Israeli security cabinet approves ceasefire deal with Hamas
The Israeli security cabinet on Friday, Jan. 17, approved a Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas. The move came just hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the two countries reached an agreement to return hostages.
The agreement satisfied last-minute snags that held up the deal on Thursday, Jan. 16. It would see a pause in the fighting in Gaza and the phased release of hostages, as well as Palestinian prisoners.
The ceasefire agreement will take effect Sunday.
CNN reported Netanyahu told his security cabinet that he received guarantees from negotiators that the United States would back Israel, returning to war, if future talks with Hamas break down.
Under the three-phase ceasefire agreement, fighting will stop in Gaza for 42 days. Hundreds of Palestinians and 33 Israeli hostages, including Americans, will be freed during the first phase.
By day 16 of the 42-day ceasefire, negotiators will begin talks on phase two of the deal, which would see the release of all remaining hostages, including Israeli male soldiers.
In addition, all Israeli troops will withdraw from Gaza, allowing many Palestinians to return to what remains of their homes.
The ceasefire will end more than a year of fighting between Israel and Hamas. The conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked a music festival in Israel, killing more than 1,000 civilians.
The ensuing war has claimed tens of thousands of lives after Netanyahu vowed to crush Hamas.
New airstrip on Yemeni island spurs speculation near critical trade route
A newly constructed airstrip on Abd al-Kuri Island, part of Yemen’s remote Socotra Archipelago, is nearing completion, according to satellite imagery analyzed by The Associated Press. Located near the mouth of the Gulf of Aden, a critical maritime trade route, the runway has drawn attention for its potential strategic significance in a region plagued by conflict.
The airstrip, first reported in March 2024, spans approximately 1.5 miles and could be used for military and surveillance operations. This development comes as Houthi rebel attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea have intensified.
Satellite photos show the words “I Love UAE” spelled out in piles of dirt near the airstrip, suggesting possible Emirati involvement. However, the United Arab Emirates has not claimed responsibility for the construction. The UAE has been active in Yemen, supporting the Saudi-led coalition in its fight against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, and backing the Southern Transitional Council, which holds significant control over the Socotra Archipelago.
The Emirati government has described its presence in the region as humanitarian and has coordinated with Yemeni authorities. Previous infrastructure projects, such as airstrips on Mayun Island and near Mocha, have also been linked to Emirati activity, further fueling speculation about the UAE’s objectives.
Abd al-Kuri Island is located about 60 miles from the African coast and 250 miles from Yemen. While the island is within range of Houthi drones and missiles, its distance from the mainland makes it less vulnerable to direct rebel incursions. Analysts suggest the airstrip could be used to monitor weapons smuggling routes from Iran to the Houthis, or to support naval operations in the region.
Houthi rebels have ramped up their attacks on ships since November, linking their actions to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. While many of the targeted vessels have no ties to Israel, the rebels have used the heightened tensions to draw international attention. Experts warn that a ceasefire in Gaza may not halt the Houthis’ operations, which have also included targeting U.S. warships in the Red Sea.
The Socotra Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unique flora and fauna, has long been strategically significant. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union used the area for naval operations, and it remains a key location in the region’s geopolitics.
As the airstrip on Abd al-Kuri nears completion, its purpose and implications for Yemen’s ongoing conflict remain unclear. Houthi rebels continue to launch attacks, and the UAE’s activities in the Socotra Archipelago face increased scrutiny. The new infrastructure raises further questions about the future stability of the region.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release deal reached: Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli government would vote on the ceasefire deal with Hamas that calls for a pause in fighting and the release of hostages. And the clock ticks toward TikTok possibly going dark this weekend. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.
Ceasefire deal reached with Hamas to release hostages: Netanyahu
A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas will soon finally come to fruition. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said early Friday morning, Jan. 17, that Israel reached an agreement with Hamas to return Israeli hostages, including Americans held in the Gaza Strip.
Talks of a deal hit a snag Thursday, Jan. 16, when Netanyahu said Hamas tried to reverse parts of the agreement.
Israel’s security cabinet is now set to meet Friday to discuss the ceasefire and hostage release deal. A wider cabinet vote to approve the deal is expected on Saturday, Jan. 18.
The deal would see a pause in fighting in Gaza and the phased release of Hamas hostages and Palestinian prisoners. If approved, it would take effect Sunday, Jan. 19.
This development comes as huge blasts from southern Israel could be seen over the Gaza skyline early Friday morning.
On Thursday, Israeli air strikes killed at least 72 people in the territory, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Israel’s military said it hit approximately 50 militant targets across the Gaza Strip over the past day, including weapons storage facilities and rocket launch sites.
