Ash Wednesday begins Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and reflection for Christians. Observed with the application of ashes on the forehead, it signifies penance and humility. This day encourages spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and acts of charity, commemorating Jesus' time in the wilderness.
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The Biden administration's 2021 removal of the term 'alien' is reversed by ICE on January 21, 2025, reinstating 'alien' and 'alienage' to define foreigners. This language, criticized for creating outsider stigma, marks a shift as other agencies may follow. Immigration attorney Nathasha Rocha highlights the potential negative impact on public perception and judicial decisions.
Carl Feynman, who pioneered cloth simulation in computer graphics, expressed amazement and concern over AI's rapid progress. He noted how an AI model managed to create a complex cloth animation in minutes, a task that previously required extensive human effort and powerful computers.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to reshape the Smithsonian Institution by eliminating programs that promote divisive narratives. The order specifically targets the National Museum of African American History and the Women's History Museum and aims to prevent perceived liberal biases in these and other museums.
Russian drones attacked Odesa, Ukraine, injuring at least three people and hitting civilian infrastructure after a purported Easter ceasefire ended. This attack occurred before a meeting in London to discuss the war, where US involvement hinges on progress. Both Russia and Ukraine are preparing for a spring-summer military campaign, despite failed ceasefire attempts and ongoing long-range attacks.
Indonesia has firmly rejected President Trump's proposal for the US to take control of Gaza and resettle Palestinians elsewhere. The Indonesian Foreign Ministry emphasized the importance of the Palestinian right to self-determination and urged the international community to address the root cause of the conflict – the Israeli occupation.
​"The entrenched interests run deep. They will throw everything they can at Elon to stop change. It won't work. But it's going to get uglier and uglier. Be ready, America. We'll need you to have his back," Kimbal Musk posted. Elon Musk's mother Maye Musk posted photos of other leaders like Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, and Kamala Harris doing the same gesture.
A bomb exploded near Hellenic Train offices in Athens, causing damage but no injuries. A warning call preceded the blast, which occurred amid rising anger over the 2023 Tempe train crash that killed 57. Protests had intensified, and parliament debated the government's handling of the tragedy just hours before the explosion.
Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations condemned Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's comments about a possible Palestinian state on Saudi land. They stressed the importance of the Palestinian issue and rejected any statements diverting attention from Israeli actions in Gaza, describing the remarks as unacceptable and extremist.
The FBI reported that Matthew Livelsberger, the driver of the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, had no ill will towards President-elect Trump. Livelsberger, an Army soldier from Colorado Springs, is believed to have suffered from PTSD and personal issues. Officials confirmed it was a case of suicide, involving a gunshot wound.
A Spanish tourist named Blanca Ojanguren GarcÃa, 22, was killed by an elephant while bathing it at a sanctuary in Thailand. Experts believe the elephant became stressed by the unnatural human interaction. The incident has sparked concerns about the treatment of elephants in tourist attractions, calling for a reevaluation of such practices.