President Donald Trump backed Elon Musk's plan to audit the gold reserves at Fort Knox.  |
- President Donald Trump backed Elon Musk's plan to audit the gold reserves at Fort Knox. "We're going to go into Fort Knox to make sure the gold is there," Trump told reporters on Air Force One.
- The gold storage facility hasn't been audited in more than 50 years. Here's what we know about the Fort Knox controversy.
- The Senate confirmed Kash Patel as director of the FBI.
- After the Hamas terrorist group released the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including two children, the Israeli army formally identified the bodies of the two children as Ariel and Kfir Bibas but said the third body was not that of their mother, Shiri Bibas.
- 🫘This age-old kitchen staple is a humble superfood.
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The E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Court House in Washington on Feb. 19, 2025. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times) |
A federal judge declined to block, for now, downsizing efforts by President Donald Trump's administration, including mass firings and buyout programs. "Federal district judges are duty-bound to decide legal issues based on even-handed application of law and precedent—no matter the identity of the litigants or, regrettably at times, the consequences of their rulings for average people," Judge Christopher Cooper wrote in his ruling. Unions representing hundreds of thousands of federal workers had filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump and the heads of several government agencies, saying they were overstepping the executive branch's authority. The unions allege that the government is engaging in "mass firings" of newer employees still under "probationary" status. "The allegation is not without evidence," Cooper said. The court denied the unions' request to block the terminations, saying "it likely lacks" jurisdiction over their claims. The plaintiffs asked the court to declare the federal buyout program unlawful, and to stop the administration from implementing another similar program.
The buyout, or deferred resignation offer, which ended on Feb. 12, was extended to more than 2 million government employees by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in a bid to hasten Trump's plan to shrink the federal workforce. About 75,000 workers accepted the offer before the deadline. (More)
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- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) appeared to oppose the idea that the Trump administration could send checks to Americans based on savings generated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
- The president said that Elon Musk is in charge of DOGE, after the White House submitted court papers saying the tech billionaire is only an adviser and isn't leading the group.
- A federal judge declined to block downsizing efforts by President Donald Trump's administration, including mass firings and buyout programs.
- President Donald Trump said he will not touch Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid amid his administration's efforts to downsize federal spending.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered military officials to identify $50 billion in potential cuts from the upcoming fiscal year 2026 budget so that the savings can be redirected to President Donald Trump's national defense priorities.
- The Department of Health and Human Services updated its official definitions of terms such as sex, female, and male, as part of President Trump's efforts to restore "the concept of biological truth" in the federal government.
- The Department of Homeland Security's secretary deputized up to 600 law enforcement officers from the State Department to become immigration enforcement officers.
- Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said he will not run for reelection in 2026.
- District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser rejected President Donald Trump's suggestion that the federal government should assume control of the city she governs.
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The Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington. (John Yu/Epoch Times) |
A bomb threat targeting Shen Yun Performing Arts at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts caused an evacuation and road closures on Thursday morning, hours before the group's opening night performance in Washington. D.C. police responded to the scene at about 10:45 a.m. An email received by the theater 15 minutes earlier claimed that a bomb had been placed at the facility, and that it would be detonated if Shen Yun's performance proceeded. A spokesperson from the U.S. Park Police confirmed the agency had sent officers to the Kennedy Center but declined to offer further details. The spokesperson said the officers were no longer at the theater and directed questions to the Kennedy Center. The Kennedy Center did not respond to queries from The Epoch Times by publication time. The incident marks the latest among dozens of similar threats globally directed at Shen Yun, an arts group based in New York state that uses classical Chinese dance and music to showcase China's ancient civilization before the communist takeover. The Thursday performance, the first of a 12-show run, proceeded as scheduled at 7:30 p.m. (More) More U.S. News |
- The Federal Trade Commission has launched an inquiry into whether major technology platforms have engaged in potentially unlawful censorship practices such as restricting users based on speech content or affiliations. The agency is now seeking public input to better understand how these actions may have harmed consumers or violated competition laws.
- Walmart Inc., the nation's largest retailer and a key bellwether for the U.S. economy, finished 2024 with robust profits and rising sales but hit a few snags in the new year as inflation and tariff concerns rile bargain-hunting shoppers.
- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she will not remove New York City Mayor Eric Adams from office, after meeting with elected officials and others in the city.
- New York state's Metropolitan Transportation Authority sued the federal government for canceling a tolling program that the agency said was aimed at relieving traffic congestion in New York City.
- A Mississippi judge ordered an editorial criticizing the mayor and city leaders to be taken down after the officials filed a lawsuit accusing the newspaper of defamation. The editorial in question was titled "Secrecy, deception erode public trust."