This is not unprecedented in past conflicts. Both sides have stepped up military operations in the final hours before the ceasefire as a show of strength.
Los Angeles residents told not to return home as landslides pose new threat
A new threat looms in fire-ravaged Southern California: landslides. Authorities said leveled structures no longer hold the earth in place in some parts of the hillside and water from fire hoses and broken pipes has saturated the ground, creating a dangerous situation.
Los Angeles officials urged residents forced to evacuate by the deadly wildfires over the past week not to return home yet. They’re urging the evacuees to wait at least another week to return — whether their home was destroyed or spared — so emergency responders can remove toxic waste from incinerated neighborhoods and cut off potentially dangerous electricity and gas lines.
The Environmental Protection Agency needs to remove hazardous materials from damaged and destroyed homes before debris can be hauled away and utilities are fully restored.
The deadly fires claimed the lives of at least 27 people and more than 82,000 are still under evacuation orders.
The Palisades and Eaton fires continue to burn with no end in sight. They’ve scorched a combined area of about 60 square miles and destroyed thousands of homes.
As of CalFire’s latest update, the Palisade Fire remains 22% contained while the Eaton Fire is now 55% contained — up from 45% on Thursday.
Biden admin signals it won’t enforce TikTok ban
As a reported 170 million users wait with bated breath, a Supreme Court decision on whether to uphold a U.S. ban on the popular social media app TikTok is expected anytime now. That ban is set to take effect this Sunday.
However, the Biden administration is now signaling it will not immediately enforce the ban, instead leaving it up to the Trump administration which starts Monday, Jan. 20, with President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Trump already asked the Supreme Court to delay the ban. The Washington Post also reported this week he’s considering an executive order to suspend the ban’s enforcement.
Even if neither administration takes action to enforce the ban, TikTok can still decide to voluntarily shut down when the deadline hits Sunday. However, TikTok is not required to go dark — it’s the app stores and internet hosting services that could be on the hook if they keep providing TikTok to Americans.
The Justice Department has said that TikTok is a national security risk because the app could lead to the Chinese government accessing vast amounts of personal data from Americans.
Confirmation hearing for Gov. Noem, Trump’s DHS secretary pick, to begin Friday
In just three days, President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office and become the nation’s 47th president. As Inauguration Day approaches, confirmation hearings continue in Washington for Trump’s cabinet picks.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security, will appear before the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Friday, Jan. 17. The hearing was originally scheduled for earlier in the week but was pushed back.
If confirmed by the Senate, Noem would oversee a department with at least 250,000 employees and multiple agencies, including Customs Border and Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Secret Service, the Federal Emergency Management, the Transportation Security Administration and the Coast Guard.
SpaceX Starship explodes shortly after 7th launch
The latest test flight from Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship rocket did not go according to plan Thursday night. SpaceX said the world’s largest rocket exploded shortly after taking off from Texas for its seventh launch.
FireAid lineup includes Billie Eilish, Green Day, Jelly Roll, Lady Gaga
FireAid, the Live Nation concert benefiting the victims of the California wildfires, will take place on Jan. 30 and the lineup has now been released.
Billie Eilish; Earth, Wind & Fire; Green Day; Jelly Roll; Joni Mitchell; Lady Gaga and Stevie Sicks are among the entertainers committed to performing. Also, Dave Matthews and John Mayer will perform together for the first time.
Live Nation said additional artists will be announced in the coming days. Organizers said the event will raise money for “rebuilding communities devastated by wildfires and supporting efforts to prevent future fire disasters in Southern California.”
FireAid will be held in two venues: the Intuit Dome and the Forum in Inglewood, California. Tickets for the concert go on sale Wednesday, Jan. 22.
FireAid will also be livestreamed across various platforms including Apple TV, Max, Netflix, Paramount+, SiriusXM, Spotify and YouTube. It will also air in select AMC theaters.
Journalist calls Blinken a ‘criminal’ over US support for Israel during briefing
Several journalists who are not members of the regular State Department press corps and reportedly outspoken critics against U.S. support for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza repeatedly interrupted U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday, Jan. 16, during his final press conference. Blinken was interrupted by several journalists, but the situation quickly escalated after one reporter had to be removed by security.
The scene unfolded in the State Department briefing room. Independent journalist Sam Husseini, a long-time critic of U.S. foreign policy, yelled at Blinken over U.S. support for Israel.
Hussein reportedly called Blinken a “criminal” and said he belonged in The Hague, which is the capital city of South Holland, where the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is located.
The interruption ended once security picked Husseini up and forcefully carried him out of the room, as he continued to yell at Blinken and accused Israel of war crimes.
Blinken, who leaves office on Monday, Jan. 20, when President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated, later took questions from reporters. Blinken has been heckled during appearances in Washington, D.C., since the war in Gaza began more than a year ago.
Pro-Palestinian activists have also reportedly camped outside Blinken’s home in Virginia and repeatedly threw red paint to symbolize blood on a car carrying the secretary of state and his family.
Blinken has been targeted by pro-Palestinian protesters because of the U.S. supplying weapons to Israel, and diplomatic support of the country.
Israel’s war against Hamas started after the terror group’s attack on Oct. 7, 2023, left 1,200 people dead and 250 more kidnapped. More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.
While Israel has been accused of war crimes, the Biden administration said it cannot determine if Israel violated international law, because Hamas hides within the Palestinian civilian population.
Biden warns of ‘oligarchy’ and ‘tech-industrial complex’ in farewell speech
President Joe Biden’s farewell speech to America on Wednesday included several warnings. And a ceasefire deal to end more than a year of fighting in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas hit a snag. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.
Biden warns of ‘oligarchy,’ ‘tech-industrial complex’ in farewell speech
Speaking from the Oval Office one last time, President Joe Biden delivered his farewell address Wednesday night, Jan. 15. Biden spoke on reforms he would like to see in Washington and issued a stark warning detailing his concerns about what he sees as a concentration of power among the ultra-wealthy and the risks of technology.
In what is likely his final address to the nation after a political career spanning five decades, Biden opened his speech with the ceasefire deal in Gaza announced earlier in the day. He said he kept the incoming administration fully informed during the process.
He said some of his top accomplishments in office include job growth following the pandemic, infrastructure modernization and Medicare reform, telling Americans it will take time to feel the full impact of what has been achieved.
With the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump just days away, Biden said he would ensure a peaceful transfer of power, but he did have a warning.
“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead,” Biden said. “We see the consequences all across America, and we’ve seen it before. More than a century ago, the American people stood up to the robber barons back then and busted the trusts. They didn’t punish the wealthy. They just made the wealthy play by the rules everybody else had. Workers want rights to earn their fair share.”
Referencing former President Dwight Eisenhower’s concerns about a military-industrial complex six decades ago, Biden said he’s equally concerned about the dangers of a potential rise of a tech-industrial complex.
“Americans are being buried under an avalanche of misinformation and disinformation enabling the abuse of power,” he said. “The free press is crumbling. Editors are disappearing. Social media is giving up on fact-checking. The truth is smothered by lies told for power and for profit. We must hold the social platforms accountable to protect our children, our families and our very democracy from the abuse of power.”
Biden remarked on the rise of artificial intelligence, calling it the most consequential technology of our time. He emphasized that the U.S., not China, must lead the race.
The president also spoke of his hopes for change in the nation’s capital, calling for an end of hidden funding called “dark money” from campaign contributions, a ban on stock trading from members of Congress and for the U.S. to enact an 18-year term limit on Supreme Court justices. He also called for the U.S. Constitution to be amended.
“We need to amend the Constitution to make clear that no president, no president is immune from crimes that he or she commits while in office,” Biden asserted. “The president’s power is not limit[less] — it is not absolute. And it shouldn’t be.”
In closing, Biden called on Americans to stay engaged in democracy. Telling the story of a veteran who worked at the Statue of Liberty, known as the Keeper of the Flame, he said America will always be defined by one word: “possibilities.”
“My eternal thanks to you, the American people,” Biden said. “After 50 years of public service, I give you my word, I still believe in the idea for which this nation stands [for] — a nation where the strength of our institutions and the character of our people matter and must endure. Now it’s your turn to stand guard. May you all be the keeper of the flame. May you keep the faith. I love America. You love it, too.”
Republicans, Democrats react to Biden’s farewell address
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., wrote on X, “Joe Biden discussing democracy, a free press, institutions and the abuse of power in his final farewell speech is rich.”
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., also weighed in, writing, “Joe Biden’s going out of office the same way he went in: petty, partisan and frankly not telling the truth.”
“President Biden’s ‘farewell address’ should have been a formal apology for the endless lawfare, inflation-fueling policies and reckless decisions made during his administration,” Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida added.
Democrats responded differently.
“Tonight, President Biden delivered his farewell address to a nation that is stronger because of his leadership,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. “In doing so, he honored the vision of founders, the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and the aspirations of our children.”
