Democrats are criticizing Elon Musk's unprecedented control over federal agencies through the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). His influence includes significant power over the Treasury, USAID, and potentially the Education Department. Senator Elizabeth Warren has accused Musk of seizing power and impacting critical national functions. Republicans, however, support Musk's efforts to reduce government waste.
Related news
The United States announced that its government vessels will now transit the Panama Canal free of charge, saving millions of dollars annually. This comes after intense pressure from President Donald Trump and follows discussions with Panama, where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the unfairness of previous transit fees due to the US's role in defending the strategic waterway.
Elon Musk's claims about millions of dead Americans receiving Social Security benefits are debunked by experts. He misinterpreted data from SSA's Numident database, which includes outdated records. Actual Social Security fraud is minimal, with issues more related to overpayments to living recipients. SSA has safeguards to prevent deceased individuals from collecting benefits.
A 17-year-old boy was arrested after breaching security at Avalon Airport and attempting to board a Jetstar flight with a loaded shotgun. Passengers, including Barry Clark, tackled the armed teenager, who wore a high-visibility vest. Authorities are investigating the breach, and the airport was temporarily closed.
Ousted Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina condemned the demolition of her father's house, calling for justice. The house of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh's founding father, was vandalized by protesters, escalating violence. Hasina accused the interim government led by Mohammed Yunus, urging people to unite against the regime. She highlighted the historical significance of the house and her contributions.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made a surprise visit to US President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Photos showed them at Mar-a-Lago's entrance and conversing, with a Christmas tree in the background. The meeting preceded President Joe Biden's planned visit to Rome. Meloni also met Florida Senator Marco Rubio, with the purpose of the visit undisclosed.
Pope Francis criticized Donald Trump's proposed deportation plans, calling them a 'disgrace' and inconsistent with protecting human dignity. He emphasized that the U.S. should remain a land of opportunity and inclusivity, echoing sentiments previously expressed regarding Trump's border wall. U.S. bishops and cardinals also opposed the deportation policies.
A Cessna 207 aircraft crashed in a remote, wooded area of Jalisco, Mexico, on Sunday, tragically killing all seven people on board. The plane was traveling from La Parota, Michoacán. Rescue crews extinguished a fire at the scene and are working to recover the bodies and confirm the final casualty count.
Tom Homan confirms that mass deportations of illegal migrants from the US will continue daily, as pledged by President Trump for the 2024 election. Homan emphasized that all individuals residing unlawfully in the US are subject to deportation. The US military remains actively involved, with increased arrests focusing on public safety and national security threats.
Elon Musk's department of government efficiency (DOGE) has sparked alarm by seeking access to a system with the US tax office that has detailed financial data about millions of Americans, US media reported. But it has sparked alarm within the government and among privacy experts who say granting Musk access to private taxpayer data could be extraordinarily dangerous, according to ABC News.
Canadian hockey fans at the Ottawa Senators game booed the U.S. national anthem as a reaction to President Trump's tariffs on Canadian imports. Despite the hostility, the singer continued performing, and fans expressed patriotism during the Canadian anthem. Tensions over trade policies influenced their unusual behavior.