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.

Here are some of the most current news points from Nepal:

Nepal Welcomes Gaza Ceasefire Agreement: The Nepalese government has expressed support for the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, emphasizing the need for peace and urging the release of Bipin Joshi and other hostages.

Power Cuts in Lalitpur: The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) announced scheduled power cuts in various parts of Lalitpur to replace electric poles, affecting local residents and businesses.

Hydropower Project Agreement: Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) has signed a deal with SJVN Ltd., GMR Energy Ltd., and Nepal Electricity Authority for a 900 MW Hydropower Project in Nepal.

Disaster Statistics: According to the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC), 679 people died, 66 went missing, and 1,323 were injured in Nepal due to natural disasters like floods, landslides, and fires over a recent period.

Political Instability: Observers are noting the recent political instability in Nepal, which complicates its foreign relations, particularly with India and China. This has been discussed in relation to the frequent changes in government leadership.

Legislative Updates: The Public Service Broadcasting Bill was recently passed, with Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung acknowledging there is still much work to be done in this area.

Transgender Candidates in Elections: In a significant step for representation, two transgender candidates ran for election in Nepal, marking a historic moment for transgender political participation.

Here are some of the top news stories for today:

Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Deal: The Israeli security cabinet has recommended approving a ceasefire and hostage return deal in Gaza, ahead of a full cabinet meeting. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed the vote, citing last-minute changes by Hamas.

Trump's Cabinet Confirmation Hearings: Confirmation hearings for Donald Trump's cabinet picks are ongoing, with significant focus on the nominations for Defense Secretary, Interior Secretary, and others. There's particular attention on Pete Hegseth's suitability for Defense Secretary following a contentious Senate hearing.

TikTok in the U.S.: The Biden administration is exploring ways to keep TikTok available in the U.S., as a ban on the app is set to begin if no action is taken by the Supreme Court.

NFL Playoffs: CBS News featured insights from Bill Cowher on the upcoming NFL divisional round, highlighting key matchups like the Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills.

Health News: The American Cancer Society has reported an increase in cancer rates among women, surpassing men in some cases, with CBS News discussing the implications.

Biden's Farewell Speech: Outgoing President Joe Biden gave a farewell speech focusing on his record of upholding democracy, warning against the concentration of power and the impacts of climate change.

Space News: The European Space Agency released new images of Mercury's surface, capturing details of its permanently shadowed craters and volcanic plains.

Local News (Minnesota): A man was arrested following a hit-and-run incident on New Year's Day in Minneapolis, and the weather in Minnesota is expected to remain mild with a thaw.

#NEWS #ALERT

#Bitcoin briefly surged to $104k—what triggered the spike? Bitcoin bulls are buying aggressively, holding strong, and pulling coins off exchanges.

With Bitcoin's market cap alone hitting $2 trillion, bolstered by $31 billion in net inflows from US Bitcoin ETFs, the total crypto market cap has now surpassed $3.5 trillion. Several altcoins are experiencing significant growth, and NFTs are making a comeback. XRP recently reached its highest price in nearly seven years—though some claim manipulation, the price has since started to decline.

In a notable move, Brazil proposed using Bitcoin as a national reserve asset, sending a strong signal to the global market to take notice.

#NEWS #ALERT
Trump Picks Paul Atkins to Run SEC: President-elect Donald Trump picked the conservative lawyer to run the Securities and Exchange Commission, choosing a regulatory skeptic who will be expected to cut red tape and rein in the agency’s enforcement division.

Election Update: As of the latest data, national polls show a close race between Vice President Kamala #Harris and former President Donald #Trump, often within a margin of error. Many polls indicate that they are roughly tied, with both candidates receiving around 47-49% of the vote, depending on the specific poll and methodology.

General sentiment among voters appears divided, with many expressing concerns about key issues such as the economy, healthcare, and social justice. While some voters remain staunchly loyal to Trump, others are motivated by a desire for change, bolstered by Harris’s platform.

#Tesla Update: Your 30-day complimentary trial* of Full Self-Driving (Supervised) (your model name) has been extended.

Under your supervision, Full Self-Driving (Supervised) can drive your Tesla almost anywhere. It will make lane changes, select forks to follow your navigation route, navigate around other vehicles and objects, and make left and right turns. You and anyone you authorize must use additional caution and remain attentive. It does not make your vehicle autonomous. Do not become complacent.

This trial will end on November 29, 2024.

Kamala Harris is looking to make changes to #Biden’s plan for increasing capital-gains taxes. Her team thinks the current proposal sets the tax rate too high. They believe a smaller increase would better support investment in new businesses and make it easier for small businesses to get the funding they need.

Mt. Gox prepares to return $9 billion in crypto:
The Tokyo-based exchange, which shuttered a decade ago, has an October deadline to return the crypto it still holds to customers. This week, the court-appointed trustee administering the returns announced that around $9 billion in #crypto would begin moving back to customers by early July 2024.