Apple held its "Awe Dropping" event on Tuesday, unveiling the iPhone 17 series, new Apple Watches, and updated AirPods Pro 3.

The launch included the standard iPhone 17, the new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, and the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models, alongside refreshed Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3, and the AirPods Pro 3.

The iPhone 17 Air, Apple's thinnest smartphone ever at 5.6mm, was the standout announcement. It features a single 48MP rear camera, a polished titanium frame, and is powered by the new A19 processor. It is available in black, silver, gold, and a new light blue finish, with a starting price of $999.

The standard iPhone 17 features a larger 6.3-inch display with a fast refresh rate, 256GB of base storage, dual 48MP rear cameras, and an upgraded front camera, priced at $799.

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models received a significant design refresh, including a new camera bar spanning the top third of the device and a switch from titanium to aluminum frames for improved heat dissipation. Both models feature 48MP telephoto cameras, a new A19 Pro chipset, and improved battery life, with prices of $1,099 and $1,199 respectively.

The Apple Watch 11 introduced new health features, including blood pressure monitoring and a new sleep score tool, with a battery life of 24 hours and 5G connectivity. The Apple Watch SE 3 also received the sleep score feature and an always-on display 

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 extended its battery life to 42 hours and added satellite messaging capabilities.

The AirPods Pro 3 feature improved audio quality, active noise cancellation, translation features, fitness tracking sensors, and a new, smaller charging case.

Apple has expanded its eSIM-only iPhone 17 lineup to include new countries, marking a significant shift from previous models.

The iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will be eSIM-only in Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with the iPhone Air being eSIM-only globally, including in China.

The eSIM-only models in these countries eliminate the physical SIM card tray, allowing Apple to increase battery capacity, particularly in the Pro models, which gain up to two additional hours of video playback.

This expansion includes Canada and Mexico for the first time, alongside a broader rollout in the Middle East and Asia.

In contrast, the iPhone 17 series will still feature a nano-SIM card tray alongside eSIM support in regions like Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and India.

In China, the standard iPhone 17 models support nano-SIM cards only, while the iPhone Air model is eSIM-only.

Lachlan Murdoch has secured control of his father Rupert Murdoch's media empire in a $3.3 billion deal finalized on Monday, resolving a years-long succession battle and ensuring the conservative direction of outlets like Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Post will continue under his leadership.

The agreement, which ends litigation and dissolves the original 1999 family trust, sees Lachlan's three older siblings—Prue, Liz, and James—each receive $1.1 billion for their shares, while a new trust, which includes Lachlan and his two younger sisters, Grace and Chloe, will hold the controlling stake in News Corp and Fox Corporation until 2050.

The deal marks the culmination of a decades-long struggle over the future of the Murdoch media empire, which Rupert Murdoch had sought to steer toward a conservative legacy through his chosen heir, Lachlan.

The original plan to unilaterally change the irrevocable family trust, dubbed "Project Family Harmony," was rejected by a Nevada probate court in December 2024, which labeled the effort a "carefully crafted charade" and accused Rupert’s representatives of breaching fiduciary duties.

The legal battle intensified after James Murdoch gave an interview to The Atlantic in February 2025, where he criticized his father and Fox News, prompting demands for judicial sanctions and further escalating tensions.

Despite the court defeat, the legal pressure and the prospect of prolonged litigation brought the family back to the negotiating table, leading to the final settlement that allows Lachlan to consolidate control.

The financial structure of the deal involves loans, holding companies, and stock sales, though the exact funding mechanism remains unclear.

Elon Musk's SpaceX has agreed to purchase wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar for $17 billion to bolster its Starlink direct-to-cell service, a move aimed at resolving an ongoing Federal Communications Commission (FCC) probe into EchoStar's underutilization of its 5G spectrum assets.

The deal, announced on Monday, includes $8.5 billion in cash, $8.5 billion in SpaceX stock, and a commitment to cover approximately $2 billion in interest payments on EchoStar’s debt through late 2027. This transaction, combined with EchoStar's prior $23 billion sale of spectrum to AT&T, is expected to resolve the FCC's inquiries.

The acquisition covers EchoStar’s AWS-4 and H-block spectrum licenses, providing SpaceX with exclusive rights to operate its next-generation Starlink direct-to-cell satellites on these frequencies. This allows SpaceX to move beyond relying solely on spectrum leased from mobile carriers like T-Mobile and enables the development of satellites with "more than 100 times" the capacity of its first-generation direct-to-cell satellites. The goal is to significantly enhance coverage and performance to end mobile dead zones globally.

SpaceX writes in a statement: "This agreement will enable us to develop and deploy our next generation Starlink Direct to Cell constellation which will be capable of providing broadband service to cell phones globally.

"Through the agreement with EchoStar, SpaceX will purchase EchoStar’s 50 MHz S-band spectrum in the US (bands known as AWS-4 and PCS-H) as well as its global MSS spectrum licenses. Exclusive access to this spectrum, along with use of optimized 5G protocols designed for satellite connectivity, will enable a step change in performance for Starlink Direct to Cell.

"The next generation of Starlink Direct to Cell satellites will be designed to fully utilize this spectrum. Driven by custom SpaceX-designed silicon and phased array antennas, the satellites will support thousands of spatial beams and higher bandwidth capability, enabling around 20x the throughput capability as compared to a first-generation satellite."

The deal was driven by intense regulatory scrutiny. The FCC launched an inquiry in May 2025 after SpaceX alleged that EchoStar’s valuable mid-band spectrum was being "chronically underused" and ripe for sharing with new satellite systems  President Donald Trump reportedly personally urged EchoStar CEO Charlie Ergen to reach a deal with the FCC  SpaceX had previously pressured the FCC to reallocate the spectrum, arguing that EchoStar was failing to meet its obligations to deploy 5G in the U.S. 

As part of the agreement, SpaceX and EchoStar have entered a long-term commercial partnership that will enable EchoStar’s Boost Mobile subscribers to access the next-generation Starlink direct-to-cell service. This marks a significant strategic shift for EchoStar, which had previously been developing its own direct-to-device satellite constellation, a project now canceled following this deal.

After the sale, EchoStar will continue operating its core businesses, including Dish TV, Sling, Hughes internet, and Boost Mobile, but will no longer have control over major spectrum for 5G deployment.

The FCC has acknowledged the potential of these deals to supercharge competition and extend innovative services to millions of Americans.

The UK government conducted its second nationwide test of the Emergency Alerts system on Sunday at 14:00 UTC (3:00 PM), sending a loud siren and vibration to millions of mobile devices connected to 4G and 5G networks.

The alert message on phones clearly stated it was a test and explained the system’s purpose: to warn people of imminent dangers such as extreme weather, flooding, or terrorist attacks.

The test, which lasted approximately 10 seconds, was designed to warn the public of a potential life-threatening emergency and was successfully received by tens of millions of phones across the country, according to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and government officials.

The alert caused disruptions to several major sporting events, including a pause in the Ireland v New Zealand Women’s Rugby World Cup match and a delay to the Super League derby between Hull KR and Hull FC, while fans at England’s third ODI cricket match against South Africa were warned in advance.

The test was the second nationwide drill since the system's first test in April 2023, with the government emphasizing the importance of public familiarity with the alert to ensure safety during real emergencies.

Despite the overall success, some users reported issues, including delayed alerts (e.g., one user noting the alert went off at 3:01 PM), garbled messages on certain devices, and unexpected reactions from hearing aid users and pets.

The government confirmed that the alert was broadcast correctly and that any incorrect messages were likely due to individual handset issues, not a systemic failure.

The system has previously been used for real warnings five times in the past two years, including during Storm Eowyn in January 2025, which affected 4.5 million people in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and a 500kg unexploded WWII bomb alert in Plymouth in February 2024.

The government had conducted a public information campaign in advance, including announcements at rail stations, motorway signs, and materials in British Sign Language, to prepare the public and assist vulnerable groups like domestic abuse victims who may wish to opt out.

A series of undersea cable outages in the Red Sea has disrupted internet connectivity across parts of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, including India and Pakistan this weekend. The disruption, attributed to failures in the South East Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 4 (SMW4) and India-Middle East-Western Europe (IMEWE) cable systems near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has caused increased latency and slower speeds, particularly affecting Microsoft Azure services for traffic traversing the Middle East While.

The SMW4 cable, operated by Tata Communications, and the IMEWE cable, managed by an Alcatel-Lucent consortium, are the primary systems affected by the outages.

Network monitoring group NetBlocks confirmed the degradation of internet connectivity in multiple countries, specifically naming India, Pakistan, and the UAE, with users on state-owned Du and Etisalat networks in the UAE reporting slower speeds.

Microsoft confirmed initial service disruptions and higher latency, noting that while traffic not passing through the Middle East was unaffected, users experienced higher latency on routes through the region.

"We do expect higher latency on some traffic that previously traversed through the Middle East. Network traffic that does not traverse through the Middle East is not impacted," Microsoft said.

The company later reported that Azure services have been restored through rerouting traffic via alternate network paths, with all services now operational.

Azure is the world's second largest cloud provider after Amazon's AWS, which has also rerouted traffic through alternative network paths and network traffic is not interrupted.

The cause of the cable cuts remains unclear, though the incident occurs amid heightened tensions in the Red Sea, where Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been targeting commercial shipping since late 2023. The Houthis acknowledged the cable cuts via their al-Masirah TV channel but did not claim responsibility.

Subsea cable repairs typically take weeks and require specialized vessels and crews, making the situation a prolonged challenge for network providers.

The Red Sea is a critical telecommunications corridor linking Europe, Africa, and Asia, and such disruptions can significantly impact global digital infrastructure.

This incident also highlights the important part satellite internet services like SpaceX Starlink, could play in the future of global internet infrastructure.

Repairing subsea cable damage is a complex process that can take weeks, requiring specialized ships and crews to locate and fix the severed lines.

The European Union has fined Google $3.46 billion for abusing its dominant position in the digital advertising market, accusing the company of creating inherent conflicts of interest by controlling both the buy and sell sides of online advertising. In response, US President Donald Trump has threatened to initiate a Section 301 trade investigation, which could lead to retaliatory tariffs, calling the fine "unfair" and "discriminatory" against American companies.

The European Commission announced the $3.46 billion fine on Friday, stating that Google's control of both the buy and sell sides of the online advertising market created "inherent conflicts of interest." The investigation, which began in 2021, found that Google favored its own advertising services, violating EU competition laws Regulators have ordered Google to end its "self-preferencing practices" and resolve these conflicts of interest, with the company having 60 days to propose a remedy.

The Commission noted that structural remedies, such as a forced divestiture of parts of its adtech business, remain a possibility if Google's proposals are inadequate.

President Trump reacted swiftly on Truth Social, calling the fine "unfair" and "discriminatory" towards US companies. He claimed the $3.5 billion penalty was taking money that would otherwise go to "American Investments and Jobs" and stated, "Very unfair, and the American Taxpayer will not stand for it!" Trump explicitly threatened to start a Section 301 proceeding to "nullify the unfair penalties being charged to these Taxpaying American Companies."

A Section 301 investigation paves the way for Washington to impose import taxes under a fortified legal basis through the Commerce Department, and the president has a lot of latitude to issue tariffs over unfair trade practices under the provision. Section 301 is the same trade tool Trump used to justify tariffs on China starting in 2018.

Trump also referenced a previous $17 billion fine against Apple, suggesting it should be reversed He claimed the total fines against Google from the EU now amount to $16.5 billion, including the latest penalty.

The fine marks the fourth antitrust penalty for Google from the EU The investigation focused on Google's dominance in online display advertising, where personalized banners and text ads appear on websites. The EU has previously warned that past penalties and requirements have not effectively curbed anti-competitive practices.

Google has rejected the decision, calling it "wrong" and stating it would appeal, arguing that the fine is unjustified and that the required changes would harm European businesses.

The company maintains that providing services for both ad buyers and sellers is not inherently anticompetitive and that there are more alternatives available than ever before.

The timing of Trump's threat is notable, as it comes just a day after he hosted Google's CEO Sundar Pichai, co-founder Sergey Brin, Mark Zuckerberg and other tech leaders at a White House dinner to discuss artififical intelligence implications with First Lady Melania Trump. This confrontation adds tension to a recently agreed-upon US-EU trade deal aimed at reducing US tariffs on EU imports.

“The European Union must stop this practice against American Companies, IMMEDIATELY!” Trump wrote. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday, formally changing the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War, a move he framed as a restoration of American military strength and a rejection of what he termed "woke" policies within the Pentagon.

The rebranding, which requires congressional approval for permanence, was announced in a ceremony in the Oval Office, where Trump, flanked by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, stated the change was necessary because the U.S. "never fought to win" under the previous name, attributing past military stalemates to political correctness.

Hegseth declared the change was about "restoring the warrior ethos" and fighting "to win, not to lose," while Caine's remarks were not detailed in the provided sources.

"Really it has to do with winning. We should have won every war. We could have won every war, but we really chose to be very politically correct or wokey and we just fight forever," Trump said, flanked by Hegseth and Gen. Caine. "We had it, and we won World War I, we won World War II, we won everything before, and as I said, we won everything in between," Trump added. "And we were very strong. But we never fought to win. We just didn’t fight to win. We would have won every one of those wars quickly, but they went a route that I think was probably politically correct, but not correct for our nation. So I think the Department of War sends a signal." He also stated, "We won the first world war, second world war- everything before that and in between and then we decided to go woke and changed the name to 'Department of Defense', so we're going 'Department of War'"

Hegseth on his part said, "This name changing is not just about renaming, it is about restoring. Words matter... Restoring the warrior ethos, restoring victory and clarity, restoring intentionality... The War Department is going to fight decisively, not endless conflicts. It's going to fight to win, not to lose. We are going to go on offence, not just defence; maximum lethality, not tepid legality; violent effect, not politically correct. We are going to raise up warriors, not just defenders"  He also stated, "We won World War I and World War II not with the Department of Defence but with the War Department"

The Department of War was established by President George Washington in 1789 and served as the primary agency for the U.S. Army until 1947. In that year, President Harry Truman signed the National Security Act, which merged the Department of the Army (formerly the Department of War), the Department of the Navy, and the newly created Department of the Air Force into the National Military Establishment. This entity was renamed the Department of Defense in August 1949.

The recent rebranding is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration and Defense Secretary Hegseth to reverse policies deemed "woke" or politically correct, including reversing the renaming of military bases from Confederate names and renaming a Navy ship previously named after gay rights activist Harvey Milk.

The White House has already updated its social media and the Pentagon's website to reflect the new name, with the domain changing to "war.gov." The move has been met with enthusiasm from some on the right, but skepticism and scorn from others.

Tesla's Board of Directors has proposed a performance-based compensation package for CEO Elon Musk that could be worth nearly $1 trillion if all targets are met, with the shares to be distributed in 12 tranches over a 10-year period.

The plan, which requires shareholder approval at the November 6 annual meeting, is designed to retain Musk and incentivize him to achieve ambitious growth and operational milestones, including reaching an $8.5 trillion market capitalization, delivering 20 million Tesla vehicles, launching 1 million Robotaxis, and achieving $400 billion in adjusted EBITDA profit.

Robyn Denholm, Tesla's Chairwoman, stated the package aims to keep Musk "motivated and focused on delivering for the company" and emphasized that his compensation is tied directly to performance, not guaranteed.

"Mr. Musk is independently wealthy and has consistently demonstrated that he is motivated by more than just conventional forms of compensation. Rather, he is driven by bold, high-stakes challenges that allow him to fundamentally reshape industries and society, while maximizing long-term shareholder value," the company's board said in a statement. "The Special Committee believes that retaining and incentivizing Mr. Musk as Chief Executive Officer at this pivotal moment is essential to Tesla’s successful transition from its role as a leader in the EV and renewable energy industries to growing into a leader in AI, robotics and related services."

The total value of the package is estimated at $975 billion based on maximum payout, with the potential to reach approximately $1 trillion if all performance targets are achieved.

The first tranche requires Tesla to reach a $2 trillion market cap, with subsequent milestones increasing by $500 billion per tranche, culminating in the final $8.5 trillion target.

Operational milestones include the delivery of 1 million Optimus robots, 10 million active Full Self-Driving (FSD) subscriptions, and the commercial operation of 1 million Robotaxis.

To earn the final two tranches, Musk must participate in developing a long-term CEO succession framework approved by the board, and he must remain at Tesla as either CEO or an executive officer responsible for product or operations for at least 7.5 years.

The package is a response to a Delaware Chancery Court ruling that voided Musk’s 2018 $56 billion pay plan, which was deemed improperly granted and excessive  Tesla has appealed the decision, and the company recently awarded Musk an interim $29 billion stock award.

The proposal also includes a separate shareholder vote on whether Tesla should invest in Musk’s artificial intelligence venture, xAI, at the same meeting.

“Elon earns nothing under the 2025 CEO Performance Award until he meets a series of incredibly ambitious market capitalization AND operational milestones,"  If he succeeds, Tesla will become the most valuable company in history – with an $8.5 trillion market cap – and shareholders will benefit from incredible growth and value creation.”

Denholm reiterated in a statement that retaining and incentivizing Musk is fundamental to Tesla achieving its goal of becoming the most valuable company in history.

Angela Rayner has resigned as the UK's Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary on Friday, following an independent ethics investigation that concluded she breached the Ministerial Code by failing to pay the correct amount of stamp duty on her £800,000 ($1,080,640) apartment in Hove, East Sussex.

The resignation comes after Rayner admitted on Wednesday, that she underpaid by £40,000 ($54,032) due to complex family arrangements involving a trust for her son with special educational needs, which meant the property was considered her second home. She referred herself to the Prime Minister's independent adviser on ministerial standards, Sir Laurie Magnus, who found she failed to seek specific tax advice, a requirement that would have revealed the higher tax liability.

Rayner admitted she did not pay the correct stamp duty on her Hove flat, which she purchased in May 2025, and claimed it's because initial legal advice did not properly account for the trust arrangements for her son. She referred herself to Sir Magnus for an investigation after media scrutiny.

Sir Magnus concluded that Rayner's failure to seek specific tax advice constituted a breach of the Ministerial Code, particularly given her role as Housing Secretary  He described her failure as "unfortunate" and "deeply regrettable."

In her resignation letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Rayner stated she took full responsibility and cited the significant toll the media scrutiny was taking on her family as a key reason for stepping down. She also resigned from her elected role as Deputy Leader of the Labor Party, which will trigger a new party election.

Rayner may face a fine of up to £12,000 ($16,209) from HMRC for a "careless" error in her tax arrangements.

The resignation is a major blow to Prime Minister Starmer, who expressed sadness and admiration for Rayner in a handwritten note, calling her a "trusted colleague and a true friend."

Starmer has initiated a cabinet reshuffle, with David Lammy moving to replace Rayner as Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, while Steve Reed becomes the new Housing Secretary.

Rayner, a former teenage mother from Stockport was seen as a vital far-left 'working class' figure in Starmer's left-wing leadership, especially against the rising appeal of populist Nigel Farage's Reform Party. Her departure is expected to intensify internal Labor party tensions and could lead to a far-left deputy leader being elected.