Former President Barack Obama also responded to his former vice president.
“Four years ago, in the middle of a pandemic, we needed a leader with the character to put politics aside and do what was right. That’s what Joe Biden did… I’m grateful to Joe for his leadership, his friendship and his lifetime of service to this country we love,” Obama said.
Netanyahu says cabinet won’t meet over ceasefire deal with Hamas yet
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said his cabinet will not meet to approve the deal for a ceasefire in Gaza until Hamas ends a “last-minute crisis.” The decision comes after Netanyahu’s office said Hamas retracted on some of the terms of the agreement but did not specify which.
Even as a deal seems close or even imminent, Israeli strikes continued in the Gaza Strip, with the territory’s health ministry reporting at least 48 people killed over the past day.
Under the three-phase ceasefire agreement, fighting will stop in Gaza for 42 days. Thirty-three Israeli hostages, including two Americans, and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners will be freed during the first phase. It is set to go into effect Sunday, Jan. 19.
The remainder of the hostages, including Israeli male soldiers, are to be released during the second phase. Hamas said it will not release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal.
Israeli troops will pull back to the edges of Gaza and many Palestinians will be able to return to what remains of their homes — something many people took to the streets to celebrate. Israel is also set to allow a flood of humanitarian aid into the region.
The Associated Press reported Thursday morning that mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the U.S. will meet in Cairo on Thursday for talks on implementing the deal.
On Truth Social, Trump said his administration will continue to work closely with Israel to make sure Gaza never again becomes what he called a “terrorist safe haven.”
Crews work to control Los Angeles area wildfires as winds die down
The National Weather Service lifted the red flag warning for the Los Angeles area Wednesday night as winds died down. Strong winds have made it harder for fire crews to battle the flames.
However, dangerous fire and weather conditions are expected to return next week.
Good news: We are expecting a much-needed break from the fire weather concerns to close this week. Bad News: Next week is a concern. While confident that we will NOT see a repeat of last week, dangerous fire weather conditions are expected. #cawx#PalisadesFire#EatonFirepic.twitter.com/zhXmHUWtgp
This comes as firefighters still work to contain the two biggest, deadliest and most destructive fires in Southern California. The Palisades and Eaton fires continue to rage in the Los Angeles area.
Plus, a new vegetation fire broke out in the San Bernardino area Wednesday afternoon.
The Eaton and Palisades fires have not grown much over the past few days, but they are both still largely uncontained. Fire officials reported some progress in the desperate fight to extinguish the flames.
Meanwhile, the Little Mountain fire in San Bernardino spans over 30 acres at 0% containment. Police arrested a man in connection with that fire on two felony charges, including one of reckless burning.
Senate confirmation hearings continue as Inauguration Day nears
Senate confirmation hearings continue Thursday, Jan. 16, as President-elect Donald Trump’s picks for interior secretary, EPA administrator, housing and urban development secretary and treasury secretary answer questions from lawmakers.
“To my knowledge, Donald Trump has never acknowledged the legal results of the 2020 election,” Democratic Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin said to Bondi. “Are you prepared to say today, under oath without reservation, that Donald Trump lost the presidential contest to Joe Biden in 2020?”
Bondi replied, “Ranking Member Durbin, President Biden is the president of the United States. He was duly sworn in, and he is the President of the United States. There was a peaceful transition of power. President Trump left office and was overwhelmingly elected in 2024.”
Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for secretary of state, also had his hearing Wednesday. Straight Arrow News political correspondent Ray Bogan has a complete breakdown of what happened here.
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket lifts off on first space flight
Thursday morning saw a big win for billionaire Jeff Bezos’ space company, Blue Origin, as its New Glenn rocket blasted off into orbit.
The company’s first rocket powerful enough to launch satellites into space took off just after 2 a.m. ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. All seven of its engines fired successfully.
Blue Origin marked the mission a success after demonstration technology on board, called the Blue Ring Pathfinder, was safely carried to orbit.
However, the company did not reach its bonus goal of guiding part of the New Glenn rocket back to a safe landing on a platform in the middle of the ocean after takeoff.
It took rival SpaceX four tries to get a similar maneuver right.
Still, Blue Origin stressed its most important goal was for the test satellite to reach orbit. NASA intends to use the New Glenn rocket to launch two orbiters to Mars in the future.
UAE’s $6B renewable energy complex aims to keep clean power always running
The United Arab Emirates is addressing a key challenge of renewable energy, its intermittent nature, by planning a $6 billion renewable energy complex designed to provide uninterrupted clean power. The project will include a massive battery storage system to ensure a consistent supply of electricity.
Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company Masdar and a local utility are spearheading the initiative, which aims to integrate 5 gigawatts of solar capacity with 19 gigawatt-hours of battery storage. Officials have announced that the facility is expected to be completed by 2027.
“For decades, the biggest barrier facing renewable energy has been intermittency — to be able to source uninterrupted clean power day and night,” said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE’s minister of industry and advanced technology and chairman of Masdar. “This has been the moonshot challenge of our time, and now, thanks to the resolute support of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with this groundbreaking project we have found the solution.”
This development is part of the UAE’s broader renewable energy strategy, which seeks to generate 19.8 gigawatts of clean energy capacity by 2030. The projected output would be enough to power nearly 20 million homes, and the UAE plans to invest up to $54 billion to reach its clean energy targets.
Hamas accepts draft deal for fragile Gaza ceasefire: Officials
A ceasefire could soon be on the horizon in Gaza. Two officials say Hamas has accepted a draft agreement that would halt its war with Israel.
An Israeli official told the Associated Press that the two sides were still finalizing the details. However, the deal could wind down more than 15 months of fighting, which started when Hamas launched attacks into Israel, killing roughly 1,200 people and taking hundreds more as hostages.
Since then, Israel has launched strikes and invaded Gaza, killing at least 46,000 people based on official Palestinian estimates. A peer-reviewed academic study published last week in the top medical journal, The Lancet, suggested that the number could be as high as 64,000.
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested the sides were nearing a deal.
“I believe we will get a ceasefire,” Blinken said. “And whether we get there, the remaining days of our administration or after Jan. 20, I believe the deal will follow closely the terms of the agreement that President Biden put forward last May, and our administration rallied the world behind.”
Under the proposed deal, the two sides would fulfill terms in three phases.
Phase one, the first 42 days, would see Hamas release 33 hostages and Israel release 30 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli soldiers would move further out from the center of Gaza, while displaced Palestinians would move back in.
During phase two, which encompasses the following 42 days, Hamas would release the remaining hostages in exchange for a to-be-determined number of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli troops withdrawing from Gaza.
Phase three would involve exchanges of dead bodies between the two sides, the reopening of Gaza’s border crossings, and a plan to rebuild Gaza.
While officials suggest this is the closest the two sides have come to a deal, previous talks have fallen apart. And the agreement could break if either side fails to meet its requisites during any phase.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would also need his cabinet to approve the deal.
Strong winds return to Los Angeles, threatening firefighters’ progress
Strong winds in fire-weary Southern California could be hazardous on Tuesday, Jan. 14, according to the National Weather Service. And nominees for prominent positions in the incoming Trump administration prepare for confirmation hearings this week. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.
Strong winds return to Southern California, threatening firefighters’ progress
Strong winds are kicking up in Southern California yet again on Tuesday, Jan. 14, as fire crews continue to battle strong infernos. The latest fire, dubbed the Auto Fire, sparked in Ventura County on Monday night, Jan. 13.
The Auto Fire has charred more than 50 acres and remains completely uncontained, according to CalFire’s latest update. Officials warned similar fires could spark in that area throughout the day Tuesday.
The National Weather Service warned that expected wind gusts of up to 65 miles per hour Tuesday make for “particularly dangerous” conditions in bone-dry areas that have not seen rain in months.
The largest threats remain the Palisades and Eaton Fires, which have already burned more than 38,000 acres combined.
The Los Angeles County fire chief said crews are “absolutely better prepared” with water tankers and additional firefighters Tuesday than they were a week ago when hurricane-force winds whipped the flames and smoke, fueling the fires.
Since then, at least 24 people have died and flames destroyed more than 12,000 buildings, many of them people’s homes.
State and local politicians, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, have faced heavy criticism over their response to the fires — especially after hydrants ran dry last week.
Among the most vocal critics has been President-elect Donald Trump. Newsom, who has butted heads with Trump several times in the past and vowed to “Trump-proof” California, blasted the soon-to-be president in a letter.
Newsom accused Trump of “politicizing” the disaster and spreading misinformation, calling on the soon-to-be president to visit the area.
“The hundreds of thousands of Americans displaced from their homes and fearful for the future deserve to see us all working together in their best interests,” Newsom said.
Trump’s team said it was engaged in conversations about making that visit. The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Trump will likely visit California sometime next week, following his inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20.
Several parts of Southern California remain under an extreme fire danger warning through Wednesday, Jan. 16, including densely populated Thousand Oaks, Northridge and Simi Valley.
