White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt's putdown came in response to remarks by Raphael Glucksmann, a left-wing politician in France, who said “It (Statue of Liberty) was our gift to you. (US)"
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President Donald Trump Monday announced an unprecedented tariff on Venezuela calling it a secondary tariff which would impact any nation that buys oil from Venezuela. Trump announced that those countries will be imposed with 25 per cent tariff as he aims to punish Venezuela for sending Tren de Aragua gang members inside the US.
A federal judge in Missouri ruled that China was responsible for covering up the COVID-19 pandemic and hoarding protective equipment, entering a $24 billion judgment. Missouri officials plan to enforce the judgment by seizing Chinese assets. The ruling highlights China's alleged actions of withholding virus information and limiting PPE supply, causing early pandemic response challenges.
Elon Musk sparked controversy on social media after a federal judge temporarily blocked DOGE from accessing Treasury data, citing violation of laws protecting sensitive information. Musk alleged significant fraud in entitlement payments and criticized previous Treasury officials for ignoring wasteful spending.
Canadian premiers urged Prime Minister Trudeau to strongly counter US President-elect Trump's threatened tariffs. They proposed retaliatory measures, including halting energy exports, citing US reliance on Canadian goods. Trump's tariffs, expected soon after his inauguration, are conditional on addressing drug and immigration concerns. The US imported hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods from Canada in recent years.
US Vice President JD Vance faced boos at the Kennedy Center during a National Symphony Orchestra concert, as heightened security delayed the event. The reaction followed Trump's controversial takeover of the Kennedy Center, including dismissing its chairman and trustees. Artistic resistance and canceled performances have emerged in response to these changes and suppressed programming decisions.
The US education department is rescinding a Biden-era policy that would have subjected college athlete payments for name, image, and likeness (NIL) to federal Title IX rules. The Trump administration officials argued the policy lacked legal basis and was unfair. The Biden rule required NIL payments to be proportionate between male and female athletes, potentially disrupting current university plans favoring football and men's basketball players.
Fourteen members of a Christian sect in Queensland were convicted of causing the death of an 8-year-old diabetic girl by refusing her insulin on religious grounds. The parents and other sect members were found guilty of manslaughter, believing in divine healing over medical treatment. Sentencing is set for February 11.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez have sent out wedding invitations for their June wedding in Venice, Italy. The ceremony will take place aboard Bezos' superyacht, Koru. The couple got engaged in May 2023. Sanchez is also preparing for a space trip with an all-female crew aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket this spring.
A fire broke out overnight in the 12th district of Paris, damaging the roof and bell tower of a town hall. Around 150 firefighters spent three hours controlling the blaze, but concerns remain over the stability of the bell tower's spire. The cause is unclear, though authorities don't suspect foul play. Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo expressed sadness, recalling the 2019 Notre Dame fire. No injuries were reported.
Russian prosecutors are seeking nearly six-year prison sentences for three lawyers who represented the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. They are accused of participating in an extremist organization. Navalny's widow and human rights groups condemn the charges as politically motivated, marking a new level of repression against dissent in Russia. The lawyers' trial has been held in secret.