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Government must reach agreement on right to counsel for people at Minnesota ICE facility, judge says

Government must reach agreement on right to counsel for people at Minnesota ICE facility, judge says

A federal judge has given the government until next Thursday to reach an agreement with human rights lawyers in Minnesota
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President Trump Signs Spending Package, Ending Government Shutdown

President Trump Signs Spending Package, Ending Government Shutdown

President Donald Trump has signed a comprehensive spending package into law, effectively ending a three-day partial government shutdown. The agreement funds several critical departments but sets a new deadline for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Trump and Democrats have two weeks to negotiate changes to federal law enforcement operations, particularly concerning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Democrats are pushing for reforms, including the use of body cameras by ICE agents and the cessation of certain patrol practices.
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Canada and France Open Consulates in Greenland Amid U.S. Control Tensions

Canada and France Open Consulates in Greenland Amid U.S. Control Tensions

Canada and France have opened diplomatic consulates in Nuuk, Greenland, in response to U.S. efforts to secure control over the semiautonomous Danish territory. Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand inaugurated the consulate, emphasizing cooperation on defense, security, climate change, and Arctic collaboration. France's consul general, Jean-Noël Poirier, aims to deepen cultural, scientific, and economic ties with Greenland. The move follows President Trump's recent tariff threats against Denmark and other European countries opposing his takeover calls, which were later dropped after reaching a framework agreement over access to Greenland's mineral resources.
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Study Links Wildfire Smoke to 24,100 Annual Deaths in the U.S.

Study Links Wildfire Smoke to 24,100 Annual Deaths in the U.S.

A study published in Science Advances has found that chronic exposure to wildfire smoke is linked to an average of 24,100 deaths annually in the United States from 2006 to 2020. The research highlights the significant health risks posed by fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from wildfire smoke, which can exacerbate respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases. The study emphasizes the need for urgent mitigation strategies and better regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as current policies do not adequately address the health impacts of wildfire smoke.
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Congress Approves $50 Billion Foreign Aid Bill Amidst Previous Cuts by Trump Administration

Congress Approves $50 Billion Foreign Aid Bill Amidst Previous Cuts by Trump Administration

Congress has passed a $50 billion foreign aid bill for 2026, marking a significant allocation despite previous reductions by the Trump administration in 2025. This new legislation includes funding for military aid to countries such as Egypt, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as support for democracy, scholarship programs, U.S. embassy operations, and global health and humanitarian initiatives. The bill represents a 16% cut from the previous year but is still more than what the Trump administration had proposed. The bipartisan support for the bill highlights a shift in congressional priorities, emphasizing the importance of maintaining U.S. influence and addressing global health and humanitarian needs. Concerns had been raised about the impact of last year's funding cuts, which led to reduced access to clinics, medicine, and food for many people worldwide.
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Trump Administration's Critical Mineral Reserve Acknowledges Electric Future

Trump Administration's Critical Mineral Reserve Acknowledges Electric Future

The Trump administration has announced the creation of an $11.7 billion stockpile of critical minerals, branded as Project Vault, to secure supplies for U.S. manufacturers. This initiative follows investments in rare earth producers and aims to ensure that American businesses and workers are not harmed by shortages. The move is seen as an acknowledgment of the growing reliance on electric technologies, such as electric vehicles and wind turbines, despite the administration's previous preference for fossil fuels. The stockpile is likened to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and is intended to reduce dependence on foreign sources, particularly China, which has previously restricted exports of critical minerals.
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Bessent says up to Trump whether Warsh might be sued over policy choices

Bessent says up to Trump whether Warsh might be sued over policy choices

By Michael S. Derby Feb 5 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday declined to commit that the Trump administration would not sue Kevin Warsh, its nominee to lead the Federal Reserve, if he follows a monetary path opposed by the president.
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Lawmakers urge Trump to drop proposal to slash vehicle fuel economy rules

Lawmakers urge Trump to drop proposal to slash vehicle fuel economy rules

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Eighty Democratic lawmakers in Congress urged the Trump administration on Wednesday to abandon a proposal to slash fuel economy standards that former President Joe Biden had finalized in 2024.
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Former Agriculture Leaders Criticize Trump Immigration Policy's Impact on U.S. Food Production

Former Agriculture Leaders Criticize Trump Immigration Policy's Impact on U.S. Food Production

A bipartisan group of former USDA officials and agricultural leaders have expressed concern over President Trump's immigration policies, which they claim are harming U.S. food production. In a letter to Congress, they highlighted issues such as mass deportations and the lack of reform in the H-2A visa program, which are disrupting labor availability in sectors like dairy, fruit, and meat processing. The letter urges Congress to take action to prevent a potential collapse of American agriculture, emphasizing the need for reliable labor and policy reforms to support the industry.
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Trump Administration Faces Lawsuit Over Gold Card Visa Program Prioritizing Wealth

Trump Administration Faces Lawsuit Over Gold Card Visa Program Prioritizing Wealth

The Trump administration is facing a federal lawsuit over its Gold Card visa program, which allows wealthy individuals expedited access to U.S. permanent residency in exchange for payments of at least $1 million. The lawsuit, filed in the Federal District Court in Washington, D.C., by the American Association of University Professors and a group of immigrant professionals, argues that the program violates federal immigration law by prioritizing financial contributions over merit-based criteria established by Congress for employment-based visas. The Gold Card program, created under a September 2025 executive order, enables individuals or corporations to qualify for EB-1 and EB-2 employment-based visas through payments of $1 million from individuals or $2 million from corporate sponsors.
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USDA and Congressman Thompson Respond to Criticism from Ag Leaders

USDA and Congressman Thompson Respond to Criticism from Ag Leaders

The USDA and Congressman Glenn 'GT' Thompson have responded to a letter from former and current agriculture leaders criticizing the Trump administration's agricultural policies. The letter urged Congress to pass measures countering these policies. The USDA defended its actions, highlighting efforts to support farmers through trade deals and tax reductions. Thompson emphasized the need for a robust agricultural agenda, including a five-year farm bill and ag labor reform. He acknowledged the challenges faced by producers due to previous administrations' policies and expressed a commitment to advancing the agricultural economy.
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Brothers of Renee Good Call for Congressional Action on Immigration Enforcement

Brothers of Renee Good Call for Congressional Action on Immigration Enforcement

The brothers of Renee Good, a U.S. citizen killed by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, have called on Congress to address the violence resulting from immigration operations. Renee Good's death, along with that of another protester, Alex Pretti, has sparked national outrage and calls for reform. During a congressional hearing, Luke and Brett Ganger spoke about their sister's life and the impact of her death. The hearing, organized by Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Robert Garcia, aimed to highlight use-of-force incidents by Homeland Security officers. The Trump administration claims Good attempted to run over an officer, a characterization rejected by local officials and protesters.