The opposition, particularly Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, criticized Starmer's leadership, calling Rayner's position "untenable" and questioning what he knew and when.

The U.S. military on Tuesday, conducted a precision strike in the southern Caribbean against a vessel that had departed from Venezuela and was allegedly operated by the Tren de Aragua gang, a transnational criminal organization designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. government.

President Donald Trump announced the operation on Truth Social, stating that 11 individuals, whom he referred to as "narcoterrorists" or "terrorists," were killed in the strike while the boat was transporting illegal narcotics in international waters. The strike was described as a "kinetic" operation carried out in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility.

The U.S. military confirmed a "precision strike" against the vessel. Trump shared a 29-second video clip on Truth Social showing a small, multi-engine speedboat traveling at sea before a bright flash and flames engulfed it. The video is largely in black and white, and Venezuela's Communications Minister Freddy Ñáñez falsely suggested it was artificially generated.

No U.S. military personnel were injured in the operation Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the "lethal strike" on X stating it targeted a drug vessel operated by a designated narco-terrorist organization.

The Tren de Aragua gang originated over a decade ago within the notoriously violent prison system of Venezuela's Aragua state. It has since expanded its operations across Latin America, including to Chile, Colombia, and the United States, where it is involved in drug smuggling, kidnapping, extortion, sex trafficking, and acts of extreme violence such as beheadings.

The Biden administration designated it a transnational crime organization in 2024. President Trump, upon returning to office, escalated the designation, formally declaring Tren de Aragua a "Foreign Terrorist Organization" in February 2025, a move that is unusual for a criminal gang.

The strike on the vessel occurred amid a significant U.S. military deployment in the southern Caribbean. In recent weeks, the U.S. has sent at least seven warships, including the nuclear-powered submarine USS Virginia, and over 4,500 Marines and sailors to the region.

This build-up, which includes Aegis guided-missile destroyers like the USS Gravely and USS Jason Dunham, is part of the Trump administration's broader strategy to combat drug trafficking from Latin America. The administration has also increased surveillance flights with P-8 spy planes over international waters.

The deployment has been met with strong condemnation from Venezuela, with President Nicolás Maduro calling it an "extravagant, unjustifiable, immoral and absolutely criminal and bloody threat" and vowing to "declare a republic in arms" if attacked. Maduro has ordered troops to the border with Colombia and urged civilians to join militias in response.

The strike represents a dramatic escalation in the U.S. approach to drug cartels, signaling a willingness to use military force in the Americas.

The U.S. has also offered a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest on drug-trafficking charges. Despite the military action, the administration has not signaled plans for a land invasion of Venezuela.

Burkina Faso's transitional parliament has unanimously passed a bill banning homosexual acts, a move that marks a significant shift in the country's stance on LGBTQ+ degeneracy. The legislation is now awaiting the signature of military leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who came to power in 2022.

The legislation criminalizes "homosexual practices," with penalties including a prison sentence of two to five years and fines foreign nationals convicted of such acts face deportation, especially for repeat offenses.

This passage of the legislation aligns with a broader crackdown on LGBTQ+ relationships across the Sahel region. Neighboring Mali, also adopted similar legislation the previous year.

Unlike many former British colonies in Africa, Burkina Faso did not inherit anti-homosexuality laws after gaining independence from France in 1960. It was previously one of only 22 out of 54 African countries where same-sex relations were not criminalized. The draft of the amended family code was adopted by the cabinet over a year ago.

The legislation has been framed by Burkina Faso officials as a measure to uphold "marriage and family values." However it has sparked left-wing backlash, echoing their criticisms against countries like Uganda and Nigeria, where tough anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been enacted.

Conservatives across the globe praised the legislation as another step towards defeating left-wing globalists who promote LGBTQ degeneracy.

Blaze Media host and comedian Alex Stein engaged in a heated exchange with Karys Rhea, a Jewish 'supreamcist' and producer for Timcast IRL, during a recent episode of the podcast, over allegations of Jeffrey Epstein’s connections to Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency.

The argument erupted when Stein discussed Epstein’s ties to Mossad, specifically referencing the involvement of Ghislaine Maxwell’s father, Robert Maxwell, who had intelligence connections.

Stein appeared frustrated after Rhea’s response, which included a sarcastic remark about Candace Owens, saying, “Tell me more from Candace Owens, please.” Stein retorted, calling Rhea “stupid” and insisting that the information about Epstein and Maxwell’s Mossad connections was “open information.” He accused Rhea, along with others like Laura Loomer and the media, of ignoring or downplaying the story, particularly in relation to defending what he called an “Israeli pedo.”

The heated exchange aligns with Stein’s established style as a confrontational comedic commentator, often tackling controversial topics with unfiltered rhetoric, as seen on his Blaze Media show, Prime Time with Alex Stein.

The discussion reflects ongoing public interest in Epstein, his criminal past and connections to Mossad. Critics have accused President Trump administration of trying to cover up Epstein's connections to Israeli intelligence, especially in the aftermath of the outrage over the recent case of an Israeli cyber official who was caught in child sex predator ring, and allowed to flee the country.

Elon Musk's xAI has filed a lawsuit against former engineer Xuechen Li, alleging he stole trade secrets and the entire codebase of its Grok AI model before moving to OpenAI, shortly after selling $7 million in xAI stock.

The lawsuit, filed on Thursday, in California federal court, claims Li admitted to the theft and attempted to cover his tracks during a meeting on August 14, with further stolen material discovered on his personal devices.

The stolen trade secrets are described as "cutting-edge AI technologies with features superior to those offered by ChatGPT and other competing products." xAI claims this information could allow OpenAI to significantly accelerate the development of ChatGPT, potentially saving billions of dollars and years of research and development.

Li, a Stanford PhD graduate in Computer Science who completed his degree in 2024, was one of xAI's earliest employees, joining in 2024 and working on developing and training the Grok AI model. He sold $4.7 million in xAI stock in June 2025, and xAI facilitated an additional $2 million share sale in July 2025, reportedly to retain him due to his "critical contributions."

The lawsuit alleges that Li copied confidential information and trade secrets from his xAI-issued laptop onto personal storage systems on July 25, 2025, the same day he received the cash proceeds from the stock sales. He resigned three days later, on July 28, 2025, after accepting a job offer from OpenAI, which was scheduled to begin on August 19.

xAI alleges Li took extensive measures to conceal his actions, including deleting browser history, clearing system logs, renaming files, and compressing them before uploading to personal devices.

During an August 14 meeting with xAI's legal team, Li is said to have admitted to intentionally taking company files and covering his tracks. Forensic analysis later uncovered additional stolen materials on his devices that he had not disclosed.

The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of monetary damages and a restraining order to block Li's move to OpenAI.

The legal action comes amid a larger, highly publicized rivalry between xAI and OpenAI, with Musk having previously sued OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman over the company's shift from a non-profit to a for-profit structure. xAI has also recently sued OpenAI and Apple for alleged anti-competitive practices.

American pop star Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce have announced their engagement in a joint Instagram post on Tuesday(Aug. 26), with Swift captioning the photos, "Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married."

The couple shared a five-photo post on Instagram, featuring Kelce proposing on one knee in a floral setting, with Swift wearing a large engagement ring designed by New York City-based jeweler Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewelry. The ring is described as an old mine brilliant-cut diamond.

Their relationship began in July 2023 when Kelce, a star player for the Chiefs and a Super Bowl champion, attempted to give Swift a friendship bracelet with his phone number during her Eras Tour concert at Arrowhead Stadium. When that failed, he spoke about his feelings on his podcast, "New Heights," which led to them connecting and beginning their relationship in September 2023. The relationship has been widely publicized, with Swift attending Chiefs games and Kelce dancing at her concerts.

The announcement Tuesday, which quickly went viral, was met with congratulations from numerous public figures, including President Donald Trump, who wished them "a lot of luck" during a Cabinet meeting, praising Kelce as a "great player" and a "great guy," and Swift as a "terrific person."

“Well, I wish’em a lot of luck,” the president said, responding to a reporter's question. “No, I think it’s-, I think he’s a great player. I think he’s great guy, and I think that she’s a terrific person, so I wish them a lot of luck.”

President Trump's congratulatory message was notable given his past public criticism of Swift, including calling her a "woke singer" and "no longer hot," and expressing dislike for her after she endorsed Kamala Harris who ran against him in the 2024 Presidential elections.

The engagement announcement has been described as a "modern-day fairytale" and sparked a massive online reaction, with the Instagram post receiving over 13 million likes within hours. It was also a significant moment for Swift's fan base, known as "Swifties," who have followed her dating journey for years.

The news broke during a Chiefs media availability, with teammates like Michael Danna expressing their joy. The NFL and other figures, including Swift's friend Brittany Mahomes and the Cleveland Guardians, also offered congratulations.

President Donald Trump announced on Friday, that the U.S. government has secured a 10% stake in Intel Corporation, a move he hailed as a significant victory for American industry and national security.

The deal, which involved converting $8.9 billion in previously awarded but unpaid grants from the CHIPS and Science Act and the Secure Enclave program into equity, gives the government 433.3 million shares of non-voting common stock at $20.47 per share, representing a 9.9% stake.

Trump declared on Truth Social, "The United States of America now fully owns and controls 10% of INTEL, a Great American Company that has an even more incredible future," and claimed the U.S. the shares are now valued at approximately $11 billion.

"The United States of America now fully owns and controls 10% of INTEL, a Great American Company that has an even more incredible future,” Trump wrote in a post. “I negotiated this Deal with Lip-Bu Tan, the Highly Respected Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The United States paid nothing for these Shares, and the Shares are now valued at approximately $11 Billion Dollars. This is a great Deal for America and, also, a great Deal for INTEL.”

The announcement marks a dramatic shift in the relationship between the U.S. government and a major private corporation. The deal was finalized after a series of events.

Trump had previously demanded the resignation of Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan in early August 2025, citing alleged connections to China. However, after a meeting at the White House on August 11, Trump reportedly liked Tan and proposed the equity stake deal, which Tan agreed to.

The government's investment is funded by $5.7 billion in unpaid CHIPS Act grants and $3.2 billion from the Secure Enclave program. The government will have no board representation or governance rights, making it a passive investor.

Intel's stock rose 7% on Friday following the announcement. The government's stake was acquired at a discount to the market price, giving the U.S. an immediate paper gain.

The move is part of Trump's broader 'America first' strategy to boost domestic semiconductor. manufacturing and leverage government power to influence corporate decisions in service of national interest, including requiring Nvidia and AMD to pay a 15% commission on their sales in China for export licenses.

Trump said he hopes to replicate this deal with other critical U.S. companies. The government also holds a "golden share" with veto rights in the Nippon Steel-U.S. Steel merger and is set to become the largest shareholder in a rare earth mining company.

However some critics argue that repurposing the CHIPS and Science Act funding for the Intel stake, is an unprecedented government intervention in the private sector.

Intel has faced significant challenges, including falling behind competitors like TSMC and Nvidia in advanced chip technology, leading to a loss of over $22 billion since the end of 2023 and a recent plan to lay off 15% of its workforce.

American homosexual rapper Lil Nas X (real name Montero Lamar Hill), was arrested in Los Angeles Thursday at 4 a.m., after wandering around Ventura Boulevard in Studio City wearing only underwear and cowboy boots.

Following a physical altercation with police, Lil Nas X was arrested, and taken to hospital for a suspected drug overdose. He faces battery charges

A Ukrainian citizen identified as Serhii K. was arrested in Italy on Thursday in connection with the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany. German prosecutors allege he was one of the coordinators of the operation, which involved planting explosives on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines near the Danish island of Bornholm in September 2022.

Serhii K, 49, was apprehended without resistance, during a police raid, in a rented bungalow in San Clemente, a town in the Rimini province on Italy's Adriatic coast, while on holiday with his family. He is currently in Rimini jail awaiting a ruling on his extradition by the appeal court in Bologna. The arrest was carried out by Italian police based on a European arrest warrant issued by German authorities on Monday.

German prosecutors allege that Serhii K. is suspected of being one of the coordinators of the attack that damaged the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea. He faces charges including collusion to cause an explosion, anti-constitutional sabotage, and the destruction of structures. Investigators believe he played a key role in organizing the operation, rather than being one of the divers who placed the explosives.

The explosions occurred on September 26, 2022, rupturing the Nord Stream 1 pipeline and damaging the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which was never operational. The damage significantly impacted Europe's energy security during the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The investigation, which has been primarily led by German prosecutors since Denmark and Sweden closed their probes in February 2024, has found traces of the military-grade explosive octogen on a yacht used in the attack. This yacht, named Andromeda, was reportedly chartered from the German port of Rostock using forged identities and intermediaries.

The attack has been viewed by both Russia and the West as an act of sabotage, with no group claiming responsibility.

Russia has accused the United States of orchestrating the blasts, a claim Washington has denied. German media reports in 2023 suggested a pro-Ukraine group of divers was involved, with a yacht rental linked to the attack. In August 2024, German prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for another suspect, a diver named Volodymyr Z, indicating a broader investigation into the sabotage team.

Ukraine has denied any state involvement.

The arrest of Serhii K. marks a significant development in the long-standing investigation, with German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig calling it an "impressive investigative success."

Nord Stream 1 had been a reliable conduit for Russian gas, stretching 1,200 kilometers(km) under the Baltic Sea, while Nord Stream 2, fully owned by Russia’s Gazprom, was halted by Germany before it could operate, shortly before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia later shut down Nord Stream 1, and the subsequent explosions deepened the mystery surrounding the sabotage, with no party officially claiming responsibility.

Google held its annual Made by Google event on Wednesday, in New York City, unveiling its new Pixel 10 series, Pixel Watch 4, Pixel Buds 2A, and a suite of new AI features powered by Gemini.

The event, hosted by Jimmy Fallon, featured a talk-show format with celebrity appearances and demonstrations of new hardware and software capabilities, including live call translation and AI-powered photo editing.

Pixel 10 Series: The lineup includes the standard Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the new Pixel 10 Pro Fold foldable. All models feature the new Tensor G5 processor, a dedicated 5x telephoto lens (previously exclusive to Pro models), and improved camera systems with 10-bit HDR video recording.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold boasts a larger 6.4-inch cover display, thinner bezels, a stronger hinge, and an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, a first for the foldable line. The standard Pixel 10 and Pro models have 6.3-inch displays, while the Pro XL has a 6.8-inch display  The Pixel 10 series is now available for pre-order.

Pixel Watch 4: This model features a thicker design, longer battery life, smaller bezels, and a brighter screen. It introduces AI capabilities, allowing users to access Gemini by simply lifting their wrist.

Pixel Buds 2A: These earbuds offer active noise cancellation and come in new colors (Hazel and Iris), marking an upgrade from the first generation.

AI and Software Features: The event heavily emphasized Gemini AI. Key features include Camera Coach, which provides real-time photo-taking tips, and a conversational photo editing tool where users can describe edits verbally.

Live call translation was demonstrated, translating speech between English and Spanish in real-time  Google also announced Pixel Journal, a new AI-powered journaling app, and a new AI personal health coach for the Fitbit app. Gemini for Home, a new AI voice assistant for smart home devices, was introduced, promising more complex requests and two-way conversations.

The event’s highlight was Google’s AI voice cloning and translation tool, which translates calls in real-time while preserving the caller’s voice, alongside Take a Message, which transcribes voicemails instantly. These AI features signal Google’s ambition to integrate intelligent, context-aware functionality across its ecosystem.

Accessories: Google launched its "PixelSnap" magnetic accessories, including a $40 Qi2-compatible charger, a $50 magnetic phone case, and a $30 ring stand, leveraging the Qi2 standard. The event also revealed that purchasing a Pixel 10 Pro or Pro Fold includes a free year of Google AI Pro, which includes Gemini, Flow, Whisk, NotebookLM, Jules, 2TB of storage, and AI credits.

Google also highlighted its push for messaging parity, noting that RCS support on both iOS and Android means the "blue and green" text bubble distinction is largely resolved.

The Pixel 10 series devices are available for order, however the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, has a later release date due to supply chain issues, with shipping and availability expected on October 9, 2025.

Far-left cable news channel MSNBC is rebranding to My Source News Opinion World, or MS NOW, as part of its spinoff from NBCUniversal into a new publicly traded company called Versant, a move confirmed by multiple sources on August 18, 2025.

This change, which includes dropping the iconic peacock logo, is driven by NBCUniversal's decision to retain the peacock symbol for its own family of brands, necessitating a new, independent identity for the network. The rebranding is expected to be unveiled later this year, coinciding with the completion of the Versant spinoff, and will be accompanied by a significant marketing campaign.

The new name, MS NOW, stands for My Source for News, Opinion, and the World, reflecting the network's mission to be a destination for breaking news and opinion journalism. The change is a direct result of the separation from NBC News, which will now be a standalone entity under NBCUniversal, and aims to establish MSNBC as an independent news organization.

The spinoff, announced by Comcast in November 2024, will transfer ownership of MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and the Golf Channel to the new company, Versant, led by CEO Mark Lazarus. The transaction is expected to be finalized by the end of 2025.

As part of the spinoff, USA Network's sports programming will merge with Golf Channel under a new brand, USA Sports. CNBC will retain its name, citing its original meaning as the "Consumer News and Business Channel," but will also receive a new logo.

MSNBC was originally founded in 1996 as a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC, with the "MS" in its name derived from Microsoft. It has since turned into a far-left media echo chamber often smearing conservative and right-wing in its opinion and news programming.

The far-left network has used the peacock logo associated with NBC for nearly three decades. Microsoft sold its stake in the joint venture with NBC in 2005, and the website in 2012, but the name was retained. The decision to rebrand now stems from the need to create a distinct identity separate from NBCUniversal.

A significant challenge for the rebrand is the current state of the web domain msnow.com, which is registered in South Korea and currently hosts a one-page site about Korean snowmobiles, raising questions about the network's future online home  Social media handles for @msnow are also inactive or taken by unrelated accounts.

In a memo, MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler told staffers that as part of the transition, NBCUniversal decided that MSNBC needed “a new, separate identity.”

Kutler added that the rebrand won’t affect MSNBC’s coverage. “The future of our success is not tied to remaining within the NBC family and using the peacock as part of our identity,” she wrote. “While our name will be changing, who we are and what we do will not.”

During a press briefing in the Oval Office Thursday, President Donald Trump said that he would like to see foreign journalists granted access to Gaza to witness humanitarian efforts, acknowledging the dangers involved in reporting from the conflict zone.

Trump said that he would be "very fine with journalists going" into Gaza, despite the risks. This comment came amid ongoing restrictions, as Israel has not allowed foreign reporters into Gaza since the start of its war in October 2023.

The remarks were made during an event at the White House marking the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act, where Trump was joined by U.S. Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank Bisignano.

