Category: World

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, is taking on a big new role to help Donald Trump. Trump has made Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy leaders of a new group called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Their job is to make government rules simpler and cut down on spending.

Recently, Elon and Vivek visited Capitol Hill to talk about their plans, and they looked happy while preparing for their new duties. Elon also brought his son, X Æ A-Xii, known as X, along with him. In a fun video, Elon asked his son what he should do to help. X quickly answered, “Save America, and help Trump.” Elon smiled and said, “Okay,” agreeing with his son’s advice.

This video became super popular on the internet, getting over 15 million views! Many people loved X’s words and shared their thoughts. One person said, “Lil X will lead the nation!” while another called him “Mini Doge” because of his dad’s new team. Some even joked that X and Barron Trump could be President and Vice President one day!

Travis Kelce, the NFL star, and Taylor Swift, the pop singer, have become one of the most famous couples in entertainment and sports. Their whirlwind romance could even inspire a Broadway show! According to a report, a pair of writers are working on a play about their love story, aiming to premiere in 2025.

The show is projected to have a budget of $7.5 million. However, although both Travis and Taylor have seen the writers’ plan, they haven’t decided yet if they want to be part of it. A source mentioned that Travis’s down-to-earth personality is what attracted the writers. They see him as a hardworking athlete rather than just another model or actor.

When Taylor supports Travis at his NFL games, it creates a lot of buzz. This excitement could turn into a 75-minute show that tells how they first met and fell in love. Since Taylor has always loved Broadway, this idea might really excite her!

If the show goes well in New York, the writers plan to take it to cities like Tokyo and London. The play will share their journey as one of the most famous couples today, and it will be extra special for Taylor, who loves Broadway.

Travis is looking at a future in Hollywood after his NFL career. He recently appeared in a drama series called Grotesquerie, which received positive reviews. His brother, Jason Kelce, is also getting Hollywood offers after starring in a documentary. It looks like the Kelce brothers are heading toward successful careers once Travis hangs up his football cleats!

On Monday, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser, Touhid Hussain. Misri flew in from India on an Air Force jet for a one-day visit to discuss the relationship between both countries. This was the first time an Indian official visited Bangladesh for important talks since Sheikh Hasina had to leave as Prime Minister on August 5.

After their meeting, Misri told reporters that he appreciated the chance to have a frank and open conversation. He mentioned that they discussed some worrying issues, including the safety of minorities in Bangladesh and recent attacks on cultural and religious sites.

The friendship between India and Bangladesh has been shaky since Hasina was ousted due to protests. After she left, Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohammad Yunus became the new leader. Recently, there have been increasing incidents of violence against Hindus, including the arrest of a Hindu monk named Chinmoy Krishna Das, which has raised alarms in India.

In September, Bangladesh’s foreign adviser had a brief meeting with India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar in New York. While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yunus attended the same UN summit in September, they did not get a chance to meet.

Before leaving, Misri is also expected to pay a courtesy visit to Yunus.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is about to testify in his corruption trial. This is a big moment, especially since he is also dealing with a war in Gaza and has an international arrest warrant for war crimes. Netanyahu is accused of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes in three different cases. He denies doing anything wrong. His testifying will be a low point in his long career, as it contrasts with the image of a smart and respected leader he has tried to show.

The trial started in 2020 and has included many witnesses, like former friends and media personalities, who have spoken against him. The prosecution has shown over 140 pieces of evidence, such as recordings and texts. A documentary called “The Bibi Files” has also revealed police questioning footage of Netanyahu and his wife, showing him appearing anxious and combative.

As Netanyahu takes the stand, he will be under pressure to manage a war at the same time. His trial is being held in a secure underground room for safety reasons. The prosecution wants to show that he is obsessed with getting good press, while the defense argues he is innocent and was wrongly targeted by police.

The court has now taken a break for summer and fall, but the trial will resume with Netanyahu as the first witness for the defense. His testimony is likely to last several weeks. Critics say the legal troubles made him push for controversial laws that divided the country. There are concerns he might be prolonging the conflict in Gaza to avoid political damage.

A decision in the case might not come until at least 2026, and Netanyahu can appeal to the Supreme Court afterward. Each side will summarize their arguments before the judges decide on Netanyahu’s fate.

Donald Trump, who will soon become president, has announced that his personal lawyer, Alina Habba, will join his White House team. He called her a true supporter and praised her strong spirit, saying she has stood by him during many tough times in court.

Alina Habba is becoming a well-known lawyer for Trump, often appearing on TV to defend him. At 40 years old, she is the managing partner at her law firm, Habba Madaio & Associates LLP. She helped Trump in different legal cases, including one from a former “Apprentice” contestant named Summer Zervos, who accused him of sexual assault. Habba worked hard and eventually helped get that case dropped. She also assisted Trump when his niece, Mary Trump, accused him of cheating her out of money from their family inheritance, which the court dismissed. Additionally, she played a role in a lawsuit against Mary Trump about financial documents she gave to the New York Times.

