US President Donald Trump will prohibit federal funds for schools mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for students. Following substantial opposition, twenty-one states have already banned such requirements. The order emphasizes Trump's effort to reduce federal spending by targeting various governmental entities, including the Education Department.
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Hampton Dellinger, head of the US office of special counsel, has sued President Trump, alleging his firing was illegal. Dellinger, appointed for a five-year term, argues that special counsels can only be removed for cause. His dismissal is part of Trump’s broader effort to restructure federal agencies. The lawsuit challenges the administration's push to bypass civil service protections and dismantle key oversight bodies.
Pete Hegseth has been married thrice and is the father of four biological children and three step-children. Hegseth, the new defense secretary, has one child with his present wife Jennifer Rauchet, three children with his second wife Samantha Deering. He is also the stepdad to Rauchet's three children from her previous marriage. Hegseth's first wife was Meredith Schwarz.
Fifteen Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel under the Gaza ceasefire have arrived in Turkey, according to foreign minister Hakan Fidan. They were issued visas by the Turkish embassy in Cairo. This follows the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, where 33 Israeli hostages were released in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. Some of the freed prisoners will be permanently exiled, with Turkey offering to take in a number of them.
​"He (Luigi Mangione) was on display for everyone to see in the biggest staged perp walk I've ever seen in my career. It was absolutely unnecessary. He's been cooperative with law enforcement, he's been in custody for over a week; he waived extradition..."lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said as Mangione appeared in the court today and pleaded not guilty to the state charge.
Somali security forces ended a 24-hour siege by al-Shabab militants at the Cairo Hotel in Beledweyne, killing six assailants. The attack, starting with a car bomb, targeted military officers and traditional elders involved in anti-al-Shabab efforts. Civilian casualties remain unclear, with reports varying between six and eleven people dead. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack.
The US pledged to recognize and support a new Syrian government committed to renouncing terrorism, destroying chemical weapons, and protecting minority rights. Following the collapse of the Assad regime, the US will collaborate with Syrian groups and regional partners to ensure a smooth transition, potentially including dialogue with the former rebel group HTS, despite its terrorist designation.
China reports a rise in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases this winter, sparking regional concern. Improved testing capabilities have highlighted the pathogen as a key cause of respiratory illnesses. HMPV symptoms are generally mild but can lead to severe cases in high-risk groups. Unlike Covid-19, HMPV isn't new, but vigilant monitoring continues.
Sheryl Crow sold her Tesla to protest Elon Musk's push to defund NPR, donating the proceeds to the media organization. This move aligns with her longstanding opposition to conservative policies and support for unbiased news coverage.
US President Donald Trump announced the formation of a committee to develop a regulatory framework for digital assets, led by David Sacks. The executive order aims to advance America's crypto position, remove unnecessary regulations, and prohibit central bank digital currencies. The initiative seeks to foster innovation while ensuring clear regulatory guidelines and protecting economic liberty.
Maysaa Sabrine has become the first woman to lead Syria's central bank amidst the new leadership's reforms, which include easing state control over the economy. The central bank is facing severe US sanctions and has experienced a significant reduction in foreign currency reserves since the civil war.