The Daily Moth 2-11-2025
Gulf of… America
Yes, it’s officially the Gulf of America, but for me, it’ll always be the Gulf of Mexico. I grew up in Florida, on the Atlantic coast, but I often visited the west coast. I’ll say “Gulf of America” in future references on Moth because it’s the official term via executive order by President Trump, but I’ll probably add “formerly Gulf of Mexico.” It’s kind of like when Twitter changed into X. I still think of the app like Twitter. Old habits die hard.
—---
It is Tuesday, February 11, 2025. Here is more news.
—---
Trump picks plastic straws
President Trump issued an executive order to instruct federal agencies to stop buying paper straws and make sure they aren’t offered in their buildings and facilities.
The order ends a Biden-era directive to phase out by 2032 all plastic straws and single-use plastic products on federal facilities. The Biden administration said single-use plastics pollute waterways, harm wildlife, and pose risks to human health.
Trump said it’s ridiculous to use paper straws because they easily break and he’s not concerned about their impacts on the environment.
—---
Two kids die of cold in casino parking lot
In tragic news, police in Detroit said two homeless children died due to the cold while they were sleeping in a van with their family in a casino parking garage. This happened on Monday. Police said the van had five children in it with their mother and that the van ran out of gas. After a while, the family noticed that a 9-year-old boy was not breathing and when he was hospitalized, they saw that a 2–year-old girl was also not breathing and she was also hospitalized. Both were pronounced dead at the hospital. The three other children were checked by hospital staff and they are okay.
Detroit officials said the family had been living in the vehicle for two to three months and that they did reach out to the city’s homeless services in November for help but neither the family nor the city followed through to find a resolution.
Detroit Mayor Duggan said there will be an investigation into how this happened and to come up with plans to make sure it never happens again. Officials said they’re sad because the city does provide warming centers or shelters.
From reading a WXYZ News article, it seems like the mother may have not gone to shelters due to concerns that her family would be separated. A police chief said the mother “wanted to keep the family together.” Detroit officials said they do have resources to keep families together and that the 2 children’s deaths were unnecessary and didn’t have to happen this way.
—----
American teacher freed from Russian detainment
The Trump administration announced that it reached a deal with Russia to free an American teacher named Marc Fogel, who has been detained for over three years in Russia after he was arrested at an airport in Moscow in possession of cannabis.
The Trump administration did not explain what Russia received in exchange but said it is a show of good faith from Russia and a sign that they are moving in the right direction to end the war in Ukraine.
———
[Sponsored Video from Sorenson: www.sorenson.com]
———
Trump shares Gaza vision with Jordan’s king
President Trump invited Jordan’s King Abdullah II to the White House today and told him about his vision of the U.S. taking over Gaza and turning it into a tourist area after Palestinians in Gaza were moved out.
The king did not say “no” but did not embrace Trump’s idea. The king said, “we have to keep in mind there is a plan from Egypt and the Arab countries” and “the point is, how do we make this work in a way that is good for everyone?”
So, Trump is persistent with his vision and has talked about it in person with Israel and Jordan’s leaders.
—----
Netanyhau demands 9 hostages by Saturday
Israeli PM Netanyahu issued a statement demanding Hamas to return nine living Israeli hostages by Saturday afternoon and said if they were not, the current ceasefire would be terminated and the Israeli military would return to “intense fighting” to defeat Hamas.
ABC News explained that the nine Israeli hostages were supposed to be released over the first phase of the ceasefire deal but Netanyahu wants all nine individuals back by Saturday.
The ceasefire is in danger of falling apart – a Hamas leader said yesterday that they would delay the next release of hostages and accused Israel of violating their deal.
President Trump said yesterday in response that he wants Hamas to release all hostages by Saturday or hell would break out.
—---
London mansion infested with moths
“The Guardian” said a couple who bought a mansion in London for $40 million is now getting a “refund” because the house was infested with moths. Not “The Daily Moth” but real moths – clothes moths. The couple said a few days after moving in the house, they saw that there was a tremendous amount of moths and that they had to swat about 100 daily. The moths destroyed their clothes and were landing on their wines, meals, and children’s toothbrushes. They sued the house seller with the allegation that the seller failed to disclose the problem. The couple won a court decision to reverse the sale. On behalf of moths worldwide, I apologize.
—---
That is all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light.