At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Beyoncé finally won Album of the Year for “Cowboy Carter,” becoming only the fourth Black woman to achieve this honor. Kendrick Lamar secured both Song and Record of the Year for “Not Like Us,” while Chappell Roan’s Best New Artist win included a powerful speech advocating for better treatment of artists. The show also featured The Weeknd’s return performance, reflecting the Recording Academy’s efforts towards greater diversity, and incorporated tributes to Los Angeles, highlighting its resilience amidst recent wildfires. Multiple first-time winners and memorable performances rounded out the evening.
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Intense rainfall in northeast Australia has caused devastating flash floods, resulting in one fatality and widespread evacuations in towns like Ingham and Townsville. A woman drowned when a rescue boat capsized, highlighting the perilous conditions. Authorities have issued emergency alerts and evacuation orders for low-lying areas, warning of life-threatening floodwaters. The current rainfall is comparable to the devastating 2019 floods, with predictions of further flooding and warnings about crocodiles in floodwaters.
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Wyoming Republicans introduced Senate File 125, aiming to restrict abortion access by narrowly defining “healthcare” to exclude procedures causing harm to various body systems. This definition, however, inadvertently jeopardizes numerous life-saving medical treatments, including chemotherapy and heart surgery, due to its broad language. Legal experts and healthcare professionals widely criticize the bill for its potential to severely limit healthcare providers’ actions and for its lack of consultation with medical professionals. The bill’s constitutionality is also highly questionable, given Wyoming’s existing constitutional right to healthcare decisions.
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A mid-air collision between a military helicopter and a passenger plane in Washington, D.C., resulted in 67 fatalities. The incident occurred during a period of acknowledged “not normal” air traffic control staffing at Reagan National Airport, with reports indicating understaffing at the tower. Investigations are underway, examining potential factors such as the helicopter’s flight path, altitude (at the flight ceiling for the area), and the timing of the mission within busy airspace. Secretary Duffy also highlighted a chronic national shortage of air traffic controllers contributing to the situation.
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Following President Trump’s announcement of steep tariffs on Canadian imports, Canadian hockey and basketball fans booed the US national anthem, expressing outrage at the punitive taxes. This action, coupled with social media campaigns promoting “buy local” initiatives and provincial boycotts of American goods, reflects widespread anger and a desire for economic retaliation. Canada has already announced retaliatory tariffs on US goods, targeting products from Republican states. Experts warn that this trade war is destabilizing for Canada, forcing the country to seek alternative trade partners while still remaining reliant on its neighbor to the south.
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Dallas police are preparing for a large protest downtown on Sunday, February 2nd, at 2 p.m., organized by the Next Generation Action Network. The demonstration, starting at 408 Hardwood Street, will oppose recent ICE raids and President Trump’s stance against DEI initiatives. Authorities advise drivers to expect significant traffic delays and street closures around City Hall, Dealey Plaza, and the Commerce Street area. The protest’s expected size remains unknown.
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Thousands protested ICE raids and deportations in downtown Los Angeles, marching from Olvera Street to City Hall and subsequently onto the 101 Freeway. This resulted in significant freeway closures and major traffic delays in the area, further compounded by pre-existing Grammy Awards street closures. Authorities reported unlawful freeway access by protesters, urging drivers to avoid the affected area. The demonstration follows President Trump’s increased deportation efforts since his inauguration.
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Fueled by the CDU’s controversial collaboration with the far-right AfD on immigration legislation, tens of thousands protested in Berlin against this perceived breach of Germany’s post-war political consensus. These demonstrations, echoing similar protests nationwide, occurred three weeks before national elections and targeted the CDU’s headquarters. The CDU’s leader, Friedrich Merz, defended his actions despite widespread condemnation, including from Angela Merkel. Public outrage stemmed from votes cast alongside the AfD on immigration-related bills, raising concerns about the future of German politics.
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In response to President Trump’s 25% tariff on Canadian goods, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced a ban on the sale of all U.S. alcohol products in the province, resulting in an estimated $80 million annual loss for the U.S. economy. This action, fully supporting the federal government’s retaliatory tariffs, is viewed as a necessary response to an economic threat and a challenge to Canadian sovereignty. The province plans to unveil further support for affected businesses and workers next week, with additional economic diversification measures detailed in the upcoming spring budget. Kinew emphasized that while targeting the U.S. government, Manitoba maintains positive relations with the American people.
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Arnoldo Jimenez, a fugitive on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list, was apprehended in Monterrey, Mexico. He is charged with the first-degree murder of his wife, Estrella Carrera, who was found stabbed to death hours after their wedding in 2012. Jimenez allegedly stabbed Carrera in his car before placing her body in her bathtub; he subsequently fled to Mexico with the assistance of his brother. Jimenez’s arrest follows a decade-long manhunt and comes after a history of domestic violence allegations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker