President Donald Trump began his second term with a sweeping overhaul, announcing plans to dismiss over 1,000 Biden-era appointees he deemed disloyal. Early Tuesday, Trump revealed on Truth Social that his Presidential Personnel Office had already fired four individuals, including General Mark Milley, Brian Hook, Keisha Lance Bottoms, and Jose Andres, with more dismissals to follow.
The move signals Trump’s commitment to reshaping the government and pursuing his “America First” agenda. His administration also began a significant shake-up at the State Department, removing senior diplomats like Geoffrey Pyatt and Daniel Kritenbrink, while appointing Marco Rubio as Secretary of State.
Democrats criticized the firings, with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) calling the dismissals a threat to national security, emphasizing the decades of bipartisan experience lost with the sudden removals.
The Commander-in-Chief Ball, marking Donald Trump’s second term, showcased tradition and unity, with First Lady Melania Trump sharing a memorable dance with Sergeant Henry Waller. Their graceful performance captivated audiences, sparking curiosity about their mid-dance exchange.
Waller revealed Melania’s whispered words during an Inside Edition interview: “I asked how her night was, and she said it was going well. She asked about mine, and I told her, ‘It was fantastic.’” He praised her dancing skills, calling the experience “overwhelming with joy.”
Melania, wearing a striking Hervé Pierre gown, radiated elegance, dispelling rumors about her commitment to public life. With plans to split her time between D.C. and New York for Barron’s schooling, she balances family and her role as first lady, continuing to captivate and inspire on the national stage.
In the beginning of the month, Kate Middleton went to The London Clinic, for a planned procedure. She received an abdominal surgery, and the details of her condition is unknown at the moment.
Kensington Palace had an announcement.
“Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to The London Clinic yesterday for planned abdominal surgery. The surgery was successful and it is expected she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter,”
“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.”
“Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share. The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact she has to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.”
Husband of Middleton, Prince William is staying with his wife, who is in The London Clinic. To support his wife, Prince of Wales had postponed his royal duties and schedule to be with his wife, stay with her during her recovery.
The Sun reported that Prince William had visited his wife everyday since she went into the hospital. But their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis did not saw their mother yet.
“Kate loves FaceTiming the children when she is working away overseas so I’m sure they will be in regular contact while she’s in the hospital, and the kids will be keen to see her as soon as she’s well enough,” Emily Nash, the royal editor of Hello!
“She loves having her family around her so will be looking forward to getting home and having cuddles with the kids. Both William and Kate are very hands-on parents – they take the kids to school, attend sports matches and concerts and try to be home for bedtime as much as they can. While Kate is in hospital, William will be at home keeping things as normal as possible.”
Ivanka Trump’s appearance at the 2025 Liberty Inaugural Ball has sparked a heated online debate, with her choice of attire at the center of attention.The ball marked the culmination of Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration, an event that brought global scrutiny to every detail, including Ivanka’s striking gown.,,,,
President Donald Trump has reignited debate over classified files related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., signing an executive order for their release. Trump emphasized the need for transparency, declaring, “Everything will be revealed.”
The JFK assassination has long fueled conspiracy theories, despite the Warren Commission’s conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Advocates argue that withholding files deepens mistrust, while critics warn of risks to national security.
JFK’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, criticized Trump, accusing him of politicizing the issue and disrespecting JFK’s legacy. Schlossberg’s comments sparked online backlash, with many questioning his opposition to full disclosure.
Trump’s push highlights tensions between transparency, security, and the Kennedy family’s desire to control JFK’s narrative.
The Bermuda Triangle, located between Florida, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico, has long been a source of mystery and fear due to the disappearance of ships and aircraft. Popular legends suggest supernatural causes like wormholes, aliens, or time vortexes. Notable disappearances include the USS Cyclops in 1918, Flight 19 in 1945, and a Douglas DST airliner in 1948. Scientists have offered various explanations, including rogue waves, where storm systems create massive, unpredictable waves. Some point to the Gulf Stream, while others suggest underwater volcanic activity or magnetic anomalies. Australian scientist Karl Kruszelnicki believes bad weather and human error could be factors. Despite these theories, the Bermuda Triangle remains a fascinating and enigmatic region.