Meanwhile, there’s a danger of a different kind threatening the eastern half of the U.S. The National Weather Service forecasted a fresh arctic blast will sweep over the area, threatening to freeze pipes and put a strain on energy resources across a large part of the country.
While it’s not expected to cause major snowstorms, meteorologists said it could bring the coldest weather of the winter so far, starting Thursday, Jan. 17. Another arctic blast was forecasted to follow. The cold air will again hit The Great Plains states this weekend to early next week, before heading east.
Trump would have been convicted if Jan. 6 case went to trial: Special counsel Jack Smith
Early Tuesday morning, the Justice Department posted special counsel Jack Smith’s investigative report into the 2020 election interference case involving President-elect Donald Trump to its website. In it, Smith said he believed there was sufficient evidence to convict Trump of trying to obstruct the 2020 election results should the case have gone to trial.
Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges and the case was eventually dismissed after Trump’s presidential election victory in November due to the DOJ’s policy not to prosecute a sitting president.
“The Department’s view that the Constitution prohibits the continued indictment and prosecution of a president is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the government’s proof or the merits of the prosecution, which the office stands fully behind,” Smith wrote in the 137-page report.
He added, “For Mr. Trump’s election and imminent return to the presidency, the office assessed that the admissible evidence was sufficient to obtain and sustain a conviction at trial.”
In the report, Smith said his team determined that Trump knew there was no “outcome-determinative fraud in the 2020 election” and “that many of the specific claims that he made were untrue.” Smith claimed Trump knew he had lost the election.
Smith, who resigned from the Justice Department last week, wrote his team had no interest in affecting the presidential election, and in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland accompanying the report he wrote, “My office had one north star: to follow the facts and law wherever they led. Nothing more and nothing less.”
The president-elect criticized the release of the report on Truth Social, calling Smith “a lamebrain prosecutor” and saying Smith “was unable to get his case tried before the election, which I won in a landslide.”
This is just one of two volumes making up Smith’s final report. Another volume detailing his findings on Trump’s classified documents case remains confidential. A hearing is set for Friday, Jan. 17, where a judge will decide the fate of that portion of the report.
Special counsel in Hunter Biden cases responds to president’s accusations
Special Counsel David Weiss, who investigated President Joe Biden’s son Hunter, issued his final report Monday.
In the 280-page report, Weiss criticized the president for making “gratuitous and wrong” accusations that politics tainted his years-long case. Weiss charged Hunter Biden with tax and gun crimes, but the president pardoned his son this past fall.
Weiss pointed to Joe Biden’s words when pardoning Hunter, claiming Hunter was the victim of an “unfair” prosecution and a “miscarriage of justice.” Weiss said while other presidents have pardoned family members in the past, none have “taken the occasion as an opportunity to malign the public services at the Department of Justice based solely on false accusations.”
Weiss said he ignored political opinions during his investigation and that his decisions were “based on the facts and the law and nothing else.”
Confirmation hearings for Trump nominees begin
Senate confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks kick off Tuesday, starting with controversial defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth.
Two other nominees were set to have hearings Tuesday, but both were delayed.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum’s hearing to be interior secretary was postponed to Thursday, Jan. 16, to give time for the Office of Government Ethics to complete its review.
Trump’s pick for Veterans Affairs secretary, former Rep. Doug Collins, will now have his hearing in one week in order for the FBI to complete its background check.
Hamas expected to release dozens of hostages: Israeli officials
Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages during the first phase of a ceasefire agreement that negotiators are working to finalize, Israeli officials said Tuesday. They have expressed cautious optimism that an end to the ongoing war might be in sight after 15 months of fighting destabilized the Middle East and devastated Gaza.
The agreement would allow for more aid into the Palestinian enclave and ensure the return of dozens of hostages held by Hamas since the militant group attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The Israeli government said Hamas and its allies still hold 94 of the 251 hostages taken from Israel, at least 34 of whom are dead.
A senior Israeli official said Monday that most of the 33 hostages to be released in the first phase of the deal are alive, but the bodies of dead captives will also likely be among those released. The first phase would take place over an initial 42-day ceasefire.
Los Angeles Rams honor firefighters during ‘home game’ win in Arizona
The Los Angeles Rams’ “home” game may have been 400 miles away, but the team — forced to relocate due to the deadly wildfires — made sure to honor its city and first responders Monday night.
Rams players and staff, including quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Cooper Kupp and Coach Sean McVay wore special shirts and hats Monday night to show support for Los Angeles firefighters on the front lines.
