS, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF AD SALES FOR FOX SPORTS, SAYS AD SPACE SOLD OUT IN NOVEMBER AND THERE IS A WAITLIST FOR MARKETERS HOPING TO GET A SLOT IF ANYBODY PULLS OUT. THAT DEMAND IS PUSHING PRICES UP.
BY COMPARISON, LAST YEAR, A 30-SECOND SPOT WENT FOR $7 MILLION.
ONE THING WE WON’T SEE A LOT OF COME SUNDAY, CAR COMMERCIALS. AD EXPERTS SAY THAT ONLY JEEP AND RAM PRODUCTS WILL MAKE AN APPEARANCE. IN ADDITION, STATE FARM INSURANCE, PULLED ITS ADS AFTER THE MASSIVE WILDFIRES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LEFT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DAMAGE AND COMPLAINTS FROM SOME HOMEOWNERS ABOUT CANCELLED OR LACK OF AVAILABLE COVERAGE.
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The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine is warning of an “alarming rise” in executions of Ukrainian soldiers by Russian forces. The report released on Monday, Feb. 3, said since August 2024, 79 executions have occurred in 24 separate incidents.
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What did the report find?
The findings also documented the execution of a wounded Russian soldier by Ukrainian forces.
The mission revealed many Ukrainian troops who surrendered or were captured by Russian forces were shot and killed “on the spot.”
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Witnesses also said some Ukrainian service members who were injured or unarmed were executed.
The report said the executions took place during Russian offensive operations.
Where did the evidence come from?
The evidence of the 24 incidents came from verified video and photos “published by Ukrainian and Russian sources showing executions or dead bodies,” according to the United Nations group.
The information also came through detailed interviews with witnesses.
The head of the mission said these executions would constitute war crimes and accused Russian military leaders of ordering the inhumane treatment and executions of captured Ukrainian soldiers.
What is the response to the report?
In response to the report, Ukraine’s foreign minister called for “concrete steps to hold the perpetrators accountable.”
As Straight Arrow News reported in September 2024, a video obtained by CNN showed Ukrainian soldiers appearing to surrender gunned down by Russian forces.
While Russia’s Defense Ministry has yet to comment on the mission’s most recent report, in response to September’s video, it denied Moscow had committed any war crimes.
Tags: Death, Executions, Kyiv, Moscow, Russia, Russia-Ukraine War, Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine, Ukraine Defense Ministry, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, War
[CRAIG NIGRELLI]
THE U-N HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORING MISSION IN UKRAINE IS WARNING OF A STEEP RISE IN EXECUTIONS OF UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS CAPTURED BY RUSSIAN FORCES.
THE REPORT RELEASED MONDAY SAYS SINCE AUGUST OF LAST YEAR, 79 EXECUTIONS HAVE OCCURRED IN 24 SEPARATE INCIDENTS.
THE FINDINGS ALSO DOCUMENT THE EXECUTION OF A WOUNDED RUSSIAN SOLDIER BY UKRAINIAN FORCES.
THE MISSION REVEALS MANY UKRAINIAN TROOPS WHO SURRENDERED OR WERE CAPTURED BY RUSSIAN FORCES WERE SHOT DEAD “ON THE SPOT.”
WITNESSES ALSO SAY SOME UKRAININIAN SERVICEMEMBERS WHO WERE INJURED OR UNARMED WERE EXECUTED.
THE REPORT SAYS THE EXECUTIONS TOOK PLACE DURING RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS.
THE MISSION SAID THE EVIDENCE OF THE 24 INCIDENTS CAME FROM VERIFIED VIDEO AND PHOTOS “PUBLISHED BY UKRAINIAN AND RUSSIAN SOURCES SHOWING EXECUTIONS OR DEAD BODIES.”
THE INFORMATION ALSO CAME THROUGH DETAILED INTERVIEWS WITH WITNESSES.
THE HEAD OF THE MISSION SAYS THESE EXECUTIONS WOULD CONSTITUTE WAR CRIMES AND ACCUSE RUSSIAN MILITARY LEADERS OF ORDERING THE INHUMANE TREATMENT AND EXECUTIONS OF CAPTURED UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS.
IN RESPONSE TO THE REPORT, UKRAINE’S FOREIGN MINISTER CALLED FOR “CONCRETE STEPS TO HOLD THE PERPETRATORS ACCOUNTABLE.”
AS STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS REPORTED IN SEPTEMBER, A VIDEO OBTAINED BY C-N-N SHOWED UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS APPEARING TO SURRENDER GUNNED DOWN BY RUSSIAN FORCES.