Trump's statement was in response to a reporter's question about whether he would pressure Israel to allow journalists into Gaza to cover U.S.-led humanitarian efforts, as the U.S. indicated support for expanding the work of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

The call for access follows a petition signed by over 100 journalists and prominent media figures demanding "immediate and unfettered" access to Gaza to report independently, arguing the current ban violates the public's right to know.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously has rejected calls to allow more journalists into Gaza, though he emphasized such visits will likely still be under military escort.

Recent Israeli military strike killed several journalists, including Anas al-Sharif, whose deaths have drawn international condemnation and renewed calls for press freedom.

Paramount Global has secured a landmark seven-year, $7.7 billion exclusive U.S. media rights deal for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), effective from 2026, marking the end of the UFC's pay-per-view model and its current agreement with ESPN.

The deal, announced Monday, makes Paramount+ the exclusive streaming home for all 13 marquee numbered UFC events and 30 Fight Nights annually, with select events also airing on CBS. This move follows Paramount's recent acquisition by Skydance Media, with the new leadership under CEO David Ellison seeing the UFC as a "unicorn sports asset" and a cornerstone for growth.

UFC President Dana White announced the deal on social media, calling it a "huge win" and stating, "This historic deal with Paramount and CBS is incredible for UFC fans and our athletes. For the first time ever, fans in the US will have access to all UFC content without a Pay-Per-View model, making it more affordable and accessible to view the greatest fights on a massive platform."

Paramount Global, under new CEO David Ellison, emphasized the strategic importance of the deal, stating, "We think it is going to be incredibly material in terms of increasing our engagement on Paramount+, driving subscriber acquisitions and also meaningfully growing revenue across the business." Ellison also described the UFC as a "global sports powerhouse" and a "unicorn asset."

The deal replaces a five-year agreement with ESPN, which was valued at approximately $500 million annually and ended at the close of 2025. The new agreement, averaging $1.1 billion per year, is weighted toward the later years of the seven-year term.

Negotiations accelerated significantly after the Skydance-Paramount merger was finalized, with the final deal reportedly negotiated in just 48 hours. TKO Group, the parent company of UFC, initially considered splitting the rights but ultimately secured the full package with Paramount. The deal also opens the possibility for Paramount to pursue UFC rights in international markets as they become available.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected any proposal to cede territory to Russia as part of a peace deal, stating "Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier." This declaration comes hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on August 15, in Alaska to discuss ending the war, a move Zelensky criticized for excluding Kyiv.

Zelensky emphasized that any peace decision made without Ukraine's involvement is invalid and will not lead to lasting peace 

In a video message posted to Telegram and series of X posts Saturday, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine will not give up its territory, stating the country "will not give Russia any awards for what it has done." He stressed that Ukraine's territorial integrity is enshrined in its constitution and is non-negotiable.

Zelensky dismissed the planned bilateral meeting between Trump and Putin, warning that decisions made without Ukraine are "dead decisions" that will never work. He insisted that the path to peace must be determined "together and only together with Ukraine."

The Ukrainian said he has spoken to several European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and others, expressing gratitude for their continued support and discussing the importance of Ukraine's role in any peace process. He also participated in a meeting hosted by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and US Vice President JD Vance in Kent, England, which he described as "constructive."

Western officials have reported that Putin, during a meeting with Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, presented a plan that would require Ukraine to cede the eastern Donbas region and Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014, and freeze current battle lines.

A reportedly heated phone call occurred between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 28, following Netanyahu's public assertion that there was no starvation in Gaza. Trump reportedly yelled at Netanyahu during the call, rejecting the Israeli leader's claim that reports of widespread hunger were fabricated by Hamas, and insisted he had been shown photographic evidence of malnourished children.

The call was reportedly initiated by Netanyahu after Trump publicly challenged his statements the previous day, saying children in Gaza "look very hungry" and that there was "real starvation" there that "you can’t fake." The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has dismissed the reports of a shouting match as "complete fake news."

The conflict arose after Netanyahu stated at a Jerusalem event on July 27 that "there is no policy of starvation in Gaza. And there is no starvation in Gaza," claiming the reports were invented by Hamas.

Trump, while in Scotland, responded the next day by telling reporters he was "not particularly convinced," and emphasized the visible signs of starvation.

Netanyahu then requested a call, which took place hours later, where he reportedly reiterated his position that the starvation claims were false.

According to multiple sources citing senior and former US officials, Trump interrupted Netanyahu, raised his voice, and stated he did not want to hear the claims dismissed as fake, citing evidence from his aides. A former US official described the exchange as "a direct, mostly one-way conversation" where Trump did most of the talking.

The diplomatic tension coincides with Israeli military's years-long campaign in Gaza, which has severely restricted food access for civilians. The Israeli military operation has left the territory with limited food access, save for a handful of aid distribution points.

The dire situation has led to growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis, with the United Nations warning that famine in Gaza is imminent, as two out of three famine thresholds have already been reached.

The Israeli government is preparing for a new ground offensive into Gaza City, a plan approved by the Israeli security cabinet. This plan reportedly faces opposition from the IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Amir. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US- and Israeli-backed aid program, is also facing criticism for limited distribution and its proximity to Israeli forces.

Gaza’s Health Minister reported that more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while seeking food from GHF.

President Donald Trump demanded the immediate resignation of Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan in a post on Truth Social Thursday, calling him "highly CONFLICTED" and stating there is "no other solution to this problem."

This call for resignation follows concerns raised by Senator Tom Cotton regarding Tan's extensive business ties to China, including investments in hundreds of Chinese firms, some linked to the Chinese military, and his past leadership at Cadence Design Systems, which pleaded guilty to violating U.S. export controls by selling technology to a Chinese military university.

The demand came shortly after Senator Cotton sent a letter to Intel's board chair, Frank Yeary, expressing concerns about the security and integrity of Intel's operations and Tan's connections to China.

Tan, a Malaysian-born American businessman, was appointed Intel's CEO in March 2025 to lead the company's turnaround, which includes significant cost-cutting and restructuring efforts. His past investments, made through his venture capital firm and other entities, reportedly totaled over $200 million in hundreds of Chinese advanced manufacturing and chip firms, some with links to the Chinese military.

He also served as CEO of Cadence Design Systems from 2009 to 2021, during which time the company faced a criminal case over export control violations.

Intel in a statement, said that both the company and Tan are "deeply committed to the national security of the United States and the integrity of our role in the U.S. defense ecosystem" and that they would address the questions raised by Senator Cotton directly. The company has not issued a public statement on Tan's future or the resignation demand.

Intel's stock price fell significantly in pre-market and early trading on Thursday, following Trump's post.

The company is grappling with a severe crisis, struggling to keep pace with competitors’ superior products while reeling from a leadership overhaul and significant layoffs.

Trump administration emphasizes boosting U.S. manufacturing, particularly in the semiconductor industry. Intel has received federal funding to build massive new chip fabrication plants in Ohio, alongside its existing facilities in Oregon, Arizona, and New Mexico. These investments are critical to Intel’s strategy to revitalize its manufacturing capabilities.

However, Intel’s foundry ambitions are faltering. In July, the company alarmed markets by suggesting it might exit chip manufacturing if it cannot secure customers for its upcoming 14A process, set for 2028 or 2029.

The lack of major clients for Intel’s foundry operations has raised doubts about the viability of its strategy, with former board members urging a drastic rethink, including a proposed “Operation Warp Speed II” to nationalize Intel’s fabs through a public-private partnership.

Other companies are moving to increase manufacturing footprint in the U.S. to comply with Trump's America first policy 'MAGA' policies. Apple CEO Tim Cook on Wednesday, presented Trump with a golden plaque after announcing $100 billion in U.S. manufacturing investments. Nvidia, an Intel rival, committed $500 billion to U.S. production amid soaring AI-driven profits, and its CEO Jensen Huang secured relaxed export restrictions on AI chips.

A 22-year-old U.S. Army soldier, Taylor Adam Lee, from El Paso, Texas, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of attempting to transmit national defense information to a foreign adversary and attempting to export controlled technical data without a license, according to the Department of justice(DOJ).

Lee, who was stationed at Fort Bliss and held a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance, allegedly sought to provide classified technical information on the M1A2 Abrams main battle tank to Russia's Ministry of Defense. The Justice Department stated he attempted to exchange this information for Russian citizenship, with the FBI investigation revealing he communicated with an individual he believed to be a Russian intelligence officer.

Lee allegedly began establishing contact with the individual he believed to be a Russian intelligence officer in May 2025, aiming to bolster his credentials and send U.S. defense information 

In June 2025, he transmitted export-controlled technical data on the M1A2 Abrams tank online, stating, "the USA is not happy with me for trying to expose their weaknesses," and offered to "volunteer to assist the Russian Federation when I’m there in any way" 

In July 2025, Lee met in person with the individual he believed to be a Russian representative and handed over an SD card containing documents and information on the M1A2 Abrams tank, another armored fighting vehicle, and combat operations  Several documents on the card were marked as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) with dissemination controls 

On July 31, 2025, Lee delivered what he believed to be a specific piece of hardware from the M1A2 Abrams tank to a storage unit in El Paso and sent a message stating, "Mission accomplished" 

The case is being prosecuted by the Department of Justice's National Security Division and the Western District of Texas, with the FBI and U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command leading the investigation.

Iranian authorities executed Roozbeh Vadi on Wednesday, for spying for Israel by passing information about a nuclear scientist killed during the 12-day conflict with Israel in June. The judiciary confirmed the execution followed judicial proceedings and Supreme Court approval, with the conviction stemming from his alleged role in leaking classified information from one of Iran's "key and sensitive organizations."

Vadi was reportedly a nuclear scientist employed at the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, the country's top nuclear body, and held a PhD in nuclear engineering from Amir Kabir University of Technology in Tehran. Iranian state media, including IRIB, reported he had co-authored academic papers with two other nuclear scientists who were killed in the June Israeli strikes.

According to a video confession aired by IRIB, Vadi admitted to providing information on key nuclear facilities like Fordo and Natanz, as well as details on the movement of nuclear material. He was allegedly recruited online by Israel's Mossad spy agency and met with Mossad officers five times in Vienna, Austria.

The 12-day war in June 2025 began with an unprecedented Israeli bombing campaign targeting Iran's military sites, senior commanders, and nuclear scientists, resulting in the deaths of numerous individuals, including several nuclear scientists.

Iran responded with missile and drone strikes. In the aftermath, Iran has vowed swift trials for individuals arrested on suspicion of collaborating with Israel, leading to a significant increase in executions for espionage, with at least eight death sentences carried out in recent months.

The execution of Vadi was announced on the same day as the execution of another man convicted of being a member of the Islamic State group. He was allegedly planning terrorist operations inside Iran, as reported by Mizan.

Vadi’s execution is part of a broader crackdown, with authorities announcing multiple arrests and several executions of individuals convicted of working with Mossad.

Iran is noted as the world’s second-most prolific executioner after China, according to human rights organizations like Amnesty International. The country frequently uses the death penalty for offenses ranging from espionage to other security-related crimes, drawing international scrutiny.

TikTok has launched Footnotes, a crowdsourced fact-checking system, in a pilot program for U.S. users, mirroring features like X’s and Meta’s Community Notes. This system allows contributors to write and rate notes on TikTok videos to provide additional context and combat misinformation.

All U.S. TikTok users can view Footnotes deemed helpful by the community and contribute by submitting their own ratings.

The Footnotes system employs a bridging algorithm to identify consensus among users with diverse perspectives. Notes rated as helpful by opposing viewpoints are considered more credible, a method designed to prevent biased voting or brigading.

Footnotes aim to clarify content by adding context, addressing both intentional misrepresentations and unintentional omissions by video posters.

TikTok emphasizes that Footnotes will complement, not replace, its Global Fact-checking Program, which collaborates with over 20 IFCN-accredited fact-checking organizations across 60 languages and 130 markets worldwide.

TikTok first revealed its intent to test Footnotes in April, aiming to equip its community with tools to better understand the content they encounter on the platform.

Since April, nearly 80,000 U.S. users who are over 18, have been on TikTok for at least six months, and have a clean record regarding Community Standards have qualified as contributors.

Then Twitter introduced the feature called Birdwatch in 2020, which became Community Notes after global expansion in 2022. Under Elon Musk’s leadership, X has further developed this system, incorporating AI-generated notes and new applications for highlighting popular content.

The open-source model of X’s Community Notes has influenced other platforms, particularly as some companies aim to address conservative concerns about bias in traditional left-leaning fact-checking systems.

Meta, for instance, shifted away from conventional fact-checking this year to adopt a Community Notes-style system in the U.S. YouTube also introduced a similar feature called Notes last year.

In 2023, Tea, a dating discussion app designed to provide women a safe space to share feedback on men they date, launched and quickly gained traction, particularly in the U.S., where it soared to the top of the Apple App Store rankings.

The app's popularity among mostly left-wing women, stemmed from its promise to empower women by helping them identify red flags in potential partners, resonating widely on social media.

However, its rapid rise was marred by a significant setback this year, when a massive data breach on July 25, exposed sensitive user information, including photo IDs, selfies, and comments, due to an unsecured legacy storage system.

Just days after the initial breach, which involved approximately 72,000 images, a second, more severe breach came to light, further eroding trust in the app. This breach exposed over 1 million private direct messages, revealing deeply personal conversations among women, including discussions about infidelity and abortion.

The exposure turned Tea, an app meant to protect women, into a privacy nightmare, undermining its core mission and leaving users vulnerable.

An independent researcher reportedly uncovered additional details, revealing the extent of the sensitive data accessed, which included intimate user conversations, according to 404 Media.

Tea’s response to the crisis attempted to downplay the second breach, with the company claiming it was part of the initial incident rather than a new breach. In a statement, Tea acknowledged that some direct messages were accessed but maintained that no evidence suggested broader system compromise. The company also announced it had taken the affected system offline as a precautionary measure, though skepticism persisted about the accuracy of their claims.

The company’s assertion that the exposed messages were tied to the original breach has been met with doubt, as the scale of the exposed data—particularly the private messages—appears far greater than initially reported.

Critics argue that Tea’s attempt to frame the incidents as a single event may be an effort to minimize public backlash and scrutiny. The discrepancy between the company’s narrative and the reported scope of the breaches has fueled distrust among users.

For an app built on the premise of creating a safe space for women, the breaches represent a profound betrayal of trust. Users who inexplicably thought that such an app is a good idea, and relied on Tea to discuss personal experiences and identify problematic behavior in dating now face the risk of their private conversations being exposed.

The scandal has damaged Tea’s already tarnished reputation. The app has been roundly mocked online as haven for "angry and ugly women" and slammed for encouraging potential defamation and toxicity in relationships.

Anthony Aguilar, a retired U.S. special forces veteran, recounted a harrowing incident in which a Palestinian child named Amir was shot dead by Israeli forces at a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution site in May.

Aguilar described how Amir, a 5-year-old boy who had walked 12 kilometers barefoot to receive aid, thanked him for the food he received before being shot by Israel Defense Forces(IDF) soldiers.

“On May 28, at secure distribution site #2, this young boy, Amir, walks over to me, reaches out & kisses my hand," Aguilar recalled. "This boy is not wearing shoes. His clothes are falling off of him because he is so skinny….He doesn’t have a box, he has half a bag of rice, lentils, and he was thanking us.

"He walked 12 kilometers to get there … and when he got there he thanked us for the crumbs he got … and he set them on the ground and his frail, skeletal, emaciated hands, and he kissed me and said 'thank you.'

"And then he collected his items, walked back to the group, and then he was shot at with pepper spray, and tear gas, and stunt grenades, and bullets, and he was shot at, at his feet and in the air, and he runs away...and the IDF were shooting at the crowd … they are shooting … and they are shooting into this crowd and Palestinians, civilians, human beings, are dropping to the ground, and Amir was one of them... Amir walked 12 kilometers to get food, got nothing but scraps, thanked us for it, and died."

GHF is backed by Israel as an alternative to United Nations groups in providing aid to Gaza. The organization has faced criticisms because of IDF's indiscriminate shooting into crowds, which they claim is a crowd-control measure.

England won the Women's Euro 2025 soccer tournament by defeating Spain in a penalty shootout. The final, held in Basel, saw England secure their second consecutive European title, retaining the crown they won as hosts three years ago.

This victory marks the first time an England soccer team has won a major trophy on foreign soil. England have become only the second team to retain their European trophy after edging out world champions Spain in a penalty shoot-out to settle an epic final in Basel.

England won the match 3-1 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 in regular time, with Chloe Kelly, the hero for England, scoring the winning penalty.

victory makes England the first English senior team to win two major tournaments. England's team will had a celebratory parade in central London on Tuesday, featuring an open-top bus procession along The Mall and a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace.

Samsung and Tesla have announced a $16.5 billion deal for Samsung to produce Tesla's artificial intelligence A16 chips at its new fabrication plant in Taylor, Texas, marking a significant strategic move for both companies.

Elon Musk confirmed the deal on X, emphasizing that Samsung agreed to allow Tesla to assist in maximizing manufacturing efficiency, and he personally will oversee the process to accelerate progress.

The agreement, which runs through 2033, will see the A16 chip manufactured at Samsung's Texas facility, which had previously struggled to attract customers.

Samsung’s shares surged nearly 7% following the announcement, reaching their highest level since September of the previous year, while Tesla’s shares rose 1.9% in U.S. pre-market trading.

Samsung currently manufactures Tesla’s AI4 chips, which power its Full Self-Driving system, while TSMC is set to produce the AI5 chips in Taiwan and Arizona. Musk has indicated that AI5 production is targeted for late 2026, with AI6 production likely to follow in 2027 or 2028.

The deal is a critical win for Samsung, which has been under pressure in the competitive AI chip market, trailing behind rivals like TSMC and SK Hynix. The Taylor facility, central to Samsung’s strategy to expand its foundry business.

Samsung, the world’s leading memory chip maker, is seeking to expand its foundry business under Chairman Jay Y. Lee’s leadership. However, it holds only an 8% share of the global foundry market, significantly trailing TSMC’s 67% dominance. The company’s foundry division has faced mounting losses, estimated at over $3.6 billion in the first half of the year, making the Tesla deal a critical step toward reducing financial strain.

Jersey Shore beachgoer Victoria Shannon Reed was filming herself while unpacking and eating her sandwich on July 19, when all of a sudden, a seagull swooped in, and grabbed the entire sandwich.

“I knew the seagulls were aggressive,” Reed acknowledged. Seagulls at Wildwood Crest Beach are notoriously aggressive, and also very, very hungry.

“It scared me and caused me to scream, become completely stunned,” Reed said.

Apparently the seagull was not in the mood to wait until after she filmed the mukbang.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has posted a cryptic message on social media stating that he has learned things during his tenure that "shocked" him to "his core" and have changed him forever. The post comes amid ongoing tensions within the Trump administration, including revelations by Tulsi Gabbard and calls to release the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Bongino stated that during his time as Deputy Director, he has repeatedly mentioned that things are happening that may not be immediately visible but are occurring. He emphasized the need to combat public corruption and the political weaponization of law enforcement and intelligence operations.

