Trump signs executive order to delay TikTok ban enforcement
Within the first few hours of his second term on Monday, Jan. 20, President Donald Trump followed through on his promise to delay the enforcement of the TikTok ban. Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Justice not to enforce the ban for at least 75 days.
The law, passed during the Biden administration with strong bipartisan support, said TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, had to sell the social media platform to a buyer from America or one of its allies because of national security concerns or be banned starting Jan. 19. More specifically, lawmakers’ concern was China might be able to influence or tap into American data through the TikTok app.
The U.S. Supreme Court allowed the law to go forward last Friday, Jan. 17.
According to Trump’s executive order, the 75-day delay will help his administration attempt to “determine the appropriate course forward in an orderly way that protects national security, while avoiding an abrupt shutdown of a communications platform used by millions of Americans.”
Only registered voters from the U.S. swing states are eligible for Musk’s $1M giveaway.
Musk said in exchange for the money he’s asking the recipients to be a spokesperson for the petition.
When signing the order, Trump said the U.S. should broker a deal to own half of TikTok. He estimated it could be worth $1 trillion.
“I think the US should be entitled to get half of TikTok and, congratulations, TikTok has a good partner and that would be worth, you know, could be $500 billion,” Trump said.
The TikTok app shut down temporarily over the weekend until Trump said he would issue an executive order on Day 1. After that announcement, TikTok restored service for its 170 million American users.
TikTok’s CEO Shou Zi Chew attended Trump’s inauguration in the Capitol Rotunda. He joined other tech moguls including Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Tesla’s Elon Musk and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos.
Scientists at the University of Oregon and Oregon State University, along with the U.S. Forest Service, found the hidden aquifer while looking at drill holes left behind by previous geothermal experiments and realized the rock was still wet further down than previously thought.
How does the discovery compare to Lake Mead?
Researchers say the reservoir water totals are at least 81 cubic kilometers, tripling Lake Mead’s capacity.
“It is a continental-size lake stored in the rocks at the top of the mountains, like a big water tower,” earth scientist and the study’s co-author Leif Karlstrom said.
The Cascade Range extends for about 700 miles from northern California to British Columbia, and has been built up by volcanic activity over millions of years.
The high Cascades, within Oregon, where volcanic rocks date back 8 million years, have smooth slopes and ongoing volcanic activity. Meanwhile, the older Western Cascades that date to 45 million years ago, are filled with canyons and valleys carved by flowing streams.
The researchers used the gradual shift between these two zones to study how volcanic processes have affected the region over time, with the reservoir discovery coming as a complete surprise.
What does the discovery mean?
Researchers say the untapped source of water is a reason to celebrate, but caution that it’s fed by snow, and snowpack is expected to decline significantly in the Cascades in the coming decades.
“If we don’t have any snow, or if we have a run of bad winters where we don’t get any rain, what’s that going to mean?” USFS Geologist Gordon Grant said. “Those are the key questions we’re now having to focus on.”
Commanders’ Gonzalez is among athletes managing OCD on grand stage
When Washington Commanders placekicker Zane Gonzalez kicked a 37-yard field goal Sunday, Jan. 12, to give his team its first playoff win since the 2005 season, it wasn’t just the “doink” off the uprights NBC cameras captured. As Gonzalez readied to send his team into the divisional round, a national audience was brought into his preparation, with many not fully understanding what they were watching.
From adjusting his socks to touching his hair repeatedly, the Sunday Night Football commentators and viewers at home saw what the 29-year-old Texas native has been dealing with most of his life — a condition known as obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD.
For Zane Gonzalez, it doesn't matter how you get ready…just as long as you're ready. 😂 pic.twitter.com/oTkxuFQvSj
Though Gonzalez has been shown on camera before when going through his pre-kick routine, with him playing in an NFL postseason game, more eyes were on him than ever before. This gave a big platform for the condition that affects millions of people across the country.
Zane Gonzalez has long struggled in his battle with OCD. Since he was a freshman at Arizona State, he has been public about coping with it.
