Senator Elizabeth Warren faced backlash after urging donations to support victims of the California wildfires, linking to a fundraising platform associated with the Democratic Party. Critics accused her of exploiting the tragedy for political gain. Warren, however, stated that the donations would go to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and United Way of Greater Los Angeles.
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Tudor Dixon, a conservative commentator and former Republican candidate for Michigan governor, is considering another run for office, potentially targeting the US Senate or governor. Despite her 2022 defeat, Dixon remains active in politics and continues to champion economic growth and conservative governance.
President Donald Trump rejected Elon Musk's request to hire Turkish-born Silicon Valley leader Baris Akis for the department of government efficiency. Trump's aides told Elon Musk that at a time when the administration is deporting people, bringing in a foreign national to help minimize the government spending would send a confusing message.
Matthew J Huttle, recently pardoned by Trump for his role in the January 6 Capitol riot, was fatally shot by police during a traffic stop in Indiana. Huttle resisted arrest and was armed, leading to an altercation with a sheriff’s deputy. The incident raises questions about Trump’s pardons possibly encouraging further political violence.
Legislation to bar transgender women and girls from participating in female sports did not pass in the US Senate, with Democrats united in opposition. The bill aimed to define Title IX protections based on birth-assigned gender, raising debates about athletic fairness and federal involvement in local school policies.
Istanbul streets flooded after Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's arrest. Imamoglu, a key opposition figure, faces charges of corruption, fraud, and links to the PKK. Large crowds protested his arrest, calling it politically motivated. Authorities imposed a four-day ban on demonstrations. The arrest occurred amid a crackdown on opposition figures before Turkey's next elections.
Tencent has begun trialing its own AI reasoning model, "Hunyuan Thinker," alongside DeepSeek’s R1 chatbot in its Yuanbao chatbot, aiming for more human-like responses. The move intensifies China’s AI race, with companies like Baidu and BYD also integrating DeepSeek. While gaining traction, DeepSeek faces global scrutiny over data privacy, with South Korea joining several countries in restricting its use pending security reviews.
Meta plans to lay off approximately 3,600 employees identified as low performers to raise performance standards. CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed the move, emphasizing extensive performance-based cuts. Affected employees will be notified by February 10. This follows previous waves of job cuts and policy shifts. Meta's shares fell after the announcement, reflecting investor concerns about the company's direction.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro rejected US military planes deporting Colombian migrants, asserting their dignity and respect. This action responds to concerns over migrant treatment, particularly after Brazil criticized the inhumane conditions faced by Brazilian deportees. Brazil demanded explanations from Washington, while military planes for deportations have sparked significant backlash.
President-elect Donald Trump has suggested military action to seize Greenland for economic security and hinted at using economic force to control Canada. Trump's expansionist intentions also include renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the 'Gulf of America'. He emphasizes economic strategies over military force for exerting influence.
Post-Assad Syria faces a grave threat from land mines and unexploded ordnance, claiming hundreds of lives and causing severe injuries, especially in former conflict zones like Idlib. Farmers and returning residents are particularly at risk, with demining efforts hampered by equipment shortages and ongoing casualties among deminers.