Retired Rams star offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth, who helped the team win the Super Bowl in the 2021 season, spoke to fans watching at home and to the crowd in Glendale, Arizona, saying, “We are strong. We will not be defined by this devastation. We will rebuild L.A., hand in hand together for as long as it takes and whatever it takes. We will build it together.”
A moment of silence was held before kickoff in honor of all those displaced by the wildfires.
The Rams went on to defeat the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 in its first playoff victory since winning Super Bowl LVI. The Rams will head to Philadelphia on Sunday, Jan. 19, to take on the Eagles in the divisional round.
Although it was not a usual home game for the Rams, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said more than 45,000 fans traveled from California to Arizona to see their team win.
At least 24 dead as strong winds return to fuel California wildfires
Fire crews continue to battle deadly wildfires in Southern California as the death toll rises and strong winds are set to return. And a potential end to the Israel-Hamas war could be in sight as progress was made toward a ceasefire and hostage release deal. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.
At least 24 dead as strong winds return to fuel Los Angeles area wildfires
At least 24 people are now confirmed dead and dozens more At least 24 people are now confirmed dead and dozens more are missing as multiple fires continue to rage in Southern California. Firefighters said they’re making progress against the wildfires that have now been burning for almost a week in the Los Angeles area.
Still, the threat remains high as dangerous Santa Ana winds will pick up again starting Monday, Jan. 13.
Weary fire crews said it’s not safe enough in many areas to assess the true total damage. Three fires continued to burn into Monday, Jan. 13: the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fires, all of which broke out last Tuesday, Jan. 7.
The Palisades Fire remained the biggest and least contained, at more than 23,000 acres with only about 13% containment. Officials expanded evacuation orders for the Palisades Fire as it moves east, threatening the Brentwood and Encino areas.
The Eaton Fire was just over 14,000 acres and 27% contained on Monday. According to CalFire, the two fires are now the second and fourth most destructive in state history.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department said flames destroyed more than 7,000 buildings in the Eaton Fire alone. Investigators are only about a quarter of the way through their damage assessment.
The county is now under a public health emergency over smoke and particulate matter, which could cause long-term harm.
Progress made in Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks, officials say
Mediators with the U.S., Qatar and Egypt said they’ve made significant progress in brokering a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. However, nothing has been finalized just yet.
The deal would result in the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip ever since the terror group attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
It is believed there are a total of 98 hostages; however, as many as three dozen are feared dead.
Officials briefed on the negotiations said there was a breakthrough in Doha early Monday morning following talks between Israel’s spy chiefs, President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff and Qatar’s prime minister.
In addition, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Joe Biden spoke about the cease-fire deal on the phone Sunday, Jan. 12.
Officials said negotiators for Israel and Hamas took a proposed final draft of the deal back to their leaders for approval. However, this is not the first time a deal to end the war has been closely considered. The U.S. has said several times over the past year that a deal was imminent, only for it to fall through.
An Egyptian official said an agreement will likely take a few more days and both sides are aiming for a deal before Trump’s inauguration next Monday, Jan. 20. However, Hamas said there are still issues it says need to be resolved, including an Israeli commitment to ending the war and details about the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the hostage-prisoner exchange.
JD Vance, Christopher Wray speak on Jan. 6 ahead of Trump inauguration
Incoming Vice President JD Vance and outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray shared their thoughts with Fox News and CBS News with just one week until President-elect Donald Trump’s Inauguration Day.
In his first interview since leaving the Senate, Vance spoke to Fox News Sunday of executive orders concerning illegal immigration on day one of the Trump administration and of being hopeful there soon will be a cease-fire deal in the war between Israel and Hamas. Vance was also asked about Trump’s plans to pardon those convicted in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021 storming of the Capitol.
“I think it’s very simple,” Vance said. “Look, if you protested peacefully on January the 6th and you’ve had Merrick Garland’s Department of Justice treat you like a gang member, you should be pardoned. If you committed violence on that day, obviously you shouldn’t be pardoned. And there’s a little bit of a gray area there but we’re very much committed to seeing the equal administration of law and there are a lot of people, we think, in the wake of January the 6th who were prosecuted unfairly. We need to rectify that.”
On 60 Minutes, FBI Director Christopher Wray explained his decision to step down three years before the end of his 10-year term. Trump appointed Wray in 2017, during his first administration.
The FBI director then oversaw investigations into Trump, as well as President Joe Biden and Biden’s son Hunter. Trump intends to replace Wray with former aide Kash Patel.
