After California health and veterinary officials confirmed a case of bird flu in an adopted cat in Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County officials are calling for efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.
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After California health and veterinary officials confirmed a case of H5N1 (bird flu) in an adopted cat in Half Moon Bay, California authorities the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors They called for preventing the spread of the virus.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while the risk of cats transmitting H5N1 to people is extremely low, it is possible for cats to transmit some strains of bird flu to people.
"While there are no human cases of H5N1 linked to this case, this detection in a cat highlights the importance of being proactive in preventing the spread of the virus," the city said in a statement.
However, residents whose pets show signs of illness should contact their veterinarian.
This cat's infection, which is not related to the recent case of bird flu in a backyard flock, was found in a stray cat in Half Moon Bay that had been adopted by a family. When it showed symptoms, it was taken to the Peninsula Humane Society, whose veterinarians examined it and ordered testing. Laboratory results confirmed H5N1. It is not known how the cat became infected and it was euthanized because of its condition.
Cats can be exposed to avian influenza by consuming infected birds, being in environments contaminated with the virus, and consuming unpasteurized milk from infected cows or raw food.
Outdoor pets, such as cats and dogs, are also at risk of infection.
Pets infected with the H5N1 virus may experience loss of appetite, lethargy and fever, as well as neurological signs such as circling, tremors, seizures or blindness.
Health authorities explained that the disease can rapidly progress to severe depression, discharge from the eyes or nose, as well as other respiratory signs such as rapid and shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, sneezing or coughing.
Pets with serious illnesses may die.
If a pet is showing signs of illness consistent with avian influenza and has been exposed to infected (sick or dead) wild or poultry birds, residents should contact a veterinarian and monitor their own health for signs of fever or infection.
“We all want to make sure our pets are healthy and safe from disease,” said Lori Morton-Feazell, San Mateo County Animal Control and Licensing chief. “If your pet is sick, your veterinarian can determine if your pet should be tested for avian flu or any other virus or disease.”
Faced with threats from the US border czar to use the military against Mexican cartels, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said, “Start with your country!” Photo: Presidency
After the U.S. Attorney General's Office on Thursday ordered the "total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations," while the southern border czar, Tom Homan, said that the army would not be used if Mexican cartels attack U.S. troops, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called for "starting with your country!"
During her morning press conference on Friday, the Mexican president reiterated that there will be coordination and collaboration with the United States, but not subordination.
“Start with your country! Of course we will coordinate, collaborate, but as I said on February 5, never subordination or interference, it is coordination,” Sheinbaum stressed from the National Palace.
The head of the Mexican Executive, pointed out that the United States has a lot to do regarding drugs in its territory and questioned the distribution and sale of drugs in the American Union.
“How does it get there? What happens beyond the border? Who operates the distribution of the drugs? Who sells the drugs in the cities of the United States that have caused so much tragedy? Where does the money from drug sales in the United States go? How is it that there are weapons in Mexico for the exclusive use of the United States Army? Who sold them? How did they get to our country? So, there is an important part that they have to do in their own country.”
"There are no cartels there or organized crime? So, we collaborate, we coordinate, we meet, we work together, but we will always defend sovereignty," he said.
And, he pointed out, the memorandum issued by the Attorney General's Office "is not very well understood. It is a general decree, with mentions, but what will it translate into? We have to wait to see what they propose."
Memorandum issued by the Attorney General's Office
“We coordinate, we collaborate, but also, as I said on February 5, as I have been saying for a long time: they should also act in their own country.”
On the other hand, President Sheinbaum said that, with respect to arms trafficking from the United States to Mexico, she mentioned it to Donald Trump in the last call they had, however, the president said he knew little about the subject.
“I mentioned it to him on the call, he really knew little about this topic, I said to him: let's see, just like that, how is it possible that a grenade launcher that is for the exclusive use of the United States Army is seized in Mexico from an organized crime group?”
He recalled that during the administrations of Felipe Calderón and Barack Obama, the “Fast and Furious” operation was carried out, which he described as “an atrocity” because supposedly chips were put into weapons, they were given to criminal groups to see the traceability of how they arrived from the United States to Mexico, and what these criminal cells did was eliminate the chips.
“It was obviously the worst thing they could do, but we do want that collaboration and they are also interested in it. So, there are distributors, there are arms fairs, but there are two types: one is the distributors, the fairs, the gun shops where you buy, let’s say, the ones that are for commercial use, and the others are the ones that are not sold at Walmart or at a fair, which also happen to appear here.”