Tonight, the world was introduced to his tick of him constantly fixing his hair… all that matters is the doink that sends the Commanders… pic.twitter.com/sdO7r890zi
The Mayo Clinic describes OCD as a disorder that “features a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears known as obsessions. These obsessions lead you to do repetitive behaviors, also called compulsions. These obsessions and compulsions get in the way of daily activities and cause a lot of distress.”
According to the International OCD Foundation, about 1 in 40 U.S. adults has OCD or will develop it at some point in their lives. That’s approximately 8.2 million people.
The foundation says, on average, 1 in 100 children have OCD. Gonzalez has been dealing with OCD since he was a child. The football star began to open up about managing the condition when he was a freshman at Arizona State.
After breaking an NCAA record for field goals in a career (he was nicknamed “Legatron” by ASU fans after all), the Sun Devils kicker became an NFL player when he was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 2017 draft.
He had to wait for that moment though, it was the seventh round and Gonzalez was the 224th pick. ESPN reported that year, “It’s possible Gonzalez slipped down the draft board due to his honesty about his obsessive-compulsive disorder.”
A few months after the draft, Gonzalez told the network, as a football player with OCD, “It makes you a perfectionist and more detail-oriented. Off the field, it’s a pain in the butt.”
No matter the round he was drafted, Gonzalez was in the NFL and he pressed on as his career took him to Arizona, Detroit, Charlotte, San Francisco and, just this past November, to Washington, mere weeks before his game-winning kick.
In 2021, he spoke to the Charlotte Observer about coping with OCD, saying, “It affected me a lot more as a young kid … It’s just little thoughts, little funny habits that I do … specifically, sometimes I rinse my hands before kicks … And I was kind of curious about that.”
He continued, “But that’s one of the most common things that people with OCD do. It instantly makes you just feel relieved. I don’t know why, if it’s just a placebo effect.”
“It’s not something I love having. But it just is what it is, and I’ve learned to deal with it,” he said.
The NFL kicker joins several other pro athletes speaking publicly about their OCD experiences.
As a young adult, New Zealand Olympian track cyclist Sam Dakin first began noticing OCD symptoms in 2018, just a few years before competing in his first Olympic games in Tokyo.
“I was 22 years old … and then woke up one day and just … Boom. There’s just one thought on repeat,” Dakin said. “It started for an hour a day and then eventually just got worse and worse. And then it was 16 hours a day and I could only escape it when I slept, which was just horrific.”
On Jan. 5, Dakin sat down with The Good Day Matrix podcast about how an online community helped him in dealing with the condition.
“I started just scrolling the internet and Googling this thing that was going on in my head, and eventually one day I was on Reddit and I found this, like, feed of pure OCD, and these people just described exactly what I was feeling,” Dakin said.
“It was just like this relief. I was like I’m not alone, other people have gone through this. It’s actually relatively normal but not many people have talked about it.”
Like Gonzalez, Dakin said he’s not shy about speaking about OCD, and hopes his words can help someone else going through what he did.
“I was just like, man, this can help so many people, and I feel comfortable to talk about it,” Dakin said. “And if I can talk about it more then it’ll help others, and it’s just kind of grown from there really. I have tried to do it in a way that’s really me and really organic and not shoving it down people’s faces.”
Millie Farrow, a United Kingdom pro soccer player, currently playing with Sydney FC, also knows what it’s like to battle OCD while living out your childhood dreams.
She told The New York Times in 2023, “It is a very strange place to be — being controlled by a thought in your head.”
Farrow told The Times she would see someone she described as “contaminated” touching a certain surface and would “be assessing it, analyzing it.”
Farrow said with a diagnosis and therapy starting at age 14, she has been able to get a handle on her OCD, saying, “It is something I will have for the length of my life, but it can be dealt with, and can be under control. That’s the place I’m in now.”
Now, as a professional soccer player, she said, “I’m so glad I didn’t give up.”
David Beckham, one of the most famous soccer stars to play the game, opened up in a 2023 Netflix documentary series about how OCD affects his life in retirement. He used humor to discuss his symptoms during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to promote the series.
