White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that tariffs on Canada and Mexico will begin on February 1, as decided earlier dismissing reports that claimed the tariffs will be deferred to March 1. Leavitt also reacted to Justin Trudeau's latest statement on counter-tariff on US products and said he should directly speak to Trump before making 'outlandish' comments.from World News Today, Trending World News, Latest International News, World Breaking News - Times of India https://ift.tt/L6f9OXF
Republican commentators circulated a purported Kamala Harris 404 screenshot and claimed that the White House did that mocking the former vice president. But the screenshot was not from the White House's site but apparently from Kamala Harris' campaign website. The viral image referenced the former Vice President's favorite phrase 'unburdened'. Harris is currently considering future political moves, including a potential presidential run in 2028.
Tulsi Gabbard, nominated by Donald Trump for Director of National Intelligence, aims to address Havana syndrome during her confirmation hearing. Havana syndrome consists of unexplained health issues affecting American diplomatic personnel and their families stationed globally. Some intelligence agencies suggest a foreign entity might be responsible.
President Trump has appointed Chris Rocheleau as the acting FAA administrator following a tragic aircraft collision near Washington, D.C. Rocheleau, with over two decades of experience at the FAA, most recently served as the chief operating officer at the National Business Aviation Association.
Former President Trump made unsubstantiated claims about a midair collision, linking it to FAA diversity policies from the Obama and Biden administrations. Despite the investigation being in its early stages, he criticized these policies and emphasized the need for competency-based hiring.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. denied allegations of sexual misconduct toward his former babysitter during his confirmation hearing. He claimed the apology in a text to her was for something unrelated. Text messages revealed Kennedy expressing regret for any discomfort caused. His cousin Caroline Kennedy opposed his nomination, alleging a history of inappropriate behavior.
The White House OMB withdrew its federal grant spending freeze directive just two days after its implementation, which caused widespread confusion. The freeze aimed to ensure compliance with executive orders, but legal challenges and pressure led to a quick reversal, avoiding potential disruptions in funding for vital programs and services.
Vogue has critiqued Melania Trump's outfit in her official White House portrait, with writer Hannah Jackson commenting that Melania looks like a freelance magician. While the photo has generally been criticized as being 'heavily photoshopped', Vogue's harsh criticism of Melania has a context. Vogue did not make a cover on Melania during her first stint as the First Lady ditching a long-running tradition.
Caroline Kennedy praised Kennedy Jr for “pulling himself out of illness and disease” but lamented the “siblings and cousins who Bobby encouraged down the path of substance abuse suffered addiction, illness, and death while Bobby has gone on to misrepresent, lie, and cheat his way through life.” “I have known Bobby my whole life; we grew up together,” wrote Kennedy. “It’s no surprise that he keeps birds of prey as pets because he himself is a predator."
Tom Homan asserts that the Trump administration will continue with mass deportations despite celebrity backlash, emphasizing that the operations are aimed at enhancing community safety. The recent ICE raids have led to significant arrests, sparking emotional responses from public figures like Selena Gomez. “We're going to do this operation without apology. We're gonna make our community safer. It is all for the good of this nation. And we're gonna keep going. No apologies. We're moving forward," Tom Homan said.
When Donald Trump was asked whether Elon Musk was getting an office in the West Wing, he said, "No". "He's getting an office for about 20 people that we're hiring to make sure that these (savings) get implemented," Trump said referring to Elon Musk's work as Department of Government Efficiency chief.
Selena Gomez faced criticism after she posted an emotional Instagram story where she was sobbing about immigrants who are being deported. “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," she said drawing immediate backlash forcing her to delete that post.
Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump had a telephone conversation discussing the importance of UK-US ties, joint security efforts, and economic deregulation plans. Trump congratulated Starmer on his brother's passing and expressed respect for the Royal Family. Their previous meeting was in September, with potential future visits to the UK or Saudi Arabia.
President Trump announced retaliatory measures against Colombia, including tariffs and visa restrictions, after Colombia refused to accept two U.S. deportation flights. Colombian President Petro demanded protocols for dignified migrant treatment. The Trump administration has increased immigration enforcement, using military personnel for deportations.
Latvia's Prime Minister, Evika Siliņa, has sought assistance from Sweden and other Nato allies to investigate damage to an underwater data cable linking Latvia to Sweden. The damage is believed to be externally influenced, prompting intensive collaboration and a criminal investigation, while alternate data routes continue to operate.
Bill and Melinda were married in 1994 and have three kids Jennifer, 28, Rory, 25 and Phoebe, 22. They announced their split in May 2021 and said that they had been living separately for a year. Bill earlier admitted that he caused pain when she confronted him about a report that he'd had an affair with a Microsoft employee.
Kamala Harris established an LLC called Pioneer 49 last month in California, according to her presidential campaign's financial disclosure. The disclosure describes the company as an "entity to assist the former vice president," Politico reported. Pioneer is Harris' code name used by the Secret Service. And she was the 49th vice president. Barack Obama too used his code name Renegade to create the organisation Renegade 44 when he left office.
