Democrat Senator Tim Kaine questioned Pete Hegseth during his defense secretary confirmation hearing about allegations of cheating on his former wives and a past sexual assault charge. Hegseth denied the charges, acknowledging past failures but cited redemption through Jesus Christ. Kaine emphasized the importance of disqualifying those with histories of sexual assault or domestic violence from holding significant positions.
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A fourth contingent of 200 Kenyan police arrived in Haiti to help fight violent gangs, joining over 600 others. Despite the US freezing $13.3 million in funding for the mission, commander Godfrey Otunge assured the mission is on track, with less than 3 per cent of support affected. The mission continues to receive aid from the US and other countries. Gangs control 85 per cent of Port-au-Prince, causing widespread violence and displacement.
Tropical Cyclone Zelia made landfall on Western Australia's Pilbara coast as a Category 5 storm, bringing destructive winds, torrential rain, and flash flooding. Emergency services are addressing extensive damage while major ports and mining operations remain halted, causing economic disruptions.
Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the first woman to lead the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, urged President Donald Trump to show mercy towards immigrants and LGBTQ individuals during his inaugural prayer service. Her remarks sparked both praise and anger. She is a vocal advocate for social issues, including racial equity and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
A fire erupted at the Chiltern Firehouse Hotel in Marylebone, central London, necessitating the evacuation of around 100 guests. Over 120 firefighters contained the blaze by 9:30 pm. The fire, which started on the ground floor and spread, caused no injuries. The cause is under investigation.
Almost 50,000 international students, mainly from India, did not show up at Canadian colleges in March and April 2024, with many possibly working illegally. Indian authorities are investigating potential links to migration networks. Stricter regulations and better monitoring are needed to prevent abuse, as discrepancies in student numbers raise concerns over management and oversight.
Prominent Indian Americans raised over half a million dollars at a Hotel Bel-Air fund-raiser for children and families impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. The event, hosted by Jay Shetty and Anita Verma-Lallian, supported Baby2Baby, a nonprofit distributing emergency supplies to those affected. Notable guests included Kumail Nanjiani and Lilly Singh.
Elon Musk intends to sue former representative Jamaal Bowman for calling him a 'Nazi' and a 'thief' during a CNN discussion. Bowman criticized Musk's management of his companies, claiming mass layoffs and legal challenges as evidence. Prominent conservatives have voiced support for Musk's potential lawsuit.
The Trump administration has paused federal health agencies' communications with the public until February 1 by issuing a memo, affecting regulations, press releases, and social media posts. The suspension is meant to ensure new administration's control but raises concerns over public health safety and potential delays in critical information dissemination during health crises.
North Korea launched an unidentified projectile towards the East Sea, following a January 6 display of a hypersonic missile system. This event underscores Pyongyang’s advancing military capabilities and its alignment with Russia amid the Ukraine war. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un continues to criticize US security ties with Seoul and Tokyo while bolstering stringent anti-US policies.
Trump declare in a social media post that Hunter Biden would lose his protection “effective immediately,†he also mentioned the latter's whereabouts: “He is currently vacationing in, of all places, South Africa, where the Human Rights of people has been strenuously questioned.â€