Earlier this year, Habba made news for having a heated exchange in court with Judge Lewis Kaplan during a case brought by E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of assaulting her in the 1990s. Furthermore, she has served as a key adviser for Trump’s “Make America Great Again Inc.” campaign for the 2024 election, often attending rallies like the one at Madison Square Garden.

In another announcement, Trump named Christopher Landau as his deputy secretary of state. Trump said Landau would work closely with Marco Rubio, his pick for Secretary of State, to keep America safe and prosperous. Landau previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, where he actively worked to lower illegal immigration.

Michael Needham, a former aide of Rubio, will be a counselor at the State Department, and Michael Anton, who worked in Trump’s first administration, will be the director of policy planning there.

Outgoing US President Joe Biden spoke about the fall of Bashar Assad’s government in Syria, which has hurt many people for over fifty years. He described this event as an important chance for the people of Syria. Biden shared his thoughts at the White House after rebel groups took control of Syria, ending a long and violent civil war.

“After thirteen years of fighting and more than fifty years of strict rule by Assad and his father, the rebel forces have pushed Assad to resign and leave the country. We do not know his exact location right now, but there are rumors he is in Moscow. Finally, the Assad regime has ended,” Biden said.

“This regime has harmed, tortured, and killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians. The end of this regime is a big step towards justice. It’s a historic moment for the suffering people of Syria to create a better future for their beloved country,” he added.

Biden also talked about the risks and uncertainties that come with this change, noting that recent support for Assad from groups like Hezbollah, Iran, and Russia has weakened. He views this situation as a chance for Syrian people to take the lead.

The Syrian opposition that has removed Assad is led by a group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which the US considers a terrorist group linked to al-Qaida. However, this group has stated that it has cut ties with al-Qaida.

Looking to the future, Biden mentioned a few important actions:

1. Support for Neighbors: The US will help countries near Syria, such as Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Israel, if any dangers arise during this transition. He plans to talk with regional leaders soon and is sending senior officials to assist.

2. Maintain Stability in Eastern Syria: The US will protect its personnel in Syria and continue its fight against ISIS. Biden emphasized they will make sure ISIS doesn’t gain strength during this time. “Today, US forces conducted airstrikes targeting ISIS hideouts,” he noted.

3. Engagement for a New Syria: The US will work with all Syrian groups to create a new, independent government through a process led by the United Nations. This new government will be formed by the people of Syria, not imposed from outside.

US Secretary of State Tony Blinken stated that they will keep a close eye on what happens next and work with international partners to hold the Assad regime accountable for their actions, including the use of chemical weapons against civilians.

On Sunday, Russia announced that Bashar al-Assad, the president of Syria, has decided to resign and leave the country. This comes after a long civil war that lasted nearly 14 years, during which Assad’s government was challenged by rebel forces.

According to Russia’s foreign ministry, Assad had discussions with several parties involved in the conflict before making this decision. Although Russia claimed he instructed his team on how to peacefully hand over power, they said they were not part of these talks.

Reports say that Assad flew out of Damascus, the capital, just as rebel fighters were entering the city. No one knows where he went, and his family’s whereabouts—including his wife Asma and their two children—are also unclear.

The news of Assad’s resignation sparked celebrations across Syria. Many people celebrated by pulling down statues of his father, Hafez al-Assad, and his late brother, Bassel. In some places, crowds ransacked Assad’s palaces, stealing chairs and other furniture.

Bashar al-Assad has been in power since 2000 after taking over from his father, who ruled from 1970. Since 2011, he has been known for harshly stopping protests that called for more democracy in the country.

For over 50 years, Syria’s Baath Party, led by the Assad family, ruled the country with fear and violence. This changed dramatically when rebels attacked and captured Damascus. In 2011, President Bashar al-Assad reacted to peaceful protests by using force, just like his father Hafez had done before him.

The Baath Party, which means “resurrection” in Arabic, was created in 1947 by two educated Syrians, Michel Aflaq and Salah Bitar. It aimed to unite Arab nations. The party grew popular after merging with the Arab Socialist Party. In 1963, a military coup put the Baath Party in power, and a few years later, Hafez al-Assad took control, pushing out the party’s founders.

Hafez al-Assad cemented his power in 1970, becoming the head of state and ruling until his death in 2000. A new constitution made the Baath Party the leader of the country. For 30 years, political opposition was not allowed, and protests were banned. In 1982, the government violently suppressed a revolt by the Muslim Brotherhood, killing thousands of people in a hidden massacre.

In this system, Hafez and his son Bashar were both ‘elected’ with more than 90% of the vote, even though there was no real competition. When Hafez died, Bashar was too young to be president, so they changed the rules to allow him to take over—a move many saw as making a hereditary monarchy.

The Assads belong to the Alawite minority, a branch of Shiite Islam in a mostly Sunni country. As the 2011 Arab Spring spread to Syria, it became a serious challenge for the Assads. Bashar promised change but responded with violence against protestors. Although the government held a referendum for a new constitution in 2012, the violence escalated into a civil war, causing the deaths of over half a million people and displacing millions.

Recently, Islamist rebels took control of Damascus after a fast attack, signaling an end to the Assad family’s long and oppressive rule and a hope for a new beginning for Syria.