The UN rights chief voiced deep concern Monday over the United States' "fundamental shift" in direction since Donald Trump returned to power, and decried the "unchecked power" of "unelected tech oligarchs". Without mentioning Musk by name, Turk on Monday voiced concern over the growing influence wielded by "a handful of unelected tech oligarchs", who have people's data.
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The US has removed the $10 million bounty on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leader Mohammad al-Jolani after he led a successful offensive, ousting Assad from power in Syria. US diplomats met with the new Syrian leadership in Damascus, marking the first high-level visit since the regime change. Discussions focused on counterterrorism, the status of missing Americans, and future relations.
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.
Amid escalating trade tensions, China's Film Administration announced it would "moderately reduce" the import of US films. This decision follows increased tariffs imposed by both the US and China. The move is expected to impact US studios, as China's film market is the world's second largest, and Hollywood blockbusters often perform well there, despite existing quotas on foreign films.
Pope Francis inaugurated the Holy Year at Rome's main prison, spreading hope to inmates. He re-enacted the door-opening gesture performed at St. Peter's Basilica, marking the start of the Jubilee year, which occurs every 25 years and attracts millions of pilgrims. The 2025 Jubilee is dedicated to hope, with a special mass for inmates planned.
Canada will prioritize candidates with Canadian work experience to address labour shortages and enhance economic growth. The Express Entry system for 2025 introduces a new education category and removes the transport category, focusing more on high-priority sectors like healthcare, STEM, trades, and education.
Dr. Shawn Frehner, a Nevada veterinarian, was found dead in Lake Mead after disappearing amid outrage over a video showing him kicking a horse. Facing felony animal abuse charges for the incident involving the horse named Big Red, Frehner's truck and belongings were discovered near the reservoir.
Ukrainian drone attacks disrupted Moscow airport operations for the third consecutive day, coinciding with preparations for Russia's Victory Day parade. Aeroflot cancelled over 100 flights, and numerous others were delayed due to the drone threat. Russia claims to have repelled attacks and downed hundreds of drones, while Ukraine refuses to guarantee the safety of foreign dignitaries attending the Moscow celebrations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio's recent suspension of foreign assistance includes withdrawing significant US funding for contraceptive distribution in Gaza. The White House is pausing grants and loans to assess their alignment with President Trump's directives, particularly concerning the elimination of DEI initiatives and funding to NGOs not in national interest.
As the fires rage across Los Angeles, some areas have been left in ruins, while nearby properties remain protected, thanks to private firefighting teams. Amid the destruction of over 12,000 structures, questions are being raised about the response of public agencies. Wealthy residents are increasingly relying on private firefighting services, highlighting a divide in the city’s response to the disaster.
A government grant mix-up sparked controversy over false claims that the Biden administration spent $50 million on condoms for Gaza, which were actually funds for AIDS prevention in Mozambique. The confusion arose from a misspelling and was exacerbated by misinformation from public figures.