Israeli forces killed a woman and injured others trying to return to Houla village in southern Lebanon, days before a scheduled ceasefire. Hezbollah's leader demands Israel's complete withdrawal by February 18, while tensions rise amid flight cancellations and attacks on peacekeepers.
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Meta plans to lay off approximately 3,600 employees identified as low performers to raise performance standards. CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed the move, emphasizing extensive performance-based cuts. Affected employees will be notified by February 10. This follows previous waves of job cuts and policy shifts. Meta's shares fell after the announcement, reflecting investor concerns about the company's direction.
Congress now has less that 24 hours to avert the government shutdown as the deadline to pass a new spending bill ends today midnight. President-elect Donald Trump said the pressure is on "whoever is President" while Joe Biden canceled his Christmas trip to Delaware and returned to White House. Vice President Kamala Harris too canceled her Los Angeles trip and will now be in DC.
The DOJ has released documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, but they contain little new information about his extensive network. Critics are frustrated by the lack of fresh disclosures, despite the files including his contact lists, flight logs, and evidence gathered against him.
Alef Aeronautics' electric car has achieved a major milestone by taking off vertically in California, marking a key advancement in transportation. The prototype, which transitioned from driving to flying, showcases the potential of Alef's Model A, designed for both road and air travel. Priced at $300,000, the vehicle has already secured 3,300 pre-orders.
In Tigray, Ethiopia, war veterans like Chandera Weldesenbet struggle with untreated injuries and disabilities due to destroyed health facilities. Thousands of ex-combatants face limited access to medical support, orthopedic therapy, and employment, leading to begging and reliance on scarce resources. The regional government appeals for federal and international aid to address the overwhelming needs of disabled veterans.
Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, jailed since his abduction from Kenya in November, is reportedly unwell and in need of urgent medical care, according to his lawyer. Besigye faces military charges, including treachery, despite a supreme court ruling against civilian court-martials. His detention has sparked outrage among supporters and rights groups. The case is closely watched amid political uncertainty ahead of Uganda’s 2026 elections, with President Museveni's future unclear.
Former vice president Kamala Harris has signed with Creative Artists Agency to work on her post-White House initiatives, including speaking engagements and possibly publishing a book. This is the same agency that represents former presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, Beyonce, Brad Pitt, Ariana Grande and NBA star Devin Booker.
Intense fighting in Syria over two days has resulted in a death toll exceeding 1,000, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the 14-year conflict. Clashes between government forces and loyalists of ousted President Assad led to significant civilian casualties and mass displacement, with significant tension remaining in the region.
Joe Kasper, chief of staff under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, is departing his role but will remain as a Special Government Employee. This follows several other departures from senior Pentagon positions amidst a leak investigation and accusations of slander. Hegseth is also facing scrutiny for reportedly discussing Yemen strikes via Signal, though the White House has expressed its support.
Neil Gaiman, who is facing new allegations of sexual misconduct, had cultivated a feminist persona online. Most recently, his child’s nanny has accused him of rape. While Gaiman denies all allegations, social media is rife with debate about how he maintained his feminist persona online, based on older posts.