Elon Musk, leading Donald Trump’s efforts to reduce federal government size, stated they are working to shut down USAID, calling it “beyond repair.” Musk and Trump both agree the world’s largest donor organization should be eliminated. Their comments followed the Trump administration’s removal of USAID security officials after they hindered Musk’s team. USAID, which disbursed $72bn in 2023, faces risk from Trump’s “America First” policy. Musk claims fraud and inefficiency in government, suggesting $1 trillion savings. Critics question Musk’s access to sensitive Treasury systems.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in the United States on Sunday afternoon, just as the Middle East faces extreme uncertainty with Donald Trump’s second term in power! The Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. has confirmed that a meeting between Trump and Netanyahu is set to strengthen Israel-U.S. relations. Netanyahu will also meet with top officials of the U.S. administration. Before Trump’s inauguration on January 20th, the 15-month-long war in Gaza had come to an end.

In line with his election promises, President Trump has decided to impose a 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods, and a 10% tariff on Chinese products. The Wall Street Journal has dubbed it the “most foolish trade war in history.” Despite knowing the impact on the U.S. economy, Trump has defended the move, stating that countries like China, Mexico, and Canada are exploiting America, and that he will make America great again. In response to the increased tariffs, China expressed its anger and hinted at taking the matter to the World Trade Organization. Meanwhile, Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs.

Under Donald Trump’s orders, the U.S. Air Force has conducted an airstrike on an ISIS secret base in Somalia. The regional authorities of Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in Somalia, confirmed that several key leaders, including a senior member of the militant group, were killed or injured in the attack. This action is part of the United States’ efforts to counter the group’s activities in the war-torn country. Donald Trump confirmed this on his Truth Social platform, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also made a statement. No fatalities have been reported from the attack, but it is believed to have reduced the group’s capabilities. Following the strike, Somalia’s president thanked Trump.

U.S. President Donald Trump has temporarily suspended foreign aid programs as part of his “America First” policy. The suspension will last three months while aid projects are reviewed for alignment with U.S. policies. In 2023, Ukraine received the highest U.S. aid, totaling $16.62 billion. Israel, Ethiopia, and Egypt are also major recipients. The decision affects global health programs, including PEPFAR, and could lead to mass layoffs in aid-dependent sectors. Bangladesh, which received $550 million, will see job losses, but Rohingya aid remains unaffected.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, was nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for his promotion of free speech. The nomination was submitted by European Parliament member Branko Grimz, who highlighted Musk’s contributions to free expression and peace. However, Musk declined the nomination, stating he does not seek any awards. Despite his disinterest, the nomination has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with critics questioning its legitimacy.

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to impose a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada starting February 1. This follows his earlier warning related to undocumented immigration, trade fraud, and fentanyl trafficking. Trump also mentioned plans to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese goods but did not elaborate. Despite not signing the tariff order earlier, he confirmed the move after his swearing-in. The tariffs will remain in place until these countries take action against illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

WhatsApp is set to launch a multi-account feature allowing users to run two accounts on one phone. Available for both Android and iOS, this update will enable users to manage personal and professional accounts separately within the same app. Users can add a second account via QR code scanning or primary setup. Each account will have separate chats, notifications, and settings. Currently in development, the feature is expected to roll out soon, offering greater convenience and flexibility to users.

US President Donald Trump has launched a “deferred resignation” program, offering up to 2 million federal employees eight months of pay if they resign by September. The plan aims to significantly shrink the government and enforce strict in-office work policies. Critics, including labor unions and Democratic lawmakers, warn of disruption and legal challenges. The White House calls it a generous offer but hints at future layoffs. This move is part of Trump’s broader agenda to cut government spending and regulations.

A passenger plane crashed into the Potomac River near Reagan Washington National Airport after colliding with a U.S. military helicopter. The incident, which occurred on Thursday morning, has raised fears of multiple casualties. The plane had at least 64 passengers on board. Rescue operations are ongoing, with multiple agencies, including the U.S. Park Police and D.C. Fire and Emergency Services, involved. A surveillance camera captured the moment of impact. In response, all flights at the airport have been temporarily suspended.

Nvidia’s market cap plunged by nearly $600 billion, the largest single-day loss in U.S. history, as its stock fell 17% to $118.58. The drop was triggered by competition from China’s DeepSeek, which unveiled a cost-effective AI model. Concerns over declining GPU demand also impacted Broadcom, Dell, and Oracle. Analysts believe AI growth will boost compute demand long-term. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s net worth dropped by $21 billion. DeepSeek’s app surpassed ChatGPT as the most-downloaded in the U.S., escalating the global AI race.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, acknowledging the shared coastline between Mexico and the U.S. Google Maps will adopt this new name, but in Mexico, it will remain the Gulf of Mexico. Outside North America, both names—Gulf of Mexico and Gulf of America—will be displayed. This decision follows other name changes, such as the renaming of Denali (formerly Mount McKinley), and reflects the evolving dynamics of geographic naming in the region.

Donald Trump, after beginning his second term as U.S. president, has yet to undertake a state visit. Traditionally, the first state visit for a U.S. president is to the U.K., but Trump may break tradition and visit Saudi Arabia first, as he did during his first term. During a conversation aboard Air Force One, Trump hinted at this possibility, citing Saudi Arabia’s agreement to purchase billions of dollars in U.S. goods. Saudi Arabia has also expressed interest in investing $60 billion in the U.S. during Trump’s second term.

Another large wildfire, the Hughes fire, has erupted near Castaic Lake, north of Los Angeles, spreading rapidly over 9,400 acres amid dangerous winds. Mandatory evacuations were issued for 31,000 residents as the flames threaten homes, schools, and a major jail complex. Fire crews are working tirelessly to contain the new blaze while officials prepare for potential rain, which could trigger mudslides in burned areas. With red flag warnings in effect, Southern California faces continued critical fire risks as this latest wildfire intensifies the region’s challenges.

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.