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.

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's a brief on some of the important news topics today:

- India: Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the challenges posed by dark web, cryptocurrency, online marketplaces, and drones in combating drug trafficking at a regional conference. The government is focusing on increasing drug seizures and dismantling narco-terror networks.

- USA: President Joe Biden made a rare appearance in the White House briefing room to take questions after 1,080 days in office, indicating a shift in his interaction with the press.

- Global: The planet has crossed an important temperature threshold, and wildfires continue to ravage southern California.

- Middle East: An Israeli airstrike near the Masnaa Border Crossing in Lebanon has led to significant disruptions, with the strikes causing craters on the road used by many fleeing the conflict.

- Tech: Google has threatened to stop linking to New Zealand news content if the government passes legislation requiring tech companies to pay for news articles displayed on their platforms.

- Politics: In Slovakia, there's a likelihood of a snap election, and Sweden is set to tighten its immigration rules.

- Middle East Conflict: A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is scheduled to commence on Sunday morning.

This summary covers a range of significant developments from various parts of the world based on today's news.

The Manhattan jury found the former President Donald Trump guilty on 34 counts related to falsifying business records in his New York hush-money trial Thursday, opening up an uncertain new era in U.S. politics. Sentencing is scheduled for July 11. - Curtsy of Barron's

#Politics गत महिना भारतको सरकारी स्वामित्वको पञ्जाब नेशनल बैंकमा २ अर्ब डलरको बैंक ठगीको पर्दाफास भएको केही समयपछि प्रधानमन्त्री नरेन्द्र मोदीको कथित ठगीसँगको तस्बिर बाहिर आएको छ।

र्वोच्च अदालतले बुधबार राष्ट्रिय स्वतन्त्र पार्टीका अध्यक्ष रवि लामिछानेविरुद्ध राहदानी दुरुपयोग मुद्दामा मुद्दा दायर किन नगर्ने कारण देखाउ नोटिस महान्यायाधिवक्ताको कार्यालयलाई जारी गरेको छ । #Nepal #Politics - Photo Credit: The Kathmandu Post

हालैको मिसाइल आक्रमणलाई लिएर नेतन्याहुसँग बाइडेन रिसाए: #US President Joe Biden on Thursday made one of his most concrete public calls for Israel to change what it’s doing on the ground in Gaza, going as far as to signal a possible shift in U.S. policy with respect to Gaza if his administration isn’t satisfied with Israel’s next steps. All #Politics

नेपाली काङ्ग्रेसले रवि लामिछानेलाई संसदीय समिति गठन नभएसम्म बोल्न नपाउने गरी प्रतिबन्ध लगाएको छ । #Nepal #Politics

#Nepal #Politics