Back in the days before technology simplified communication, postal services were relied upon to deliver letters and packages, much like the way pigeons were once used as mail carriers. However, unlike the feathered messengers, the weight of mail delivered by the post office was a crucial factor in determining shipping rates. This is where the vintage postal scale comes into play.
Before the advent of email, postal services were the primary means of delivering mail and packages. And the vintage postal scale was a crucial tool in this process. These scales were designed with various mechanisms, such as analog spring mechanisms or balances, to accurately weigh items and determine postage costs. They came in different sizes and shapes, from handheld scales to larger tabletop models, to cater to different needs.
Today, postal scales have evolved to include advanced features and precision, making them indispensable tools for businesses and individuals who regularly send physical mail and packages. They typically have a platform to place the item to be weighed, and the weight is displayed on a digital or analog readout.
These modern postal scales also often have additional features like tare functions, which allow the user to subtract the weight of packaging materials to obtain the net weight of the item being shipped. With their ability to provide accurate measurements, postal scales ensure that the right amount of postage is applied, avoiding any overpayment or underpayment.
Apart from their functionality, vintage postal scales also have a classic design that adds a touch of nostalgia to any space. They are not only practical but also serve as decorative pieces, making them popular among collectors and enthusiasts of retro items. Some people even use them to enhance the ambiance of their home office or as unique conversation starters when guests visit.
So, the next time you see a vintage postal scale, take a moment to appreciate this fascinating object’s history. Remember, it played an essential role in ensuring that letters and packages reached their destinations efficiently.
Gen-Z has a lot of differences from the generations before them. And we might not understand all of them, but it might do well for us to understand some of them so we can always be in the know.
This piece will tell you about how something that might be innocuous for us can be considered ‘rude’ to someone else.
Keep reading to know more…
From Baby Boomers and Gen-Xs’ confusion about millennials, now comes everyone being confounded by Generation Z. There are a lot of behaviors that Gen Z (much like any young generation has) displays that are not as easily understood by those older than them.
A lot of young people apparently do not think the ‘thumbs up’ emoji is a nice one and consider it to be ‘passive agressive’ referring it to as something that can even prove to be ‘triggering’ to some of them.
A Gen-Z individual who recently joined the workforce shared, “I started an ‘adult’ job where we use Microsoft Teams to connect with each other for work. Currently, there only a few emojis you can use to react to a message (unless of course, you respond, and can use any emoji). Most people at work use the ‘thumbs up’ reaction all the time.”
They went on, “I don’t use it much. I either ‘heart’ reactions or reply, even if it’s a short ‘Great!’ or ‘Thanks!’ (I also feel like I usen too many exclamation marks, but that’s a different story).
They concluded with asking others for their opinion, “Anyway, I think it’s normal for to ‘thumbs up’ messages, but I still feel like it’s such an unsettling response. Does anyone else feel this way?”
One user echoed this sentiment and shared, “For younger people (I’m 24 for reference) the thumbs-up emoji is used to be really passive-aggressive.”
While another added, “It probably feels unsettling because it’s impersonal, and based just off this post, you seem like the kind of person who prefers more genuine interactions with others.”
It seems there is a generational difference in how a thumbs-up emoji is used and what it can convey to different people. What do you think of this change in meaning for an emoji? Let us know in the comments. Share this with others who might enjoy this piece, too.
President Donald Trump’s swift implementation of over 200 executive orders following his return to the White House has sparked widespread debate, particularly regarding one directive with profound implications for non-binary individuals. Titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” the order eliminates the ability to select an “X” gender marker on U.S. passports, redefining federal recognition of gender identity.
This decision has reignited conversations about LGBTQ+ rights in the United States, drawing criticism from activists and legal experts while receiving praise from supporters of traditional policies.
The Daily Mirror Columnist has passed away with her famous sisters at her side – just days after her last poignant piece for this newspaper.
Her sisters – Anne, 74, Denise, 72, Maureen, 69, and Coleen, 59 – were called to her bedside at 3.30am last Tuesday as doctors made the decision to place her in end-of-life care. The siblings, who lost their sister Bernie in 2013, kept a vigil by her bedside in her final hours.
Since her tragic death, doting sister Coleen shared the sweet final moments they spent with Linda, saying how these last memories are providing the family with some comfort.
