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Quad Issues Strong Warning to China in Trump 2.0 Meeting

On his first full day in office, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio convened a Quad ministerial meeting with counterparts from Australia, India, and Japan in Washington, where they issued a strong warning against any coercive attempts to alter the status quo in the Indo-Pacific, a clear reference to China's maritime actions. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific," emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic values and territorial integrity. They condemned unilateral actions that threaten the region's stability, particularly concerning Taiwan. The meeting, significant as it occurred shortly after the inauguration of the Trump administration, highlighted the prioritization of countering China's influence. Additionally, plans were discussed for a Quad summit in India, reflecting the group's ongoing focus on regional security amid rising tensions with China, particularly in the South China Sea. Rubio reiterated the U.S. commitment to deter any potential Chinese aggression toward Taiwan. sources

Published:
Jan 22 2025, 8 am

OpenAI CEO: My Child Won't Outsmart AI

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has expressed his belief that his future child will "never" be smarter than artificial intelligence, predicting a future where AI surpasses human intellect becomes commonplace. Speaking on the Re: Thinking podcast, Altman emphasized that while AI will excel in areas beyond human capability, the focus for future generations will shift from raw intelligence to skills such as critical questioning and collaboration. He noted that the evolution of human-AI interaction will require deeper engagement, moving beyond simple prompts. Altman also highlighted the importance of teamwork, citing that AI working alongside humans has proven more effective than either working alone. As he prepares to become a father, Altman remains optimistic about humanity's adaptability to technological changes, citing historical precedents in job evolution. Additionally, he announced OpenAI's upcoming 'o3 mini' reasoning AI model, designed to tackle complex tasks, in a bid to stay competitive in the rapidly advancing AI landscape. sources

Published:
Jan 22 2025, 10 am

Did Trump 2.0 Remove Constitution from White House Website?

In a striking debut for his second term, US President Donald Trump launched a revamped White House website on Monday, emphasizing themes of safety, American values, and energy dominance. The homepage prominently featured a silhouette of Trump alongside the slogan "America is Back." However, notable omissions drew criticism, including the absence of the US Constitution page, which had previously detailed its historical significance during Joe Biden's administration. Users also encountered "404 error" messages for biographies of former presidents and found the Spanish-language version inaccessible. The White House attributed these issues to ongoing website development, assuring the public that archived content would be restored shortly. Principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields emphasized the administration's commitment to reintroducing both the missing content and the Spanish translation. This incident echoes Trump’s first term, where similar content removals occurred, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ rights and climate change. sources

Published:
Jan 22 2025, 10 am

Bishop Urges Trump to Show Mercy to Gays, Immigrants

During Donald Trump's inaugural prayer service at Washington National Cathedral, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde urged the new president to show mercy towards gay, lesbian, and transgender children, highlighting fears stemming from his recent policies that include the end of birthright citizenship and the recognition of only two genders. Budde's impassioned plea emphasized the vulnerability of these children and defended the contributions of immigrants, whom she described as essential workers and "good neighbours," asserting that most are not criminals. She called on Trump to consider the impact of his policies on families, particularly those at risk of separation. In contrast, Trump dismissed the sermon as "not too exciting" and criticized the service's overall quality. His administration's policies, which include a crackdown on immigration and a declaration that only two genders exist, have sparked significant controversy and backlash. sources

Published:
Jan 22 2025, 10 am

Fact-Check: Do Covid Vaccines Contain AIDS Viruses?

Reports of a Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreak in China have reignited conspiracy theories related to COVID-19 on social media, notably through a viral Instagram reel claiming COVID-19 vaccines contain fragments of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The video, which has amassed nearly 1 million views, misleadingly combines unrelated content, suggesting that the spike protein stabilizer in the vaccine includes HIV fragments. However, investigations reveal that the initial footage is from a documentary about a discontinued vaccine candidate developed by Professor Keith Chappell, which was halted due to false positive HIV results during trials. The latter part of the video features discredited claims by Dr. Richard M. Fleming, who has a history of promoting conspiracy theories. Ultimately, experts confirm that the claims are false; while an experimental vaccine included a small HIV protein segment, it posed no risk and was never distributed. sources

