NEWS - SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2026 - NEWS
Some political analysts say Sheinbaum, despite her talk of defending Mexico's sovereignty, has actually acquiesced to Trump many times, particularly on security. LA Times
VOA VIEW: It is wait and see.
After taking over federal immigration operations in Minnesota following the killing of two U.S. citizens, border policy advisor Tom Homan said street operations in the state would wind down if the agents are allowed into local jails. LA Times
VOA VIEW: As it should be.
A three month operation across multiple southern California jurisdictions has resulted in the recovery of $100K in stolen merchandise and the takedown of a massive coordinated retail crime network. New York Post
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani told other US city leaders that he “struggles” to imagine how his job “could be better” at the moment — even as 10 New Yorkers died in the recent deep freeze and the Big Apple faces a $12 billion budget gap. New York Post
VOA VIEW: Mamdani is a lying fool.
Iran’s foreign minister ruled out direct talks unless President Trump stops threatening to attack it. He also said Iran would not discuss its ballistic missiles. New York Times
VOA VIEW: Iran is looking for a hard hit.
An Iranian government official said some children had been detained, the first such acknowledgment in weeks of anti-government protests. New York Times
VOA VIEW: Iran is pushing it.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump made a high-profile appearance at the Trump-Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., for the anticipated Thursday premiere of her new film, "MELANIA." OANN
President Donald Trump lambasted Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, calling him a “moron” after Powell opted not to lower interest rates this month, ending a string of quarter-point cuts. OANN
VOA VIEW: Powell is an idiot.
President Donald Trump held his first Cabinet meeting of the new year on Wednesday, saying he wanted to keep it from being “boring,” unlike meetings in past years. OANN
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Catherine O’Hara, the Canadian-American Emmy-winning actress and chameleonic comedy icon who captivated audiences for decades in beloved movies and shows like "Home Alone," "Beetlejuice," and more recently, "Schitt’s Creek," has passed away at the age of 71. OANN
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and state Attorney General Keith Ellison are set to testify in front of the House Oversight Committee on March 4 for its investigation into the fraud scandal that involved some of the state's Somali immigrants. Washington Times
VOA VIEW: They both have a lot of explaining to do.
Two Florida men are facing criminal charges, accused of breaking into an aquarium last year and pulling out a fish that ended up dying. Washington Times
A federal judge has refused to order the pretrial release of a man charged with placing two pipe bombs near the national headquarters of the Democratic and Republican parties on the eve of a mob's Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Washington Times
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President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order that would impose a tariff on any goods from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba, a move that puts pressure on Mexico. Washington Times
VOA VIEW: A reasonable position.
President Trump on Thursday launched the Great American Recovery Initiative, a program aimed at bolstering the federal government's response to substance abuse. Washington Times
Minority births have become the majority of newborns for the first time in U.S. history, according to an analysis of federal data that finds Hispanic immigration driving the trend. Washington Times
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The U.N. Security Council criticized Haitian authorities Thursday for the lack of progress in achieving a political transition and called for urgent security sector reforms to tackle increasing violence by gangs and criminal groups. Washington Times
VOA VIEW: Hati is a mess.
The FBI is now leading the investigation into the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minnesota. CBS
Starting on Sunday, if you don't have a Real ID driver's license or a passport, the Transportation Security Administration will begin charging non-compliant flyers to access security, which could cost you an extra $45. CBS
A new winter storm is taking aim at parts of the Southeastern U.S. as much of the country continues to recover from the massive storm that brought snow, ice and bitter cold last weekend. CBS
VOA VIEW: It will be cold.
The small Mississippi community of Gravestown has been without power and running water for five days following an ice storm the likes of which the state hasn't seen in more than 30 years. CBS
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The death toll continues to rise from a massive winter storm that left an ongoing spell of freezing weather in its wake. CBS
President Trump signed an executive order Thursday to coordinate a federal government response to drug addiction. CBS
President Trump on Friday named Kevin Warsh to succeed Jerome Powell as Fed chair, ending an odyssey that has seen unprecedented turmoil around the central bank. CNBC
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The deal would address concerns Democrats have had about funding the Department of Homeland Security due to enforcement actions in Minnesota. CNBC
VOA VIEW: Dems are acting stupid.