"During my tenure here as the Deputy Director of the FBI, I have repeatedly relayed to you that things are happening that might not be immediately visible, but they are happening," Bongino.

"The Director and I are committed to stamping out public corruption and the political weaponization of both law enforcement and intelligence operations," he continued. "It is a priority for us. But what I have learned in the course of our properly predicated and necessary investigations into these aforementioned matters, has shocked me down to my core. We cannot run a Republic like this. I’ll never be the same after learning what I’ve learned."

Bongino concluded, "We are going to conduct these righteous and proper investigations by the book and in accordance with the law. We are going to get the answers WE ALL DESERVE. As with any investigation, I cannot predict where it will land, but I can promise you an honest and dignified effort at truth. Not 'my truth,' or 'your truth,' but THE TRUTH. God bless America, and all those who defend Her."

The deputy director has been at odds with other administration members, particularly Attorney General Pam Bondi, over the handling of the Epstein files investigation. This has led to speculation about his future with the FBI, with reports indicating that President Donald Trump was furious with him 

The Trump administration has started investigating and uncovering past treasonous effort by the Obama administration to undermine then incoming president-elect Trump. These revelations are part of a broader context which makes Bongino's social media post ominous.

There are also increasing calls to release the Jeffrey Epstein files, which have been a source of controversy and speculation about cover-up which many Trump supporters blame on AG Bondi.

Bongino's post suggests that the FBI is conducting investigations into these matters, although the specifics remain unclear.

Tesla has unveiled a unique 24-hour Tesla Diner & Drive-In on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, blending retro-futurism with modern EV infrastructure. The venue, designed by Stantec with input from restaurateur Bill Chait and chef Eric Greenspan, features a chrome-and-neon aesthetic, offering classic Americana fare like burgers, fries, and “Pie Shakes” alongside up to 80 V4 Supercharger stalls.

Launched at 4:20 p.m.(Elon Musk's favorite number 420) on a Monday, the opening drew long lines of Teslas and influencer buzz, with mixed reviews, showcasing Tesla's ambition to redefine idle time as a branded microexperience.

With roller-skating carhops, robot popcorn servers, and drive-in movie clips beamed into cars via Bluetooth, the diner is as much a brand spectacle as it is a dining spot, complete with Tesla merch and Instagram-worthy photo ops.

Conceived by Musk in 2018, the diner transforms the utilitarian act of charging an EV into an immersive experience, aiming to capture customer attention and revenue during downtime. Customers can order via the Tesla app, triggered by a geofence 15 minutes away, with food served in futuristic packaging like Cybertruck-shaped burger boxes.

The diner doubles as a high-concept experiment to extend Tesla’s ecosystem beyond cars, integrating dining, entertainment, and merchandising into its Supercharger network, with Musk himself praising the “coolest” LA spot on X.

Musk has hinted at expanding the concept to other cities and Supercharger sites, like SpaceX’s Starbase in Texas, envisioning a global network of “good food, good vibes & entertainment.”

The diner’s a proof of concept for Tesla’s broader vision: a vertically integrated empire where cars, energy, software, robots, and even hamburgers coexist, turning a simple question like “fries with that?” into a glimpse of a new business model.

xAI has launched AI companions for its SuperGrok subscribers, featuring characters like Ani, a goth anime girl, and Bad Rudy, a red panda, sparking concerns about users preferring AI interactions over real-life relationships. The feature, available to those paying $30 monthly, includes NSFW content options and has drawn criticism for potentially encouraging unhealthy emotional dependencies.

Ani can engage in flirty and, in some cases, NSFW interactions; while Rudy, a red panda with a family-friendly version available by default, offers wholesome conversations but also has a "Bad Rudi" mode delivering insults and vulgar language.

xAI CEO Elon Musk has also mentioned that a male companion is in development and will be released in the next few months. Valentine is inspired by characters like Edward Cullen from Twilight and Christian Grey from 50 Shades of Grey.

Critics argue that young users already obsessed with 'gooning' (slang for sexually suggestive) content from OnlyFans creators and AI 'brainrot,' do not need more of what they call readily available 'AI hookers.' However tech observers note that Ani and Rudy are available only to paying adult subscribers.

Astronomer announced that CEO Andy Byron has tendered his resignation following a viral incident at a Coldplay concert where he was seen cuddling with the company's Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot. Byron's wife, Megan Kerrigan Byron, removed his name from her Facebook page and later deleted the page altogether.

“As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met,” a Saturday statement from Astronomer, a data infrastructure company, reads.

The company said the board of directors accepted Byron’s resignation.

“Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted. The Board will begin a search for our next Chief Executive as Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy continues to serve as interim CEO,” the company’s statement reads.

Byron was seen cuddling with Cabot at a Coldplay concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts, as the two appaeared on the big screen in the crowd.

The pair ducked out of frame the moment they saw themselves onscreen, as singer Chris Martin remarked, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy. We’re not quite sure.”

Astronomer said in the statement, the “awareness” of their company “changed overnight” thanks to the kiss camera video. It announced a “formal investigation” into the incident.

“Before this week, we were known as a pioneer in the DataOps space, helping data teams power everything from modern analytics to production AI. While awareness of our company may have changed overnight, our product and our work for our customers have not,” the statement reads. “We’re continuing to do what we do best: helping our customers with their toughest data and AI problems.”

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded $200 million contracts each to Anthropic, xAI, Google(Gemini division), and OpenAI to develop agentic AI capabilities for national security purposes. These contracts, awarded by the DoD's Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), aim to accelerate the adoption of advanced AI technologies across military, intelligence, and administrative operations.

The contracts announced on Monday deepen the ties between companies leading the AI race and U.S. government operations, while addressing concerns around the need for competitive contracts for AI use in federal agencies.

"The adoption of AI is transforming the (DoD's) ability to support our warfighters and maintain strategic advantage over our adversaries," Chief Digital and AI Officer Doug Matty said.

The initiative focuses on creating AI workflows that can be integrated into mission-critical systems, enhancing the DoD's ability to address defense challenges and maintain a strategic advantage over adversaries.

Anthropic will prototype frontier AI systems tailored to national security needs, focusing on reliability, interpretability, and adversarial risk mitigation. Their Claude Gov and Claude for Enterprise models will support classified deployments and integrate into existing defense workflows.

xAI will deploy its Grok 4 and other tools under the "Grok for Government" platform, providing classified and national security environments with advanced AI models. xAI will also offer forward-deployed engineering and tailored deployments for use cases in science, healthcare, and defense.

Separately on Monday, xAI announced a suite of its products called "Grok for Government", making its advanced AI models -- including its latest flagship Grok 4 -- available to federal, local, state and national security customers.

Google (Gemini) will provide secure AI infrastructure, including Cloud TPUs, Agentspace, and air-gapped systems authorized at IL6 and Top Secret levels. Google's distributed cloud systems will help scale AI within the DoD’s enterprise architecture.

The Pentagon announced last month that OpenAI was awarded a $200 million contract, saying the ChatGPT maker would develop prototype frontier AI capabilities to address critical national security challenges in both warfighting and enterprise domains.

OpenAI will provide custom models and operational tools, including ChatGPT Gov and national security variants within secure, compliant environments. Use cases span healthcare access for service members and proactive cyber defense.

Sprite (or Transient Luminous Event, TLE) over Mexico and the U.S. was captured by NASA Astronaut Nichole Ayers aboard the International Space Station(ISS) on Jul 3, 2025.

Sprites are TLEs that happen above the clouds and are triggered by intense electrical activity in the thunderstorms below.

"We have a great view above the clouds, so scientists can use these types of pictures to better understand the formation, characteristics, and relationship of TLEs to thunderstorms," Ayers wrote on X

Barstool founder Dave Portnoy had a heated back and forth with his podcast's cohost Kirk Minihane over 'Jew jokes.'

Portnoy faced backlash recently on social media, after firing two waitresses and taking further action against some college students involved in an incident at his Barstool Sansom Street bar in Philadelphia, where a sign that read "Fuck the Jews," was displayed.

"Shut the fuck up you bald fuck" Portnoy screamed at Minihane during a recent The Unnamed Show episode after Minihane criticized Portnoy's approach to 'Jew jokes.'

Minihane argued that Americans and especially comedians have a right to free speech and to make jokes. While Portnoy suggested that given the war in Gaza and public anti-Israel sentiment online, 'Jew jokes' should not be allowed and offenders must be prosecuted.

"Shut up!... You work for me!" Portnoy screamed at Minihane who responded "Sure. You bet. For now..."

"Quit! I'll save $500,000." Portnoy said.

Minihane then asked "Is this a show or not a show? We can't have a conversation?"

"You're an idiot. You're literally saying people should be allowed to make Jew jokes whenever they want." Portnoy shot back.

Geert Wilders' populist Party for Freedom (PVV) on Tuesday, withdrew from the Netherlands governing coalition, causing the government to collapse and likely leading to early elections. Wilders accused other coalition parties of failing to back his tougher immigration policies, despite these policies being part of the previously agreed coalition agreement.

Wilders had presented a 10-point plan for stricter asylum measures, including a freeze on asylum applications, halting the construction of reception centers, and limiting family reunifications for asylum seekers who have been granted refugee status. However, his coalition partners refused to sign up to the measures.

The coalition partners suggested Wilders propose his plan in the House of Representatives, which would delay implementation and risk rejection.

After a brief emergency meeting Tuesday, lasting about 20 minutes, Wilders announced the PVV’s exit, stating, “No signature for our asylum plans. PVV leaves the coalition.” He argued he had “no choice” as his promise to voters for the “strictest asylum policy ever” was not being fulfilled.

Prime Minister Dick Schoof, a former spy chief, confirmed he would step down, and the government would resign, paving the way for new elections. He offered to lead a caretaker government without PVV until new elections, likely not before October 2025.

Schoof described Wilders' decision as "unnecessary and irresponsible."

The coalition, formed in July 2024 after Wilders’ party won 37 seats in the November 2023 election, consisted of the PVV, the conservative-liberal VVD, the Farmers' Citizen Movement (BBB), and the left-wing New Social Contract (NSC).

Coalition leaders criticized Wilders sharply: VVD’s Dilan Yeşilgöz called the decision “super-irresponsible,” accusing him of prioritizing his ego, while BBB’s Caroline van der Plas said he was “putting Geert Wilders first” over the country. NSC’s Nicolien van Vroonhoven deemed the move “incomprehensible.” They noted the coalition was already addressing immigration, and Wilders’ ultimatum was seen as a strategic move to bolster his declining poll numbers, with PVV dropping to around 20% support, still narrowly leading other parties.

Wilders' move has been seen as a significant political gamble, an effort to avoid diluting his party's popular restrictive immigration policy. Wilders said that he intends to become the next prime minister and ensure that the PVV becomes larger than ever in the upcoming elections, with current polling data showing a decline in support for the other coalition partners.

Opposition to the left's unchecked globalist immigration policies has led to the rise of populist parties across Europe.

The collapse of the Dutch government comes just weeks before a NATO summit in The Hague, raising concerns about the stability of the country's leadership.

The Senate in the American state of Texas has passed House Bill 229, which clearly defines "male" and "female" based on biological reproductive systems, and it is expected to be signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, making Texas the 14th state to implement such a "sex definition" law.

The bill defines a "female" as an individual whose biological reproductive system is developed to produce ova, and a "male" as an individual whose reproductive system is developed to fertilize the ova of a female. The bill will apply these definitions across state records.

"Texas recognizes only two sexes. Male and female. That's it. I will sign this immediately into law. The bill is expected to be signed into law by Governor Abbott," Abbott wrote on X.

The bill follows an executive order by Governor Abbott and a similar directive by President Donald Trump, which recognize only two sexes based on biological criteria.

“Each individual is one of two sexes, male or female, and individuals diagnosed with a disorder of sex development or as intersex are not considered to belong to a third sex and must receive accommodations in accordance with state and federal law,” the bill reads.

HB 229, which goes into effect Sept. 1, mandates that state and local agencies use a binary view of sex when collecting information that identifies the sex of a person.

“A governmental entity that collects vital statistics information that identifies the sex of an individual for the purpose of complying with antidiscrimination laws or for the purpose of gathering public health, crime, economic, or other data shall identify each individual as either male or female,” the bill states. The bill will revert the gender identity of transgender individuals to the sex they were assigned at birth in state records.

HB 229's definitions fall mostly in line with another bill that defines male and female, SB 1188. That bill requires Texas’ medical providers to record a person’s “biological sex.” The only difference is for males, which SB 1188 defines as having a reproductive system “developed to produce sperm.”

The bill also sets certain findings into Texas law, placing men as “on average, bigger, stronger, and faster than females.” It also “finds” that those differences inherently “leave females more physically vulnerable than males to specific forms of violence, including sexual violence.”

Following a spirited left-wing opposition to the bill just before midnight local time, Democrat state senator Molly Cook(D-Houston) and HB 229 sponsor Republican Senator Mayes Middleton(R-Galveston), engaged in over 20 minutes of debate on the Senate floor.

At around 1 a.m. local time Wednesday, HB 229 was quickly passed along party lines in the Texas Senate, dodging the Senate’s bill deadline by nearly 24 hours.

Far-left LGBTQ activists contend that the bill is an attack on transgender and intersex individuals, erasing their identities and leading to greater marginalization and discrimination.

However Texas voters overwhelmingly support this type of legislation, with seven in ten voters and 94% of Republicans believing that the sex listed on a birth certificate should be the only way to define gender.

Similar bills have been passed in other states and countries, and the push for strict sex definitions has gained momentum with the Trump administration.

Mary Elizabeth Castle, Texas Values’ director of government relations, said that the bill sends a clear message. “HB 229 makes sure that the reality and truth of the two sexes is clear in Texas law and never altered by school districts, local cities, or bureaucrats ever again!" she said. "With today’s vote in the Senate, Texas will lay the foundation for protecting women’s spaces and opportunities.”

Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, announced Wednesday, a one-year partnership with Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, to integrate the Grok AI chatbot across Telegram. As part of the deal, xAI will pay Telegram $300 million in cash and equity, and Telegram will receive 50% of the revenue from xAI subscriptions sold through the platform.

"This summer, Telegram users will gain access to the best AI technology on the market. @elonmusk and I have agreed to a 1-year partnership to bring xAI’s @grok to our billion+ users and integrate it across all Telegram apps. This also strengthens Telegram’s financial position: we will receive $300M in cash and equity from xAI, plus 50% of the revenue from xAI subscriptions sold via Telegram. Together, we win," Durov announced on X.

This integration will provide Telegram's over one billion users with access to advanced AI technology starting this summer.

Grok will be deeply integrated into Telegram, accessible via the search bar, and will offer features such as writing help, moderation, sticker creation, chat summaries, document digests, and group chat moderation.

This deal strengthens Telegram's financial position, contributing to its ongoing growth and development, and cements a relationship between two major pro-free speech platforms -- X and Telegram

Romanian conservative and Eurosceptic candidate George Simion on Sunday, lost the contested presidential runoff to pro-European leftist Nicusor Dan. The day before the election, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov revealed that Nicolas Lerner, head of French intelligence, had asked him to ban conservative voices in Romania ahead of the election, a request Durov refused.

Dan, a pro-European leftist and the mayor of Bucharest won with 54% of the vote, while Simion secured 46%.

With alleged nudging from European Union officials, Romania's Central Electoral Bureau on March 9, barred leading populist candidate Călin Georgescu from running in the Sunday's presidential election re-run, citing bogus violations of election rules and allegations of Russian interference in his favor. The decision sparked protests nationwide and raised concerns that European Union leaders were trying to influence the outcome of the election against the people's will, and in favor of Dan.

Durov posted on his Telegram channel and X that he had been approached by Lerner, head of the French Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE), to censor conservative voices in Romania.

The meeting allegedly took place at the Salon des Batailles in the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris. Durov stated, "This spring at the Salon des Batailles in the Hôtel de Crillon, Nicolas Lerner, head of French intelligence, asked me to ban conservative voices in Romania ahead of elections. I refused." 

Durov emphasized Telegram's commitment to free speech, noting that the platform had not blocked protesters in Russia, Belarus, or Iran and would not start doing so in Europe.

The French foreign ministry and the DGSE denied the allegations, stating that any meetings with Durov were focused on combating terrorist propaganda and child pornography, not electoral interference.

The ministry posted on X, "Completely unfounded allegations are circulating on Telegram and X regarding alleged French interference in the Romanian presidential election. France categorically rejects these allegations and calls on everyone to exercise responsibility and respect for Romanian democracy."

Responding to the denials, Durov wrote on X, "French foreign intelligence confirmed they met with me — allegedly to fight terrorism and child porn. In reality, child porn was never even mentioned. They did want IPs of terror suspects in France, but their main focus was always geopolitics: Romania, Moldova, Ukraine.

"Since 2018, Telegram has fought child abuse in many ways: content fingerprint bans, dedicated moderation teams, NGO hotlines, and daily transparency reports on banned content — all verifiable. Falsely implying Telegram did nothing to remove child porn is a manipulation tactic."

EU leaders, panicked by the rise of populist and nationalist parties amid the migration crisis, rising living costs, and the war in Ukraine, have been accused of interfering with recent elections in Poland and Romania, with financial backing from globalist billionaire Alexandra Soros. They saw the election in Romania as a test of EU unity.

Pope Leo XIV affirmed that the family is founded on the "stable union between a man and a woman" and emphasized the dignity of the unborn and the elderly as God's creatures in his first private address to the Vatican diplomatic corps on Friday. The address came ahead of his formal installation Mass, scheduled for Sunday May 18, which will be attended by some world leaders including U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The Pope reiterated the Catholic Church's traditional stance on marriage and abortion, emphasizing the inherent dignity of all individuals, especially the most vulnerable. He called for governments to build peaceful societies by investing in the family, which he defined as a union between a man and a woman.

Christians worldwide have criticized the aggressive effort by left-wing activists and globalists to corrupt and push leaders of churches and government institutions to weaken their stance against LGBTQ degeneracy.

To conservatives, marriage is sacrosanct and vital to societal wellbeing. They also oppose child adoption by homosexual partners.

Leo XIV also underscored the inherent dignity of every person, particularly the most vulnerable, including the unborn, elderly, sick, unemployed, and immigrants, asserting that this dignity is unchanging as “creatures willed and loved by God.” These remarks were part of his first major address since his election on May 8, 2025, and were released in prepared texts by the Vatican.

“In addition, no one is exempted from striving to ensure respect for the dignity of every person, especially the most frail and vulnerable, from the unborn to the elderly, from the sick to the unemployed, citizens and immigrants alike,” he said.

During the address Friday, to the diplomatic corps representing nearly 200 countries, Leo XIV also stressed the importance of inter-religious dialogue and multilateral diplomacy in the pursuit of peace.

Notable world leaders including Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are expected to attend the Pope's formal installation mass Sunday.

The Trump administration officials welcomed a group of 59 white South Africans as refugees at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia on Monday. The group, which includes children, was greeted by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar.

The Afrikaners who faced discrimination and violence in South Africa, arrived on a State Department-chartered plane and were greeted with American flags and balloons. In his remarks to the refugees, Landau emphasized the importance of assimilation and the welcoming nature of the American people.

