Google Calendar users have noticed that several cultural observances, including Black History Month, Pride Month, Women’s History Month, and Indigenous Peoples Month, are no longer displayed on the platform for 2025.
President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on all foreign steel and aluminum imports, effective March 4, 2025. This policy aims to bolster domestic metal industries but has elicited varied responses from stakeholders.
On February 11, 2025, former Australian Liberal MP Kevin Andrews was honored by political leaders and colleagues, who praised his unwavering dedication to public service. Andrews, who represented the Menzies electorate in Melbourne for over three decades, played a significant role in shaping conservative policy in Australia. He passed away on December 14, 2024, at the age of 69, following a battle with cancer.
Turkey and Egypt, historically divided by ideological differences, are moving toward stronger cooperation in response to shared regional crises. Diplomatic efforts between Ankara and Cairo have intensified, driven by mutual concerns over instability in Libya, tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, and economic opportunities. These developments signal a pragmatic shift in their foreign policies as both nations seek greater stability and economic growth.
The Trump administration is appealing a federal judge's decision to reinstate Hampton Dellinger as head of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the agency responsible for protecting federal whistleblowers. Dellinger was removed from his position by President Donald Trump, prompting legal challenges and concerns over the independence of federal oversight agencies.
Recent lawsuits against President Donald Trump’s executive actions could reshape the interpretation of presidential authority. Legal challenges are focused on the dismissal of federal officials, the reach of executive orders, and the limits of executive privilege. These cases may set important legal precedents on the balance of power between the executive branch and other government institutions.
President Donald Trump has warned that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas should be terminated if Hamas fails to release all remaining hostages in Gaza by midday on Saturday. He declared that if the deadline is not met, "all hell is going to break out." While acknowledging that the final decision rests with Israel, Trump suggested that the U.S. could also take action if Hamas does not comply.
On February 10, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order reversing the federal ban on plastic straws, arguing that paper alternatives are ineffective. The order overturns a Biden-era policy aimed at phasing out single-use plastics in federal agencies by 2035. Trump emphasized the convenience of plastic straws and dismissed environmental concerns, stating, "I don’t think plastic is going to affect the shark very much, as they’re munching their way through the ocean."
On February 10, 2025, a consortium led by Elon Musk made a $97.4 billion offer to take control of OpenAI’s nonprofit arm, escalating tensions between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The bid, which includes backing from Musk’s AI startup xAI, Baron Capital, and other investors, seeks to realign OpenAI with its original nonprofit mission. Altman swiftly rejected the offer, responding on X (formerly Twitter), "no thank you but we will buy twitter for $9.74 billion if you want."