Sheinbaum made it clear that this is not a dispute over what each person says about their problems, but rather about working together.
“They must be very interested. It is not a question of, you tell me fentanyl, I tell you weapons, it is not that, it is that we both agree that we have to combat violence, drug trafficking and arms trafficking.”
To achieve this, he added, collaboration and work are necessary, but each person must do so in their own territory, within a framework of sovereignty, respect and trust.
Trump administration sues Chicago over its “sanctuary city” policy, which makes immigration enforcement more difficult. Photo: Gage Skidmore. Wikimedia commons
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The United States Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Thursday against the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago for failing to cooperate and hindering the work of federal immigration authorities due to their “sanctuary cities” policy.
The lawsuit seeks to block state and local protections for undocumented immigrants and asks judges to overturn and declare unconstitutional the provisions that exist at the state and local level to protect this population.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Chicago, claims that sanctuary laws, such as Illinois’ TRUST Act, prevent state and local law enforcement from assisting in the enforcement of federal civil immigration laws and violate the “Supremacy Clause” of the U.S. Constitution.
The document accuses the state and its governor, as well as the city of Chicago and its mayor and police superintendent, and Cook County, which includes Chicago, its commissioners and its sheriff.
“The challenged provisions of Illinois, Chicago, and Cook County law reflect their intentional effort to obstruct the federal government’s enforcement of federal immigration law and to impede consultation and communication among federal, state, and local law enforcement officials that is necessary for federal officials to implement federal immigration law and keep Americans safe,” the lawsuit reads.
The 22-page document specifically references Illinois’ “Trust Act,” Chicago’s “Welcoming City Ordinance” and Cook County’s “Policy for Responding to ICE Detainers.”
Illinois’ Trust Act, enacted in 2017, “prevents state and local law enforcement from assisting the federal government with civil immigration enforcement, but allows coordination when a federal criminal warrant is in place,” as do Chicago’s “Welcoming City Ordinance” and Cook County’s policy.
The Chicago Law Department said it is reviewing the complaint and will respond “in due course” after a full review.
“Chicago is and will continue to be a welcoming city, with welcoming people working alongside their neighbors to build strong communities where families can still be raised,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
In a brief statement, Johnson stressed that the safety of Chicago residents remains his administration's priority.
“Chicago will continue to protect our city’s workers and defend itself against attacks on our long-held values. Chicago will remain focused on our priorities. We will continue to invest in mental health, youth employment, and affordable housing,” he stressed.
It should be noted that immigrant rights groups in Chicago have filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that the president's plans for immigration raids have targeted the "Windy City" because of its sanctuary status.
Man arrested in Sinaloa for attempted murder. Photo: Government of Mexico
Following up on investigations to arrest perpetrators of violence in the state of Sinaloa, elements of various federal authorities in Mexico executed an arrest warrant for Attempted Aggravated Homicide against Rogelio “N”.
The joint operation carried out by the Ministry of National Defense (Defense), the Ministry of the Navy (Semar), the Attorney General's Office (FGR), the National Guard (GN) and the Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), allowed the identification of a 42-year-old subject, linked to a criminal group that operated in the area.
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The subject had a valid arrest warrant for Attempted Aggravated Homicide in the state of Durango, so, as a result of surveillance and monitoring actions, the Invasión del Palmito neighborhood in Mazatlán was located as his mobility area.
Rogelio “N”, who was part of a criminal cell linked to drug dealing, homicides, as well as the manufacture and use of explosives, was found with a handgun during his arrest, during which he was informed of his constitutional rights and along with the items seized, he was placed at the disposal of the corresponding Public Ministry agent, who will determine his legal situation.
Mexican Foreign Minister and U.S. Secretary of State hold a telephone call. Secretary Marco Rubio (left), Minister of Foreign Affairs Juan Ramón de la Fuente (right).
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Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente and Secretary Marco Rubio of the United States Department of State held a telephone call this Wednesday to follow up on the agreements between Presidents Claudia Sheinbaum and Donald Trump.
Foreign Minister De la Fuente stressed the importance of maintaining direct dialogue with full respect for sovereignty. For his part, Secretary Rubio referred to the border reinforcement agreed upon with 10 thousand elements of the National Guard, to prevent fentanyl trafficking, while the American Union agrees to prevent arms trafficking.