“[My wife] Victoria always jokes because when we have our friends around for dinner or drinks, you know, I start turning like lights off and cleaning the candles,” Beckham said.
For the millions dealing with OCD, it may not be humor that gets them through, but finding someone to rely on.
Dakin told the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, that his advice to those struggling with OCD is to “find someone that you trust and you feel you can lean on, and in turn they’ll understand and they’ll want to be there to help you.”
For others, it was that game-winning kick that made them feel a sense of connection — as PGA Tour and SiriusXM host Jeff Eisenband wrote on X, “As someone who has dealt with OCD most of my life, I have such immense respect for Zane Gonzalez being able to perform in the clutch like this. Hate seeing people try to drag him for it.”
Last year was a year of celebration for Zane Gonzalez. He got married last April and the couple then welcomed their first child in December. Now, Gonzalez is looking for the good times to continue in 2025.
Next up, Washington meets Detroit in the NFL’s divisional round, and after the headlines his wild card kick made, he’ll probably have a few new fans rooting for him in the games to come.
Village People to perform at Trump’s inauguration amid mixed reactions
The Village People will bring a disco twist to the 2025 inauguration stage. The iconic group, known for their hit “Y.M.C.A.,” confirmed they will perform at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, Jan. 20.
The group’s music has been a staple at Trump’s rallies since 2020. His signature dance to “Y.M.C.A.” often energizes the crowd, making the song a frequent rally highlight.
On Monday, Jan. 13, the Village People announced their decision to participate in the inauguration. They acknowledged that their choice might stir controversy.
“Our song ‘Y.M.C.A.’ is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign,” the group wrote on Facebook. “We believe it’s time to unite through music, which is why we will perform at various events for the 2025 inauguration of Donald J. Trump.”
Mixed reactions
While some fans supported their decision, others expressed disappointment.
“This decision feels like a betrayal to the very people who have supported and celebrated your work for decades,” one Facebook user wrote. “Performing for a president-elect whose policies and rhetoric oppose equality and inclusion is not just disappointing—it’s harmful.”
Another user shared a different perspective: “It’s not about left or right, liberals or conservatives, or Democrats and Republicans. It’s about bringing people together through your music. I hope this performance brings a brighter and more prosperous New Year for all.”
This isn’t the first time the group has faced criticism over their connection to Trump.
Lead singer and lyricist Victor Willis addressed the controversy in a December Facebook post. He explained why he allowed Trump to use “Y.M.C.A.” at rallies despite initially asking him to stop.
Willis described the complaints as a nuisance but noted that the Trump campaign legally obtained a “political use license” for the song. He ultimately allowed it, saying he noticed Trump “genuinely having fun” with the music.
The Village People join Carrie Underwood on the list of performers for Monday’s events.
“I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood said. “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
According to the official program for the event, Underwood’s rendition of “America the Beautiful” will be accompanied by the armed forces chorus and the United States Naval Academy Glee Club.
Can confirm that Carrie Underwood will sing "America the Beautiful" at Trump's inauguration next week.
Underwood, who rose to fame after winning “American Idol” in 2005, has largely kept her political views out of the spotlight during her career.
“I try to stay far out of politics if possible, at least in public, because nobody wins,” Underwood told the Guardian in 2019.
In 2017, she and Brad Paisley joked about Trump’s social media etiquette during a skit while co-hosting the Country Music Awards. The duo parodied her hit “Before He Cheats” but replaced the lyrics with, “Maybe next time he’ll think before he tweets.”
Social media reacts to Underwood performing at inauguration
Online users have mixed opinions about Underwood’s announcement on social media. One person posted to X, “I am boycotting anyone who performs at that narcissist’s inauguration. Carrie Underwood is definitely on that list.”
Another person on X posted, “Good for Carrie Underwood. Entertainers should be able to entertain where they want when they want without reprisals. It is an honor to perform at any inauguration. I know nothing about her politics and don’t care. I am sure she will be great!”
Ahead of Trump’s 2017 inauguration, several big names, including Elton John and Celine Dion, declined invitations to perform.