WHILE RUSSIA’S DEFENSE MINISTRY HAS YET TO COMMENT ON THE MISSION’S MOST RECENT REPORT, IN RESPONSE TO SEPTEMBER’S VIDEO, IT DENIED MOSCOW HAD COMMITTED ANY WAR CRIMES.
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At least five people remain hospitalized after a medevac jet crashed into a residential neighborhood in Philadelphia on Friday night, Jan. 31. The crash killed all six people aboard the plane, and one person in a car on the ground.
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Nearly two dozen others were injured as the wreckage spanned five city blocks near northeast Philadelphia’s Roosevelt Mall.
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In an update Sunday night, Feb. 2, the city’s mayor said three people remain in critical condition.
While the cause of the crash remains unknown, investigators recovered the Learjet’s black box late Sunday afternoon.
The aircraft had been in flight for less than one minute when it disappeared from radar and crashed.
Flames from the wreckage engulfed at least five homes. Eleven homes in total sustained significant damage. Parked cars also caught fire and witnesses said jet fuel was everywhere in the area.
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The six people aboard the plane were all Mexican nationals, including a girl who had been treated for an illness at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia and her mother. They were returning home to Tijuana, Mexico, after the girl’s treatment.
Earlier in the day Friday, caregivers at Shriners gave the girl a warm send-off as she left the hospital.
[craig nigrelli]
AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE ARE STILL IN THE HOSPITAL THIS MORNING AFTER A MEDEVAC JET CRASHED INTO A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD IN PHILADELPHIA FRIDAY NIGHT — killing ALL SIX PEOPLE aboard the PLANE, and ONE PERSON WHO WAS IN A CAR ON THE GROUND.
NEARLY TWO DOZEN OTHERs were injured AS THE WRECKAGE SPANNED FIVE CITY BLOCKS NEAR NORTHeast PHILADELPHIA’S ROOSEVELT MALL.
In an update Sunday night — THE city’s MAYOR SAID THREE PEOPLE ARE STILL IN CRITICAL CONDITION.
While IT’S NOT YET KNOWN EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED THE CRASH — SEARCHERS did recover the LEARJET’S BLACK BOX, LATE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.
THE PLANE HAD BEEN IN FLIGHT FOR LESS THAN ONE MINUTE WHEN it DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR AND crashed INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD — with flames ENGULFING AT LEAST FIVE HOMES. ELEVEN homes in TOTAL SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. PARKED CARS also CAUGHT ON-FIRE. WITNESSES SAY JET FUEL WAS EVERYWHERE in the area.
THE SIX PEOPLE ON BOARD THE PLANE WERE ALL MEXICAN NATIONALS — INCLUDING A GIRL – WHO HAD BEEN TREATED FOR AN ILLNESS AT SHRINERS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL IN PHILADELPHIA — AND HER MOTHER.
THEY WERE RETURNING HOME TO TIJUANA, MEXICO AFTER THE GIRL’S TREATMENT. IN FACT, EARLIER IN THE DAY — CAREGIVERS AT SHRINERS HAD GIVEN THE GIRL A WARM SEND-OFF as she was leaving the hospital.
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Crews will start clearing the wreckage Monday of an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided midair from the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., last week. The Army Corps of Engineers will work alongside the Coast Guard and the Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving.
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They will start by removing the jet’s remnants from the water. This process will take three days. Once completed, crews will work to retrieve the Black Hawk wreckage from the river.
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Haulers will take the wreckage to a National Transportation Safety Board hangar for investigators to inspect as they work to determine what led to the deadly collision near Reagan National Airport last Wednesday, Jan. 29.
This comes as the search continues for the remains of all those killed in the crash. Federal authorities said searchers have recovered and identified the remains of 55 of the 67 people killed in the collision.
Authorities expect to recover all bodies. However, low visibility in the frigid water and the strewn-about wreckage of both aircraft are slowing the process.
The Corps of Engineers said the goal is to have everything removed by next Wednesday, Feb. 12. However, if any remains are found while the wreckage is getting removed, work will immediately cease.
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Col. Francis Pera, the commander of the Corps of Engineers Baltimore District, said “the dignified recovery of missing flight passengers and personnel takes precedence” over the extraction timeline.
On Sunday, Feb. 2, an emotional scene played out when victim families gathered for a memorial on the airport runway at the edge of the Potomac River, viewing the site where their loved ones died.
Tags: American Airlines, Crash, helicopter crash, National Transportation Safety Board, Plane, plane crash
[craig nigrelli]
TODAY — CREWS WILL START CLEARING THE WRECKAGE OF AN AMERICAN AIRLINES PASSENGER JET AND AN ARMY BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER THAT COLLIDED MIDAIR FROM THE POTOMAC RIVER NEAR WASHINGTON, D.C.
THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WILL WORK ALONGSIDE THE COAST GUARD AND THE NAVY SUPERVISOR OF SALVAGE AND DIVING. They will START BY REMOVING THE REMNANTS OF THE JET FROM THE WATER — which is expected to TO TAKE THREE DAYS.
Once completed — THEY WILL WORK ON GETTING THE BLACK HAWK WRECKAGE OUT OF THE WATER.
HAULERS WILL TAKE THE WRECKAGE TO A NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY BOARD HANGAR FOR INVESTIGATORS TO INSPECT AS THEY WORK TO DETERMINE EXACTLY WHAT LED TO THE DEADLY COLLISION NEAR REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT.
THIS COMES AS THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR THE REMAINS OF ALL THOSE KILLED IN THE CRASH.
AS OF THEIR LAST UPDATE, FEDERAL AUTHORITIES SAY THAT SEARCHERS HAVE RECOVERED AND IDENTIFIED THE REMAINS OF 55 OF THE 67 PEOPLE KILLED IN THE CRASH.
THEY SAY THEY **DO** EXPECT TO RECOVER ALL THE BODIES. HOWEVER, LOW VISIBILITY IN THE FRIGID WATER AND THE strewn about WRECKAGE OF BOTH AIRCRAFT ARE SLOWING THE PROCESS.
THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS SAYS THE GOAL IS TO HAVE EVERYTHING REMOVED BY NEXT WEDNESDAY — FEBRUARY 12-TH, HOWEVER, IF ANY REMAINS ARE FOUND WHILE THE WRECKAGE IS getting REMOVED — WORK WILL IMMEDIATELY STOP.
COLONEL FRANCIS PERA, THE COMMANDER OF THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS’ BALTIMORE DISTRICT SAID QUOTE “THE DIGNIFIED RECOVERY OF MISSING FLIGHT PASSENGERS AND PERSONNEL TAKES PRECEDENCE” OVER THEIR TIME LINE.
ON SUNDAY, AN EMOTIONAL SCENE, AS FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS, gathered for a memorial ON THE RUNAWAY AT THE AIRPORT, AT THE EDGE OF THE POTOMAC RIVER AND viewed the site WHERE THEIR LOVED ONES PASSED AWAY.
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Trump administration to shut down USAID, Musk says
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The head of President Donald Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced the shutdown of a government agency. And the new week starts with tariffs and a possible trade war as Canada and Mexico quickly respond to Trump’s decision to levy fees on imported goods over the weekend. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Feb. 3, 2025.
Trump administration to shut down USAID: Elon Musk
Billionaire Elon Musk, who heads President Donald Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), said the Trump administration is shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development. USAID funds foreign aid and internationally focused charities.
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In an audio-only post on X early Monday morning, Feb. 3, Musk said the president agreed to close the agency hours after Trump called its leadership “a bunch of radical lunatics.”
Musk spoke on X Spaces with Republican Sen. Joni Ernst and Vivek Ramaswamy, who was initially named co-chair of DOGE but has since left. Musk said he had spoken with Trump several times about the matter.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 3, 2025
“To be clear, in shutting down — which we’re in the process of doing — shutting down USAID, the reason for that as opposed to simply, you know, trying to do some minor house cleaning is that as we dug into USAID it became apparent that what we have here is not an apple with a worm in it, but we have actually just a ball of worms,” Musk said.
He continued, “And so, at the point of which you don’t merely… if you’ve got an apple that’s got a worm in it maybe you can take the worm out, but if you’ve got actually just a ball of worms it’s hopeless. And USAID is a ball of worms. There is no apple and when there is no apple you’ve just gotta basically get rid of the whole thing.”
Musk’s announcement came after an incident on Saturday, Feb. 1, in which USAID’s director and deputy director of security were placed on administrative leave after they tried to stop DOGE employees from accessing secure USAID systems.
Congress determines how U.S. taxpayer dollars are spent, and Musk did not say what legal authority the White House has to shut down a federal agency without congressional approval or when the closing will happen.
Crews to start removing wreckage from deadly midair collision
Crews will start clearing the wreckage Monday of an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided midair from the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., last week.
The Army Corps of Engineers will work alongside the Coast Guard and the Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving. They will start by removing the jet’s remnants from the water. This process will take three days.
Once completed, crews will work to retrieve the Black Hawk wreckage from the river.
Haulers will take the wreckage to a National Transportation and Safety Board hangar for investigators to inspect as they work to determine what led to the deadly collision near Reagan National Airport last Wednesday, Jan. 29.