Trump has slammed the South African government for discriminating against the white minority population and seizing their lands. He had promised to help the Afrikaners who are facing "race-based persecution" and "genocide" to seek asylum in the U.S.

Monday's arrival of the Afrikaners however, triggered far-left pro-open-borders activists and groups. The Episcopal Church announced it will not assist in the resettlement of the white South Africans, bizarrely citing its "commitment to racial justice and reconciliation," and claiming that it cannot support the preferential treatment of this group over other refugees.

The Trump administration reiterated it does not discriminate based on race in admitting refugees. And other critics called out Episcopal Church's hypocrisy, pointing out that it has been aiding and abetting the illegal immigration of violent criminal gangbangers and child traffickers into the U.S.

The Episcopal group, which has long been involved in refugee resettlement, also decided to end its partnership with the federal government's refugee resettlement program. The church's Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe claimed that the church's commitment to racial justice and its historical ties with the Anglican Church of Southern Africa prevent it from participating in this resettlement.

However many anti-illegal immigration activists welcomed the group's decision, and urged the Trump administration to take this opportunity and cut all ties to the group and others like it who facilitate illegal immigration into the country.

Israel and especially Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have faced growing criticisms in the U.S. and across the west, from many traditional supporters of the Jewish nation.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff blamed Israel for the lack of progress on talks to end the war in Gaza. And Trump has reportedly soured on Netanyahu over his attempts to manipulate administration officials and push the U.S. into bombing Iran's nuclear facilities.

Until now, Israel has enjoyed overwhelming support among the American right. But that has changed recently, as wariness over wars in the middle east grows. Many Americans blame the Jewish nation and its powerful lobby the American Israel Public Affairs Committee(AIPAC) for dragging America into unnecessary wars in that region which have caused Muslim resentment towards the U.S.

Criticisms of Israel and Jewish control of American institutions of power, had only been prevalent among the dissident right and the far-left in western countries.

But such criticisms have now become mainstream, with the viral meme, 'The Great Noticing,' which references growing number of people becoming aware of the corruption and blackmail tactics against American politicians used by pro-Israel operatives in the U.S.

As the death toll rises in Gaza and Israel refuses to stop bombing the strip, Netanyahu has faced accusations of committing genocide against Palestinians, with many former pro-Israel conservatives condemning the Israeli leader.

Viral pro-Palestinian content on TikTok, X, Instagram and other platforms, popular personalities like social media stars and podcasters Candace Owens, Joe Rogan, Dave Smith, Andrew Tate, Myron Gaines, Nick Fuentes and fashion and Hip Hop mogul Ye among others, have all contributed to mainstreaming what are known online as 'The Great Noticing,' and JQ (or Jewish question).

Ye's recent viral and controversial song 'Heil Hitler,' has been shared hundreds of thousands of times on X, Instagram, TikTok and others, and racked up tens of millions of views.

Recent polls in the U.S. show that for the first time in recent history, more people have negative views of Israel, especially among under 40-year-olds.

President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with the United Kingdom during a White House event Thursday. The deal is described as "full and comprehensive" and is the first such agreement since Trump imposed sweeping global tariffs last month.

The deal includes increased market access for American exports, particularly in sectors such as chemicals, machinery, and other industrial products.

“The deal includes billions of dollars in increased market access for American exports. In addition, the UK will reduce or eliminate non-tariff barriers that unfairly discriminated against American products,” Trump said.

Tariffs on U.K. car imports will be reduced from 27.5% to 10%, and that of U.K. steel imports will be dropped. Rolls-Royce engines and plane parts will be allowed to enter the U.S. tariff-free.

The U.K. will reduce or eliminate numerous non-tariff barriers that unfairly discriminated against American products; and will lower trade barriers on U.S. beef imports and ethanol.

The deal is expected to create $5 billion in new economic opportunities for U.S. exporters.

The final details of the deal are still being written up and will be made more conclusive in the coming weeks. The specifics of the deal will need to be approved by the US Congress.

The deal is seen as a significant achievement for both Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who have been working to strengthen economic ties despite recent trade tensions.

In his remarks, Trump emphasized that this deal is the first of many, with other countries in various stages of negotiation.

Thursday's announcement marks a significant step in U.S.-U.K. trade relations and is expected to have broader implications for global trade negotiations.

Stock markets responded positively to the news, with all three major US stock indexes climbing.

Microsoft is officially shutting down Skype May, and is urging users to migrate to Microsoft Teams While some users are transitioning to Teams, others are exploring alternative messaging and video calling platforms like Telegram, X and WhatsApp.

Skype was launched in 2003 and was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion. It once had over 36 million daily users but saw a decline in market share over the years.

Existing Skype users can sign into Teams using their Skype credentials, retaining their chat history and contacts. New purchases of Skype Credit and subscriptions have been halted, but existing users can continue using their plans until their billing cycle ends. Users have until January 2026 to migrate their data before it's permanently deleted.

Microsoft aims to streamline its communication offerings and focus on Teams, which has grown to 320 million monthly active users.

The free version of Teams offers messaging, file sharing, group calls, and calendar integration, similar to Skype's core features

One notable difference is that the free version of Teams does not include phone-call functionality or the ability to receive calls with a Skype phone number

Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans will lose access to Skype’s 70-minute call benefit starting March 2026, but subscribers will still be able to host calls for up to 30 hours with as many as 300 participants via Teams Free.

For users looking for alternatives, Telegram, Zoom, and WhatsApp offer robust features and have gained significant popularity, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social media platform X is also planning to launch new messaging feature XChat with encrypted video and audio calls.

The International Space Station (ISS) executed a Pre-Determined Debris Avoidance Maneuver(PDAM) on Wednesday, April 30, to avoid a piece of space debris from a Chinese Long March rocket that launched in 2005.

The orbit-raising burn was performed by Progress 91 which is docked to the aft port of the Roscosmos Zvezda module of the ISS. The cargo spacecraft launched to the ISS from Russia's launch site in Kazakhstan on Feb. 27, and docked to the space station two days later.

Progress 91 engaged its thrusters at 2210 UTC Wednesday, and fired for a total of 3 minutes and 33 seconds. This maneuver provided an extra margin of safety, increasing the distance between the ISS and the oncoming Chinese rocket debris. Without the boost, the fragment could have passed within 0.64 kilometers of the ISS, according to NASA estimates.

The PDAM was pre-planned by NASA, the Russian space agency Roscosmos, and other international partners to ensure the safety of the station and its crew.

Wednesday's maneuver is not uncommon for the ISS, and have increased in frequency in recent years. It marked the 41st orbit boosting burn performed by the ISS in its efforts avoiding space debris since 1999. The most recent occurred last November, which was the first for 2024, though it was followed about a week later by another avoidance burn.

The maneuver did not impact operations aboard the space station and did not affect the scheduled U.S. spacewalk 93 on Thursday, May 1, involving NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers.

A United States District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple willfully violated a 2021 injunction aimed at loosening its App Store restrictions, stemming from an antitrust lawsuit by Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite.

The judge found that Apple not only defied the court’s order to allow developers to direct users to alternative payment methods but also attempted to conceal its non-compliance through misleading documentation and testimony. Specifically, Apple imposed a 27% fee on external purchases (compared to its 30% in-app commission) and used “scare screens” to deter users from non-Apple payment options, actions deemed anticompetitive.

“Apple’s continued attempts to interfere with competition will not be tolerated,” Gonzalez Rogers said. She added: “This is an injunction, not a negotiation. There are no do-overs once a party willfully disregards a court order.”

Gonzalez Rogers said she will refer Apple to federal prosecutors for a criminal contempt investigation into its conduct in the case.

The judge accused Apple executives, including CEO Tim Cook, of prioritizing revenue over compliance, ignoring internal advice from App Store chief Phil Schiller. She referred Apple and its VP of Finance, Alex Roman, to federal prosecutors for a criminal contempt investigation, citing “outright lies” in court.

The ruling Wednesday, prohibits Apple from collecting fees on purchases made outside the App Store and from restricting developers’ ability to communicate alternative payment options. This is a significant blow to Apple’s control over its lucrative App Store, which generates billions annually.

Apple said in a statement that it disagrees with the decision, plans to comply, but will appeal the ruling.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney hailed the ruling as a victory for developers and consumers, announcing that Epic would bring Fortnite back to the U.S. App Store “next week” and launch a webshop for direct payments, bypassing Apple’s fees.

Sweeney also proposed a “peace deal” to drop litigation if Apple extends the court’s “Apple-tax-free” framework globally.

The 2021 injunction, upheld by the 9th Circuit and not overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2024, stemmed from Epic’s challenge to Apple’s 30% commission and restrictive payment policies.

While Apple was not deemed a monopolist under federal antitrust law, its anti-steering practices violated California’s Unfair Competition Law. Epic’s earlier breach of Apple’s terms by implementing its own payment system in Fortnite led to the game’s removal from the App Store in 2020 and a $3.6 million penalty for Epic.

This ruling and the judge’s harsh rebuke of Apple’s conduct, is a damning defeat for Apple, and could reshape the app economy, potentially lowering costs for developers and consumers.

Over 200 people including over 100 illegal aliens were captured inside an underground nightclub off Academy Boulevard in Colorado Springs, United States, after federal agents had the illegal party busted early morning Sunday. Guns, drugs and other weapons were also seized during the raid.

"Shortly before #DEA entry this morning, occupants of the illegal underground nightclub in Colorado Springs were given multiple warnings to come out. Initial arrests were made about 3:45aMT - more than 200 people were inside. More than 100 were illegally in the U.S," DEA Rocky Mountain wrote on X, Sunday. "Part of busting up the underground nightclub in Colorado Springs included the arrest of 114 illegal aliens. #DEA partners and @DHSgov" placed patrons (in the U.S. illegally) on buses for processing and likely eventual deportation."

DEA conducted the operation with several local and federal agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned so-called 'sanctuary states and cities,' run by left-wing Democrat politicians, against haboring illegal aliens.

Thje Trump administration recently paused funding to those states for not helping the Immigration and Customs Enforment, ICE, in its effort to find and deport criminal aliens.

Virginia Giuffre, a prominent survivor and accuser of Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse, has died by suicide at the age of 41. Her family announced her passing on Friday(April 25) stating that she was a "fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking" and that the "toll of abuse... became unbearable."

The 41-year-old was found unresponsive at her farm in Neergabby, Western Australia, on Friday night. Police confirmed that emergency services were called to the scene, but first aid was unsuccessful.

Giuffre was one of the most outspoken accusers of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, alleging that they trafficked her for sexual abuse when she was a teenager. She also accused Britain’s Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, which he has strenuously denied.

Her family described her as "the light that lifted so many survivors" and emphasized her dedication to fighting against sexual abuse and trafficking. Giuffre was a mother to three children: Christian, Noah, and Emily.

Giuffre had mentioned late last month that she only had days to live after being involved in a collision with a school bus.

In a in Dec, 2019 post on X, Giuffre said, "I am making it publicy known that in no way, shape or form am I sucidal. I have made this known to my therapist and GP- If something happens to me- in the sake of my family do not let this go away and help me to protect them. Too many evil people want to see me quiteted."

News of his death has sparked speculations on the real cause of her death, as observers and activists await the release of the so-called Epstein files which U.S. President Donald Trump said he has ordered the department of justice to do.

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on Monday. Following several health challenges in recent years, including a serious bout of double pneumonia earlier this year, the Catholic leader reportedly died at around 0100 UTC on April 21.

The Pontiff died of a cerebral stroke on Monday afternoon. Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, the head of the Vatican’s health department, said that the stroke put him into a coma and led to irreversible heart failure. He added that Francis also suffered from episodes of "respiratory insufficiency," as well as his recent bilateral pneumonia. The pope also suffered from type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Despite his health issues, Pope Francis continued to participate in church activities, including a surprise visit to Regina Coeli prison on Holy Thursday and an appearance at St. Peter's Basilica on Easter Sunday.

Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell was seen sealing the door to the papal bedroom and studio at the Vatican shortly after the announcement of the pontiff's death. It is traditional to seal the pope's doors after his death, which will be followed by a nine-day mourning period called Novemdiales.

Pope Francis had been seen in public greeting crowds on Easter Sunday and met with United States Vice President JD Vance.

"I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him," Vance wrote on X. "I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul."

UK Prime minister wrote on X: "Deeply saddened to hear of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis. His tireless efforts to promote a world that is fairer for all will leave a lasting legacy. On behalf of the people of the United Kingdom, I share my sincerest condolences to the whole Catholic Church."

President Donald Trump odered that the flag be flown at half-staff on all U.S. government and military buildings around the world.

He wrote on Truth Social, "As a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, on the day of interment. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations."

The deceased Catholic leader's funeral is expected to be held within the next week, and the conclave to elect a new pope will convene shortly after.

Google has lost a landmark antitrust case brought by the United States Department of Justice, which accused the tech giant of illegally monopolizing the online advertising technology market. The ruling, made by U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema on Thursday, found that Google violated antitrust laws in the markets for advertising exchanges and tools used by websites to sell ad space, known as ad servers.

The court found that Google had "willfully engaged in a series of anticompetitive acts" that resulted in it obtaining monopoly power in the open-web display publisher ad server market.

The court also criticized Google for its "systemic disregard of the evidentiary rules regarding spoliation of evidence and its misuse of the attorney-client privilege," though it did not impose sanctions because the government prevailed on the available evidence.

The decision is a significant blow to Google, as it could lead to the company being required to divest parts of its ad tech business. The Justice Department will ask the court to require Google to sell off portions of its advertising business.

Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department's Antitrust Division stated, "The Court’s ruling is clear: Google is a monopolist and has abused its monopoly power."

Google has said it will appeal the part of the case that it lost. Lee-Anne Mulholland, the company's vice president of regulatory affairs, noted that the court found that Google’s advertiser tools and its acquisitions, such as DoubleClick, do not harm competition.

Alphabet's shares quickly sank by up to 3.2% on the ruling, though they pared losses to close down 1.4% in New York.

The Justice Department and a group of states sued Google in 2023, arguing that the company illegally monopolized three separate markets related to the technology used for online display advertising: ad servers, exchanges, and networks.

Thursday's ruling comes on the heels of another major antitrust loss for Google in a separate case, where a federal judge ruled that Google acted illegally to maintain its search monopoly.

The Justice Department will now move to the remedies phase of the trial, where it will argue for specific actions to be taken against Google, including potential divestitures.

This case is part of a broader wave of antitrust actions against major tech companies, including Meta, Amazon, and Apple, which could profoundly shape the future of the tech industry.

This ruling marks a significant victory for antitrust enforcement and could have far-reaching consequences for Google's business and the broader tech landscape.

US President Donald Trump reportedly waved off Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to carry out military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities as early as next month.

Israel had come up with May attack plans, hoping that the U.S. would sign off on those plans. The Jewish nation wanted to disrupt and set back Iran's ability to produce nuclear weapons, by at least several years.

For Israeli military to succeed in such operation, they would need U.S' deep involvement, by not only signing off, but pledging to defend Israel from Iranian retaliation.

The head of U.S. Central Command Gen. Michael E. Kurilla and Trump's national security adviser Michael Waltz reportedly discussed how the United States could support Israel in such military action against Iran, if Trump approved of the Israeli plan.

However, during one the several discussions of the Israeli plan among Trump and his top security officials, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard reportedly presented intelligence assessment warning that military strikes against Iran could cause a broader destabilizing conflagration in the region, and entangle the U.S. in another prolonged conflict in the middle east.

During some of the top security meetings, Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, also expressed opposition to Israel's plans.

Trump ultimately decided to pursue diplomatic negotiations with Iran to limit its nuclear program. He announced the decision during Oval Office meeting with Netanyahu earlier in the month.

After initially being informed that the U.S. preferred diplomacy to military action, Netanyahu reportedly said that an agreement would only be effective if those opposed to Iran's nuclear program were able to "go in, blow up the facilities, dismantle all the equipment, under American supervision with American execution."

Responding to the reports, National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said "President Trump has been clear: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, and all options remain on the table," said "The president has authorized direct and indirect discussions with Iran to make this point clear. But he’s also made clear this cannot go on indefinitely."

Trump, who welcomed the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to the White House Thursday, also remarked on the news in response to a reporter's question. "I wouldn't say waived off ... I think that Iran has a chance to have a great country and to live happily without death, and I'd like to see that. That's my first option," he said in part.

Hungary's parliament has passed a constitutional amendment that allows the government to ban public events organized by LGBTQ+ communities, including Pride marches. The amendment, which passed with 140 votes in favor and 21 against, emphasizes the protection of children's physical, moral, and spiritual development over other rights, and recognizes only two sexes, male and female.

The law also permits authorities to use facial recognition tools to identify individuals attending prohibited events, with fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints ($546) for violators.

The government argues that the measures are necessary to protect children from what it calls "woke ideology" and "gender madness." Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has praised the legislation, stating, "We won’t let woke ideology endanger our kids."

Ahead of the vote, opposition politicians and protesters attempted to blockade the entrance to a parliament parking garage, but were forcibly removed by police. Opposition lawmakers used air horns to disrupt the vote.

Embassies of left-wing and liberal-led European nations, including those of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, signed an open letter expressing significant concern over the ban, claiming that it restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

However conservative leaders, pro-family and children's rights advocates praise the law as a necessary measure to combat LGBTQ degeneracy and indoctrination of children by degenerate adults in Hungary.

Six people were killed  when the helicopter they were traveling in crashed in the Hudson River, between New York and New Jersey, Thursday afternoon local time.

"We’re following reports of a helicopter crash in the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey," @flightradar24 reported on X. "At this time, based on ADS-B data and the location of SAR activity, we believe the aircraft involved to be N216MH, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV."

Videos circulating on social media appeared to show the helicopter dropping quickly from the sky in multiple pieces before it crashed hard into the water on the western side of the river near Jersey City, New Jersey.

The fire department said its units are on scene performing rescue operations. Multiple rescue boats were seen on video circling the crashed aircraft.

Five bodies were reportedly recovered quickly after the chopper went down at 1917 UTC.

Those aboard reportedly included a family from Europe touring New York City by air. Children are believed to be among the dead.

"Terrible helicopter crash in the Hudson River," President Donald Trump wrote on social media. "Looks like six people, the pilot, two adults, and three children, are no longer with us. The footage of the accident is horrendous. God bless the families and friends of the victims. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, and his talented staff are on it. Announcements as to exactly what took place, and how, will be made shortly!"

In an Oval Office meeting with Trump Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the middle eastern country will remove all tariffs on U.S. goods. Both leaders also discussed the ongoing conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Gaza.

During the meeting with Netanyahu, Trump also announced that the U.S. is holding direct talks with Iran, set to continue on Saturday, with the aim of reaching a deal on Iran's nuclear program.

Trump warned that if the talks are not successful, Iran could be in "great danger" and emphasized that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.

