14 US states have sued Elon Musk, challenging his authority as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). They say Musk has too much power and was not approved by the Senate. The lawsuit argues that the US President cannot create or remove federal agencies. The states, led by New Mexico, call Musk an "agent of chaos" and say his actions are unlawful. This is the second lawsuit against Musk’s role. Musk and President Trump say DOGE is only removing government waste. The case was filed in a federal court in Washington, D.C.

  Conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair announced that she secretly gave birth to Elon Musk’s 13th child five months ago. St. Clair, known for her book Elephants Are Not Birds, said she kept the birth private for the child’s safety but decided to reveal it due to impending media reports. She urged privacy for their family and announced a temporary social media hiatus. Musk, who has children with Justine Wilson, Grimes, and Shivon Zilis, has not commented on the claim. The revelation has sparked widespread media attention.     

    The UK government is under parliamentary scrutiny over Prince Andrew’s use of public funds, as Labour peer George Foulkes pushes for greater transparency in royal finances. Foulkes has questioned ministers about Ministry of Defence briefings given to Andrew after his Royal Navy service and during his role as Special Representative for International Trade. He has also sought details on the royal family’s annual security costs. The inquiry comes amid growing concerns about Andrew’s financial activities and the limited parliamentary oversight of monarchy-related expenses since the introduction of the sovereign grant in 2012.    

A bus carrying Palestinian prisoners released under the Gaza ceasefire deal arrived in Ramallah, where cheering crowds welcomed them. The 369 inmates were freed in exchange for three Israelis held hostage in Gaza since October 7, 2023. Wearing keffiyeh scarves, the prisoners were lifted onto shoulders and embraced by relatives before undergoing health checkups. Unlike previous releases, they wore jackets instead of prison uniforms. Israel had warned Hamas to release three living hostages or face renewed conflict. The Palestinian Prisoners' Club confirmed the latest exchange amid ongoing tensions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed the creation of a unified European military force at the Munich Security Conference, urging Europe to reduce reliance on U.S. support amid shifting American policies. He stressed that Ukraine would not accept peace deals made without its involvement, calling for European autonomy in defense matters. In response, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended Europe's sovereignty, criticizing U.S. interference, particularly from Vice President JD Vance regarding democratic practices. The conference underscored Europe's growing desire for greater defense independence, highlighting the evolving dynamics of the transatlantic relationship amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.  

    Amid efforts to streamline the US government, over 9,500 federal employees were laid off, marking a significant step in President Trump’s push to reduce bureaucracy, with Elon Musk playing an advisory role. The layoffs targeted probationary staff and fixed-term contracts, impacting various departments such as Veterans Affairs and the IRS. Trump argues this will combat waste and fraud within the $36 trillion government, but Democrats express concerns about overreach. While some workers accepted buyouts, the reshaping process faces backlash, especially over Musk’s influence.    

The U.S. Army has announced that transgender individuals are now barred from enlisting and that gender-affirming medical procedures for service members will cease. This policy reverses the previous administration's stance, which permitted transgender individuals to serve openly and access related medical care. The decision aligns with President Donald Trump's executive order prioritizing military readiness and cohesion. Critics argue that this move discriminates against transgender individuals and undermines inclusivity within the armed forces.   

Hamas has named three Israeli hostages— Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel Chen, and Alexandre Troufanov— to be released this Saturday, after 498 days in captivity. They were taken during the 7 October attack that started the Gaza war. The release is part of a ceasefire deal, where Israel is expected to free 369 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. The ceasefire, which began on January 19, has faced challenges, with both sides accusing each other of violating terms. However, mediation by Egypt and Qatar has kept the agreement in place.

An anonymous woman who filed a civil lawsuit against rappers Jay-Z and Sean Combs, alleging they sexually assaulted her in 1993 when she was 13, has withdrawn her case. The lawsuit, filed under New York's Adult Survivors Act, claimed the assaults occurred at industry parties. Both Jay-Z and Combs denied the allegations. The case was voluntarily dismissed without prejudice, meaning it could potentially be refiled. Combs, already facing multiple sexual misconduct allegations, has denied all wrongdoing. The lawsuit’s withdrawal follows increasing scrutiny of historical sexual abuse claims in the entertainment industry.      

At the Munich Security Conference in 2025, United States Vice President JD Vance attacked European politicians, branding censorship an even greater threat than China or Russia. Vance charged that the EU was suppressing free speech and ignoring voters' concerns regarding immigration. Downgrading alarm over Russian interference, Vance argued that the threat facing Europe "is from within." His remarks sparked heated denouncements, with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius describing them as unacceptable. Vance’s speech underscored deep transatlantic disagreement over security, democracy, and governance, leaving many people shocked.