Elon Musk met with Republican senators to discuss budget rescissions as part of his Department of Government Efficiency initiative. The meeting aimed to formalize his budget-cutting efforts, potentially generating $1 trillion in savings. Concerns were raised about communication and the impact of federal worker layoffs.
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The US and Philippine air forces conducted a joint patrol and air-intercept drills over the disputed Scarborough Shoal, marking their first under President Trump’s new term. Two US B-1 bombers and three Philippine FA-50 jets participated, enhancing coordination and combat readiness. Tensions remain high after Chinese jets fired flares at a Philippine aircraft last year. The US reaffirmed its commitment to defending the Philippines against attacks in the South China Sea.
A person in Louisiana has died from H5N1 bird flu, marking the first US death from the virus. CDC states the public risk remains low, with no evidence of person-to-person transmission. Most cases involve animal-to-human exposure. The CDC continues monitoring for viral adaptations and potential human health threats.
Mexico extradited 29 high-profile cartel figures, including Rafael Caro Quintero, to the US, amid escalating pressure from President Trump’s administration to combat drug trafficking. This move, coinciding with Mexican officials' visit to Washington, aims to strengthen US-Mexico ties and addresses Trump's tariff threats, significantly impacting bilateral relations and cartel operations.
During the interview, Donald Trump said he wanted to find somebody smarter than Elon Musk to head DOGE - implying that there is no smarter person that Elon Musk. “I searched all over. I just couldn’t do it,†he added. “I couldn’t. I really tried hard. I couldn’t find anyone smarter.â€
Swedish police have made 50 arrests amid a surge in violence, including over 30 bombings since the start of the year. The violence, often linked to gang rivalries and extortion, has escalated, with young teens being used as contract killers. Despite arrests, the violence persists, and authorities are struggling to contain it. Justice minister Gunnar Strommer called an emergency meeting, while prime minister Ulf Kristersson labeled the violence "domestic terrorism."
Liam Payne's close friend Roger Nores recalls the tragic events following Payne's death after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. Nores, who was asked to be Payne's best man just days before, faces manslaughter charges, which he denies, related to Payne's untimely death.
Alina Habba, a senior aide to Donald Trump, offered an insight into the replica White House spaces used by Joe Biden. She showcased the sophisticated setup, including teleprompters and professional lighting, which facilitated Biden's televised events during his presidency. Stephen Miller claimed Biden required this setup to read scripts effectively.
Pakistan has become the second-most terrorism-affected country, according to the Global Terrorism Index 2025 report. The rise in terrorist activity is linked to the influence of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. In 2024, terrorism-related deaths increased by 45 per cent, with Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa being the worst-hit regions.
Donald Trump escalated his criticism of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, blaming him alongside Putin and Biden for the war's millions of deaths. He questioned Zelenskyy's military strategy and reliance on Western weapons. Despite recent tensions and echoing Kremlin talking points, Trump claimed a peace deal was still possible, following a deadly Russian missile strike in Sumy.
Elon Musk, leveraging his social media platform X, launched a campaign against a bipartisan spending deal, influencing some Republicans to oppose it. This unprecedented political move drew criticism and raised concerns about the billionaire's influence on government decisions, even prompting some to suggest him as a potential Speaker of the House.