Dan Norris, the 65-year-old British Member of Parliament(MP) for North East Somerset and Hanham, was arrested by Avon & Somerset Police on suspicion of rape and child sex offences from the 2020s, as well as misconduct in public office. His ruling left-wing Labour Party has suspended him upon being informed of the arrest.

In a statement, Avon & Somerset Police said: “In December 2024, we received a referral from another police force relating to alleged non-recent child sex offences having been committed against a girl.

“Most of the offences are alleged to have occurred in the 2000s, but we’re also investigating an alleged offence of rape from the 2020s.

“An investigation, led by officers within Operation Bluestone, our dedicated rape and serious sexual assault investigation team, remains ongoing and at an early stage.

“The victim is being supported and given access to any specialist help or support she needs.”

“A man, aged in his sixties, was arrested on Friday (April 4) on suspicion of sexual offences against a girl (under the Sexual Offences Act 1956), rape (under the Sexual Offences Act 2003), and misconduct in a public office. He’s been released on conditional bail for enquiries to continue.

“This is an active and sensitive investigation, so we’d respectfully ask people not to speculate on the circumstances so our enquiries can continue unhindered.”

The MP was released on conditional bail pending further investigation.

Norris previously served as an MP from 1997 to 2010 representing Wansdyke and was a junior minister under Gordon Brown and an assistant whip under Tony Blair. He was re-elected in the 2024 General Election, defeating Jacob Rees-Mogg by 5,319 votes.

The 65-year-old has been the Mayor of the West of England since 2021 but is due to step down ahead of May's local elections.

Ashley St. Clair, the mother of Elon Musk’s child, says she is selling her $100,000 Tesla car, which was a gift from Musk during their relationship. This, she claimed, is to make up for a shortfall in payments, after the Tesla CEO allegedly cut her child support payments in half.

Ashley, who apparantly called the paparazzi on herself outside of her ritzy manhattan condo, also alluded to ongoing violent far-left attacks on Tesla. "You can check the stocks. I'm not the only one cleaning up after Elon's messes," she told the paparazzi, Monday.

The Jewish social media influencer announced on Feb, 14,, that she had given birth to Musk's then 13th child five months earlier. The Tesla CEO and girlfriend Shivon Zilis have since announced his 14th child.

"I don’t know if the child is mine or not, but am not against finding out," Musk wrote on X. "No court order is needed. Despite not knowing for sure, I have given Ashley $2.5M and am sending her $500k/year."

To which she replied, "Elon, we asked you to confirm paternity through a test before our child (who you named) was even born. You refused. And you weren’t sending *me* money, you were sending support for your child that you thought was necessary… until you withdrew most of it to maintain control and punish me for “disobedience.” But you’re really only punishing your son. It’s ironic that your last effort in court was to try to gag me while you use a social media channel you literally own to distribute derogatory messages about me and our child to the entire world. It’s all about control with you, and everyone can see it. America needs you to grow up, you petulant man-child."

In what political observers call a blatantly anti-democratic legal witch hunt, Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's populist National Rally party, has been sentenced to four years in prison, with two years to be served under house arrest, and fined $108,000 for "embezzling" European Union funds. She has also been banned from running for public office for five years, effectively disqualifying her from the 2027 presidential election which polls show her leading.

Le Pen was found guilty of misusing EU funds to pay for party workers between 2004 and 2016. The court ruled that her party, the National Rally, had illegally used European Parliament money for its own benefit, causing a loss of $4,870,000 to European taxpayers.

The sentencing is seen as a coordinated and fascistic attempt by far-left judges and EU bureaucrats to derail Le Pen's political career, as she was considered a leading contender for the 2027 presidential election. Her lawyer has announced that she will appeal the verdict, but the ban will remain in effect during the appeals process.

The National Rally has been fined $2,164,000, and another $1,082,000 has been confiscated. The party will need to run another candidate for the 2027 presidential election, which could significantly alter the political landscape in France.

Le Pen has denounced the verdict as a "political decision" and a "denial of democracy." She left the courtroom before her full sentence was read and has vowed to continue her political fight. Populist leaders across Europe, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, have expressed support for her.

The populist leader joins others like her who have been targeted by far-left prosecutors and judges, in brazen attempts that undermine the people's trust in the democratic process.

"This is a big deal," U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, Monday responding to a question about Le Pen's sentencing. "A lot of people thought she wasn't going to be convicted of anything... that sounds very much like this country," he added, referencing the legal witch hunt against him by far-left prosecutors during the Joe Biden presidency.

In an interview with Fox News Thursday, Elon Musk spoke out about what he sees as a growing wave of violence against Tesla owners, blaming left-wing rhetoric for inciting the attacks. He argued that the real issue isn’t just the individuals committing these acts but the people spreading anti-Tesla narratives.

Reports of Tesla-related incidents have been increasing, ranging from minor vandalism, such as keying or graffiti, to more extreme cases like arson and drive-by shootings targeting Tesla vehicles and dealerships.

Paul Hyon Kim, 36, was arrested Wednesday by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, after at least five cars were allegedly set on fire on March 18, in Molotov cocktail attack last week, that torched several Tesla cars at a local Tesla Collision Center.

Kim has been charged with multiple crimes ranging from destruction of property, arson and possessing a fire device, according to jail records.

He will also face federal charges, Spencer Evans, the FBI agent-in-charge of the bureau's Las Vegas office, told reporters at a Thursday news briefing. 

"There's nothing courageous or noble about firebombing private property and terrorizing your local community," Evans said. "The self-righteous mob that's cheering you on today to commit acts of violence on their behalf will leave you high and dry and forget about you tomorrow. And at the end of the day, you and you alone will be held responsible and face the prospect of a lengthy prison sentence."

Police say Kim arrived near the location in a black Hyundai Elantra before walking over to the Tesla building. He allegedly concealed his face, wore gloves and black clothing.

He allegedly also damaged surveillance cameras with a rifle, police said.

The word "resist" was spray-painted on the Tesla center’s front doors. An unlit Molotov cocktail was found in one of the cars, police said. 

Authorities said Kim's social media activity showed potential links to communist groups and Palestinian causes. His DNA matched DNA samples collected at the scene of the attack, authorities said. 

Investigators searched two vehicles linked to Kim and his apartment, and found multiple firearms, including rifles, a shotgun, a handgun and gun parts, as well as ammunition.

Musk and DOGE have been a lightning rod for criticism due to the department's commitment to slashing waste, fraud and abuse in the U.S. federal government.

"The real problem is not the people. It's not like the crazy guy that firebombs a Tesla dealership," Musk said. "It's the people pushing the propaganda that cause that guy to do it. Those are the real villains here."

According to Musk, the rise in vandalism and attacks on Tesla cars and dealerships stems from criticism of his leadership at DOGE. He claims that rhetoric from Democrat leaders, especially those opposed to DOGE and his involvement, has fueled anger against Tesla and its supporters.

"They are being fed propaganda by the far left, and they believe it," Musk said. "....Tesla is a peaceful company that has made great cars, great products. That's all it's done. It hasn't harmed anyone. And yet people are committing violence."

"They are firebombing Tesla dealerships. They are shooting guns into stores. They are threatening people. They are issuing death threats against me and other Tesla personnel," Musk told Baier.

Musk also said that the Trump administration has vowed to take action. 

"The president has made it clear: We’re going after them. The ones providing the money, the ones pushing the lies and propaganda. We're going after them," he said.

When asked why he continues his role at DOGE despite the backlash, Musk compared the attacks against him to those faced by President Trump, particularly accusations that he is a Nazi.

"I got the normal playbook," he said. 

"They called the president all these things… At one point there was a magazine cover, which said the president was worse than Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin combined. And the president hasn't killed anyone. He hasn't started any wars. In fact, he's good at stopping wars."

Musk argued that such extreme language is part of a broader strategy to disrupt his and Trump’s agenda.

"Why do they push these lies? I think we need to hold people responsible for pushing these lies, because those lies almost got the president killed," he said.

In response to the violence against Tesla, the FBI announced Monday that it has launched a task force to investigate attacks on Tesla owners. FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X that the incidents are being treated as "domestic terrorism."

Thursday's interview marked a significant public appearance for the DOGE team, which has generally kept a low profile since its inception. Despite the team's efforts to present a positive image, the interview highlighted ongoing controversies and legal challenges surrounding their activities.

Elon Musk announced Friday, that his artificial intelligence company, xAI, has acquired his social media platform X in an all-stock transaction. The deal values xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion, with X's total valuation at $45 billion including $12 billion in debt. The merged entity is now valued at $113 billion.

"@xAI has acquired @X in an all-stock transaction," Musk wrote on X Friday. "The combination values xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion ($45B less $12B debt)."

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO continued: "Since its founding two years ago, xAI has rapidly become one of the leading AI labs in the world, building models and data centers at unprecedented speed and scale.

"X is the digital town square where more than 600M active users go to find the real-time source of ground truth and, in the last two years, has been transformed into one of the most efficient companies in the world, positioning it to deliver scalable future growth.

"xAI and X’s futures are intertwined. Today, we officially take the step to combine the data, models, compute, distribution and talent. This combination will unlock immense potential by blending xAI’s advanced AI capability and expertise with X’s massive reach. The combined company will deliver smarter, more meaningful experiences to billions of people while staying true to our core mission of seeking truth and advancing knowledge. This will allow us to build a platform that doesn’t just reflect the world but actively accelerates human progress.

"I would like to recognize the hardcore dedication of everyone at xAI and X that has brought us to this point. This is just the beginning. Thank you for your continued partnership and support."

X CEO Linda Yaccarino said of the acquisition "The future could not be brighter."

xAI’s AI models, including the chatbot Grok, have already been integrated into X, and the merger formalizes this relationship.

This acquisition marks a significant step in Musk's vision to create a powerful tech entity combining AI and social media.

The arrangement is similar to a previous Musk deal combining two companies he controlled. Tesla Motors acquired SolarCity, a company with Musk as its largest individual shareholder and his cousin Lyndon Rive as CEO, for $2.6 billion in 2016 and dropped “Motors” from its name.

xAI has attracted significant investment from major firms including Andreessen Horowitz, Fidelity, BlackRock, and others, valuing the company at $45 billion in a recent funding round.

Tiger Woods, 49, confirmed his relationship with Vanessa Trump, 47, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr., with a post on X Sunday, saying, "Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together." He also requested privacy for those close to their hearts.

Woods shared two photos, one showing them standing side by side and another with them lying in a hammock, with Vanessa's arm draped across his chest. The couple have reportedly been quietly dating for the past several months.

Vanessa was previously married to Donald Trump Jr. for 12 years and has five children with him. Woods has two children from his previous marriage to Elin Nordegren, which ended in 2010.

Woods, known for keeping his personal life private, has asked for privacy for all those close to their hearts. However critics wonder why he'd announce the relationship on social media and ask for privacy, when it's sure to stoke more interest from the tabloids.

The confirmation of Woods' new relationship comes two days after the golfer announced that he's ruptured his Achilles tendon. “As I began to ramp up my own training and practice at home, I felt a sharp pain in my left Achilles, which was deemed to be ruptured,” Woods wrote on social media. The injury will likely keep him out of the Masters and the rest of the golf season.

The G7 foreign secretaries, after meeting in Charlevoix, Canada, issued a joint statement urging Russia to reciprocate Ukraine's commitment and agree to an immediate ceasefire on equal terms. They welcomed the meeting between the U.S. and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia earlier this week, where Ukraine expressed its readiness for a ceasefire as an essential step towards a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in line with the Charter of the United Nations.

The G7 foreign secretaries of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom and United States also discussed imposing further costs on Russia if a ceasefire is not agreed upon. These measures include further sanctions, caps on oil prices, additional support for Ukraine, and other means.

The statement also condemned the provision of military assistance to Russia by North Korea and Iran, as well as the provision of weapons and dual-use components by China, which are seen as decisive enablers of Russia's war and the reconstitution of Russia's armed forces. The G7 reiterated their intention to continue taking action against such third countries.

Additionally, the ministers expressed alarm about the impacts of the war, especially on civilians and civilian infrastructure, and reaffirmed their commitment to working together to achieve a durable peace and ensure that Ukraine remains democratic, free, strong, and prosperous.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy told reporters that "now is the time for a ceasefire with no conditions," and that "there's a coalition of the willing emerging to give Ukraine the security architecture" that it needs.

The G7 also addressed other global issues, including the conflict in Sudan, the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the need for democracy in Venezuela. They called for the cessation of hostilities in Sudan and the protection of civilians, and urged external actors to end their support fueling the conflict.

The statement highlighted the importance of accountability and the need for a peaceful and negotiated resolution of conflicts.

Meanwhile in a post on X Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that "South Africa's Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country. Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS. We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA."

U.S. has paused $400M in aid to South Africa over its government's brutal treatment of white South African farmers.

Rasool told participants in a foreign policy seminar Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump is leading a white supremacist movement in America and around the world.

The ambassador was addressing the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) in Johannesburg in attempting to explain Trump’s recent foreign policy stances against South Africa’s property expropriation legislation and its alliances with Iran and Hamas, among others.

Rasool said that white supremacism was motivating Trump’s “disrespect” for the “current hegemonic order” of the world, including institutions like the United Nations and the G-20.

He also said that the Make America Great Again movement was a white supremacist response to growing demographic diversity in the United States, and suggested that South African farmers who had presented Afrikaner grievances within the U.S. were part of that global effort.

Video-sharing platform and cloud services provider, Rumble has announced the purchase of approximately 188 Bitcoin at an average price of $91,000 per coin,, valued at around $17.1 million, as part of its Bitcoin treasury strategy to allocate up to $20 million into Bitcoin.

“We are excited to announce these purchases and allocation of Bitcoin as part of our treasury strategy as well as a larger strategic move as we further expand our ties to the crypto industry,” said Rumble Chairman and CEO Chris Pavlovski. “These holdings have the potential to serve as a valuable hedge against inflation and will not be subject to dilution like so many overprinted government-issued currencies. As a leading video and cloud services platform for the crypto community, we are proud to officially hold Bitcoin as we continue to grow and engrain crypto into our company’s DNA.”

The announcement follows Rumble’s previously disclosed corporate treasury diversification strategy, which was approved by its Board of Directors. The strategy aims to leverage Bitcoin as a strategic asset to accelerate the company’s expansion into digital assets while strengthening its financial position.

“We believe that the world is still in the early stages of the adoption of Bitcoin, which has recently accelerated with the election of a crypto-friendly U.S. presidential administration and increased institutional adoption,” Pavlovski stated. “Unlike any government-issued currency, Bitcoin is not subject to dilution through endless money-printing, enabling it to be a valuable inflation hedge and an excellent addition to our treasury. We are also excited to strengthen our ties with crypto and to bolster our efforts to become the leading video and cloud services platform for the crypto community.”

President Donald Trump purchased a Tesla car from Elon Musk at the White House on Tuesday, in a show of support for Musk, who is also a top adviser to the president. Trump showcased a selection of Tesla vehicles on the South Lawn and announced his intention to buy a red Model S, which he will keep at the White House for staff use.

Trump and Musk, accompanied by Musk's child Lil X, displayed a Cybertruck and a red sports car on the White House lawn. Trump praised Tesla as a "great product" and emphasized Musk's contributions to the country.

The president defended Musk against recent protests and attacks on Tesla dealerships, labeling such acts as "domestic terrorism" and promising to take strong action against perpetrators.

"In support of the policies of President @realDonaldTrump and to demonstrate our confidence in the future of the United States, @Tesla commits to doubling vehicle production in the US within 2 years!" Musk wrote on X Tuesday, after the White House event.

Musk, who is advising the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut costs and improve efficiency, has faced criticism for his dual roles in government and private sectors.

Tesla's stock rallied following the event at the White House Tuesday. Musk is appealing a court decision that rescinded his $56 billion compensation package from Tesla.

Social media platform X has been hit by a series of outages on Monday, which platform owner Elon Musk claims is due to a massive cyberattack. The Dark Storm Team, an anonymous hacktivist group, has taken responsibility for the distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks causing the outages.

Musk posted on X that the platform is experiencing a "massive cyberattack" involving significant resources, suggesting either a large, coordinated group or a country is involved.

"We’re not sure exactly what happened, but there was a massive cyber attack to try to bring down the X system with IP addresses originating in the Ukraine area," Musk said during an interview with Fox Business Network.

Multiple outages have been reported, with the first starting around 1000 UTC. The issues have been intermittent, with significant spikes in reports around 1400 and 1530 UTC.

Downdetector, a platform outage monitor, reported over 350,000 issues from US users and more than 8,000 from UK users

X has since enabled DDoS protections from Cloudflare, which now shows a captcha for suspicious IP addresses.

Chad Cragle, CISO at Deepwatch, described the attacks as full-scale DDoS assaults combined with sophisticated botnet activity, credential stuffing, API abuse, and targeted application-layer attacks.

Dark Storm Team claimed responsibility on their Telegram channel, writing, "How are you Elon Musk? I hope you liked our visit." Dark Storm Team is known for targeting Western entities.

However experts warn that there may be other actors with Ukrainian links involved in the attack, given Musk's outspoken support for a peace deal to end the country's war with Russia, and his criticisms of President Volodymyr Zelensky's intransigence.

Mark Carney has been elected as the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, succeeding Justin Trudeau, who announced his resignation in January 2025. Carney, a left-wing globalist and former Banks of England and Canada governor, won the leadership race with nearly 86% of the vote, positioning him to become the next Prime Minister of Canada.

The leadership vote which took place on Sunday, included four candidates: Mark Carney, Chrystia Freeland, Frank Baylis, and Karina Gould.

Carney faces significant challenges, including managing Canada's trade relationship with the United States, particularly in light of trade tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump. He has promised to stand up to Trump and protect Canadian interests.

Justin Trudeau will remain as Prime Minister for a transitional period before Carney is sworn in.

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the Liberal Party's choice, suggesting that Carney is part of the same woke Liberal team that has driven up taxes and costs and promotes LGBTQ degeneracy to children. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet also responded to Carney's election, with Singh emphasizing the need to protect Canada from Trump's threats.

Carney is expected to call federal elections soon after being sworn in, where he will face off against Poilievre and other opposition leaders. His campaign is likely to focus on unpopular woke left-wing agenda and standing up to the U.S. in trade negotiations. He has also promised to implement economic reforms to address the country's low growth and high cost of living.

The new leader will need to form a new cabinet and decide on the roles of other leadership candidates, including Chrystia Freeland, who has already expressed her support for Carney and her intention to run in the next federal election.

Romania's left-leaning Central Electoral Bureau has barred populist candidate Călin Georgescu from running in the May presidential election re-run, citing violations of election rules and allegations of Russian interference in his favor.

The decision, announced on Sunday, has sparked protests in Bucharest and drawn international criticism, including from U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Tesla chief Elon Musk, who called the decision "crazy."

The Central Electoral Bureau rejected Georgescu's candidacy, based on his past statements which it claimed are in contravention of the values required for the presidential office and that his candidacy goes against the court rulings from late 2024.

