Shortly after taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump issued executive orders targeting undocumented immigrants, sparking nationwide crackdowns. In Brooklyn, New York, ICE officers in plain clothes arrested four Bangladeshis during a raid. Witnesses reported being asked for identification, with one individual arrested after invoking the Fifth Amendment. Trump has signed over 100 immigration-related orders, including revoking birthright citizenship and halting legalization programs. The measures, coupled with heightened border security, have created widespread fear among undocumented immigrants, prompting legal challenges from 24 states and cities.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting all U.S. foreign assistance programs for 90 days pending a review of their alignment with U.S. policy objectives. The suspension affects new aid disbursements, but many existing programs are already funded. Trump criticized the foreign aid system, stating it destabilizes world peace and promotes values contrary to U.S. interests. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that foreign assistance must justify its benefits to U.S. safety, strength, and prosperity, with determinations made by his office.

India has agreed to take back 18,000 of its illegal immigrants from the United States, responding to pressure from President Trump’s administration. This move is part of broader cooperation on immigration issues and aims to avoid trade conflicts while strengthening ties with the U.S. The Indian government will begin deportation procedures after identifying the individuals. In exchange, India expects the Trump administration to protect legal immigration channels, such as student visas and the H-1B program, for Indian citizens.

Elon Musk is revolutionizing hiring practices at X (formerly Twitter) by prioritizing skills over degrees. In a recent post, Musk invited “hardcore software engineers” to join his team, emphasizing coding talent over academic credentials or past employers. His call aligns with his long-held belief that problem-solving abilities outweigh traditional education. This ethos extends to his ambitious “everything app,” modeled after China’s WeChat, integrating social media, payments, and e-commerce. With AI and blockchain advancements, Musk aims to redefine connectivity, making X a hub for global interactions and services.

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing its handling of Covid-19, failure to reform, and perceived political bias. The move, announced on his first day back in office, revives a decision he initiated during his previous term but was reversed by President Biden. The US, which contributed nearly 20% of WHO’s $6.8 billion annual budget in 2023, risks destabilizing the agency’s funding. Trump hinted at a possible return, saying, “We’ll see what happens.”

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, marking a dramatic political comeback. The inauguration, held indoors due to freezing temperatures, set the stage for a term Trump vowed would prioritize “America first.” He promised sweeping executive actions, including tighter immigration controls, renaming the Gulf of Mexico, and dismantling “woke” ideologies. In a fiery speech, Trump declared the end of America’s decline, portraying himself as a unifier and peacemaker while pledging bold reforms to restore the nation’s prominence.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met Elon Musk in Washington as part of a high-level delegation, discussing trade ties and welcoming U.S. businesses to China. Musk is set to join the Trump administration as co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency. Han also met Vice President-elect J.D. Vance to discuss bilateral and international relations. Emphasizing shared interests, Han pledged reforms and an improved business climate, aiming for stable, healthy, and sustainable U.S.-China cooperation.

TikTok resumed operations in the U.S. hours after shutting down, following President-elect Trump’s pledge to delay enforcement of a law banning the app. Trump promised an executive order to secure TikTok’s future, allowing its 170 million U.S. users to regain access. ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, is exploring solutions, including a joint venture with U.S. ownership. Despite relief, the app’s long-term future remains uncertain due to bipartisan national security concerns and challenges in resolving ownership issues.

TikTok ceased operations in the U.S. Saturday night, hours before a nationwide ban took effect, citing a law requiring its sale to a U.S. entity. The Supreme Court upheld the ban, triggering app store removals and server restrictions. However, TikTok hinted at a swift return, noting President-elect Trump’s potential 90-day extension. The blackout leaves 170 million U.S. users and businesses in limbo, with bipartisan concerns over data security driving the ongoing controversy. Trump’s inauguration may determine TikTok’s fate.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has sparked excitement among AI enthusiasts by hinting at potential advancements in the GPT series. Responding to queries about GPT-5 on social media, Altman assured users that ongoing development will deliver significant improvements. He also revealed plans to merge the GPT and O-series technologies by 2025, signaling a major leap in AI integration. While specific timelines remain undecided, Altman’s optimism suggests exciting updates are on the horizon for OpenAI’s groundbreaking AI systems.

Elon Musk may need to pay $40–$50 billion to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations, similar to the $44 billion he spent on Twitter, analyst Dan Ives suggests. Reports indicate China might consider a sale to Musk to avert a U.S. ban over security concerns. TikTok’s parent, ByteDance, faces pressure to divest its U.S. assets. While TikTok dismisses the rumors, Musk’s strong ties with China and his social media ambitions position him as a potential buyer for this “golden asset.”

The Supreme Court upheld a law banning TikTok unless it severs ties with Chinese parent ByteDance, citing national security risks from its data collection practices. The ban is set to start Sunday, potentially removing TikTok from U.S. app stores. Enforcement will fall to President-elect Donald Trump, who stated, “It ultimately goes up to me, so you’re going to see what I’m going to do.” While some lawmakers suggest extending the ban to allow TikTok more time to find a buyer, the app’s future remains uncertain as ByteDance has not committed to selling. TikTok has yet to comment on the ruling.

President-elect Trump’s transition team has asked three senior State Department career diplomats to resign, potentially heralding broader changes in the diplomatic corps. The officials—Dereck Hogan, Marcia Bernicat, and Alaina Teplitz—have served under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Sources suggest Trump aims to appoint more political allies to key roles, aligning with his pledge to “clean out the deep state.” Critics warn the move could politicize the department, while Trump’s team argues it’s necessary for advancing his foreign policy agenda.

Tulip Siddiq, a UK Labour Party minister and the niece of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, resigned following corruption allegations in Bangladesh. Elon Musk, a close ally of Donald Trump, criticized her on social media, labeling her corrupt. Siddiq, who served as the Economic Secretary in the UK Treasury, was responsible for addressing financial sector corruption. Her name emerged in a corruption case in Bangladesh, where she, along with her family members, faces accusations. Siddiq has consistently denied the allegations.

Mark Zuckerberg revealed that by 2025, AI at Meta could replace midlevel software engineers, automating coding tasks entirely. He discussed this on Joe Rogan’s podcast, emphasizing AI’s potential to manage code creation and even build other AI systems. While costly initially, this shift could save significant resources, as midlevel engineers earn mid-six figures. Additionally, Meta plans to replace third-party fact-checkers with community notes and scale back DEI efforts, sparking concerns from advocacy groups.