This comes as the search continues for the remains of all those killed in the crash. Federal authorities said searchers have recovered and identified the remains of 55 of the 67 people killed in the collision.
Authorities expect to recover all bodies. However, low visibility in the frigid water and the strewn-about wreckage of both aircraft are slowing the process.
The Corps of Engineers said the goal is to have everything removed by next Wednesday, Feb. 12. However, if any remains are found while the wreckage is getting removed, work will immediately cease.
Col. Francis Pera, the commander of the Corps of Engineers Baltimore District, said “the dignified recovery of missing flight passengers and personnel takes precedence” over the extraction timeline.
On Sunday, Feb. 2, an emotional scene played out when victim families gathered for a memorial on the airport runway at the edge of the Potomac River, viewing the site where their loved ones died.
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Black box recovered from deadly medical jet crash in Philadelphia
At least five people remain hospitalized after a medevac jet crashed into a residential neighborhood in Philadelphia on Friday night, Jan. 31. The crash killed all six people aboard the plane, and one person in a car on the ground.
Nearly two dozen others were injured as the wreckage spanned five city blocks near northeast Philadelphia’s Roosevelt Mall.
In an update Sunday night, Feb. 2, the city’s mayor said three people remain in critical condition.
While the cause of the crash remains unknown, investigators recovered the Learjet’s black box late Sunday afternoon.
The aircraft had been in flight for less than one minute when it disappeared from radar and crashed.
Flames from the wreckage engulfed at least five homes. Eleven homes in total sustained significant damage. Parked cars also caught fire and witnesses said jet fuel was everywhere in the area.
The six people aboard the plane were all Mexican nationals, including a girl who had been treated for an illness at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia and her mother. They were returning home to Tijuana, Mexico, after the girl’s treatment.
Earlier in the day Friday, caregivers at Shriners gave the girl a warm send-off as she left the hospital.
Canada, Mexico retaliate against Trump’s tariffs
Canada released its list of American products it will impose its own 25% tariffs. The country’s Department of Finance said the tariffs, which take effect Tuesday, Feb. 4, will impact about $30 billion worth of goods imported from the U.S., including everything from meat and liquor to hair care products.
The move is in retaliation to the 25% tariffs Trump levied against Canada and Mexico over the weekend to crack down on illegal immigration and curb America’s fentanyl crisis.
The Canadian Finance Department website said the tariffs will remain in place “until the U.S. eliminates its tariffs against Canada.” Mexico is also set to unveil tariffs against the U.S. on Monday.
Trump addressed Americans’ concerns over the impact these tariffs could have when speaking with reporters Sunday night.
“We may have short-term a little pain, and people understand that,” he said. “But long term the United States has been ripped off by virtually every country in the world.”
The president seemed unconcerned about retaliatory measures from Canada saying, “If they want to play the game, I don’t mind.”
Trump also said he’d be speaking with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday morning.
Netanyahu to meet with Trump in Washington as ceasefire reaches deadline
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington on Monday, where he will meet with Trump. The meeting comes as the clock ticks toward the deadline to begin talks with Hamas on extending the ceasefire in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s office said he had agreed with Trump’s Middle East envoy that “negotiations on the second phase of the hostage deal will begin with their meeting in Washington.”
The ceasefire is set to expire on March 1.
So far, both sides have released hostages, and Israeli troops have pulled back from Gaza, allowing Palestinians to see what’s left of their homes. Trump floated the idea of relocating the Palestinians to other countries, such as Egypt and Jordan.
Under the terms of that deal, talks with Hamas on the next phase are supposed to begin no later than Monday. So far, Israel has not given any indication it will honor the deadline.
Beyonce wins Album of the Year, Best Country Album at Grammys
History was made Sunday at music’s biggest night: the Grammys.
Beyonce won her first Album of the Year award for her foray into country music, “Cowboy Carter.” She also won Best Country Album, becoming the first Black woman in Grammys history to ever win in that category.
Kendrick Lamar picked up five Grammys, including two of the night’s most prestigious awards: Song of the Year and Record of the Year for his track “Not Like Us.” He dedicated his wins to fire-ravaged Los Angeles.
Chappell Roan was named Best New Artist. During her acceptance speech, she urged the music industry to offer living wages and health care to up and coming artists.
Sabrina Carpenter took home Best Pop Solo for her song “Espresso,” and Doechii won her first Grammy, taking home honors for Best Rap Album.
