Happy Valentine's Day! Here are your NEWS Briefs for today:

International Relations and Politics:
US-Russia Relations: U.S. Vice President JD Vance has warned Moscow, urging Europe to increase defense spending, following discussions on the international stage.

India-US Relations: India and the US have agreed to resolve ongoing trade and tariff disputes after talks between Trump and Modi.

Hamas and Hostages: Hamas has recommitted to the release of hostages, indicating a potential shift in Middle Eastern dynamics.

Economy and Business:
Tesla and EV Contract: Tesla was not awarded a $400 million electric vehicle contract by the State Department.

Cryptocurrency Market: The crypto market today shows subtle movements with Bitcoin holding steady while XRP leads among top altcoins.

Eurozone GDP: The Eurozone's preliminary GDP for Q4 was slightly better than expected at +0.1% quarter over quarter

Entertainment:
Infinity Nikki: New outfits have been released in the game, adding to the Valentine's Day celebrations among fans.

Movie Releases: The first single 'Premalo' from the film 'Court: State vs A Nobody' was released, stirring excitement for its upcoming premiere.

Taylor Swift: There's ongoing discussion around her and President Donald Trump, following her Super Bowl appearance, with Trump's social media posts reigniting their feud.

Weather and Local News:
Portland, Oregon: A cold breeze is expected to bring drizzle, impacting Valentine's Day plans (yahoo.com).

Edinburgh: Local news includes updates on new schools, church closures, and weather forecasts.

Sports:
Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025: The cricket league kicks off today with five teams competing.

Here's a summary of some of the latest news for today, February 5, 2025:

Trump Administration Actions on USAID: The Trump administration has announced it is pulling almost all U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) workers off the job and out of the field worldwide. This order takes effect just before midnight tonight, giving direct hires 30 days to return home unless deemed essential.

Digital Assault by Elon Musk on Federal Systems: There's been significant discussion regarding Elon Musk's influence over federal IT systems, with reports indicating he and his allies have gained access to the Treasury Department's payment systems and have managed to send mass emails offering federal employees early buyouts. Concerns have also been raised about potential access to student loan data.

Mass Shooting in Sweden: In what has been described as the worst mass shooting in Sweden's history, at least 10 people were killed at a school. The suspected perpetrator also died. This event has caused national mourning and shock.

U.S. Policy on Gaza: President Trump announced a plan for the U.S. to take over the Gaza Strip, though specifics were not provided during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Protests in New York: There are ongoing protests in New York against the Trump administration's recent policies, showing public dissent.

US Postal Service: The US Postal Service reversed a decision from yesterday, announcing it will once again accept parcels from China and Hong Kong.

NEWS ALERT
Following Mexico's approach, Canada too Gets 30-Day Pause on Tariffs: Canada has reached an agreement with President Trump to pause tariffs for 30 days, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a social media post.

NEWS ALERT - DOGE IS HYPERACTIVE
Trump Advisers Weigh Plan to Dismantle Education Department: Trump administration officials are weighing executive actions to dismantle the Education Department as part of the campaign by billionaire Elon Musk and his allies to shrink federal agencies and slash the size of the government workforce.

Elon Musk on USAID: Elon Musk has stated that Donald Trump agrees that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) needs to be "shut down." This follows reports of funding freezes and administrative leave for USAID employees after disputes over access to agency systems. (Source: CNN)

Tariffs and Retaliation: In response to U.S. tariffs, Canada and Mexico have imposed retaliatory tariffs against Americans. President Trump has indicated that these tariffs might not include oil. (Source: AP News, CNBC)

Groundhog Day Prediction: Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter according to tradition, though NOAA data suggests Phil's accuracy is only about 30% over the past decade. (Source: The Washington Post)

German Immigration Bill: The German parliament has rejected a proposed immigration bill despite support from far-right groups, indicating significant political division on this issue. (Source: BBC)

Hostage Release: Hamas has announced the release of Yarden Bibas and two others in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, marking the fourth swap since the ceasefire began. (Source: BBC)

Trump's Tariffs on Mexico and Canada: President Trump confirmed the implementation of a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada, with the possibility of these tariffs increasing over time, although oil might be excluded. (Source: CNBC)

Health Policy Criticism: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's pick for health secretary, faced criticism during his confirmation hearing over past comments on vaccines and race. (Source: NPR)

These stories reflect a mix of national and international events, with implications for policy, politics, and public safety.

Here are some of the most talked about, viewed, and heavily reposted news and events from today, January 31, 2025:

Explosion at Mumbai Ordnance Factory: An explosion at an ordnance factory in Mumbai has led to at least eight confirmed deaths with five others injured. The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined, but a special investigation team has been set up to probe the incident. This event has been widely covered in Indian media and social platforms due to its implications for safety and security at military facilities.

Grammy Awards Preview: The upcoming Grammy Awards have been a topic of interest, with CBS News reporting on performances and the impact of the event in Los Angeles. The CEO of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr., discussed the event's lineup and its cultural significance, which has sparked conversations about music, awards, and entertainment industry trends.

Political Developments in the U.S.: Discussions around Robert F. Kennedy's nomination and its potential impact on Republican lawmakers have been prominent, given his unorthodox positions that could challenge traditional party lines. This has been a focal point for political commentators and those interested in U.S. politics.

Climate Change and Environmental News: A large iceberg moving towards a remote island is raising concerns about the impact on local wildlife, specifically penguins and seals. This news, combined with discussions on increasing intensity of weather events due to climate change, has been widely shared, highlighting ongoing environmental concerns.

Social Media and Censorship: There's been significant discussion around Instagram blocking certain political words from search, which has led to debates on censorship and freedom of speech on social platforms. This issue has been picked up by news outlets and social media users alike, focusing on the implications for political discourse.

These events have captured the attention of the public due to their immediate impact, cultural significance, or political implications, leading to extensive coverage across various media platforms.

The first job DOGE began with is dismantling OPM (U.S. Office of Personal Management). What the heck was that office for? Elon posted this:

#Kantipur Publication Saga Continues... On May 21st, The Kathmandu Post wrote: In his address to Parliament on Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Rabi Lamichhane failed to clarify whether he was involved in the cooperatives fund misappropriation...

Approximately 14 years ago today, Laszlo Hanyecz posted on bitcointalk.org, offering 10,000 #Bitcoin for “a couple of pizzas.” However, most people are not aware that it took him four days to finalize the transaction, which is now worth about $720 million at today's price that momentarily touched almost $72,000..

On the subject of #Bitcoin, Edward Snowden posted what he called his final warning:

After #Bitcoin halving event triggered rewards cut by half: The miners community collected more than $100 million in revenue for the halving on April 20, the highest total ever recorded in a single day. But now miners face a drop in mining rewards that could reshape the industry. Yet to see if post-halving rally awaits and the rewards increase along with the price of Bitcoin.