Elon Musk wants one thing clear: he’s not the one firing federal workers.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping has designated Vice President Han Zheng to represent China at Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20. This decision signals China’s desire for stable relations with the US while avoiding the spotlight at Trump’s swearing-in ceremony. Han’s presence is a calculated diplomatic gesture amidst ongoing tensions.
A women's football match in Bangladesh was cancelled due to Islamist protests, marking the second such event recently. Demonstrators, including students and teachers, opposed female participation in football, citing it as un-Islamic. The Bangladesh Football Federation condemned the disruptions, emphasising women's rights to engage in sports.
Federal employees face significant uncertainties due to the Trump administration's workforce reduction initiatives, primarily targeting probationary staff lacking civil service protections. Mass dismissals across multiple agencies, including up to 1,300 CDC employees and 300 NNSA personnel, have sparked chaos and distress. The abrupt terminations have raised concerns about adequate implementation and potential impacts on public health and national security functions.
​Confirmation vote: coming soon. Popcorn: mandatory. Obviously, the hearing launched a thousand memes including Pete Hegseth weathering snipes from Democrats and a few Indian jokes about Elizabeth Warren. Here are some of the best memes and jokes about the hearing:
The Trump family business has released a voluntary ethics agreement allowing deals with private foreign companies, despite previous restrictions. Ethical safeguards from Trump's first term will remain, including hiring an outside ethics adviser. However, concerns persist about Trump's financial interests influencing policy. New ventures in cryptocurrency and media have raised further ethical and legal scrutiny.
Vivek Ramaswamy explains that tech companies hire foreign-born engineers over Americans due to cultural differences, not IQ. He criticizes American culture for celebrating mediocrity over excellence and highlights the need for prioritizing achievement, excellence, and hard work to compete globally.
The FTC initiated a high-stakes trial against Meta Platforms, alleging anti-competitive acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp to stifle competition. The FTC argues Meta's actions eliminated consumer alternatives and seeks to unwind the deals. Meta defends its acquisitions, calling the case weak and a deterrent to tech investment, while the trial's outcome could significantly impact Meta's structure and revenue streams.
US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said secretary Rubio and foreign minister Lavrov also agreed to continue working towards restoring communication between the US and Russia.
Hamas has announced the release of three Israeli hostages on Saturday as part of a weekend exchange under a fragile ceasefire. In return, Israel will release over 300 Palestinian prisoners. Tensions have risen regarding Israel's compliance, and concerns persist about the 73 remaining hostages. The ceasefire's first phase ends in March, with discussions for a second phase stalled. Violence in Gaza has led to significant casualties and displacement.
Matthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old former Special Forces soldier, is the suspect behind the Las Vegas cybertruck explosion. Livelsberger's extensive military background raises questions about the intent, as the attack caused minimal damage, suggesting it could be a premeditated suicide. The choice of the cybertruck and the use of ineffective explosives have puzzled many, provoking widespread social media speculations.