Tags: ceasefire, Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, Jordan, Music, Helicopter, Claudia Sheinbaum, taxpayer funds, Investigation, Crash, Entertainment, Spending, Immigrant, Airport, Immigration, Elon Musk, Fentanyl, Donald Trump, Joni Ernst, California, U.S. Army, Los Angeles, Vivek Ramaswamy, Ronald Reagan, Canada, Palestine, Mexico, Navy, Justin Trudeau, helicopter crash, American Airlines, Philadelphia, Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. Congress, Egypt, Wildfire, White House, Children, Israel, U.S. Coast Guard, X, Washington DC, Black Hawk helicopter, Tariff, Death, beyonce, plane crash, Hamas, Gaza, hostage, National Transportation Safety Board
[CRAIG NIGRELLI]
DEVELOPING THIS MORNING — BILLIONAIRE ELON MUSK, WHO HEADS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S NEW DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY — OR DOGE — SAYS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS IN THE PROCESS OF SHUTTING DOWN THE U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT — BETTER KNOWN AS U-S-A-I-D, WHICH FUNDS FOREIGN AID AND INTERNATIONALLY FOCUSED CHARITIES.
IN AN EARLY MORNING AUDIO-ONLY POST ON HIS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM X — MUSK SAID THE PRESIDENT AGREED TO CLOSE THE AGENCY HOURS AFTER HE CALLED ITS LEADERSHIP QUOTE “A BUNCH OF RADICAL LUNATICS.”
DURING A CONVERSATION ON X SPACES JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT WITH REPUBLICAN SENATOR JONI ERNST AND VIVEK RAMASWAMY — WHO WAS INITIALLY NAMED CO-CHAIR OF DOGE BUT HAS SINCE LEFT — MUSK SAID HE HAD SPOKEN WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP ON THE MATTER SEVERAL TIMES.
Elon Musk | Chair, Department of Government Efficiency
“To be clear, in shutting down — which we’re in the process of doing — shutting down USAID, the reason for that as opposed to simply, you know, trying to do some minor house cleaning is that as we dug into USAID it became apparent that what we have here is not an apple with a worm in it, but we have actually just a ball of worms. And so, at the point of which you don’t merely — if you’ve got an apple that’s got a worm in it maybe you can take the worm out, but if you’ve got actually just a ball of worms it’s hopeless. And USAID is a ball of worms. There is no apple and when there is no apple you’ve just gotta basically get rid of the whole thing.”
MUSK’S ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AFTER AN INCIDENT SATURDAY — IN WHICH U-S-A-I-D’S DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SECURITY WERE PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE AFTER THEY TRIED TO STOP DOGE EMPLOYEES FROM ACCESSING SECURE U-S-A-I-D SYSTEMS.
IT’S UP TO CONGRESS TO DETERMINE HOW U-S TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT — AND MUSK DID **NOT** SAY WHAT LEGAL AUTHORITY THE WHITE HOUSE HAS TO SHUT DOWN A FEDERAL AGENCY WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL.
MUSK ALSO DID SAY SPECIFICALLY WHEN THE CLOSING WILL HAPPEN.
TODAY — CREWS WILL START CLEARING THE WRECKAGE OF AN AMERICAN AIRLINES PASSENGER JET AND AN ARMY BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER THAT COLLIDED MIDAIR FROM THE POTOMAC RIVER NEAR WASHINGTON, D.C.
THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS WILL WORK ALONGSIDE THE COAST GUARD AND THE NAVY SUPERVISOR OF SALVAGE AND DIVING. THEY WILL START BY REMOVING THE REMNANTS OF THE JET FROM THE WATER — WHICH IS EXPECTED TO TAKE THREE DAYS.
ONCE COMPLETED — THEY WILL WORK ON GETTING THE BLACK HAWK WRECKAGE OUT OF THE WATER.
HAULERS WILL TAKE THE WRECKAGE TO A NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY BOARD HANGAR FOR INVESTIGATORS TO INSPECT AS THEY WORK TO DETERMINE EXACTLY WHAT LED TO THE DEADLY COLLISION NEAR REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT.
THIS COMES AS THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR THE REMAINS OF ALL THOSE KILLED IN THE CRASH.
AS OF THEIR LAST UPDATE, FEDERAL AUTHORITIES SAY THAT SEARCHERS HAVE RECOVERED AND IDENTIFIED THE REMAINS OF 55 OF THE 67 PEOPLE KILLED IN THE CRASH.
THEY SAY THEY **DO** EXPECT TO RECOVER ALL THE BODIES. HOWEVER, LOW VISIBILITY IN THE FRIGID WATER AND THE STREWN ABOUT WRECKAGE OF BOTH AIRCRAFT ARE SLOWING THE PROCESS.
THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS SAYS THE GOAL IS TO HAVE EVERYTHING REMOVED BY NEXT WEDNESDAY — FEBRUARY 12-TH, HOWEVER, IF ANY REMAINS ARE FOUND WHILE THE WRECKAGE IS GETTING REMOVED — WORK WILL IMMEDIATELY STOP.
COLONEL FRANCIS PERA, THE COMMANDER OF THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS’ BALTIMORE DISTRICT SAID QUOTE “THE DIGNIFIED RECOVERY OF MISSING FLIGHT PASSENGERS AND PERSONNEL TAKES PRECEDENCE” OVER THEIR TIME LINE.
ON SUNDAY, AN EMOTIONAL SCENE, AS FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS, GATHERED FOR A MEMORIAL ON THE RUNAWAY AT THE AIRPORT, AT THE EDGE OF THE POTOMAC RIVER AND VIEWED THE SITE WHERE THEIR LOVED ONES PASSED AWAY.
AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE ARE STILL IN THE HOSPITAL THIS MORNING AFTER A MEDEVAC JET CRASHED INTO A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD IN PHILADELPHIA FRIDAY NIGHT — KILLING ALL SIX PEOPLE ABOARD THE PLANE, AND ONE PERSON WHO WAS IN A CAR ON THE GROUND.
NEARLY TWO DOZEN OTHERS WERE INJURED AS THE WRECKAGE SPANNED FIVE CITY BLOCKS NEAR NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA’S ROOSEVELT MALL.
IN AN UPDATE SUNDAY NIGHT — THE CITY’S MAYOR SAID THREE PEOPLE ARE STILL IN CRITICAL CONDITION.
WHILE IT’S NOT YET KNOWN EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED THE CRASH — SEARCHERS DID RECOVER THE LEARJET’S BLACK BOX, LATE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.
THE PLANE HAD BEEN IN FLIGHT FOR LESS THAN ONE MINUTE WHEN IT DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR AND CRASHED INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD — WITH FLAMES ENGULFING AT LEAST FIVE HOMES. ELEVEN HOMES IN TOTAL SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. PARKED CARS ALSO CAUGHT ON-FIRE. WITNESSES SAY JET FUEL WAS EVERYWHERE IN THE AREA.
THE SIX PEOPLE ON BOARD THE PLANE WERE ALL MEXICAN NATIONALS — INCLUDING A GIRL – WHO HAD BEEN TREATED FOR AN ILLNESS AT SHRINERS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL IN PHILADELPHIA — AND HER MOTHER.
THEY WERE RETURNING HOME TO TIJUANA, MEXICO AFTER THE GIRL’S TREATMENT. IN FACT, EARLIER IN THE DAY — CAREGIVERS AT SHRINERS HAD GIVEN THE GIRL A WARM SEND-OFF AS SHE WAS LEAVING THE HOSPITAL.
THIS MORNING — CANADA HAS RELEASED ITS LIST OF AMERICAN PRODUCTS IT WILL BE IMPOSING ITS OWN 25 PERCENT TARIFFS ON.
THE COUNTRY’S DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE SAYS THE TARIFFS — WHICH TAKE EFFECT **TOMORROW** — WILL IMPACT ABOUT 30 **BILLION** DOLLARS WORTH OF GOODS IMPORTED FROM THE UNITED STATES… INCLUDING EVERYTHING FROM MEAT AND LIQUOR TO HAIR CARE PRODUCTS.
THE MOVE IS IN RETALIATION TO THE 25 PERCENT TARIFFS PRESIDENT TRUMP LEVIED AGAINST CANADA AND MEXICO OVER THE WEEKEND — IN AN EFFORT TO CRACK DOWN ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND CURB AMERICA’S FENTANYL CRISIS.
THE CANADIAN FINANCE DEPARTMENT WEBSITE SAYS THE TARIFFS WILL REMAIN IN PLACE QUOTE “UNTIL THE U.S. ELIMINATES ITS TARIFFS AGAINST CANADA.”
MEXICO IS ALSO SET TO UNVEIL ITS OWN TARIFFS AGAINST THE U-S TODAY.
PRESIDENT TRUMP ADDRESSED AMERICANS’ CONCERNS OVER THE IMPACT THESE TARIFFS COULD HAVE WHEN SPEAKING WITH REPORTERS LAST NIGHT.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
“We may have short term a little pain. And people understand that. But long term the United States has been ripped off by virtually every country in the world.”
THE PRESIDENT SEEMED UNCONCERNED ABOUT RETALIATORY MEASURES FROM CANADA, SAYING, “IF THEY WANT TO PLAY THE GAME, I DON’T MIND.”