“Well, my decision to retire from the FBI, I have to tell you it was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Wray said on 60 Minutes. “I care deeply, deeply about the FBI, about our mission and, in particular, about our people. But the president-elect had made clear that he intended to make a change, and the law is that, that is something he is able to do for any reason or no reason at all. My conclusion was that the thing that was best for the Bureau was to try to do this in an orderly way, to not thrust the FBI deeper into the fray.”
Wray was also asked about Trump’s plans to pardon many of the roughly 1,500 people charged with federal crimes in the Jan. 6 riots.
“I do think it’s important to step back and remember that we’re talking about hundreds of people who are convicted, most of them pled guilty of serious federal crimes,” Wray said. “Heck, I think 170 or so of them pled guilty to assaulting law enforcement, dozens of them with dangerous or deadly weapons. And there’s a whole bunch that were convicted of seditious conspiracy.”
After Vance’s interview aired on Fox, the vice president-elect responded to a critic on X saying Trump will be looking at each case concerning Jan. 6 individually.
Special counsel Jack Smith resigns as fight to block Trump report continues
Special counsel Jack Smith, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland to oversee the criminal investigations into Trump, resigned from the Department of Justice. While his departure was expected, it comes as Trump and his allies continue efforts to block the release of Smith’s final report on his investigations.
Smith’s resignation was made public Saturday, Jan. 11, in a brief footnote of a DOJ court filing to U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon of Florida. She was appointed to the bench by Trump.
Cannon issued an order last week temporarily blocking the DOJ from releasing Smith’s investigation into Trump’s interference in the 2020 election results. The DOJ filed an emergency motion late Friday, Jan. 10, asking a federal appeals court to reverse the order.
Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin scrubs New Glenn launch attempt
Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin called off the planned launch of its New Glenn rocket from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Monday morning. The company scrubbed the launch due to a “few anomalies” found during the countdown.
The delay of the rocket’s inaugural attempt to reach orbit could last at least 24 hours or longer. The launch, when it does happen, will include an attempt to land New Glenn’s first stage booster on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean.
In an interview with Reuters before the launch attempt, Bezos said that the booster landing is “the thing we’re most nervous about.”
A wild ending to NFL’s wild-card weekend with 1 more game to go
The NFL’s wild-card weekend saw one wild finish Sunday night. Five teams advanced to the divisional round, and a final wild-card game will be played Monday night.
On Saturday, the Houston Texans defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 32-12 in the opening game of wild-card weekend. Then the Baltimore Ravens moved on with a convincing 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On Sunday, the Buffalo Bills dominated the Denver Broncos 31-7 while the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Green Bay Packers 22-10.
Late Sunday night, a last-second field goal — with the ball hitting off the uprights and going through, known as a “doink” — gave the Washington Commanders the 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was Washington’s first playoff win since 2005.
Monday night, the Minnesota Vikings will meet the Los Angeles Rams in a game that was moved from Los Angeles to Arizona due to the wildfires.
Lebanon elects new US-backed president after years of vacancy at position
Lebanon’s Parliament broke more than two years of gridlock on Thursday, Jan. 9, to elect a new president. It’s a crucial move to bring the country closer to stability as it recovers from economic collapse and a war between Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah and Israel within its borders.
Lawmakers elected U.S.-backed Gen. Joseph Aoun, who has been the commander of the Lebanese military since 2017, as president in a second round of voting.
Aoun secured his win after the first round of votes from lawmakers left him short of the majority needed to become president.
Aoun’s election is a critical step for a country enduring economic free fall and a war between Israel and Hezbollah that has left large swaths of the country destroyed.
The election of a new president also comes at a crucial time for the Middle East, as a new Syrian government takes over after the fall of the Assad regime and amid a ceasefire between Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and Israel.
Lebanon’s international backers, including the United States, have reportedly suggested financial support for a postwar rebuild in Lebanon is dependent on the election of a new president.
The World Bank reportedly estimates the Israel-Hezbollah conflict has cost Lebanon $8.5 billion in damages.
The country has been without a president since October 2022 when Michael Aoun, who is not related to the new president, stepped down.
During Michael Aoun’s six years in power, Hezbollah had considerable influence as a political force in the region but has since been weakened by a 14-month war with Israel.
Lebanon’s Parliament had failed in 12 previous attempts to elect a successor. However, foreign policy analysts note that Lebanese lawmakers likely felt pressure to elect a U.S.-supported president due to its need for financial support from international partners.
The new president oversaw Lebanon’s armed forces, which saw backing from the United States. Aoun is also reportedly widely respected across the country.
Aoun is now expected to appoint a prime minister with the help of Parliament. The prime minister will then form a government, which could reportedly be a lengthy process.