Scene 2 Seen Podcast: Comedian Sarah Jones Discusses Her Directorial Debut Film ‘Sell/Buy/Date’ And The Cultural Climate Of Sex Work

Associated Press
Federal judge will consider further blocking Trump administration from freezing funds
A federal judge will on Friday consider a request to further block President Donald Trump ’s administration from freezing trillions of dollars of grants and loans that fund everything from clean energy programs to bridge repairs to emergency shelters. U.S. District Court Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island, who already approved a temporary restraining order on the funding freeze, is hearing a request for a permanent injunction from nearly two dozen Democrat states. If approved, it would be the first order since the Trump administration announced a sweeping pause on federal aid, stirring up a wave of confusion and anxiety across the United States.
Associated Press
Scramble for McConnell's Senate seat underway with signs of a bruising GOP primary ahead
The scramble to fill Mitch McConnell’s Senate seat in Kentucky began as soon as the long-serving Republican lawmaker revealed he won't seek reelection in 2026. Former state Attorney General Daniel Cameron jumped into the campaign Thursday, looking for a political comeback after losing his bid for governor in 2023. Elsewhere in the GOP, U.S. Rep. Andy Barr signaled he would announce his plans soon and said he's been encouraged by his support as he considers a Senate run.
Politico
Senate trudges through vote-a-rama to ready a backup budget
Democrats showed few signs of relenting in their attempts to force Republicans to take politically uncomfortable votes.
AFP
Mexico says won't accept US 'invasion' in fight against cartels
Mexico's president warned the United States on Thursday her country would never tolerate an "invasion" of its national sovereignty and vowed fresh legal action against US gunmakers after Washington designated cartels as terrorist organizations.On Thursday, Canada -- also under threat of 25-percent tariffs from Trump over the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States -- joined the United States in labeling seven drug cartels as "terrorist entities."
Politico
Treasury, White House agree to limits on DOGE’s access to IRS data
The DOGE efforts at the IRS come as the Trump administration is moving to drastically reduce the size of the tax collection agency.
Associated Press
Stock market today: Asia shares trade mixed as China benchmarks surge while others slip
Asian shares were mixed Friday after a sharp slide for Walmart helped pull Wall Street off record highs. In Japan, where investors were watching currency swings, the benchmark Nikkei 225 edged up 0.1% in morning trading to 38,719.34. A weak yen is a boon for some export-reliant manufacturers in Japan.
TODAY
Where are Brian Laundrie's parents now? What they've said about their son and Gabby Petito
Who are Brian Laundrie's parents? What Christopher and Robert Laundrie said about their son's murder of Gabby Petito.
Reuters
Trump, Putin meeting depends on progress toward ending Ukraine war, says Rubio
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A possible meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin "will largely depend on whether we can make any progress on ending the war in Ukraine," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday. Rubio said he discussed such a meeting when he met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, telling Lavrov and Russian officials: "There isn't going to be a meeting until we know what the meeting is going to be about." "I think when that meeting happens will largely depend on whether we can make any progress on ending the war in Ukraine," Rubio told journalist Catherine Herridge in an interview broadcast on X.
CNN
Chatter and rumors about ICE went on for days at school of Texas girl who died by suicide
In late January, students at Jocelynn Rojo Carranza’s school spread rumors and speculation that immigration authorities would deport families of students at the largely Hispanic school, according to a parent and another student.
TODAY
300 dad jokes that'll leave you in stitches
From bad puns to corny one-liners, these are the best dad jokes of all time. Great jokes for kids and adults, these bad-but-good gags will leave you laughing.
USA TODAY
A winter wonderland ... of fake snow? Visitors to Chinese tourist attraction are angry.
A Chinese tourist village is being investigated after guests were reportedly deceived with fake snow made out of cotton wool and foamy water.
CNN
NASA strikes deal over layoffs of recent hires
NASA confirmed it may have sidestepped sweeping layoffs that were expected, potentially saving hundreds of newly hired employees and career professionals.
USA TODAY
New York corrections officers charged in beating death of handcuffed inmate
Ten former New York corrections employees have been indicted in the death of Robert Brooks, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday.
CNN
Elon Musk’s private security detail gets deputized by US Marshals Service
The US Marshals Service has deputized members of Elon Musk’s private security detail, giving them certain rights and protections of federal law enforcement agents, three law enforcement officials familiar with the matter told CNN.
CNN
Senate begins marathon vote series as GOP takes first step to advance Trump agenda
Senate Republicans kicked off a marathon vote series Thursday evening in a bid to adopt a budget blueprint, taking the first step to advance President Donald Trump’s sweeping agenda and setting up a clash with the House.
Associated Press
Small Alabama city's police force put on leave after grand jury finds 'rampant' corruption
A small Alabama city placed its entire police force on administrative leave a day after a grand jury recommended the department be disbanded, saying it has “operated as more of a criminal enterprise than a law enforcement agency.” Hanceville Mayor Jim Sawyer said Thursday in a statement that the Cullman County Sheriff’s Department will temporarily take over over law enforcement duties as city officials mull the next steps. Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker announced Wednesday that the grand jury had indicted the Hanceville police chief and four of his officers, who are accused of mishandling or removing materials from the department's evidence room.
Associated Press
AP PHOTOS: Pilgrims make offerings to Hindu deities at a biennial festival in southern India
Chants of “Om Linga, Om Linga” resonated as barefoot Hindu pilgrims, many balancing offering-filled baskets and clay pitchers on their heads, climbed more than 100 steps to a hilltop shrine in southern India. The animals were offered as sacrifices to Lingamanthula Swamy, believed to be a form of Lord Shiva, and his sister Choudamma, in return for prosperity and protection. A box in which idols of Lingamanthula, his sister, and other deities are stored was brought to the Lingamanthula Swamy temple during the pilgrimage and opened ceremoniously in front of the devotees.
AFP
Most Asian markets rise as traders pick over week of headlines
Asian markets mostly rose Friday after a negative day on Wall Street as investors weigh the economic outlook in light of Donald Trump's tariffs drive and geopolitical machinations.Disappointing earnings from retail titan Walmart sparked worries about US consumer activity and the impact on the world's top economy, and weighed on Wall Street with all three main indexes ending in negative territory.
CNN
Netanyahu orders West Bank military operation after Israel bus blasts
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered Israel’s military to conduct an operation in the occupied West Bank after three empty buses exploded in a suspected terror attack near Tel Aviv on Thursday.
AFP
US sends migrants from Guantanamo to Venezuela
The United States deported 177 migrants from its military base in Guantanamo, Cuba to their homeland in Venezuela Thursday, the latest sign of cooperation between the long-feuding governments. A day later Trump announced Venezuela had agreed to accept illegal migrants deported from the United States.

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