King Charles, despite battling cancer and undergoing weekly treatments, performed 186 royal engagements in 2024, securing the second position after Princess Anne. His commitment to duty remained unwavering, even during his overseas tour. Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales significantly reduced their engagements due to the Princess's chemotherapy treatment.
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A US judge blocked President Trump's transgender military ban, ruling it likely violates constitutional protections. The decision, affecting thousands of transgender service members, was postponed until Friday to allow for an appeal. This follows multiple legal challenges to Trump's policies, including recent blocks on orders concerning transgender youth and athletes.
Google Maps will implement new naming conventions for the Gulf of Mexico and Denali, following President Trump's executive orders. The Gulf of Mexico will be renamed the 'Gulf of America', and Denali will revert to its former name, Mount McKinley, for US users.
The UN's top expert on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, has urged Russia to provide urgent medical care to Ukrainian detainees from Crimea, citing serious, life-threatening conditions. She highlighted ongoing systematic torture, with detainees suffering beatings, lack of medical care, and poor detention conditions. Edwards called on Moscow to end these abuses and ensure proper treatment for those unlawfully imprisoned, many on political grounds.
Elon Musk denies reports of a $400 million contract for Tesla to supply armoured electric vehicles to the US government. The procurement document initially mentioned Tesla but was later changed to 'Armored Electric Vehicles'. Musk claims he is unaware of any such deal. The contract estimates a cost between $100m and $500m over five years.
Cuba has announced the release of 553 prisoners after the US removed it from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a move hailed by families of jailed protesters. This comes amid strained US-Cuba relations, with Cuba facing severe economic challenges partly due to US sanctions. Critics of the move argue it appeases the Cuban regime.
World leaders mourn the death of former US President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at 100. Carter, known for his focus on human rights and diplomacy during his presidency, continued advocating for peace and humanitarian causes post-presidency. Tributes highlight his integrity, dedication to public service, and global impact.
The UK defence ministry has announced the development of the nation's first quantum clock to enhance military intelligence by reducing reliance on GPS. Set for deployment within five years, this breakthrough in quantum technology promises precise navigation, strategic advantages in cyber warfare, and significant progress in industry, science, and high-skilled jobs.
President Trump has called for a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and criticized the US financial aid to Ukraine. He claimed the war has led to substantial loss and financial strain. Trump accused President Zelenskyy of mismanagement and insisted only his administration could have ended the war. Elon Musk also supported these sentiments.
Recent wildfires in Southern California have left over 12,000 homes destroyed and thousands displaced, leading to a more competitive housing market. Reports of rent-gouging have emerged, prompting officials to enforce legal rent caps during the state of emergency. FEMA provides assistance to displaced residents, while platforms like Airbnb and Zillow are working to prevent illegal rent hikes.
Elon Musk's mother Maye Musk reacted to a social media post that questioned why Vice President JD Vance's wife, Second Lady Usha Vance was not being celebrated while she became the first Indian-American and the first Hindu to serve as the Second Lady of the United States. "Usha is even lovelier in person, smart and charming," Maye Musk said.