"A direct blow to the heart of democracy worldwide!" the populist candidate who is leading in opinion polls wrote on X. "I have one message left! If democracy in Romania falls, the entire democratic world will fall! This is just the beginning. It’s that simple! Europe is now a dictatorship, Romania is under tyranny!"

Georgescu can appeal the decision to the Constitutional Court within 24 hours. The court is required to rule on the appeal by Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

Thousands of Georgescu's supporters gathered outside the electoral bureau, clashing with police using tear gas to disperse them.

The decision has been condemned by several international figures, including Vance and Musk, who accused Romania of suppressing democracy. Left-wing European diplomats, however, have expressed support for the 'independence' of Romanian courts.

Critics on social media Sunday, slammed left-wing activist judges in Europe who employ fascistic judicial tactics to suppress freedom and undermine democracy while hypocritically condemning countries like Russia and China for undemocratic elections.

Georgescu won the first round of the presidential election in November 2024 but the vote was annulled in December by the Constitutional Court due to discredited allegations of Russian interference.

Georgescu submitted his candidacy for the May ballot re-run, and he is currently leading in opinion polls. He is under criminal investigation for membership in a 'fascist organization.' However, citics see the investigation as a witch hunt against the populist candidate.

President Donald Trump announced the creation of a U.S. Crypto Strategic Reserve on Sunday, which will include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple (XRP), Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA). This move is part of his plan to make the U.S. the "Crypto Capital of the World."

This announcement marks a significant shift in the U.S. government's approach to cryptocurrencies and is expected to have a substantial impact on the industry.

Trump signed an executive order in January directing the Presidential Working Group on Digital Asset Markets to move forward with the creation of the Crypto Strategic Reserve.

During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump vowed to be friendly to the crypto industry and promised to establish a national Bitcoin stockpile. The U.S. president was once a critic of cryptocurrencies, calling them a "scam" in 2019. However, he has since embraced the industry, even launching his own meme coins and NFTs.

The Trump administration is expected to be more crypto-friendly compared to the previous Joe Biden administration, which had sought more regulation for the industry. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has already backed away from its previous stance on cryptocurrencies.

Trump is hosting the first White House Crypto Summit this week, to discuss the future of the crypto industry. The event will include prominent founders, CEOs, and investors from the crypto industry.

Sunday's announcement led to significant price increases for the included cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin rose by about 10%, Ethereum by about 12%, Ripple by over 30%, Solana by about 20%, and Cardano by over 60%

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency(DOGE) via the Office of Personnel Management(OPM) sent out emails to over 2 million federal US workers over the weekend, asking them to highlight five things they accomplished at work the previous week.

This comes as reports reveal that 60% of federal employees 'work' from home and fraudulently collect salaries without actually accomplishing any important task.

Some left-wing federal workers and far-left media talking heads have since been breathlessly whining about the emails.

A federal worker called into the Breakfast Club radio show Tuesday, and slammed her colleagues for complaining about the emails.

“I got the email and I honestly feel like this is a great opportunity to outline what you as an employee bring to the company — you know, bring to the federal government, and if it’s really good what you outline they can give you an opportunity to get a promotion or something,” she said.

Such emails would be normal at another job, the caller added.

“God forbid they ask you what you’ve done. Any other job, they’ll ask you at the end of the week, at the end of the month,” she said.

The caller also revealed that remote workers are using a device to make it appear as if they are working as many government remote jobs will track the progress and activity status of employees’ computers.

“People are actually buying it and using it and not working. And this is our taxpayers’ money, and you have to work,” she said. “You don’t like it, get another job.”

The caller also took a shot at Democrats. “It’s this Democratic thing," she said. "It’s like, I don’t want to get the parties into it, but they don’t want to go to work. They want to work from home. People are not working from home.”

Meanwhile polls show that voters overwhelmingly see sending the emails as a common sense measure to find out who is actually working for the government and what contributions they make as they collect tens of thousands in salaries per employee, every month.

Breakfast Club is a morning radio show hosted by far-left Democrats Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy.

SpaceX's Starship upper stage (or Ship 33) experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly during its seventh test flight. The explosion occurred approximately 8.5 minutes after liftoff over the Atlantic Ocean near the Turks and Caicos Islands Elon Musk stated that the explosion was likely caused by a propellant leak.

SpaceX and the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) conducted a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause and implement corrective actions for future flight tests.

The Elon Musk company wrote in a blog Monday,

"The seventh flight test of Starship and Super Heavy flew with ambitious goals, aiming to successfully repeat the core capability of returning and catching a booster while launching an upgraded design of the upper stage. While not every test objective was completed, the lessons learned will roll directly into future vehicles to make them more capable as Starship advances toward full and rapid reuse.

"On January 16, 2025, Starship successfully lifted off at 4:37 p.m. CT from Starbase in Texas. At launch, all 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy booster started up successfully and completed a full duration burn during ascent. After powering down all but the three center engines on Super Heavy, Starship ignited all six of its Raptor engines to separate in a hot-staging maneuver and continue its ascent to space.

"Following stage separation, Super Heavy initiated its boostback burn to propel the rocket toward its intended landing location. It successfully lit 12 of the 13 engines commanded to start, with a single Raptor on the middle ring safely aborting on startup due to a low-power condition in the igniter system. Raptor engines on upcoming flights have a pre-planned igniter upgrade to mitigate this issue. The boostback burn was completed successfully and sent Super Heavy back to the launch site for catch.

"The booster successfully relit all 13 planned middle ring and center Raptor engines for its landing burn, including the engine that did not relight for boostback burn. The landing burn slowed the booster down and maneuvered it to the launch and catch tower arms at Starbase, resulting in the second ever successful catch of Super Heavy.

"After vehicle separation, Starship's six second stage Raptor engines powered the vehicle along its expected trajectory. Approximately two minutes into its burn, a flash was observed in the aft section of the vehicle near one of the Raptor vacuum engines. This aft section, commonly referred to as the attic, is an unpressurized area between the bottom of the liquid oxygen tank and the aft heatshield. Sensors in the attic detected a pressure rise indicative of a leak after the flash was seen.

"Roughly two minutes later, another flash was observed followed by sustained fires in the attic. These eventually caused all but one of Starship’s engines to execute controlled shut down sequences and ultimately led to a loss of communication with the ship. Telemetry from the vehicle was last received just over eight minutes and 20 seconds into flight.

"Contact with Starship was lost prior to triggering any destruct rules for its Autonomous Flight Safety System, which was fully healthy when communication was lost. The vehicle was observed to break apart approximately three minutes after loss of contact during descent. Post-flight analysis indicates that the safety system did trigger autonomously, and breakup occurred within Flight Termination System expectations.

"The most probable root cause for the loss of ship was identified as a harmonic response several times stronger in flight than had been seen during testing, which led to increased stress on hardware in the propulsion system. The subsequent propellant leaks exceeded the venting capability of the ship’s attic area and resulted in sustained fires.

"Immediately following the anomaly, the pre-coordinated response plan developed by SpaceX, the FAA, and ATO (air traffic control) went into effect. All debris came down within the pre-planned Debris Response Area, and there were no hazardous materials present in the debris and no significant impacts expected to occur to marine species or water quality. SpaceX reached out immediately to the government of Turks and Caicos and worked with them and the United Kingdom to coordinate recovery and cleanup efforts. While an early end to the flight test is never a desired outcome, the measures put in place ahead of launch demonstrated their ability to keep the public safe.

"SpaceX led the investigation efforts with oversight from the FAA and participation from NASA, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the U.S. Space Force. SpaceX is working with the FAA to either close the mishap investigation or receive a flight safety determination, along with working on a license authorization to enable its next flight of Starship.

"As part of the investigation, an extended duration static fire was completed with the Starship flying on the eighth flight test. The 60-second firing was used to test multiple engine thrust levels and three separate hardware configurations in the Raptor vacuum engine feedlines to recreate and address the harmonic response seen during Flight 7. Findings from the static fire informed hardware changes to the fuel feedlines to vacuum engines, adjustments to propellant temperatures, and a new operating thrust target that will be used on the upcoming flight test.

"To address flammability potential in the attic section on Starship, additional vents and a new purge system utilizing gaseous nitrogen are being added to the current generation of ships to make the area more robust to propellant leakage. Future upgrades to Starship will introduce the Raptor 3 engine, reducing the attic volume and eliminating the majority of joints that can leak into this volume."

German conservative party leader Friedrich Merz is projected to become the next chancellor following victory in Sunday's election for his center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) with 29% of the vote, while the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) surged to 20%, making it the second-largest party in the Bundestag, and doubling its result at the last election in 2021.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz's left-wing Social Democratic Party (SPD) came in third with 16% of the vote, marking a significant decline from its previous result; while the Green Party won 11% of the vote. The Left Party (Die Linke) won 8%, a notable increase that secures its place in parliament. Scholz acknowledged the "bitter" defeat, signaling the end of his tenure as chancellor.

“I’d like to express my respect for our political rivals,” said the CDU/CSU chancellor candidate, Merz. “It was a very tough campaign. Now we need to talk to each other and as quickly as possible form a government for Germany that can take action so that we can do the right thing at home, be present again in Europe and make sure the world sees that Germany again has a reliable government.” CSU leader Markus Soeder also celebrated the victory Sunday night.

Merz is expected to begin coalition talks, but it remains unclear which parties will join him. The AfD is likely to be excluded from any coalition.

Jubilant AfD chancellor candidate and co-leader, Alice Weidel, cheered the outcome with officials. “This is a historic success for us – our best result ever,” she told the broadcaster ARD. “We extend our hand to offer cooperation with the CDU. Otherwise change won’t be possible in Germany.”

The election was dominated by concerns over the economy, immigration, and security, particularly in the wake of recent terror attacks by illegal immigrants.

AfD attracted high-profile endorsements from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and the US vice-president JD Vance, during the campaign. However establishment parties in Germany have pledged to maintain a “firewall ” barring formal cooperation with AfD.

US President Donald Trump hailed the election’s outcome. “Much like the USA, the people of Germany got tired of the no-common-sense agenda, especially on energy and immigration,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social. “This is a great day for Germany.”

Sunday's election marks a shift in Germany's political landscape, with the populist AfD emerging as a major force and the conservative CDU poised to return to power.

Apple has removed its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature for iCloud data in the United Kingdom following a government order demanding backdoor access to encrypted user data.

The UK government issued a technical capability notice under the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, requiring Apple to provide access to encrypted iCloud data, which would have compromised the end-to-end encryption for users worldwide.

Apple has disabled ADP for new users in the UK and will eventually require existing users to disable it manually.

This move affects iCloud data such as photos, notes, messages, and device backups, but does not impact iMessage, FaceTime, password management, and health data, which remain end-to-end encrypted.

Apple has stated that it is "gravely disappointed" and remains committed to offering the highest level of security for users' personal data.

In a statement by Apple spokesperson Fred Sainz said the company’s Advanced Data Protection feature will no longer be available to new users and current U.K. users “will eventually need to disable this security feature.”

“We are gravely disappointed that the protections provided by ADP will not be available to our customers in the U.K. given the continuing rise of data breaches and other threats to customer privacy,” the company said. “Enhancing the security of cloud storage with end-to-end encryption is more urgent than ever before."

The UK government's demand is controversial, as it would have provided access to data from users worldwide without their knowledge or consent 

Privacy advocates and tech experts have criticized the UK government's actions, noting that the move undermines user privacy and security

US Defense Secretary warned NATO allies that President Trump will not allow anyone to turn "Uncle Sam into Uncle Sucker," emphasizing that Europe should be primarily responsible for its own defense. In a speech at NATO headquarters in Brussels Thursday, Pete Hegseth said that NATO is a great alliance, but to endure for the future, European partners must do more for Europe's defense, and "we must make NATO great again."

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that as the U.S. aims to "revive the warrior ethos," European members of NATO also should follow suit and bolster defense efforts.

"NATO should pursue these goals as well," Hegseth told NATO members. "NATO is a great alliance, the most successful defense alliance in history, but to endure for the future, our partners must do far more for Europe’s defense."

"We must make NATO great again," he said.

Hegseth urged European allies to bolster defense spending from 2% to 5% of gross domestic product, as President Donald Trump has long advocated.

As of 2023, the U.S. spent 3.3% of its GDP on defense spending — totaling $880 billion, according to the nonpartisan Washington, D.C.-based Peterson Institute for International Economics. More than 50% of NATO funding comes from the U.S., while other allies, like the United Kingdom, France and Germany, have contributed between 4% and 8% to NATO funding in recent years.

Hegseth also defended the US negotiating strategy with Russia on the war in Ukraine.

NATO comprises more than 30 countries and was originally formed in 1949 to halt the spread of the Soviet Union.

Donald Trump announced in a Truth Social post Wednesday, that he had a "highly productive" conversation with Vladimir Putin, where they agreed to work together to end the war in Ukraine. The U.S. president said that Putin wants peace and they discussed "getting a ceasefire in the not-too-distant future."

"We have also agreed to have our respective teams start negotiations immediately, and we will begin by calling President Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, to inform him of the conversation, something which I will be doing right now," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "I have asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of the CIA John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and Ambassador and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, to lead the negotiations which, I feel strongly, will be successful. Millions of people have died in a War that would not have happened if I were President, but it did happen, so it must end."

Trump also revealed that Putin will visit the U.S., and vice versa in the future.

The US President also spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who emphasized that Ukraine cannot accept any agreements made without its input, and emphasized the importance of Ukraine's participation in peace talks.

U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, has secured the release of American hostage Marc Fogel from Russia, White House announced Tuesday, as both were on a flight back to the U.S. where he's expected to be reunited with his family. The 63-year-old was welcomed later in the night at the White House where he called Trump a "hero."

Fogel, an American schoolteacher, was detained in Russia since August 2021 and sentenced to 14 years in prison for carrying medically prescribed marijuana. The details of the exchange, including what the US gave in return for Fogel's release, have not been disclosed.

Witkoff's unannounced visit to Moscow marks a significant breakthrough in US-Russia relations. He flew Fogel out of Russia on his private jet.

Fogel's release is seen as a "show of good faith" from Russia and a step towards ending the war in Ukraine, according to White House national security adviser Mike Waltz.

"Today, President Donald J. Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are able to announce that Mr. Witkoff is leaving Russian airspace with Marc Fogel, an American who was detained by Russia" Waltz wrote in a statement Tuesday. "President Trump, Steve Witkoff and the President’s advisors negotiated an exchange that serves as a show of good faith from the Russians and a sign we are moving in the right direction to end the brutal and terrible war in Ukraine. Since President Trump’s swearing-in, he has successfully secured the release of Americans detained around the world, and President Trump will continue until all Americans being held are returned to the United States."

Trump administration has reportedly been working to secure Fogel's release and improve relations with Russia as part of efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Witkoff, US special envoy to the Middle East, also negotiated the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in December.

President Donald Trump said in an interview with The New York Post, that he will not deport Prince Harry from the US, citing that the royal has "enough problems" with his wife, Meghan Markle, and that she is "terrible."

Harry’s immigration status is the subject of litigation in Washington DC, with the Heritage Foundation alleging that he may have concealed past illegal drug use that should have disqualified him from obtaining a US visa.

Heritage cited Harry’s autobiography “Spare” — in which he admitted to using cocaine, cannabis and psychedelics — when it sued the Department of Homeland Security last year to force the release of his US visa records.

“Anyone who applies to the United States has to be truthful on their application, and it is not clear that is the case with Prince Harry,” Heritage’s Nile Gardiner reportedly said. 

The conservative think tank suggests Harry was given preferential treatment by the Joe Biden administration after he and Meghan moved to California in 2020 following their acrimonious “Megxit” split from the royal family.

“I don’t want to do that,” he said in The New York Post interview. “I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.”

The Duke of Sussex and his left-wing American wife have voiced disapproval of Trump over the years, including one outburst in which the Duchess called the president “divisive” and “misogynistic.”

Trump praised Harry's older brother, Prince William during the interview, calling him a "great young man."

“I think William is a great young man,” he said.

Trump in turn has described Harry as “whipped” by Meghan. “I think poor Harry is being led around by the nose.”

The US President who has been no fan of the Duchess of Sussex, has previously suggested that Harry could face deportation if it is proven he lied on his visa application.

President Donald Trump has ordered the termination of funding to several media outlets, including BBC and Politico, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This was part of a broader effort to realign U.S. foreign aid priorities and stop funding left-wing media outlets that were seen as promoting anti-American views and values.

The Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency(DOGE) recently revealed that USAID had been funding these outlets, with Politico receiving over $34 million from USAID and other government agencies.

Other left-wing media outlets, including the New York Times and Reuters, have also been affected by the USAID funding cuts.

The BBC's charity arm has expressed concern over the funding cuts, said it could impact their programs worldwide.

However many Americans believe this was a necessary step to ensure that American taxpayer dollars were not being used to support media organizations that were fundamentally opposed to American interests and traditional values. And the Trump administration has maintained that the funding cuts are necessary to align USAID's priorities with his America-first policy.

Donald Trump has paused tariffs on Canada and Mexico for 30 days after reaching agreements with the leaders of both countries to address border security concerns and the flow of fentanyl into the US. The U.S. president appears to be pursing an even more aggressive 'America first' policy than he did in his first term in office.

Trump announced the pause in tariffs Monday, which were initially set to impose 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, and 10% tariffs on goods imported from China. The pause in tariffs is part of a deal where Mexico will send 10,000 soldiers to its northern border to stem fentanyl shipments into the US, and Canada will take additional actions to address Trump's concerns about fentanyl flowing into the country.

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to immediately send 10,000 soldiers to her country's northern border to stop the flow of fentanyl into the US, in exchange for a 30-day pause in tariffs.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on his part announced that Trump would pause tariffs on imports from Canada for at least 30 days, after Canada agreed to take additional actions to address Trump's concerns about fentanyl flowing into the country.

Meanwhile, Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods are still scheduled to go into effect, with a 10% levy set to begin at midnight on Tuesday, February 4.

On another front, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa rejected Trump's claim Sunday night, of land confiscation. Trump said in a Truth Social post that "certain classes of people" are being "treated very badly," pointing to land confiscations as a key issue, and said the U.S. will conduct a "full investigation."

South African government has faced allegations of discrimination and cruelty against the country's minority white population.

Ramaphosa, who recently spoke with Trump, denied the allegations against his government. He insists his government is not seizing land, just implementing a "constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the constitution."

The U.S. sent $440 million in aid to South Africa in 2023. Trump announced he will halt all future U.S. funding to the African country pending investigations by the U.S. government.

Meta has agreed to pay Donald Trump $25 million to settle a 2021 lawsuit over the suspension of his Facebook and Instagram accounts following the January 6 Capitol riots.

The settlement reported Wednesday, includes $22 million that will go towards funding Trump’s presidential library, with the remainder covering legal fees and payments to other plaintiffs in the case.

This development marks a significant concession by Meta, which had initially suspended and then banned Trump from its platforms due to concerns over public safety.

The lawsuit, filed by Trump in 2021, alleged that Meta had engaged in “impermissible censorship” by removing him from the social media platforms.