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Got jitters and a sensitive stomach? These three substances may be the reason why you can't enjoy a cup of coffee: Mold, acid and high caffeine content. But a retired cancer pathologist researcher got to the bottom of these shortfalls and created a healthier version of coffee with a tasty side effect. His enzyme-fermented, prebiotic roast naturally removes harmful substances from coffee and gives you a long-lasting, rich taste. Dr. Grant Lee invites you to try his innovative coffee, roasted daily in upstate New York. (Pro tip: try it with heavy cream) [Try DAYES Coffee] |
After the Hamas terrorist group released the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including two children, the Israeli army formally identified the bodies of the two children as Ariel and Kfir Bibas but said the third body was not that of their mother, Shiri Bibas. "During the identification process, it was determined that the additional body received is not that of Shiri Bibas, and no match was found for any other hostage. This is an anonymous, unidentified body," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) wrote in a social media post. "Based on the intelligence available to us and forensic findings from the identification process, Ariel and Kfir Bibas were brutally murdered by terrorists in captivity in November 2023," the IDF said. "This is a violation of utmost severity by the Hamas terrorist organization, which is obligated under the [cease-fire] agreement to return four deceased hostages. We demand that Hamas return Shiri home along with all our hostages." The disclosure comes at a sensitive time, with negotiations about to resume on the Gaza cease-fire's second phase. The Bibas family's plight, and the uncertainty about their fates, came to symbolize the hostage crisis to many in Israel and around the world. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said earlier in the day that the fourth hostage whose body was returned on Feb. 20, Oded Lifshitz, was also murdered. (More) More World News: |
- White House national security adviser Mike Waltz criticized Ukraine for missing a "historic opportunity" by not signing a deal with the United States to tap into mineral reserves that could have benefitted both nations.
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🇺🇲 American Thought Leaders: How Trump Wields Tariffs as Negotiating Tactic and Instrument of Statecraft (Watch) ✍️ Opinion: Get Ready for America's 'Little Tech' Revolution by Stephen Moore 🍿 Documentary: The events of September 11th showcased acts of heroism, but were there also miracles? Through interviews with survivors and their families, the documentary explores incredible stories of extraordinary bravery and inexplicable survival during the terrorist attacks. (Watch free on Gan Jing World) 🎵 Music: Johann Strauss I – Radetzky March (Listen) ☕️ Your morning coffee just got healthier: A retired cancer pathologist researcher got to the bottom of the shortfalls of coffee and created a healthier version with a tasty side effect. (Sponsored) 📷 Photo of the Day: A drone view shows Palestinians and Hamas terrorists gathering around Red Cross vehicles on the day Hamas hands over the bodies of deceased hostages Oded Lifschitz, Shiri Bibas and her two children Kfir and Ariel Bibas, seized during the deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attack, as part of a ceasefire and hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 20, 2025.👇 |
On a cold winter night, a steaming bowl of black bean stew or a hearty plate of black beans and rice can be comforting. With their creamy texture and subtly sweet flavor, these tiny powerhouses of health strengthen the heart, regulate blood sugar, and support a healthy weight. In traditional Chinese medicine, black beans are prized for their special nourishing effects on the kidneys. They are warming, nourish blood and yin, and benefit reproductive function. In Ayurvedic medicine, the traditional medicine of India, black beans promote healthy elimination due to their high fiber content. They are used to quell food cravings and are particularly beneficial in early spring. One of the reasons for their popularity, and why they have been a staple of so many diets for centuries, is that black beans are loaded with nutrition. They are an excellent source of plant-based protein, high in soluble and insoluble fiber, naturally low in fat and calories, and have no cholesterol. Nutritional Superpowers: |
- Pack a Protein Punch: 1 cup of black beans offers more than 15 grams of protein.
- Plenty of Fiber: The ample fiber in these tiny beans ensures our bellies stay full and keeps things moving politely through our digestive system, helping us avoid constipation.
- High in Antioxidants: Black beans stand out from other beans due to their abundant anthocyanins, which give them their dark color. Anthocyanins are potent antioxidants associated with reducing inflammation and improving heart health.
- Abundant Magnesium: Black beans are also particularly high in magnesium, containing about 60 milligrams per half cup, more than many other legumes.
- Contain Essential Nutrients: These mighty beans are filled with iron, potassium, zinc, vitamin A, and calcium.
- Rich in Folate: Folate, or vitamin B9, is needed for cell division and growth as it contributes to the production of DNA and RNA. Folate also creates healthy red blood cells and is critical in pregnancy as it helps form the neural tube, which becomes the brain and spinal cord.
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🫘Keep reading here for the benefits, fun facts, how to increase absorption, and pantry pro tip. |
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Thanks for reading. Have a wonderful day. |
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