Federal agencies removed gender and diversity references from websites following a directive linked to President Trump's executive orders. The changes affected multiple areas, including health pages and passport applications, resulting in significant backlash from various organizations and concerns about government transparency.
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Vice President JD Vance, in a way, confirmed that Elon Musk would be exiting his government role but he asserted that the Politico report that said Donald Trump told his inner circle that Elon Musk would be stepping down is fake. After DOGE work, Elon Musk would remain a friend and an adviser to both the president and the vice president, JD said.
A gunman entered Coquette Brasserie in Raleigh and fatally shot a man before turning the gun on himself. The shooter is in critical condition and another bystander was injured but not severely. Police believe the incident resulted from a dispute and confirmed it wasn’t random. Traffic near North Hills shopping mall and several schools were temporarily affected.
Greece marks the second anniversary of the Tempe train crash with a general strike and mass protests demanding accountability. The 2023 disaster, which killed 57 people, exposed systemic failures in the railway system. Led by victims' families, demonstrations have disrupted transport and businesses nationwide. While the government pledges rail safety reforms, public anger persists, fueling political tensions. Memorials honor the victims, as calls for justice grow louder.
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.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create the United States' first sovereign wealth fund, which could be used to purchase TikTok. This fund aims to monetize American assets for public investment. Trump's decision follows his previous election promise to fund major national projects. TikTok was briefly taken down as the law requires its Chinese owner ByteDance to either sell it to an American owner or face a ban.
Indonesia and China have pledged to enhance maritime cooperation, focusing on security and safety in the South China Sea, despite Jakarta's concerns over Chinese activities near the Natuna Islands. Both nations agreed to collaborate on infrastructure, minerals, and joint security initiatives. A memorandum of understanding was signed by coast guards to bolster maritime security.
Pope Francis emphasised the dangers of bullying in schools, stating that it prepares students for war instead of peace. Addressing educators at the Vatican, he urged a collective commitment to combat bullying both in educational settings and at home. He also highlighted the importance of promoting dialogue within families to foster growth and understanding.
Meghan Markle's long-time friend Markus Anderson is notably absent from her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, due to his business commitments and aversion to the spotlight. The programme, vital to the Sussexes' Netflix partnership, will return for a second series despite mixed reviews.
Lindy Li, a top Democratic fundraiser, left the Democratic Party after criticizing President Biden and Vice President Harris. She accused the party of financial mismanagement and faced significant backlash and accusations. Li plans to support Republicans, citing poor treatment from her former party.
New Orleans police fatally shot ISIS-inspired attacker Shamsud-Din Jabbar after he killed 14 people in a New Year's truck rampage. Bodycam footage shows police surrounding the truck and exchanging gunfire with Jabbar, who fired first. An ISIS flag and detailed plans of the attack were found in Jabbar's vehicle. FBI continues to investigate.