TRUMP ALSO SAID HE’D BE SPEAKING WITH CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU AND MEXICAN PRESIDENT CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM THIS MORNING.
ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU IS IN WASHINGTON TODAY — WHERE HE WILL MEET WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP.
THIS COMES AS THE CLOCK IS TICKING TOWARD THE DEADLINE TO BEGIN TALKS WITH HAMAS ON EXTENDING THE CEASEFIRE IN GAZA.
NETANYAHU’S OFFICE DID SAY HE HAD AGREED WITH TRUMP’S MIDDLE EAST ENVOY THAT QUOTE “NEGOTIATIONS ON THE SECOND PHASE OF THE HOSTAGE DEAL WILL BEGIN WITH THEIR MEETING IN WASHINGTON.”
THE CEASEFIRE — WHICH HAS NOW BEEN IN PLACE FOR JUST OVER TWO WEEKS — IS SET TO EXPIRE ON MARCH 1-ST.
SO FAR, HOSTAGES HAVE BEEN RELEASED BY BOTH SIDES AND ISRAELI TROOPS HAVE PULLED BACK, ALLOWING PALESTINIANS TO SEE WHAT’S LEFT OF THEIR HOMES IN GAZA. PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS FLOATED THE IDEA OF RELOCATING THE PALETINIANS TO OTHER COUNTRIES, SUCH AS EQYPT AND JORDAN.
UNDER THE TERMS OF THAT DEAL — TALKS WITH HAMAS ON THE NEXT PHASE ARE SUPPOSED TO BEGIN NO LATER THAN TODAY.
SO FAR, ISRAEL HAS NOT GIVEN ANY INDICATION IT WILL HONOR THE DEADLINE.
FINALLY THIS MORNING — HISTORY WAS MADE AT MUSIC’S BIGGEST NIGHT — THE GRAMMYS…
WITH BEYONCE — WINNING HER FIRST ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR HER FORAY INTO COUNTRY MUSIC — “COUNTRY CARTER.”
SHE ALSO WON **BEST COUNTRY ALBUM** — BECOMING THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN IN GRAMMYS HISTORY TO EVER WIN IN THAT CATEGORY.
KENDRICK LAMAR PICKED UP 5 GRAMMYS — INCLUDING TWO OF THE NIGHT’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS — SONG AND RECORD OF THE YEAR — FOR HIS TRACK ” NOT LIKE US”.
HE DEDICATED THEM TO FIRE-RAVAGED LOS ANGELES.
CHAPPELL ROAN WAS NAMED BEST NEW ARTIST. DURING HER ACCEPTANCE SPEECH — SHE URGED THE MUSIC INDUSTRY TO OFFER LIVING WAGES AND HEALTH CARE TO UP AND COMING ARTISTS.
ALSO, SABRINA CARPENTER WON BEST POP SOLO FOR HER SONG “ESPRESSO”. AND DOECHII WON HER FIRST GRAMMY, TAKING HOME HONORS FOR BEST RAP ALBUM.
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The Trump administration has placed two security chiefs from the U.S. Agency for International Development on leave on Sunday, Feb. 2. Trump officials said the two chiefs refused to turn over classified material in restricted areas to officials with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
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Musk’s team eventually gained access to the classified information on Saturday, Feb. 1. Officials said the classified information included intelligence reports.
Point phone camera here
Why was Musk’s team initially denied?
According to The Associated Press, the two USAID security officials, John Vorhees and Brian McGill, believed they were legally obligated to forbid Musk’s team access since they didn’t have high-enough security clearance.
Has there been a response since the incident?
On Sunday, Musk posted on X, saying, “USAID is a criminal organization. Time for it to die.”
USAID is a criminal organization.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 2, 2025
Time for it to die. https://t.co/sWYy6fyt1k
Kate Miller, who serves on DOGE’s advisory board, said no classified information was accessed without the proper security clearance.
The incident comes a day after Musk’s DOGE gained access to a critical Treasury Department payment system. That system also holds sensitive data, like Social Security and Medicare customer data.
The Trump administration had recently put a freeze on foreign assistance. That freeze has shut down much of the USAID humanitarian, development and security programs worldwide. USAID administers billions of dollars in aid to more than 100 countries.
Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said, in a post on X on Sunday, that Trump is allowing Musk to shut down government funding.
No one elected Elon Musk.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 2, 2025
As Donald Trump allows Musk to access people’s personal information and shut down government funding, Republicans in Washington will also own the consequences.
We must do everything in our power to push back and protect people from harm.