Hate crimes against ethnic minorities have increased, there is a feeling of mistrust and fear, and communities distrust the government and are therefore afraid to report or lodge a complaint.
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There is a sense of distrust and fear in rural California, as hate crimes are on the rise and many ethnic minorities distrust the government and are afraid to report or file complaints.
Ethnic minorities experience racism as a fact and, intensified since Donald Trump's rise to the presidency and his hate speech, people experience everything from bullying in the schoolyard to discrimination in the workplace, housing and elsewhere, experts said at a briefing by Ethnic Media Services.
With hate speech on the rise, a statewide anti-hate hotline and resource network was launched in May 2023. “For the first time in California history, we have had a statewide hotline to help people who are the target of hate report it and identify options for next steps,” said Kevin Kish, director of the state’s Department of Civil Rights.
“This is not just a hotline where people tell the government what happened to them. It is a tool to connect people experiencing hate with the culturally competent resources they need, in the communities where they live,” Kish said.
She said, “Some people have reported it and nothing happens, so they don’t see the point. Many don’t know if what happened to them is legally a crime that they should report. In the particular case of immigrant communities, there may be language barriers and fear of contacting the government. People in indigenous communities may be dealing with jurisdictional issues between tribal and local, state and federal authorities.”
The support line includes legal services, mental health counseling and resources, financial assistance, and social service agencies, providing support and outreach to the needs of the affected population.
State data show that hate crimes motivated by race, ethnicity and national origin in California rose from 875 in 2020 to 1,017 in 2023, an increase of 16.23 percent.
Kim Stoll, director of marketing and communications for The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, said that in rural El Dorado County, northeast of Sacramento, 74 percent of the population is non-Hispanic white and 2 percent is Native American: “There is an epidemic of hate. There is a very conservative climate here.”
Stoll is close to people in El Dorado County and is looking into the adoption of educational programs to benefit the indigenous communities that have originally lived in the region.
Gaonou Vang, communications and narrative manager for Hmong Innovating Politics in Sacramento, said she has witnessed an isolation of the Hmong community, an ethnic group from China, which she estimates numbers between 95,000 and 107,458 members in California and 368,609 in the United States.
“Many Hmong are naturalized citizens due to their previous refugee status or because they were born in the United States, but we have a demographic increase in green card holders over the last decade, and an estimated 4,500 of these individuals have deportation orders against them as a result of being convicted of a crime, whether minor or major… even after they have served their sentence and been released,” Vang continued.
“Hate is everywhere. What is striking here is that the population has undergone a major shift,” said Marlene Thomas, executive director of the Imperial Valley Social Justice Committee, a nonprofit in Imperial County, which borders Mexico.
Thomas explained the importance of the hotline, saying, “One of the first things we can do is bring this information about how to report hate to our schools and community institutions.”
“But it is not enough… When one faces hatred, the most important thing is to keep hope alive,” concluded the director of the Social Justice Committee.
To make a complaint you can enter cavshate.org , or speak to a civil rights officer by phone at (833) 866-4281 or 833-8-NO-HATE, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., they have 200 languages available and anonymous reports can be made.
Violent crime in San Mateo decreased significantly by 14 and 15 percent, respectively, compared to what was recorded in 2023.
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According to San Mateo County's late 2024 crime statistics, violent and property crimes decreased significantly last year, dropping 14 and 15 percent, respectively, compared to 2023.
This was reported by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Christina Corpus, which indicated that these statistics reflect crimes reported in the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County and in the contracted communities of Half Moon Bay, Millbrae, San Carlos, Portola Valley and Woodside.
The Sheriff's Office also provides contracted law enforcement services for Caltrain and SamTrans and operates two jail facilities.
Thus, between January 1 and December 31, 2024, the agency's crime data demonstrates a measurable improvement in public safety compared to the same period in 2023.
Violent crime decreased 14 percent, with 149 fewer reported cases, while property crime decreased 15 percent, which is 487 fewer incidents than the previous year.
Corpus attributed the success to the dedication and professionalism of the Sheriff's Office staff, as well as the agency's continued collaboration with community partners.
“San Mateo County remains a safe place to live, work and visit. These significant decreases in crime are a direct result of the unwavering commitment of the men and women of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, who work tirelessly to protect our communities,” he said.
In that regard, the sheriff said that partnerships with local residents, businesses and organizations have played a crucial role in ensuring public safety.