The inauguration for Trump’s second term is Jan. 20.
Security preparations well underway for Trump inauguration
While President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his inauguration as the nation’s 47th president next Monday, Jan. 20, security preparations for the ceremony are underway. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated the inauguration as a national special security event.
Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will take the oath of office on the West Front of the Capitol on Monday.
While law enforcement is preparing for some demonstrations, WJLA-TV reported that the agencies do not foresee or expect any major security problems.
DHS designated the presidential inauguration as a national special security event. As a result, the U.S. Secret Service is the lead agency for the implementation of a security plan with various other agencies involved.
“The designation allows for significant resources from the federal government, as well as vital assistance from state and local partners,” the agency said in a statement.
Outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray told 60 Minutes that the FBI is not tracking any specific or credible threats to the inauguration.
However, Wray added that when any type of terror attack occurs in the States, there are often few dots to connect in advance, as well as very little time to act.
The National Guard will provide crowd management, traffic control and civil disturbance support operations among other duties.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is expected to discuss inauguration security at a news briefing later on Monday, Jan. 13.
The 20th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution specifies that the term of each elected president begins at noon on Jan. 20 of the year following the election. Each president must take the oath of office before assuming duties.
At least 10 dead as major wildfires continue to burn in Los Angeles area
The death toll rises as the onslaught of fires continues in Southern California, destroying complete neighborhoods. And President-elect Donald Trump will be sentenced for his conviction in the New York hush money case after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a bid to stop the proceeding. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.
Death toll rises as wildfires continue to burn in Los Angeles area
Flames have destroyed entire neighborhoods, obliterating 10,000 homes and buildings between the Palisades and Eaton Fires alone. Firefighters made some progress as the Santa Ana winds weakened, but wind and dry conditions are expected to continue through the weekend. This will make it difficult for crews to battle the flames.
The biggest and most destructive fire in Pacific Palisades now spans nearly 20,000 acres, which is more than 30 square miles and is only 6% contained.
Nearly 180,000 people in Los Angeles County are under evacuation orders and another 200,000 are on standby to leave their homes if necessary. The wildfires and strong winds fueling them have led to mass power outages.
Entire stretches of Pacific Ocean beachfront property along Malibu have been charred, as well as homes and neighborhoods up and down the Pacific Coast Highway.
The latest fire to break out, the Kenneth Fire, sparked Thursday afternoon, Jan. 9, in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles, near Calabasas. That fire spans 1,000 acres and is 35% contained, according to CalFire’s last update. Police arrested one man on suspicion of arson in connection with that fire.
It’s not just those in the fires’ paths in danger. Polluted air poses a threat even to those far away.
Supreme Court rejects Trump’s bid to halt sentencing in hush money case
Trump’s sentencing on 34 felony charges of falsifying business records to cover up a payment to porn star Stormy Daniels will proceed as planned.
The judge overseeing the case, Juan Merchan, said earlier this month he would not sentence the president-elect to prison time, saying incarceration is not an option.
Instead, the judge is expected to impose a no-penalty sentence called an unconditional discharge.
Trump vowed to appeal his conviction, claiming evidence and testimony was admitted that implicated his duties as president during his first term. The Supreme Court ruled over the summer presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for some official acts.
Appeals court allows release of election interference case report
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit rejected a bid to block the release but kept in place the judge’s order for a three-day delay, giving time for additional appeals. That means Trump could seek the Supreme Court’s intervention in the matter.
Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the election interference case was eventually dismissed following his victory in November’s presidential election due to a Justice Department policy that forbids the prosecution of a sitting president.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said he plans to release the report to the public once he is permitted to do so. In response, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said Thursday night that it’s time for Garland and President Joe Biden to “do the right thing and put a final stop to the political weaponization of our justice system.”
Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in TikTok ban case
With less than two weeks until a ban on the social media app TikTok is slated to take effect, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments against the legislation Friday, Jan. 10. TikTok looks to show the justices that, despite claims from the federal government, it is not a national security threat to the U.S.
It is unclear when the court will deliver its ruling.