“As Donald Trump allows Musk to access people’s personal information and shut down government funding, Republicans in Washington will also own the consequences,” Warren said in the post. “We must do everything in our power to push back and protect people from harm.”
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On Saturday, the USAID website went offline. There’s been no explanation or reason why the website was taken offline. Staff that ABC News spoke to said an email that confirmed the site was down didn’t say teams were working to get it back up. The source said there’s normally mention of that in similar notices.
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Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Saudi Arabia during his first official visit as the country’s new leader. During his visit, he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Sunday, Feb. 2.
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Al-Sharaa assumed the new role of president on Wednesday, Jan. 29. This came less than two months after his group toppled the Bashar Assad regime. Assad has been living in Russia since escaping Syria.
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Following the meeting, al-Sharaa said in a written statement that he and the crown prince discussed humanitarian and economic topics. He also said the two discussed “future plans in the fields of energy, technology, education and health.”
The Saudi Press Agency said the discussions examined ways to “support the security and stability of sisterly Syria.”
How did al-Sharaa come to power?
In December 2024, al-Sharaa’s group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, began a lightning offensive against the Assad-backed military. Assad’s regime was toppled in less than two weeks following the rebels’ first attack on Nov. 27, 2024. Assad fled the country 11 days later on Dec. 7, 2024.
Since Assad’s fall, al-Sharaa and HTS have been working with their neighbors to get the West to lift the crippling sanctions on Syria given during the Assad regime.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan visited the Syrian capital of Damascus in January. During his visit, he said that Saudi Arabia is “actively engaging in dialogue” to help lift sanctions in Syria.
Before his trip to Saudi Arabia, al-Sharaa hosted Qatar’s ruling emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as his first foreign head of state.
What challenges does Syria currently face?
However, al-Sharaa faces a few challenges from militant groups in Syria. On Saturday, Feb. 1, a car bomb exploded in Manbij, according to The Associated Press. The blast killed four civilians.
Turkish-backed Syrian rebels had seized Manbij in December 2024. Officials said this was part of a push by Turkey to secure Syrian territory close to its border for a buffer zone.
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Al-Sharaa is expected to remain in Saudi Arabia on Monday, Feb. 3. Officials said he is expected to visit the holy city of Mecca.
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Actor and director Justin Baldoni has issued new accusations against actress Blake Lively, news outlet The New York Times and others in a newly amended lawsuit. The lawsuit is seeking $400 million in compensatory damages.
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Lawyers for Baldoni filed a 224-page amended counterclaim on Friday, Jan. 31. Along with the counterclaim, they also released a website on Saturday, Feb. 1.
Why are the two stars suing each other?
The two Hollywood stars have both filed lawsuits against each other. It began in December 2024, when Lively filed a lawsuit against Baldoni alleging sexual harassment and retaliation on the set of “It Ends With Us.” Baldoni was the director and both he and Lively co-starred in the film.
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The New York Times had posted an article stating that after Lively raised concerns on set, Baldoni and a producer hired crisis management experts who tried to “destroy” Lively’s reputation.
Baldoni denied the allegations and sued the news outlet for $250 million for libel. He alleged The Times pushed an “unverified and self-serving narrative” by only using some “cherry-picked” communications without the right context.
The Times defended itself, saying they were just following the facts. The news outlet said its story was, “meticulously and responsibly reported,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. Officials at The Times said it was “based on a review of thousands of pages of original documents, including the text messages and emails.”
Then in late December 2024, Lively sued again, stating that Baldoni and his team were trying to undermine her reputation for speaking up about sexual misconduct on the set of the film.
On Jan. 16, Baldoni filed his second lawsuit. In it, he names Lively, her husband and actor Ryan Reynolds and their publicist as defendants. The lawsuit claims the three extorted, defamed and invaded the privacy of Baldoni. The lawsuit also claims that the smear campaign Lively accused Baldoni of was not real.
What does Baldoni’s amended lawsuit allege?
In the amended lawsuit, Baldoni claims that Lively’s complaint against him was filed after Lively and her team spent several months telling The Times lies about him. It also alleges that the news publication had Lively’s civil rights complaint 11 days before The Times report was published.
What did the website show?
Besides the amended lawsuit, Baldoni’s team also released a website. It had the newly-amended lawsuit but it also has a 168-page document showing an outline of the events.
The document shows never-before-seen texts and emails that Baldoni allegedly exchanged with Lively and Reynolds.
Baldoni said he launched the website to refute Lively’s claims that he sexually harassed her.
Representatives for both Lively and Reynolds have not spoken on the amended lawsuit or the website.
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What’s next in the case?
Both sides are now getting ready for the court cases. The trial is scheduled to begin on March 9.
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