According to reports to the California Department of Justice, murder/manslaughter remains rare, with only one reported case of manslaughter in 2024.
The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office did not file manslaughter charges in this case.
Rape crimes also decreased by 25 percent, with nine fewer reported cases; while aggravated assault also decreased by 25 percent, with 44 incidents less than those recorded in 2023.
In the case of simple assault, this fell by 18 percent, with 112 fewer cases reported; while theft in homes and businesses fell by 7 percent, with 21 fewer incidents; theft/robbery fell by 17 percent, with 237 fewer incidents; and cases of stolen property fell by 25 percent, with 40 fewer cases reported.
However, authorities said, theft increased 15 percent, with eight additional cases reported, as did motor vehicle theft with an increase of 9 percent, with 18 additional incidents reported.
Throughout the year, community members can view crime data on the Sheriff's Office Transparency Portal San Mateo County. The program allows the user to search for crimes by date, location, and type of crime.
Protesters in Washington took to the streets with messages such as “Nobody elected Elon” and “Ban Musk from our Government,” hundreds of people gathered in a mass demonstration in front of the Treasury Department in Washington DC, where they demanded the exclusion of Elon Musk.
With messages like “Nobody elected Elon” and “Ban Musk from our Government,” hundreds of people gathered in a mass demonstration in front of the Treasury Department in Washington DC, where they demanded the exclusion of Elon Musk of the Donald Trump administration after the integration of DOGE into the public financial system.
The crowd, holding signs, also spoke out in favour of defending democracy and against the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gaining access to the Treasury Department's payment system in order to oversee public accounts.
And by having access to the payment system, it allows Musk, who leads DOGE, to directly supervise public accounts, generating uncertainty due to the lack of democratic controls in favor of President Donald Trump, and imposing people for his benefit.
During the demonstration, messages such as “Nobody elected Elon” and “Musk bans our government” could be read, demonstrating their dissatisfaction.
At the scene, Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley, representing Massachusetts’s 7th District, said: “Elon Musk was not elected. He’s a Nazi baby nepo who breaks everything he touches. And right now he’s locked in a room with grandpa’s Social Security check.”
Since Trump appointed Elon Musk to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, the owner of X has announced his plans on this social network, leaving an idea of the changes he will make.
Musk wants to reduce the federal budget to $2 trillion, which would be 30 percent less, and to achieve his goal, he has suggested several measures such as cutting entire agencies and asking heads of agencies to be fired, among other actions.
Following Sheinbaum's negotiations with Trump, Mexico gains support from businessmen and international leaders.
By Jaen Madrid. Peninsula 360 Press.
A “very friendly” call, as Trump described it. On February 3, 2025, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum held a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, reached an understanding with U.S. President Donald Trump to temporarily lift for a month the tariffs of 25 percent that his administration was poised to slap on Mexican imports.
The negotiation marked a diplomatic achievement that prevented a negative economic impact for both nations. Reactions from international leaders, business executives, and analysts were swift, praising the Mexican president’s ability to handle the crisis with “strategy and composure.”
The first woman to govern Mexico, leveraging her scientific precision, demonstrated firm and calculated leadership in her first major international challenge, positioning Mexico as a key player in global diplomacy.
One of the first to react was German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who highlighted the intelligence and calm with which Sheinbaum approached the situation: “I consider the Mexican president to be a very intelligent politician who has acted with composure.”
Lila Abed, director of the Mexico Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, also emphasized Sheinbaum’s strategy in addressing the trade conflict: “She has been cautious and strategic. Her approach has been well received both in Mexico and abroad.” She added, “She's been taking actions within her government to send a clear signal to the United States that it understands that fentanyl and organized crime are a top priority for the Trump administration”.
In Mexico, the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), led by Francisco Cervantes, expressed its support for the president, noting that her strategy of “dialogue with firmness” was key to reaching a beneficial agreement.
Representing the voice of 13 top business organizations, which together include over 2,000 associations, Cervantes reiterated absolute support for the president in dialogue, negotiation, and cooperation with Mexico’s trade partners.
During a meeting at the National Palace, President Claudia Sheinbaum called on the business sector to maintain coordination to strengthen the “Mexico Plan” and boost the country’s development.
Carlos Slim Domit, president of Grupo Carso, along with other business leaders such as Raúl Martínez Ostos (Barclays Mexico) and Rafael Zaga Saba (Canaintex), agreed that Sheinbaum’s approach was effective and demonstrated strong negotiation skills.