TikTok faces a nationwide ban in the U.S. that is expected to go into effect on Jan. 19, impacting roughly 115 million monthly users. That is unless its Chinese parent company ByteDance sells the platform, as required by the law signed by President Joe Biden last year, or SCOTUS rules in favor of TikTok’s position that the law is unconstitutional.
Supporters of the ban believe the app allows China to access vast amounts of data from Americans and possibly influence public opinion in the U.S.
Trump opposes the ban and has met with TikTok’s CEO in recent weeks.
Macy’s to close 66 stores
Macy’s confirmed it will close 66 stores across the U.S. The department store chain said Thursday that the move is part of its “bold new chapter” strategy, which was announced in February of last year. The strategy will see the closure of approximately 150 underperforming stores, or about a third of its locations, over a three-year period.
Tony Spring, the retailer’s chairman and CEO, said that while “closing any store is never easy,” this will allow the company to focus its “resources and prioritize investments” in its other locations.
Macy’s told Axios clearance sales will begin this month and run for up to 12 weeks.
Friends, family remember President Jimmy Carter at state funeral in Washington
Family, friends and fellow lawmakers honored former President Jimmy Carter on Thursday, a National Day of Mourning, during a state funeral in Washington, D.C. All five surviving presidents attended the service at the National Cathedral.
President Joe Biden, who declared Thursday a National Day of Mourning, delivered a eulogy for his late friend.
“Jimmy Carter’s friendship taught me and through his life taught me the strength of character is more than title or the power we hold. It’s a strength to understand that everyone should be treated with dignity. Respect that everyone, and I mean everyone, deserves an even shot, not a guarantee, but just a shot. You know, we have an obligation to give hate no safe harbor. And to stand up to — my dad used to say was the greatest sin of all — the abuse of power. That’s not about being perfect as none of us are perfect. We’re all fallible. But it’s about asking ourselves ‘Are we striving to do things, the right things? What value, what are the values that animate our spirit? Do we operate from fear or hope, ego or generosity? Do we show grace? Do we keep the faith when it’s most tested?’ Or keeping the faith with the best of humankind and the best of America is a story, in my view, from my perspective, of Jimmy Carter’s life.”
Carter’s grandchildren also spoke about their late grandfather.
“They were small-town people who never forgot who they were and where they were from no matter what happened in their lives,” Jason Carter said. “But I recognize that we are not here because he was just a regular guy. As you’ve heard from the other speakers, his political life and his presidency for me was not just ahead of its time, it was prophetic. He had the courage and strength to stick to his principles, even when they were politically unpopular.”
Following a private funeral in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, Carter was laid to rest next to his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn.
5 dead, thousands of homes destroyed as fires rip through Los Angeles area
Five wildfires now burn in the Los Angeles area of Southern California, leaving death, destruction and devastation in their paths. And the infernos led President Joe Biden to cancel his final international trip in office. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
5 dead, thousands of homes destroyed as fires rip through Los Angeles area
At least five wildfires were burning in the heavily populated Los Angeles area of California on Thursday, Jan. 9, destroying thousands of homes and putting millions of lives in danger. At least five people died from the blaze and more than 100,000 evacuated their homes.
Dry conditions and strong winds continue to fuel the flames.
The newest fire, the Sunset Fire, sparked Wednesday night in the famous Hollywood Hills region. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s latest update at 11:50 p.m. PST on Wednesday, the blaze engulfed 60 acres at 0% contained.
The Palisades Fire remains the biggest threat, covering over 17,000 acres at 0% containment.
Officials said it destroyed at least 1,000 buildings, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.
The deadly Eaton Fire near Pasadena and Altadena spanned more than 10,000 acres at 0% contained. All five reported deaths were linked to the Eaton Fire.
Fire crews made headway on the Hurst Fire in the San Fernando Valley, containing about 10% of the blaze that spread to almost 900 acres, according to CalFire.
Crews made the most progress in fighting the Lidia Fire in Acton, about 50 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. That fire scorched about 350 acres, but CalFire said it was 40% contained.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said more than 7,500 firefighters, including crews from Oregon, New Mexico, and Washington state, are battling the flames.