Published:
Jan 22 2025, 10 am

Zuckerberg Likes Sanchez's Photo After Viral Video; Internet Reacts

Mark Zuckerberg has found himself at the center of online chatter following his viral moment during Donald Trump's inauguration, where he was spotted gazing at Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos' fiancée. Just a day later, social media users discovered that Zuckerberg had liked a sultry Instagram post of Sanchez, who attended the Starlight Ball in a peach Dolce & Gabbana gown, prompting a wave of trolling. Comments ranged from jokes about Zuckerberg potentially making likes private to reminders of his invention of the like button as a means of friendliness rather than flirtation. Despite the teasing, both Zuckerberg, who is married to Priscilla Chan, and Sanchez, engaged to Bezos since 2023, appear to be unfazed by the online frenzy, which has generated numerous memes and humorous posts across social platforms. sources

Published:
Jan 22 2025, 11 am

Nuclear Watchdog Chief Discusses Ukraine's Close Calls at Davos

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), highlighted the precarious situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine, which has come "minutes or hours away" from a nuclear disaster multiple times since being occupied by Russia. Grossi warned that loss of cooling at the facility, which houses six reactors and has been subjected to shelling and blackouts, could potentially lead to a catastrophic incident. The IAEA has continuously called for restraint amid fears that military actions could trigger a nuclear accident. Meanwhile, the WEF, attended by nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, including five Union ministers from India, is focused on reviving global growth and fostering technological innovation, with India aiming to enhance its role in sustainable development. sources

Published:
Jan 22 2025, 9 am

Manager's Plane Crash Advice Sparks Outrage in South Korea

A Korean bubble tea franchise, Gong Cha, is facing backlash after a store manager allegedly instructed employees to notify him before contacting their families in the event of a plane crash. This directive followed South Korea's worst domestic aviation disaster, where a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crash-landed at Muan airport, resulting in 179 fatalities. The manager, based at the Shinsegae Department Store in Daegu, reportedly told part-time workers to text him "hire an intern" before reaching out to their parents if a crash occurred. Social media users condemned the comments as heartless, prompting Gong Cha to issue an apology, expressing condolences to the victims' families and acknowledging the manager's inappropriate behavior. The shop owner also penned a handwritten note, taking responsibility for the incident and pledging to enhance staff training and operations to prevent future occurrences. Only two passengers survived the tragic crash. sources

Published:
Jan 22 2025, 9 am

India's Nuclear Reactor Safety: Global Watchdog Chief's Response

At the Davos 2025 summit, Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), reaffirmed the safety of India's nuclear reactors, stating they adhere to the highest international safety standards. He highlighted the potential of India's fast-breeder reactor program at Kalpakkam as a valuable addition to its nuclear fleet. Addressing the issue of nuclear testing, Grossi emphasized the global push for a ban, expressing hope that nations like India would refrain from further tests. He also discussed India's aspirations to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group, noting his past efforts towards a resolution. Regarding the India-US civil nuclear deal, Grossi remarked that India's diverse nuclear program positions it well for future cooperation. On global nuclear concerns, he mentioned the precarious situation at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia plant and Iran's enriched uranium levels, stressing the need for transparency and cooperation from Tehran. sources

Published:
Jan 22 2025, 9 am

Lip Reader Reveals Obama, Bush's Inauguration Conversation: "How Can We

A hearing-impaired lip reader, Jackie Gonzalez, has attempted to decode a brief exchange between former US Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush during Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony. In a viral video, Gonzalez interprets Obama as saying, "Good to see you," before jokingly asking Bush, "How can we stop what's happening?" The context of the remark remains ambiguous, with some speculating it could refer to Trump's second term. Social media users reacted with amusement, suggesting that if Obama did make the comment, it was likely intended as a joke. Obama attended the ceremony solo, as his wife, Michelle Obama, opted to skip the event, marking her absence from both the inauguration and the recent funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. Notably, all three former presidents—Obama, Bush, and Bill Clinton—also declined to attend Trump's traditional inaugural lunch. sources

Published:
Jan 22 2025, 7 am

Panama Protests Trump's Threat to Seize Canal at UN

Panama has lodged a complaint with the United Nations following US President Donald Trump's alarming suggestion to seize the Panama Canal, asserting that such threats violate the UN Charter's prohibition on the use of force against another nation's territorial integrity. In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Panamanian government urged the matter be referred to the UN Security Council. Trump's comments, made during his inaugural address, reiterated concerns about China's influence over the canal, which the US handed over to Panama in 1999. In response, Panama's comptroller announced an extensive audit of the Panama Ports Company, a Hong Kong-linked operator of two key ports, to ensure compliance with concession agreements. President Jose Raul Mulino emphasized that the canal remains under Panamanian control, countering Trump's claims amid rising tensions over the strategic waterway, which is vital for US container traffic. sources

Published:
Jan 22 2025, 8 am

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