Meanwhile, Mexican businessman Claudio X. González Laporte (Kimberly-Clark.) emphasized the importance of unity in times of uncertainty and assured that, although the Trump administration is unpredictable, “Mexico will come out on top.”
Problems That Seemed Insurmountable, Until a Mexican Woman Took Charge
In a country where female leadership has been underestimated for decades, the role of women in decision-making is becoming increasingly decisive. Altagracia Gómez, Coordinator of the Regional Economic Development Advisory Council, highlighted this reflection. Her words not only acknowledged Sheinbaum’s work but also reflected a reality shared by many women in Mexico: the daily burden of making possible what others consider “impossible.”
“Yesterday’s feat should serve as a reminder that, beyond our professions and occupations, Mexican women have as our vocation the ability to perform miracles and specialize in achieving the so-called impossible.” “Dr. Sheinbaum is a leader because, in the face of adversity, she represented us with dignity and decency. She called for unity, convened dialogue, and resolved issues with responsibility and efficiency.”
International media outlets such as El País also joined in the recognition, dedicating an article to the Mexican president, stating that “Sheinbaum has emerged victorious from the first round with Trump, displaying a very different approach compared to Petro or Trudeau.”
Sheinbaum’s Message: Sovereignty Is Not Negotiable
Following the agreement, Sheinbaum called on the business sector to strengthen the “Plan México” emphasizing the importance of unity and the country’s economic development. She affirmed that, during her conversation with Trump, she maintained that “Mexico’s sovereignty is not up for negotiation,” reaffirming her commitment to national interests and ensuring that, even in collaboration, each country’s right to make decisions must align with its political, economic, and social realities.
With this agreement, Sheinbaum has successfully navigated a key initial challenge in the relationship with Mexico’s main trading partner without compromising fundamental principles. Now, the country has the opportunity to solidify its role as a leader in solving shared challenges, thanks to a historic strategy rooted in dignity and the interests of Mexicans, positioning Mexico at the center of global attention.
In light of the historic remittance shipment in 2024, President Claudia Sheinbaum said that Mexicans in the U.S. “are extraordinary, but even more so now.” Photo: Presidency
President Claudia Sheinbaum thanked Mexicans living in the United States for the remittances sent to Mexico during 2024, which reached a historic record of almost 65 billion dollars, demonstrating that “they are extraordinary.”
“First, I would like to thank my fellow countrymen and women who are extraordinary Mexicans always, but more so now, we must say it more forcefully,” said the president in her morning press conference on February 5 held in Querétaro, on the occasion of the Day of the 1917 Constitution, which was signed in that state of the country.
According to the Bank of Mexico (Banxico), remittances received in the country during 2024 totaled 64,745 million dollars, an unprecedented figure, rising 2.3 percent compared to what was recorded in 2023, despite a year-on-year drop of almost 51% in December.
The amount received in 2024, below the market and government expectations of 65 billion dollars, was 1.156 billion dollars higher than the also record 63.319 billion dollars in 2023, the Bank of Mexico said.
Thus, Mexico has had 11 years of increasing remittances.
“There are many of them who are there (in the United States) legally, with work permits, with a green card, or simply with nationality, because the 37 to 39 million that are mentioned are of Mexican origin who are in the United States, since they are first, second, third generation who continue to send support to their families, not every town does that,” the president acknowledged.
In this regard, he highlighted the fraternity and support of migrants with their families.
The people of Mexico are supportive and fraternal. Families stay together, they look for each other, they provide for each other. The fraternity of the people of Mexico is unique and that is reflected in the remittances, because it is not that families go there and forget about Mexico and their families, but that they support them permanently.”
Sheinbaum noted that it is important to recognize and vindicate migrants who, with so much effort, manage to support and help not only the economy of Mexico, but also that of the United States.
“Thank you! And I want to vindicate them, recognize them and support them in whatever is needed; I also want to say that it is estimated that these 65 billion dollars that come to Mexico are only 20 percent of what they generate, 80 percent stays in the United States, so they are extraordinary Mexicans who support a part of our economy, but they support the economy of the United States in a very important way.”
“We are always grateful and vindicated by our fellow countrymen,” he concluded.
The results come amid concerns about Trump's measures such as deportations and a possible 10 percent tax on money transfers from the United States, which would cause losses of up to 13 billion dollars in remittances that Mexico receives each year, according to researchers from the University of Guadalajara who told EFE.
