With funding from the U.S. for foreign assistance on pause, critical programs like PEPFAR are frozen. HIV/AIDS clinics in Africa rely on PEPFAR to offer testing and treatment. Will former President George Bush speak up on behalf of one of his administration's best initiatives? In this episode, we also discuss Holocaust Remembrance Day, conflict in the Congo, the importance of continuing U.S.-funded mine clearance in Asia, and Donald Trump's proposal for Gaza.

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What is an executive order? Do they have the same power as a law? Why did Donald Trump sign so many on his first day? In this episode, we talk about executive actions, look at lessons from the past, and review the White House's current policy priorities on its website.

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This episode covers the backlash against Snoop Dog's participation in a pre-inauguration event in Washington, DC. Why might he be held to a higher standard than other celebrities participating in Donald Trump's festivities this weekend? Will Snoop Dog use this invitation to advocate for wildfire relief in California?

We also dive into the recent conversations around the future of PEPFAR funding, which has saved millions of lives from HIV/AIDS around the world, and the current humanitarian situation in Mozambique.

We strive to make every The Friday Brief episode kid-friendly for busy parents. Still, this episode includes topics within human rights that might not be appropriate for little ears.

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In this episode, we talk about the Biden administration's final efforts to free American hostages abroad, including three people held in Afghanistan. Will the Trump administration continue existing hostage negotiations? What will happen to Americans detained in Venezuela right now? We also cover the latest talks between Israel and Hamas and discuss one of the most heroic spy swaps in history, led by James B. Donovan.

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This episode covers political trouble in Venezuela, the future of Ukraine, and inflated rental prices in Los Angeles because of the wildfire. In light of inaccurate information being shared by public figures about the Los Angeles wildfire response effort, this episode also covers the differences between misinformation and disinformation, along with how to spot propaganda on social media.

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Which country owns Greenland, and why is it a hot topic of conversation now in the United States? Plus, we'll chat about the wildfires in California and what else is happening worldwide. As always, you can subscribe to The Friday Brief newsletter on deargirlfriday.com. Be sure to follow us at Dear Girl Friday on Instagram, too. We post episode summaries and sources so listeners can learn more.

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Welcome to The Friday Brief by Girl Friday! This short episode is a great place to start if you're new here.

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