Headlines

February 21, 2025

New York Post

Trudeau Needles Trump After Victory

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a jab at the U.S. after Canada’s 4 Nations championship 3-2 overtime victory, declaring, “You can’t take our country — and you can’t take our game,” in response to President Trump’s repeated annexation rhetoric.
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Associated Press

Released Body Was Not Mother

The Israeli military claims Hamas didn't return Shiri Bibas' body, despite confirming the deaths of her two sons, Kfir and Ariel. They say one body did not match any known hostages, including Shiri, and was unidentified. Israel demands Hamas return her body and the remaining hostages.
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CBS News

Trump Considers DOGE Dividend Checks

President Donald Trump proposed using 20% of savings from the DOGE for direct payments to taxpayers, possibly $5,000 per household. Economists are skeptical, citing the implausibility of finding $2 trillion in savings and the need for Congressional approval and current legal challenges.
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Courier Journal

McConnell Won't Run Again

Sen. Mitch McConnell won't seek re-election in 2026, ending his 40-year career. As Senate GOP leader, he shaped the party and played a key role in federal court appointments. His retirement sparked interest from potential candidates like Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.
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ABC News

Thousands Fired at the IRS

Over 6,000 probationary IRS employees were laid off nationwide. Fired workers, many involved in modernizing the statutory body, warned the layoffs could disrupt tax services and harm future operations. Critics argued the cuts would reduce efficiency and morale, not improve them.
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Deadline

Amazon MGM Paid Big for Bond

Amazon paid $8.5 billion for MGM, including a $1 billion deal to gain full creative control of the James Bond franchise from the Broccoli family. This allows Amazon to expand the Bond universe, create spinoffs, and attract top directors, though concerns about maintaining quality persist.
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CNN

Walmart Warns About Economy

Walmart warned of slower sales and profit growth in 2025, citing inflation and Trump's tariffs as key challenges. While it expects up to 4% sales growth, the forecast disappointed investors, causing a stock drop. Despite strong consumer demand, Walmart faces difficulties managing higher costs.
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The Guardian

Kash Patel Confirmed as FBI Director

In a 51-49 vote, former defense secretary staffer and lawyer Kash Patel was confirmed as FBI director despite concerns over his partisan views and loyalty to Trump. His past involvement in the Russia investigation and controversial actions raised doubts about his ability to maintain FBI independence.
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New York Post

Hochul Won't Remove Adams "Right Now?

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed ethics reforms to increase state oversight of NYC Mayor Eric Adams after his corruption case was dropped. While not removing Adams, she suggested giving city officials more power to challenge the federal government, causing mixed reactions.
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Reuters

U.S. Won't Back Pro-Ukraine U.N. Motion

The U.S. is refusing to co-sponsor a U.N. resolution calling for Russia’s withdrawal of its troops. This comes amid growing tensions between Ukraine and the U.S., which is seeking a quick end to the war. The U.S. also objected to language condemning Russian aggression in a G7 statement.
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MSN

Early Views of Trump Are Mixed

Donald Trump's second presidential term is marked by mixed reactions. While 43% support his actions like deporting immigrants, 48% oppose, especially over issues like tariffs and Elon Musk's influence. His approval stands at 45%, higher than 2021, but still facing significant criticism.
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Politico

Musk: 13 Children and Counting

The revelation of another Elon Musk child led to divided reactions among conservatives. Sociologist Brad Wilcox stressed that while Musk supports pro-natalism, he overlooks marriage's role in children's well-being, highlighting a growing rift between pro-natalism and traditional family values.
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Axios

America's Nervous Skies

Recent airline accidents spiked searches about flight safety, with "Is it safe to fly?" reaching levels this month not seen since the pandemic. Despite concerns, aviation experts emphasize that flying remains the safest travel option, and demand for air travel continues to rise.
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NPR

Trump Continues To Blame Ukriane for War

Trump's recent comments show growing alignment with Russian interests, calling for a rapid end to the war and criticizing Ukraine's leadership. His push for a ceasefire contrasts with Ukraine's desire for an unconditional halt, while Russia seeks limits on Ukraine's military.
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Newsweek

Academia Struggles With AI

A Massachusetts student was accused of academic dishonesty for using AI to help outline a paper. His parents sued, arguing AI was just a research tool. The school updated its policies, defining AI use as cheating. This case shows the challenges faced in regulating AI use in education.
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The Washington Post

Next in Trump's Sights: USPS

Plans to move the U.S. Postal Service under the Commerce Department by Trump might risks its independence. Critics fear privatization and reduced access to services. The move follows concerns about postal delays and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's modernization efforts.
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BBC

Toronto Crash Victims Offered $30k

Delta Air Lines is offering $30,000 to each of all 80 people who survived a plane that crash-landed in Toronto. Delta’s compensation is an advance to assist with short-term needs, to be deducted from any later settlements. All hospitalized passengers were released by Thursday.
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The Hill

Musk a Surprise Guest at CPAC

At the Conservative Political Action Conference, Musk brandished a chainsaw to highlight his DOGE initiative to cut government spending. He discussed debt-reduction, security concerns, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and how American pop culture influenced his values.
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The Palm Beach Post

Tiger Takes the White House

Tiger Woods met at the White House to discuss a potential merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, though legal and ethical issues complicate the talks. He expressed hope that the top players would soon compete together, as fans desire it, and a merger could happen soon.
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LAist

Biggest School District Enacts Phone Ban

Starting Tuesday, LAUSD students are prohibited from using cellphones, smartwatches, and earbuds during the school day, with individual schools determining enforcement while allowing exceptions for emergencies, health-related needs, and approved learning accommodations.
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