Chris Rock returned to host "Saturday Night Live" for the fourth time, joking about President Biden's pardon of his son, Hunter. Rock quipped about Biden's age but highlighted his middle finger's functionality, comparing the pardon to a universal parental instinct. This marked Rock's first SNL appearance since the 2022 Oscars incident with Will Smith.
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Belarus's authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko moved the 2025 presidential election to January to avoid protests, ensuring a likely seventh term. Lukashenko relies heavily on Russian support, hosting tactical nuclear weapons, and has harshly suppressed dissent, with many opponents jailed or exiled. The vote takes place amid fierce repression and fear.
Nineteen-year-old South African TikTok star Beandri Booysen, known for her inspiring videos, recently passed away due to Progeria, a rare aging disease. Her mother confirmed the news on Facebook, highlighting Beandri's positive impact despite her health challenges. Beandri was South Africa's last known individual with Progeria. Her TikTok account, with over 278,000 followers, is now flooded with tributes.
A 17-year-old student opened fire at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, killing a teacher and a fellow student before taking her own life. The shooting occurred just days before Christmas break, leaving the community devastated. President Biden condemned the incident and renewed calls for stricter gun control.
Georgia is set to inaugurate on Sunday a ruling party loyalist as president, after his election was declared "illegitimate" by the outgoing leader and the pro-Western opposition. Opposition parties have refused to enter the newly elected parliament, while Zurabishvili has declared the legislature, the government and president-elect "illegitimate".
Namal Rajapaksa, son of former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, was indicted by Colombo's high court for alleged misappropriation of funds from an Indian investment before 2015. He was released on bail, with the case scheduled for March 27. The Rajapaksa family claims the charges are part of a political witch hunt, as they face revived corruption investigations under the new NPP government.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is under scrutiny after bringing his wife, Jennifer, to meetings with foreign military officials where sensitive information was discussed. The Signal chat leak involving senior Trump officials has intensified, raising national security concerns and resulting in calls for Hegseth's resignation.
Mediators have presented Israel and Hamas with a final draft in Doha to end the year-long conflict in Gaza. Talks attended by officials from both Joe Biden's and Donald Trump's teams are at a critical juncture. The proposed phased ceasefire includes initial hostage releases for a fighting halt, with a de facto deadline set for January 20.
On 2 April 2025, during what he dubbed “Liberation Day,†Trump announced a sweeping new 10% tariff on all US. trade partners — including, for reasons known only to the ghosts of tariffs past, the Heard and McDonald Islands, a remote Australian external territory located in the sub-Antarctic Indian Ocean. These islands, population: zero, are home solely to penguins, seals, and the occasional bewildered seabird. No humans. No trade. Just squawking, flapping wildlife.
According to inside reports, Vivek Ramaswamy rattled a section of the MAGA after he criticized the American culture in his support for the H-1B visa program that allows US companies to hire foreign talents. Though Donald Trump, Elon Musk are also in favor of their visa program, Vivek Ramaswamy's criticism of the American culture that they venerate mediocrity did not go down well with the Republicans.
Far-right streamer Nick Fuentes claims a man attempted to assassinate him at his Illinois home. Police responded and fatally shot the suspect, identified as John R. Lyons, after he allegedly fired at officers. Fuentes, who was livestreaming at the time, shared Ring doorbell footage of the armed man approaching his door.