Coleen tells The Mirror: “It’s been 10 days since my lovely sister Linda died and it’s still hard to believe she’s gone. As we prepare for her funeral, when she will be buried with her husband Brian’s ashes, I’m holding on to the memory of the last day I spent with her in hospital, which was full of love and laughter.
“My daughter Ciara and I sat with her and we said everything we needed to say to each other. She told us how much she loved us and we told her we loved her. I think she knew it would be the last time she’d see us, but there were no tears.”
Despite her deteriorating health condition since Christmas, Linda was in good spirits, adds Coleen.
“Although she had double pneumonia and was on oxygen, she was cracking jokes, being her usual funny self and eating the chocolate people had brought her. She wanted to hear about my new grandson and I showed her lots of photos of him.”
Linda’s hospital bed was surrounded by her nearest and dearest: “So many people came to see her, including her best friend of 60 years, Suzanne, and her stepdaughter Sarah, and the whole family were at her bedside. The nurses kept telling her to rest, but Linda, being Linda, would not stop talking!”
Her last words to Coleen will be ones she remembers fondly: “When I left that evening, I told her I’d come and visit the next day and she said, “Oh, you don’t have to” and I said, “I know, but I will” and then she said, ‘Col, I really love you’.”
Eventually though, Coleen had to make the long drive home and knew it was possibly the last time she would see her sister.
“We were all exhausted and my sisters told me to go, as I had a two-hour drive home, so I gave Linda a big hug and a kiss, and I knew it would be the last time. When Maureen called the next morning to say Linda had died, I didn’t feel sad that I wasn’t there when she took her last breath because we’d got to spend that precious day together and I’m grateful for that.”
Linda and Coleen attend the Best Heroes Awards 2023 ( Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Hea) The family are now making arrangements for the funeral, and Linda even shared her wishes before she passed.
“She wanted everyone in black, wearing mantillas,” says Coleen, “those little lace veils that cover your face. I remember saying, ‘You are joking, Linda! If I see all my sisters in mantillas, I’m going to laugh the whole way through the funeral!’
“We’ve decided not to do that, but we are wearing black. Her coffin is pure showbiz – bright pink and sparkly, just as she wanted. The one thing my sister loved was bling – her trainers had bling on them, her handbags, her tops, her walking stick – so it feels right that she has a glittery pink coffin.”
Although she knew it wasn’t likely, Coleen explains she had hopes that Linda might pull through one last time, saying: “Even though I knew she was gravely ill, I really thought she might pull through, as she always has…. In the early hours of the next morning, we were called back to the Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
“When I arrived at 5.30am, she was unconscious and we were told nothing more could be done. My brothers and sisters were all there – Tommy, Brian, Denise, Anne and Maureen. There were about 14 of us at her bedside with the curtains pulled round us and the hospital staff kept coming in with trays of tea and biscuits. They were incredible.
“Linda had signed a DNR and they turned off the monitors and started decreasing her oxygen, and gave her morphine so she wasn’t in pain. At 2pm, they said she’d probably go quickly, so there was devastation and sobbing, but we were still there at 9.30pm; she seemed determined to hang on.”
When she was first diagnosed with breast cancer 20 years ago, Linda lost her husband Brian a few months later. He was the love of her life and they hadn’t spent a night apart for 29 years, says Coleen. “Then, two months later my mum died, all while Linda was having treatment. I don’t think many people could survive that, but she did”.
But Linda put on a brave face throughout her health troubles. “When her cancer returned in 2020, it was never a case of “I’ve had enough”. Even when she was told the cancer – which had spread to her hip and brain – was treatable but not curable, she kept going.
“But the last time she saw her doctor and was told the chemo wasn’t working, her reaction was different. She was angry. Her legs were painful and she’d started to fall a lot, and was worried about going out. I’m heartbroken. She was meant to spend New Year at my house, but she was too ill and tired to make the journey.”
Her death has brought back memories losing their other sister Bernie’s in 2013. “Linda’s death has hit us hard and inevitably it’s brought back memories of the devastation we felt when our sister Bernie lost her battle with breast cancer in 2013.”
The siblings have started a charity page for people to donate to Trinity Hospice, a fantastic local charity that provided care for Bernie and Linda. To pay your respects, visit their website .
