In January 2025, Vivek Ramaswamy exited his role at DOGE to run for Ohio governor. His departure was due to potential friction with Elon Musk. If elected, he would be the third Indian American governor in the US, following Nikki Haley and Bobby Jindal.
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Pope Francis greeted ambassadors at the Holy See but asked an aide to deliver his annual foreign policy speech because he was battling a cold. The 88-year-old pope, who often suffers winter bronchitis, had sounded congested but continued his busy schedule after a demanding Christmas period.
Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old former Ivy League student, was arrested for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione's reinstated X account, now verified, has gained a large following. He was found with a gun, silencer, fake IDs, and a manifesto, reportedly fueled by resentment towards the US healthcare system. Mangione's LinkedIn profile indicates he works as a data engineer.
As Trump announced the reciprocal tariffs, he explained that for purposes of fairness, the United States will impose the same tariff on each country whatever they charge, not more, not less. "They charge us a tax or tariff and we charge them the exact tax or tariff. Very simple," Trump said.
President-elect Trump condemned President Biden for awarding the Presidential Citizens Medal to Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson, accusing them of corruption. Cheney and Thompson were recognized for their roles in the Jan. 6 committee investigating the Capitol attack. Trump criticized their investigation and blamed Pelosi for security failures on that day.
Rebels seize Damascus, ousting Assad in a surprising turn of events, potentially destabilizing Syria. South Korea's brief martial law declaration sparks concern. A report reveals Russia's forced deportation and adoption of Ukrainian children. India seeks to mend ties with Bangladesh after recent political shifts. China escalates naval presence around Taiwan, raising tensions.
Samir Alsheikh, a former Syrian prison head, was charged in the US with torturing political prisoners during his tenure at Adra Prison. He allegedly oversaw brutal practices and later lied on immigration applications. Alsheikh faces potential decades-long prison sentences if convicted of torture and immigration fraud.
President Trump expressed optimism about his working relationship with Jeff Bezos, claiming Bezos criticised The Washington Post's staff and financial losses. Bezos announced changes to the paper's opinion pages, focusing on personal liberties and free markets. Trump noted positive shifts and collaboration with Bezos, reflecting evolving political support evidenced by Bezos' attendance at his inauguration.
Rumours of a potential split between Barack and Michelle Obama and an alleged affair between Barack and Jennifer Aniston have been widely circulated on social media. Megyn Kelly calls the potential separation a 'political earthquake,' while Michelle's absence from significant events and Jennifer's denial of the affair fuel speculation.
Myanmar repatriated 300 Chinese nationals involved in scam centers through Thailand, with thousands more expected to follow. These scam compounds, run by criminal gangs, exploit trafficked workers for online fraud. China, Myanmar, and Thailand are cooperating to dismantle these operations. Repatriated individuals, labeled as "suspects" by China, were escorted by police. Thailand is collecting biometric data to prevent future misuse of its territory for such crimes.
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.