The Sindh High Court has issued notices to several authorities following a petition by Chinese citizens alleging police harassment, extortion, and movement restrictions in Sindh province. The petitioners claim that their legal investments and residence in Pakistan are being compromised due to unjustified detentions, bribes, and unprofessional conduct by police officials.
MP Bob Blackman condemned the storming of a cinema by masked Khalistan supporters in the UK parliament, calling them 'terrorists'. He urged home secretary Yvette Cooper to ensure the British public can watch films without intimidation. House leader Lucy Powell agreed and promised to update the House on this matter.
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on Friday told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Washington needs to approach the issue of Taiwan "prudently", the ministry in Beijing said, as the pair held their first talks since Donald Trump took office. The Chinese minister said the pair should follow the lead of China's Xi Jinping and Trump in setting the tone for relations at a "new important juncture," the ministry said.
A purported message has gone viral claiming that Jennifer Aniston herself admitted to her friends that she is dating Barack Obama. The unverified message apparently was a DM from a friend of Jen which got leaked on social media. This comes amid intense speculations about Barack Obama and Michelle Obama's divorce. In Jimmy Kimmel show last year, Jennifer Aniston denied rumors of dating Barack Obama.
Experts from the US air force are assessing upgrades to Cyprus' Andreas Papandreou air base for future humanitarian operations in the Middle East. The upgrades will focus on improving air traffic safety, expanding the base, and enhancing its capacity for military and civilian aircraft. Cyprus has previously served as a transit point for evacuations and aid, and any use of the base by foreign forces will require government approval. The US and Cyprus have strengthened military cooperation in recent years.
A student shot two other pupils in a Tennesse high school cafeteria shootout before turning the gun to himself inside the cafeteria. Antioch High School where the incident took place was immediately placed on lockdown because of the sudden shooting. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Homeland Security and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have said they also are responding.
The UAE has sent its 23rd relief plane to Lebanon as part of the "UAE stands with Lebanon" campaign, delivering 35 tonnes of medical supplies, including essential devices and equipment for hospitals. This continued support, initiated by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, aims to alleviate Lebanon's healthcare and economic crises. The UAE remains committed to providing aid to Lebanon and other nations facing crises.
Barron Trump caught attention at the inauguration for his height and polite demeanor, exchanging greetings with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Social media speculated on his interaction with Biden, but a lip reader clarified that the exchange was light though Barron Trump's reply to Joe Biden was weird. "It's good to see you man," Biden apparently told Barron Trump.
Pete Hegseth's former sister-in-law (ex-wife of his brother) has now claimed that Hegseth made his second wife Samantha Deering fear for her life. The allegation has reached the senators who will be confirming Hegseth to the Pentagon job for which Donald Trump picked him. Pete Hegseth's wife said the allegations are baseless as there was no physical abuse in her marriage. Hegseth's lawyer said his former sister-in-law had a bone to pick with the Hegseth family.
"The body language between Trump, Harris, and Biden was contentious, stonewalling one another intentionally not to acknowledge or show respect through eye contact, eyebrow glance, or handshake," body language expert Susan Constantine said. "Harris's face was tense, as she seemed uncomfortable, and she was leaning away from Biden. She appeared to hug the chair to create further distance between her and Biden," the expert said.
"The entrenched interests run deep. They will throw everything they can at Elon to stop change. It won't work. But it's going to get uglier and uglier. Be ready, America. We'll need you to have his back," Kimbal Musk posted. Elon Musk's mother Maye Musk posted photos of other leaders like Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton, and Kamala Harris doing the same gesture.
A video of Barron Trump shaking hands with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris at Donald Trump's inauguration has gone viral, earning praise for his courtesy. In 2017, when Donald Trump entered the White House for the first time, Barron was a child but this time all eyes are on the 18-year-old as Donald Trump credited Barron for guiding him on reaching out to the young voters.
Hours after TikTok went dark in the US, the company said Sunday that it was in the process of restoring service. “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive,” TikTok Policy wrote on X.
Donald Trump will place his hand on two Bibles during the swearing-in ceremony: the Lincoln Bible from 1861 and one gifted by his mother in 1955. The Lincoln Bible has been used three times since, by President Barack Obama at each of his inaugurations and by Donald Trump in 2017. In 2013, Obama too took the oath of office keeping his hands on two Bibles -- one was owned by Martin Luther King Jr and the other was the Lincoln Bible.
President-elect Trump is likely to grant TikTok a 90-day extension to finalize a deal and prevent a U.S. ban. He indicated that a decision would be made after taking office on Monday. The new law barring app stores from distributing TikTok begins Sunday, and TikTok has requested assurance from the Biden administration regarding law enforcement.
A New Yorker is facing a lawsuit for allegedly harassing the owners of a TikTok-famous photo booth next to her home. Accusations include throwing urine, painting feces, and making threats. The neighbor claims the suit is a ploy for money and denies some of the allegations. The photo booth has drawn large crowds, causing tensions.
