JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 971

Washington DC: President Donald Trump announced on February 13 that he will visit China in April to meet President Xi Jinping, and said Xi will visit the United States later this year. Trump spoke to reporters at the White House and reiterated in a taped NBC News interview from February 4 that bilateral relations are "very good right now." He did not provide travel dates or an agenda. Reports note a 90‑minute telephone call between Trump and Xi on February 4. The meetings follow ongoing competition on trade, technology and regional security. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Minneapolis. Federal prosecutors moved on Thursday to dismiss felony assault charges against two Venezuelan men after court filings said newly discovered evidence contradicted earlier allegations, and generated public scrutiny. The case stemmed from a January traffic stop during Operation Metro Surge that included the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. Department of Homeland Security officials announced a drawdown after six weeks and White House border czar Tom Homan said agents would return to home bases. Governor Tim Walz proposed a $10 million one-time relief package to help small businesses affected by enforcement operations. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington, The Trump administration signed a reciprocal trade agreement with Taiwan on Thursday that sets a 15% U.S. tariff rate on Taiwanese imports and commits Taiwan to reduce or eliminate tariffs on nearly all U.S. goods. The U.S. Trade Representative said Taiwan agreed to boost purchases of U.S. products from 2025 through 2029, including $44.4 billion of liquefied natural gas and crude oil, $15.2 billion of civil aircraft and engines, and $25.2 billion of power equipment and generators. The pact formalizes a framework announced in January and awaits Taiwan's legislature review. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research sources.

Munich, Germany — Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed world leaders Friday at the Munich Security Conference, criticizing federal rollbacks on climate rules and warning of economic harms, while in California he signed $90 million in emergency funds for abortion providers; the South Carolina Democratic Party announced a Feb. 23 visit. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Los Angeles — The California Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation this week into evacuation warnings and emergency response during the January 7, 2025 Eaton Fire, Attorney General Rob Bonta announced. The probe will assess whether race, age or disability discrimination delayed evacuation notices to West Altadena, a historically Black neighborhood that suffered the majority of deaths. Investigators from the Civil Rights Enforcement Section will review emergency preparations, timelines, and communications after survivors and community members raised concerns. The fire destroyed thousands of structures and killed at least 19 Altadena residents. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Orlando, Fla. Attorneys and judges addressed detainees' access to counsel this week after lawyers for people held at a state-run Everglades facility reported barriers to visits and phone calls, and a federal judge in Minneapolis ordered immediate access for detainees arrested during an enforcement surge. Lawyers filed statements in Fort Myers saying clients could not use staff cellphones and visits were restricted, while U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel issued a temporary restraining order requiring attorney access and halting rapid transfers nationwide. Court rulings remain pending as agencies respond and legal proceedings continue nationwide. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Thursday temporarily barred the Pentagon from enforcing disciplinary action against Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly over his participation in a November video urging service members to resist unlawful orders. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon held that Pentagon officials violated Kelly’s First Amendment free speech rights and restrained the department from implementing or relying on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Jan. 5 censure. Kelly sued to block the censure, which could have reduced his retired rank and pay. The ruling preserves Kelly’s current status while litigation proceeds. Based on 7 articles reviewed and research, and ongoing court review.

WASHINGTON. Lawmakers this week publicly released photographs that suggest the Justice Department tracked search histories of members reviewing less‑redacted Jeffrey Epstein files at a department annex and on department-owned computers. Rep. Jamie Raskin requested a Justice Department inspector general investigation, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal and others demanded a full accounting. Attorney General Pam Bondi displayed a binder during a House Judiciary Committee hearing that included a page labeled "Jayapal Pramila Search History." House Speaker Mike Johnson publicly criticized tracking as inappropriate. Congress and the Justice Department are pursuing ongoing inquiries this week. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

COLUMBIA, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette Thursday, appearing with her at a press conference after a campaign-released video and urging supporters to back her in the June 9 Republican primary. McMaster praised Evette’s government experience and partnership, saying she has been his “eyes and ears” and urging voters to “keep winning.” Evette faces Republican rivals including Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Ralph Norman and Attorney General Alan Wilson, with multiple Democrats also running. The endorsement follows McMaster’s longstanding alignment with former President Donald Trump and may influence primary dynamics. Based on 6 articles reviewed and research.

Washington — Two U.S. Navy vessels collided during a replenishment-at-sea in the Caribbean on Wednesday, injuring two sailors who reported minor wounds and are in stable condition. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Truxtun and the Supply-class fast combat support ship USNS Supply sustained an incident while conducting ship-to-ship refueling; both vessels continued sailing. U.S. Southern Command confirmed the collision, said the Navy has launched an investigation, and reported the Truxtun departed Norfolk Feb. 6. The wider U.S. naval buildup in the region and a separate Marine overboard fatality have been reported. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.