Lemon's "constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done," his lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said. CNBC
VOA VIEW: He violated the church and members rights.
Legislators and governors in blue states are preparing a range of new taxes on the wealthy. At the same time, many red states continue to cut or eliminate taxes. CNBC
VOA VIEW: Dems are losing reality.
The ruling from Panama's top court is widely seen as a victory for the Trump administration, which is seeking to counter any Chinese influence in the region. CNBC
Apple on Thursday said iPhone sales in the March quarter could be even better than the company's forecast if it could secure enough chips to meet demand. CNBC
Daylon Fleitas Gonzalez found dead in recycling bin after meeting alleged killer who owed him money. Suspect now extradited from Mexico to face charges. FOX News
A sweeping FBI-led operation targeting the Latin Kings gang led to nearly 50 arrests and the seizure of guns, drugs and cash across multiple states, according to the bureau. FOX News
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster declaration to prevent New World screwworm fly from spreading from Mexico and protect livestock and wildlife. FOX News
VOA VIEW: Mexico should also be responsible.
California lawmaker proposes bill that would bar ICE agents from police and teaching jobs, citing "immorality" concerns amid Trump deportation efforts. FOX News
VOA VIEW: A foolish gesture.
Getting into business with China was "dangerous," Donald Trump said amid a visit by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hopes will boost U.K. growth. UPI
VOA VIEW: It would not be smart.
Iran must forgo its nuclear program and stop the killing to avoid being attacked by U.S. forces massing in the Gulf, warned President Donald Trump. UPI
VOA VIEW: It would be wise to listen.
President Donald Trump has declared Cuba a national security threat, creating a new mechanism to impose tariffs on imports from any country that provides the island nation with oil. UPI
Sales of Affordable Care Act health insurance plans for individuals are down by 1.2 million after 23 million bought coverage during open enrollment. UPI
VOA VIEW: It was a waste.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said Washington does not recognize any trade agreement with S. Korea unless it is ratified by the National Assembly UPI
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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has altered the official portrait of former Adm. Rachel Levine, the Biden administration’s transgender federal health official, replacing Levine’s current name with his original birth name. It is the right thing to do.
Levine is a biological male who identifies as a transgender female. The former Biden official previously stated that, for decades, he lived with the distress of gender dysphoria while building a career and raising a family. Once his children were older and more independent, Levine felt he “could finally live authentically.” He eventually began transitioning in his early 50s.
Levine’s portrait, which hangs in a seventh-floor corridor of the Hubert H. Humphrey Building alongside those of previous leaders of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, originally read “Adm. Rachel L. Levine.” However, sometime recently — presumably during the recent government shutdown that furloughed non-essential employees — HHS staff removed the frame’s glass, swapped the printed nameplate for one reading “Richard L. Levine,” the former Biden official’s “deadname,” and resealed it.
HHS changed Richard Levine’s name back to Richard after the Biden admin referred to him as “Rachel.” This is a dude! If the truth hurts, seek help. According to LGBTQ terminology, a deadname is the birth name or former legal name that a transgender, non-binary, or gender-nonconforming person used before they transitioned and adopted a new name. Adrian Shanker, another former Biden administration health official, upheld that the change occurred during the government shutdown this fall.
“During the federal shutdown, the current leadership of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health changed Admiral Levine’s photo to remove her current legal name and use a prior name,” Shanker said, describing the change as “small acts of pettiness and bigotry.” NPR first reported the change on December 5th after receiving a photograph from an “anonymous HHS employee” who described the alteration as “disrespectful.”
Levine, a pediatrician, served as HHS Assistant Secretary for Health from March 2021 until the end of the Biden administration. He played a prominent role in the disastrous federal COVID-19 response under Biden and strongly supported access to hormone blockers and sex change operations, describing both as being “medically necessary and life-saving.”