US President-elect Donald Trump unveiled his own cryptocurrency, $TRUMP, leading to a market frenzy. The coin's market capitalization soared to nearly $6 billion within hours. Despite excitement, concerns about legitimacy emerged, but Trump confirmed its authenticity. 200 million coins were issued initially, with plans to release 800 million more.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken bid farewell to the State Department staff, urging them to continue advancing US foreign policy despite the uncertainty of the incoming Trump administration. He praised their resilience and dedication to making the world a better place, encouraging them to persist in their mission as custodians of American diplomacy under new leadership.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, nominated by Donald Trump to lead Homeland Security, faced a Senate hearing. Promising to enforce stricter immigration policies, Noem aims to deport millions, end asylum-seeker policies, and focus on deporting migrants with criminal records. Senate discussions included disaster response, federal cybersecurity, and Secret Service reforms, highlighting the department's crucial national security role.
A gunman entered Coquette Brasserie in Raleigh and fatally shot a man before turning the gun on himself. The shooter is in critical condition and another bystander was injured but not severely. Police believe the incident resulted from a dispute and confirmed it wasn’t random. Traffic near North Hills shopping mall and several schools were temporarily affected.
"Obviously what's happening in Los Angeles is very serious but I jokingly refer that don't forget about all of the victims here. Meghan has had her Netflix show and she had all the PR thing ready, she was expecting that the should would come in a couple of days but now it has been pushed off again. So can we think about all the victims of the Los Angeles Fires please," Sky News host Paul Murray said.
Antony Blinken's final press conference escalated when two journalists were removed after they accused him of supporting genocide in Gaza. "Why did you keep your bombs flowing while you had a deal in May? We all knew we had a deal. Everyone in this room knows you had a deal," one asked.
Meghan Markle is dumbfounded overall at the repeated backlash she's facing and that a Hollywood personality is not coming out to defend her. While Justine Bateman slammed Meghan, no prominent voices from Hollywood supported Meghan in what can be seen as a signal of how Hollywood has turned its back on Meghan.
It's not known whether Pelosi and Joe Biden have spoken since July when Pelosi 'forced' him to step aside from the race though Pelosi officially maintained that she did not exert any pressure. After Trump’s victory in November, Pelosi placed the blame for the Democrats’ loss on Biden. “Had the president gotten out sooner, there may have been other candidates in the race,” the California Democrat said during an interview with a New York Times podcast.
Pete Hegseth, Trump's defense secretary pick, faced intense questioning from Senate Democrats regarding his controversial past, including accusations of drunken behavior and sexual misconduct. Despite the allegations, Hegseth denied all claims and stated his support for women in combat roles. Vice President-elect JD Vance condemned the grilling, calling it 'grandstanding.'
"Sorry, it's a lot of them," Hegseth said as he fumbled on Rex's name. But he did not actually forget the name. He just got stuck which he admitted and overcame. Out of the seven children, four are Hegseth's biological and three are his stepchildren. He shares one daughter with his current wife Jennifer and shares three other kids with his second wife Samantha Deering. Hegseth is a stepdad to Jennifer's three children.
Since the first report broke out in 2024, the author and his representatives strongly denied all the allegations though it delivered a setback to the production of Good Omens. Gaiman reacted to the stories of Kendra Stout and Pavlovich and defended himself in both cases. He said his relationship with Kendra was never unlawful and said Pavlovich had a condition for which she had false memories.
Sam Harris explained on a podcast why he is no longer friends with Elon Musk, citing Musk's interactions with right-wing figures and online misinformation. Musk reacted by calling Harris 'mentally ill' and using a clown emoji. Harris expressed concern over Musk not verifying information and defaming former friends publicly. "He does not care if he's defaming someone in public who used to be a friend," Sam Harris said.
The Palisades Fire is raging uncontained for the sixth day, threatening the neighborhood of Brentwood in Los Angeles, where Vice President Kamala Harris has a home. The vice president has a long history of public service in her home state of California. She previously served as the district attorney of San Francisco and the attorney general of California.
Photos released by the FBI showed the drone put a large hole in the aircraft’s wing, with the damage causing about a 30-minute delay in the aerial firefight, ABC 7 reported. “I’d just like to stress, that technique, using that super scooper aircraft, are our most effective technique to fight fires like this, and when this happens, it puts everybody’s lives at risk,” said Akil Davis, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.
Pasadena mayor Victor Gordo who has been asserting that the Sussexes were not there publicity said a fire victim asked Prince Harry for a donut. “[Harry] says, ‘There’s no donut here, but I will find one,'” Gordo narrated the story. “He (Harry) takes off, and 10 minutes later, he returns with a donut," Gordo said.
Donald Trump and Barack Obama were seen chatting at Jimmy Carter's funeral, sparking much speculation. Trump shared a made-up lip-reading interpretation as it must have entertained him the most. In this version, Obama called Kamala Harris horrendous and said that he knew Trump would win. Obama also said that Kamala Harris did not even look at him at Jimmy Carter's funeral.