Meta’s decision to settle the lawsuit comes after the company lifted the final restrictions on Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts in July 2024, ahead of the US presidential elections.

The settlement does not require Meta to admit wrongdoing, and the company’s spokesperson confirmed that the parties have reached an agreement to settle the individual claims and resolve the matter.

The payout is the second to Trump in recent months, following a $15 million settlement with ABC News in December 2024 over a defamation lawsuit

Apple has reportedly been working with SpaceX and T-Mobile to add support for the Starlink satellite network's direct-to-cell(DTC) service in its latest iPhone software, providing an alternative to the company’s in-house satellite-communication service. The initial version of Starlink is exclusively for texting, but SpaceX and T-Mobile have said that they plan to expand into data connections and voice calls in the future.

This development marks a significant step in expanding satellite connectivity for smartphone users, with the Starlink option designed to work automatically, even when the phone is in a customer’s pocket.

The Starlink DTC service is currently available only in the US and is limited to T-Mobile users, with a small number of iPhones enabled as part of a beta test. The current Apple feature requires users to point their iPhone to the sky to find a satellite, whereas the Starlink option is designed to work automatically.

Participants in the beta received messages from T-Mobile, informing them of their inclusion in the Starlink program. The company said that the test will initially support select smartphones, with plans to expand to more devices.

The integration of Starlink into iPhones is seen as a major accessibility shift, making off-the-grid communication more accessible to users.

SpaceX is looking to expand Starlink's DTC service to other carriers globally, and the program may be available on other devices in the future.

American left-wing Actress and singer Selena Gomez, 32, has deleted an Instagram video of herself crying over the deportations of criminal illegal aliens from the United States, which was posted in response to the recent immigration crackdown by the President Donald Trump administration.

The deleted video featured Gomez crying and saying “All my people are getting attacked, the children. I don’t understand. I’m so sorry, I wish I could do something but I can’t. I don’t know what to do. I’ll try everything, I promise.”

The actress faced backlash from critics who slammed her for crying for criminals instead of their American victims. Some of the criminal aliens rounded up over the weekend have been convicted of various violent crimes including the rape of children.

Gomez has also faced criticism from various political figures, including Trump’s border czar Tom Homan, who questioned her tears for the deported individuals while asking where her tears were for the victims of crimes committed by illegal aliens.

After deleting the original video, Gomez posted another Instagram story saying “Apparently it’s not ok to show empathy for people,” which has also been deleted

Brave Search has introduced a new feature Thursday, called Rerank, which allows users to customize search rankings by boosting or removing domains from search results, giving them full control over their search experience. This feature is powered by Goggles, a technology that enables users to create, apply, and share custom filters to change the way results are ranked.

“Rerank enables users to easily adjust search results according to their preferences, explicitly, while being in full control. No opaque personalization is done by unknown algorithms, as Rerank puts users in charge of their search experience,” said Arjaldo Karaj, VP, Brave Search.

The Rerank feature appears as a separate panel on the right side of the search page, summarizing search results for a given search term and allowing users to upvote or downvote certain websites to tune their search results.

To use the tool on a search results page, click the Rerank icon on the top right, and simply thumbs up or down a domain to increase or decrease its presence or absence respectively in your results.

For users who wish to switch between pre-made reranking configurations, default Goggles can be applied by navigating to the Goggles tab alongside Images, Videos, and News tabs on the search results page (SERP).

"Use of Rerank will not change domain presence or ranking for other users or on Brave Search as a whole—Rerank only applies for the users who choose to use the feature, and only on that user’s device," Brave wrote in a blog announcing the tool. "Rerank does not track users, and modifications can be cleared at any time in the search settings."

Goggles, the technology behind Rerank, was first introduced to Brave Search in June 2022, and it gives users the ability to create and share custom filters, such as “News from the left” or “Tech blogs”, to counter any intrinsic biases in the algorithm.

Brave Search is a privacy-oriented search engine that uses a personal web index to create search results, and it does not profile its users or use opaque personalization algorithms, making it a unique alternative to other search engines.

Rerank is available to Brave Search users for free.

At the Samsung Unpacked 2025 event Wednesday, the tech giant unveiled the Galaxy S25 series smartphone, including the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, and Galaxy S25 Ultra, with a focus on AI features and improvements. The event also teased the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, an ultra-slim smartphone with a rumored thickness of 6.4mm, but no official details were announced.

The  Galaxy S25 Series smartphones are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, the newly launched chipset which provides a performance boost of 40% in NPU, 37% in CPU, and 30% in GPU compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and supports advanced AI features and improved gaming performance.

The smartphones feature thinner and lighter form factors, and improved camera capabilities, including 10-bit HDR recording and a new Galaxy Virtual Aperture.

A One UI 7 fresh upgrade brings new features and improvements to the Galaxy S25 series, including enhanced productivity and entertainment capabilities; and improved AI capabilities, including a personal data engine, multi-app commands, and a Now Brief feature that anticipates user needs and packages them neatly for easy access.

The base model Galaxy S25 features a thinner and lighter design, with a starting price of $799, and includes a 6.2-inch display, 4,000mAh battery, and 50MP main lens.

The Galaxy S25 Plus model has a starting price of $999, with a 6.7-inch display, 4,900mAh battery, and similar camera specifications to the base model. The Galaxy S25 Ultra model features a 6.9-inch AMOLED display, 50MP ultrawide camera sensor, and a starting price of $1,299, with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM.

US President Donald Trump has pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road dark web marketplace, who was serving a life sentence for his role in creating the platform. The pardon, announced late Tuesday fulfills a campaign promise Trump made last year to Ulbricht’s supporters, particularly those in the Libertarian movement.

"I just called the mother of Ross William Ulbricht to let her know that in honor of her and the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly, it was my pleasure to have just signed a full and unconditional pardon of her son, Ross. The scum that worked to convict him were some of the same lunatics who were involved in the modern day weaponization of government against me. He was given two life sentences, plus 40 years. Ridiculous!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Silk Road, an online black market launched in 2011 by Ulbricht under the pseudonym "Dread Pirate Roberts, operated on the dark web as a hidden service on the Tor network. It allows users to buy and sell illicit items, including hard drugs, hacking equipment, and stolen passports, using Bitcoin for transactions.

As part of the case, the government had seized 173,991 Bitcoins from Ulbricht, which were worth approximately $33.6 million at the time but are now valued at over $18 billion.

Ulbricht was sentenced to life in prison in 2015 for his connection to the Silk Road, with charges including drug trafficking, money laundering, and computer hacking.

Online rights activists who argued the life sentence was too harsh and disproportionate, welcomed the release, and thanked Trump for honoring his campaign promise unlike most politicians.

The cryptocurrency meme coins $TRUMP and $MELANIA, launched by President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, have experienced significant price fluctuations. The $TRUMP coin, which reached a peak value of around $75, has fallen by over 50% to approximately $40, while the $MELANIA coin has also seen a substantial decline.

Meme coin is a cryptocurrency with no economic or transactional value often linked to internet personalities or trends such as Dogecoin which was inspired by the image of a shiba inu dog. $TRUMP was launched by the then president-elect over the weekend days before he was sworn in as the 47th president.

Experts have warned about the potential risks and conflicts of interest associated with the launch of these meme coins, particularly given President Trump’s plans to deregulate the crypto industry. Some have criticized the timing of the launch, just days before the inauguration, as potentially predatory and harmful to investors.

Non-bitcoin cryptocurrencies or 'shitcoins,' experts warn, could delegitimize the industry as a whole if governments don't intervene to establish clear regulations to protect investors and create a stable environment for companies.

The price of Bitcoin has surged in anticipation of a crypto-friendly Trump administration, currently at $105,000.

The U.S. Supreme Court has on Friday, upheld a law requiring TikTok to be sold by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a ban from U.S. app stores starting this Sunday(Jan 19).

Friday's ruling comes after President Joe Biden signed a bill last year, compelling the sale of the Chinese-owned app within 270 days.

President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn in on Jan. 20 as the 47 president, has indicated he'll intervene with an executive order to delay the ban, and keep TikTok operating in U.S until a resolution with ByteDance can be reached.

"The Supreme Court decision was expected, and everyone must respect it. My decision on TikTok will be made in the not too distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned!" Trump wrote on Truth Social, Friday.

The incoming president also said he spoke on the phone with the Chinese president.

"I just spoke to Chairman Xi Jinping of China. The call was a very good one for both China and the U.S.A. It is my expectation that we will solve many problems together, and starting immediately. We discussed balancing Trade, Fentanyl, TikTok, and many other subjects. President Xi and I will do everything possible to make the World more peaceful and safe!" He wrote.

Critics have slammed US lawmakers and Biden for caving to pressure from left-wing and neoconservative pro-Israel groups like ADL and AIPAC which many believe, compromise and blackmail elected US officials across the country to do the Jewish nation's bidding even when it's against the interest of American voters.

Social media personalities Wack100 and Adam22 swapped wives in a degenerate sex orgy filmed and posted on porn website Onlyfans.

Adam22, a self-admitted cuck, infamously let his wife Lana have sex on camera with a black pornstar Jason Luv who "pounded and cmummed" inside her in a steamy sex scene.

Since her viral sex scene with Luv, Lana has had sex on camera with another black 'BBC' in a threesome with Adam22 himself.

The latest act by Adam22 and Lana, critics say, is part of a "demonic concerted effort" by "evil" and sometimes unhinged porn industry executives to normalize sexual degeneracy and accelerate the decline of western civilization not unlike the waning days of the Roman empire.

Onlyfans is owned by Jewish billionaire Leonid Radvinski who has donated generously to notorious pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC which has faced criticisms for corrupting and compromising American politicians who are forced to support Israeli military's devastating actions in Gaza

Retired UFC fighter and Hall of Famer, Khabib Nurmagomedov was removed from an Frontier Airlines flight over the weekend after a dispute with a flight attendant over his seating in the emergency exit row. Nurmagomedov was traveling to Los Angeles ahead of the UFC 311 event on January 18.

The incident occurred when the flight attendant questioned whether Nurmagomedov was prepared and able to assist other passengers in the event of an emergency, as required for those seated in exit rows.

A viral video shows a flight attendant ask Nurmagomedov who was born in Dagestan Russia, if he could assist passengers in an emergency. The retired UFC fighter apparently didn't initially understand the flight attendant's question due to language differences.

Things escalated when the flight attendant gave the UFC Hall of Famer an ultimatum: take a different seat or get off the plane, after which a supervisor was called in and Nurmagomedov was escorted off the plane. A Russian passenger unsuccessfully tried to defend Numagomedov and resolve the issue.

In the viral video, Nurmagomedov is seen saying it was not fair, and that he had complied with the flight crew during the check-in process.

Some social media users and Nurmagomedov himself criticized the incident as a case of racial profiling. He also clarified that it was Frontier Airlines and not Alaska Airlines earlier reported.

"First of all, I need to clarify that it was @FlyFrontier not AlaskaAir," Numergomedov wrote on X. "Lady who comes to me with questions was very rude from the very beginning, even though I speak very decent English and can understand everything and agreed to assist, she still insists on removing me from my seat. What was the base for that, racial, national or other one, I'm not sure. But after 2 minutes of conversation, she called security and I was deplaned from this aircraft, after 1,5 hour I boarded another airline one and left to my destination. I did my best to stay calm and respecttul as you can see on the video. But those crew members could do better next time and just be nice with clients."

But other critics disagree that it was a case of racial profiling, but instead appears to be a language barrier misunderstanding.

Nurmagomedov was on his way to UFC 311 to support his colleagues, including Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov, and his presence in Los Angeles is still anticipated despite the in-flight incident

Elon Musk on Thursday, posted a propaganda-style video of him defending Israel's heinous military actions against Palestinians in Gaza. The post attracted criticisms from many X users who accused the Tesla chief of hypocrisy and bias.

"For being so smart, you're exceptionally bad at understanding this issue... Kinda weird..." Social media personality Ian Carroll responded to Musk's post.

Musk then asked Carroll, "what am I missing?"

This prompted Carroll to give the Tesla chief, a thorough and detailed response highlighting the outsized and costly Israeli influence on America's domestic and foreign policies -- "Israel-pilled @elonmuisk" a the social media commentator put it.

Carroll wrote:

"That AIPAC purchased the seats of about 90% or more of our current congress. JFK famously wanted them registered as a foreign agent right before he was shot and thus they changed their name and never registered. Why are we letting a foreign lobby buy off our congress?

"That Israel was obviously the state sponsor of Jefrey Epstein, whose handler was Ehud Barak, ex head of Israeli military intelligence, his funding was Les Wexner one of the worlds richest Zionist 'philanthropists' and he was accused by ex Mossad assets of being Mossad. Not to mention the Maxwell connection. (They had blackmail on Clinton, and many, many more.) He who holds the blackmail holds the leash- just ask J. Edgar Hoover.

"That Israel is the only nation who has a defacto sanctioned, yet actually secret and unsanctioned nuclear program. A program that they stole from the United States- look into the Apollo affair, NUMEC, the Dimona nuclear facility.

"That jews, muslims, and christians lived side by side in peace in Palestine before the Rothschilds purchased the country from Britain during WW1 (see the Balfour declaration) and began their colonial program.

"That the groups that founded Israel, Lehi, Irgun, and Hagannah, were declared terrorist organizations by Israel itself because their tactics were so deplorable (bombing British and Palestinian civilians) yet these three 'paramilitary' groups rebranded to form the IDF and their leadership became the leadership of Israel for the following thirty plus years.

"That Israel is a foreign nation halfway across the world that has no business receiving my tax dollars. Why are we sending them billions of dollars of our tax money while our country burns, is overrun by illegal immigration, etc?

"We are told Israel is our 'greatest ally' so why would they have had a massive spy network targeting US government agencies leading up to sep 11, 2001 - see the Israeli art students DEA report for copious evidence of Israeli surveillance all across the continental US. This is an official government report that cites hundreds of incidents of observed Israeli surveillance teams documented by US government agents all across the continental US.

"And we still have received 0 answers why there were numerous fake Israeli moving companies positioned all across the eastern seaboard leading into September 11, 2001 and we have multiple eye witness reports, as well as hard photographic evidence that they knew the attacks were coming at least a day before they did and that they were positioned at a vantage point to photograph the attack up to a half hour before the first plane hit.

"Never got any answers- but you can read the official FBI reports about the incident. I've broken them down live on X before.

"That's just a small list of some of the best documented reasons why I, as an American, dont want Israel receiving any of my tax dollars.

"And I didn't even mention my obvious objections to the collective punishment, mass surveillance, forced starvation, bombing of refugee camps, brutal murdering of women and children that's been going on in Gaza and the West Bank for years, decades- which you can watch in graphic detail right here on X. 

"And that's not to mention that somehow we let congress pass laws outlawing 'antisemitic' speech, despite our own first amendment. And we have anti-boycott legislation in multiple states, despite the fact that it's perfectly legal to boycott American companies... just not Israeli ones.

"Every content creator knows the fastest way to get demonetized, banned, and slandered is to be critical of Israel. I figured you would have realized this too after what they did to you and tried to do to X last year." Carroll concluded.

While many critics argue that Musk is aware of the so-called Jewish Question(JQ) as it's known on social media, and deliberately replied to Carroll knowing he'd respond with such counter-argument against Zionist influence. Others say the Tesla chief has been brainwashed and compromised by Israeli officials since his "apology tour" of the Jewish state.

Vice President Kamala Harris presided over the joint session of Congress Monday, to certify the 2024 presidential election results, marking a significant step in the transfer of power to President-elect Donald Trump.

Harris and running mate Tim Walz lost to Trump and JD Vance in November's presidential elections.

The Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 clarified the vice president’s ceremonial role in presiding over the joint session and raised the threshold for challenging a state’s electors to 20% of members in each chamber.

Harris described her role in the certification process as a “sacred obligation,” guided by her love of country, loyalty to the Constitution, and faith in the American people.

In a video clip of the event going viral online, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson appears to smirk as Harris read the official results of the election. Another viral clip on Monday, shows an awkward moment on Friday, when Harris was swearing in Deb Fischer(R-NE), among other senators, for her third term. After the two shook hands and Harris thanked the Republican for all her work, the vice president then turned to Fischer’s husband Bruce to shake his hand which he appeared to refused to do.

Monday's certification of the 2024 presidential election results marks the final step in the electoral process, with President-elect Trump set to be inaugurated on January 20, 2025.

The event was held under heavy security, with the Capitol complex designated as a “National Special Security Event” due to concerns about potential violence by unhinged far-left extremists

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as leader of the Liberal Party, effective after a new leader is chosen through a nationwide competitive process. He will remain in office as Prime Minister until the party selects his successor.

The exact timeline for Trudeau’s departure from office is not yet clear, but he has asked the Governor-General to prorogue Parliament until March 24, indicating that an election is unlikely to be held before May.

This decision comes amid growing pressure and criticism, including from within his own party, over his handling of various issues, including the economy. Intra-party battles and polarization within the country, Trudeau believes, would hinder his ability to lead effectively in the next election.

The Liberal Party will begin a process to select a new leader, and Trudeau will stay on as Prime Minister until this process is complete.

Reacting to the resignation, US President-elect Donald Trump who has been trolling Trudeau and Canada as the 51st state of America, wrote on Truth Social, "Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State. The United States can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this, and resigned. If Canada merged with the U.S., there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them. Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!"

Trudeau’s decision to step down has been welcomed by some as an opportunity for the party to reset and potentially improve its chances in the next election, which must be held by late October. While many others believe it will give the country a chance to change course from the current gloomy social and economic path caused by the outgoing prime minister's woke and open borders policies

Meta is planning to introduce AI-powered user accounts on Facebook and Instagram, allowing these accounts to create and share content like human users. The company was testing these AI bots, with hundreds of thousands of characters created through Meta’s AI Studio, although most remain private.

The AI bot profiles will have bios, profile pictures, and be able to generate and share content powered by AI on the platform, similar to human user accounts.

There’s “Jane Austen,” a “cynical novelist and storyteller”; “Liv,” whose bio claims she is a “proud Black queer momma of 2 & truth-teller”; and “Carter,” who promises to give users relationship advice. All are labeled as “AI managed by Meta” and the profiles date back to when the initial announcement was made.

The move aims to increase user engagement on the platforms. The company hopes that these semi-independent custom avatars will prove more engaging to young people, who are crucial to the survival of Meta’s flagship social networks.

However, the more than a dozen AI characters have apparently not been very popular: each has just a few thousand followers, with their posts getting just a few likes and comments.

Many of the AI bots haven’t shared new content on their grid since early 2024, and it’s unclear how (or if) users have been finding and engaging with these profiles over the past year.

The introduction of AI bots raises concerns about the potential risks of propaganda, disinformation, relationship deceit, and fraud, as well as the potential for these bots to spread inappropriate content.

Critics argue that few human users would find interacting with a woke boring queer AI bot engaging. "They're woke, creepy, unnecessary. Miss me with that shit," one person wrote on X, summarizing most of the reactions to Meta's AI profiles.