Vivek Ramaswamy is believed to have lost Donald Trump's favor, leaving Elon Musk as the main figure at the Department of Government Efficiency. Former Trump aide Anthony Scaramucci predicts that Musk, despite his wealth, won't last more than a year in Trump's circle. Infighting in the West Wing seems imminent, he said, while Ramaswamy focuses on the Ohio governor election.
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The UK Supreme Court is set to rule on a legal challenge concerning the definition of 'woman' under equality laws, a dispute between For Women Scotland and the Scottish government. The core of the case revolves around whether a transgender person with a gender recognition certificate should be legally regarded as a woman.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken seeks Middle East unity on Syria's transition after Assad's ouster, aiming to prevent further regional instability and an ISIS resurgence. He finds "broad agreement" with Turkey on an inclusive interim government. Meanwhile, the UN reports attacks on aid convoys in Gaza and condemns Israeli strikes in Syria.
French President Emmanuel Macron convened a meeting with European leaders to coordinate a response to Russia’s “existential threat†following a policy shift by the US under Donald Trump. France, a key Ukraine ally, is considering sending military experts but not combat troops. Macron emphasized the need for European unity, warning that inaction could bring the conflict closer to Europe's borders.
The FBI has recovered an Islamic State (IS) flag from the truck used by Shamsud-Din Jabbar in a deadly attack in New Orleans that claimed 15 lives. The investigation will explore potential IS influence, as President Biden mentioned Jabbar posted IS-inspired videos prior to the incident.
In an effort to boost Russia's declining birth rate, Oryol's regional governor announced a 100,000 rubles incentive for school-age girls who become mothers. This policy, effective from 2025 to 2027, has sparked controversy, but the governor defended it as support for young mothers. Russia faces a demographic crisis worsened by military losses in Ukraine.
The Trump administration is easing regulatory hurdles for self-driving cars, aiming to boost US automakers' competitiveness against China. Carmakers can now seek exemptions from certain safety rules for research and demonstrations. While crash reporting will remain, the federal government plans to streamline the process, addressing concerns raised by Tesla CEO Elon Musk about the current system's burdensomeness.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, during his visit to Bangladesh, urged global support for Rohingya refugees amidst dwindling aid. He praised Bangladesh's hospitality and warned of a humanitarian disaster without immediate assistance. Guterres called for the Rohingya's safe return to Myanmar, emphasizing international responsibility in providing financial aid and political support.
Microsoft's Satya Nadella met with President-elect Trump and Elon Musk to discuss AI and cybersecurity. Microsoft committed $80 billion to AI data centers, with over $50 billion allocated in the US, creating jobs. Microsoft President Brad Smith emphasized the need for balanced AI regulations to foster industry growth while ensuring security. The company aims to expand its cloud infrastructure significantly.
A 32-year-old nurse in Uganda has died from Ebola, marking the first fatality since the 2023 outbreak ended. The nurse, employed at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, developed a fever and was later diagnosed with the Sudan strain of Ebola. He died on Wednesday. Health officials have identified 44 contacts, including 30 healthcare workers. The current outbreak poses challenges as there are no approved vaccines for the Sudan strain. Authorities are investigating the source of the infection.
The Taliban has freed American citizen Faye Hall, who was detained earlier this year along with two British nationals and their Afghan interpreter. Hall thanked former President Trump for her release and highlighted the struggles of Afghan women imprisoned by the Taliban. The Reynolds couple remains in Taliban custody.