"Agency personnel normally assigned to work at USAID headquarters will work remote tomorrow, with the exception of personnel with essential on-site and building maintenance functions individually contacted by senior leadership," the email sent to USAID staff said. "Further guidance will be forthcoming." At an X Space held Sunday midnight, Elon Musk announced that his department of government efficiency was in the process of shutting down the agency and he discussed the proposal in detail with Trump who gave his consent.
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Thousands of Palestinians protested in Gaza against Hamas and the ongoing conflict with Israel. Israel's defense minister urged further protests. Recent Israeli attacks followed failed ceasefire talks, worsening conditions in Gaza. The war, which began in October 2023, has killed over 50,000 Palestinians and displaced nearly 90% of Gaza's population.
Japan seeks quick resolution to US tariffs as profits decline. Economic Revitalisation Minister Ryosei Akazawa will negotiate in Washington this week. He aims to review Trump's tariffs. Japanese firms are major US investors. Vehicles form a large part of Japan's exports to the US. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba discussed the tariff impact with Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
A video has surfaced featuring a young Barack Obama passionately defending academic freedom during a 1991 protest. The protest supported law professor Derrick Bell, a critical race theory pioneer, amid Harvard's denial of tenure to Regina Austin. Obama, then president of the Harvard Law Review, lauded Bell's impact and truth-telling.
US markets faced a significant selloff on Monday due to increasing investor concerns over President Donald Trump's economic policies and the possibility of a recession. Major indices, including the Dow Jones and Nasdaq, saw substantial losses, while Bitcoin also plunged. Tech stocks were particularly hard-hit, reflecting market unease.
Oracle is in advanced talks with investors, including Microsoft, to acquire TikTok’s global operations, addressing U.S. national security concerns. ByteDance would retain a minority stake with Oracle overseeing key operations. Walmart is not involved in the current talks, focusing on other areas. The deal could redefine tech security and influence Chinese tech firms' role in the U.S.
Former US president Jimmy Carter, who passed away at 100, was noted for his candidness about his 1969 UFO sighting. Despite witnessing an unidentifiable flying object, Carter remained skeptical of extraterrestrial origins and dismissed conspiracy theories. His presidency involved extraordinary instances, including a CIA operation utilizing a psychic.
British counter-terrorism police are investigating a massive fire at an electrical substation near Heathrow Airport, speculating possible Russian sabotage. The fire disrupted over 1,300 flights, affecting nearly 291,000 passengers. Experts suggest Russian involvement, hinting at parallels with previous incidents. Authorities have not found conclusive evidence, but MI5 is reportedly scrutinising the incident owing to national security concerns.
During a press briefing, President Trump snubbed CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins as she inquired about a sensitive Signal chat incident involving a planned military strike on Yemen’s rebels. Trump defended National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and brushed off the mishap as a glitch, despite security concerns.
EE has warned users about the increased risk of scams on Valentine's Day, urging caution when sharing personal details online. Many individuals disclose sensitive information too easily, leading to potential fraud and financial losses. Key red flags include requests for money, emotional manipulation, and avoiding video calls.
CCN's Scott Jennings mocked Vivek Ramaswamy’s critique of American culture in the context of the H-1B visa debate and said there must be a way to say what Ramaswamy said in a manner that does not denigrate American culture. In his rant against American culture, Vivek spoke negatively about American schools' prom culture and spoke highly of Math Olympiads.