Syrians were set to commemorate the 14th anniversary of their uprising on Saturday in public demonstrations in Damascus and other cities for the first time since president Bashar al-Assad was toppled. This year's commemoration marks the first since Assad was toppled on December 8 by Islamist-led rebels.
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Democrat Senator Tim Kaine questioned Pete Hegseth during his defense secretary confirmation hearing about allegations of cheating on his former wives and a past sexual assault charge. Hegseth denied the charges, acknowledging past failures but cited redemption through Jesus Christ. Kaine emphasized the importance of disqualifying those with histories of sexual assault or domestic violence from holding significant positions.
US President-elect Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed key issues like trade, TikTok, and Taiwan in a positive phone call that both leaders hoped would start US-China relations on a constructive note. Trump pledged to address various issues immediately, while Xi emphasized caution on the Taiwan matter.
US egg prices have surged due to inflation and an avian influenza outbreak, which has decimated 136 million birds since 2022. Grocery stores and restaurants are now paying around $7 per dozen eggs, significantly up from $2.25 last fall. Brooke Rollins, Trump's agriculture secretary nominee, aims to address animal disease outbreaks as a top priority.
Pope Francis remained in critical but stable condition while undergoing therapy for a lung infection. Despite his illness, he continued his duties and made significant administrative decisions. A vigil was held in St. Peter's Square, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, to pray for his recovery.
Pete Hegseth was confirmed as defense secretary following a dramatic late-night Senate vote highlighted by behavioural accusations and a 50-50 split. Vice President JD Vance cast the tiebreaking vote. Concerns over Hegseth's past conduct and statements were evident in the dissenting votes from three Republican senators.
US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Bill Briggs as the deputy administrator of the small business administration for his second term. Briggs, who previously oversaw the Paycheck Protection Program, will work with Kelly Loeffler to support small businesses, which are crucial to the US economy.
Federal immigration agents detained Mahmoud Khalil, a notable pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate, under Trump's executive orders. His arrest, claimed to be due to antisemitism, has sparked outrage from civil rights groups. His green card revocation is unusual, lacking criminal conviction.
A Boston University employee is criticised for posting a graphic accusing DOGE staff of treason. Elon Musk, who leads DOGE, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have both responded, highlighting the controversial nature of the department's role and influence in government operations.
Amidst the Trump administration's strict policies on international students, a Georgia court ruled in favor of 133 students, mostly Indians, whose SEVIS records were terminated by ICE. The lawsuit, filed by the ACLU, alleged that ICE unlawfully terminated the records, potentially leading to deportation for minor violations, impacting their studies and work programs.
In his first month, FBI Director Kash Patel has aggressively tackled key law enforcement concerns, resulting in high-profile arrests, progress in counterterrorism, and major drug trafficking busts. Notable achievements include arrests of MS-13 leaders and disrupting a Hamas-linked cryptocurrency scheme. Patel’s actions have garnered praise for their transparency and impact on national security.