Elon Musk's growing influence over the US government, particularly through his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is causing tensions among senior officials in President Trump’s administration. While Trump supports Musk’s bold reforms, communication gaps and sudden changes have left some White House staff feeling excluded and struggling to keep up.
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A woman in Perth reported feeling shocked and disrespected when her doctor used ChatGPT to analyze her test results, calling it unprofessional. The incident has been reported to regulatory authorities, prompting debate over the use of AI tools in healthcare.
As part of the ceasefire, Israel released 600 Palestinian prisoners, including long-serving inmates and those convicted of deadly attacks, in exchange for the remains of four Israeli hostages. Since January 19, nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners have been freed. Meanwhile, 59 hostages remain in Gaza, including 13 Israeli soldiers and five foreign nationals.
A blast in the Syrian coastal city of Latakia killed at least three people and injured 12 on Saturday, state media reported, with the cause still unclear. "The blast in the Al-Rimal neighbourhood of Latakia city has so far resulted in three deaths and 12 injured," state news agency SANA said citing provincial authorities.
New Zealand's Parliament overwhelmingly rejected the controversial Treaty Principles Bill, designed to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi, with a vote of 112 to 11. The bill sparked significant debate about Indigenous rights and prompted large-scale protests. Despite its defeat, scrutiny of Maori rights continues as the government considers further changes to laws referencing the Treaty.
USAID is under heavy scrutiny after a Trump administration crackdown and a 90-day pause in foreign assistance. Concerns over the agency's expenditures, including funding initiatives in LGBTQ and other social domains, have been raised. The list of controversial spending includes significant amounts for projects in diverse regions, sparking debates about the agency's accountability.
In an interview with Fox News, Elon Musk called out the massive fraud in Social Security but termed the spending as 'entitlements' rankling Democrats as Americans questioned why the richest man was coming after the Social Security payments. Musk has already shut down SSA offices triggering speculations that DOGE would now come after the Social Security payments. "Most of the federal spending is entitlements. That's the big one to eliminate," Elon Musk said in the Fox interview.
Karachi has seen a significant increase in fatalities from road accidents, robbery resistance, and aerial firing within the first two weeks of the new year, resulting in 36 deaths and numerous injuries, raising concerns about the city's law enforcement efficiency.
The US took up human rights issues with Bangladesh's interim government, amid tension with India over attacks on minorities. During a phone call, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus stressed the importance of protecting human rights, though Bangladesh's official account omitted this discussion.
Meta offers TikTok creators financial incentives, longer Reels video durations, and new editing tools to entice them to Instagram and Facebook amidst TikTok's uncertainty in the US. Despite potential resistance due to Meta's perceived political affiliations, financial rewards may sway creators' and followers' platform choices.
Jillian Lauren Shriner, wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner, was shot in the shoulder by LAPD officers responding to a hit-and-run incident. She emerged from her residence with a handgun, refused to drop it when ordered, and was subsequently shot. Shriner, an author, was booked for attempted murder but was determined to be uninvolved in the initial hit-and-run case.