A Los Angeles family clarified that their Tesla Cybertruck's license plate, LOLOCT7, was not meant to mock the October 7 Hamas attack but was a tribute to their grandfather. "LOLO" means grandfather in Tagalog, "CT" represents Cyber Truck, and "7" signifies their seven grandchildren, a family member explained and said they would anyway get it changed.
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Vice President Kamala Harris swore in the senators as the 119th Congress convened. A video of JD Vance laughing during the oath of the Senators went viral as this was the face-to-face meeting of the Republican leaders with the Vice President after the bitterly fought election during which several Republicans mispronounced Kamala Harris's name.
PinkNews, a prominent LGBT+ news platform, faces serious allegations of sexual misconduct and bullying by its founders, Benjamin Cohen and Anthony James. Multiple former employees have accused Cohen and James of inappropriate behavior, including unwanted touching and advances. A toxic work environment fostered by excessive drinking and verbal abuse has also been reported, casting a shadow over the organization's reputation.
Hong Kong taxi drivers, known for their gruff demeanor and cash-only transactions, face pressure to modernize. Government initiatives aim to improve driver behavior and mandate digital payment systems and surveillance cameras by 2026. Many drivers resist these changes, citing concerns over constant monitoring and financial pressures in an increasingly expensive city.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urges the EU to address Hungary's gas dispute with Ukraine, citing increased energy prices following Ukraine's decision to stop Russian gas transit. Orban emphasizes Hungary's economic burden due to EU sanctions on Russia and signals potential veto against renewing these sanctions unless the gas transit issue is resolved.
A powerful storm hit the central U.S., causing blizzards, high winds, and wildfires. It impacted 72 million people and led to widespread power outages. Interstate highways were closed, and authorities reported significant disruption, with Nebraska and Kansas among the hardest hit. Wildfire risks increased in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri.
China is committed to continuing its participation in the WHO and the Paris climate accord, expressing concern over US President Trump’s orders to withdraw from both. Beijing emphasizes the importance of international cooperation on health and climate change, and hopes to strengthen dialogue with the US on trade and other issues despite existing tensions.
Tencent has begun trialing its own AI reasoning model, "Hunyuan Thinker," alongside DeepSeek’s R1 chatbot in its Yuanbao chatbot, aiming for more human-like responses. The move intensifies China’s AI race, with companies like Baidu and BYD also integrating DeepSeek. While gaining traction, DeepSeek faces global scrutiny over data privacy, with South Korea joining several countries in restricting its use pending security reviews.
A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck Myanmar on April 14, 2025, prompting India to send an Indian Army Engineers team under the Operation Brahma to assess the damage. The team is evaluating infrastructure in Naypyitaw and Mandalay, following a larger 7.7-magnitude earthquake in March. India is also providing humanitarian aid, including food and supplies, to local communities and the Indian diaspora.
The UAE has provided 700 tonnes of food supplies to flood-affected areas in Somalia, aiming to assist approximately 150,000 individuals. This act reflects the UAE's commitment to humanitarian aid and its strong bilateral relations with Somalia, ensuring continued support and accelerated recovery for impacted communities.
After skipping Jimmy Carter's funeral, Michelle Obama will also miss Donald Trump's inauguration. This prolonged absence of Michelle Obama triggered speculation over her rocky relationship with Barack Obama. However, the decision to skip both these events could have been taken just to avoid a face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump. A body language expert said they displayed no signs of togetherness at their December outing.