More than 7,500 firefighting personnel are on the ground working with local and federal partners to respond to California's ongoing historic wildfires.
Southern California residents — please remain vigilant tonight. Listen to local officials and be ready to evacuate if you're…
While mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for certain areas, officials told everyone in the area to pack a go-bag and be prepared to leave.
Celebrities among victims to lose homes in California wildfires
With tens of thousands of people impacted by the ongoing wildfires in California, come countless personal stories of loss, grief, shock and, in some cases, gratitude. Among those affected in the Los Angeles County and Hollywood area are some famous names.
Celebrities shared their accounts of the devastating scenes, something many said is like out of a movie.
“This Is Us” star Mandy Moore posted videos to her Instagram account of the fiery destruction in Altadena, writing, “I love you, Altadena. Grateful for my family and pets getting out last night before it was too late. Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all, so many have lost, including my family … our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together.”
“Seeing our home burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience. The devastation is unimaginable. To know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking,” Hilton wrote.
Actor Billy Crystal released a statement with his wife after losing his Pacific Palisades home.
“Janice and I lived in our home since 1979,” Crystal said. “We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.”
James Woods, who once starred on the television show “Shark,” openly wept in a CNN interview as he talked about his immense loss and the search for his neighbors.
As the fires spread across the hub of the entertainment world, organizers postponed multiple movie premieres, TV productions and award shows.
The Critics Choice Awards, originally scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 12, have been moved to Jan. 26. The Oscar nominations announcement was pushed back two days to Jan. 19.
An NHL hockey game involving the Los Angeles Kings was postponed Wednesday night. The NFL said it is monitoring the conditions as the Los Angeles Rams are slated to host a playoff game Monday night, Jan. 13.
Biden to deliver eulogy at Carter’s funeral, Trump to attend
On Thursday afternoon, President Joe Biden will deliver the eulogy at the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral.
President-elect Donald Trump will also attend the funeral. Trump, along with his wife Melania, were among those to pay their respects as the 39th president was lying in state at the Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday.
After the funeral, Carter’s body will take one final trip back to his home state of Georgia where he will be buried next to his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn.
While in Washington on Wednesday, Trump held a private meeting with Republican senators at the Capitol to discuss a strategy for top priorities heading into his second term. While speaking to reporters, Trump called the wildfires in California “a true tragedy.”
Biden announced Wednesday he canceled his final international trip of his presidency. He said he will remain in Washington, D.C., to monitor the deadly fires in Southern California.
Biden was set to take part in a three-day trip to Rome and the Vatican where he would meet with Pope Francis and the Italian president. His announcement came just hours after meeting his first great-grandchild, born at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Capitol police arrest man who brought machete to Jimmy Carter viewing
As thousands of Americans paid their respects to Carter at the Capitol, authorities arrested a man Wednesday at a security screening for people waiting to view the late president as he lies in state in Washington.
Capitol police said the man, identified as Washington resident Mel Horne, carried a machete and three knives in a bag. Authorities spotted the weapons as the bag went through an X-ray machine. Horne now faces multiple charges of carrying a dangerous weapon.
Capitol police also said officers arrested a Virginia man who lit a bag containing accelerants on fire on top of his car near the Capitol. They do not believe the two incidents were connected.
Port strike averted after tentative deal reached
Longshoremen reached a tentative new contract deal Wednesday with shipping and port companies along the East and Gulf Coasts of the U.S., averting a potentially crippling strike for now.
The United States Maritime Alliance, which represents ship lines and port operators, and union International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) said they’ve agreed on a six-year deal. However, the agreement is not official until ratified by union members.
The ILA represents 50,000 members who fill 25,000 jobs at 14 ports from Maine to Texas. If this deal wasn’t reached, port workers were set to go on strike beginning next Thursday, Jan. 16.
Details of the agreement have not yet been publicly released, but sources close to the matter said it addresses a key sticking point for workers: automation.
In October, Longshoremen agreed to a wage increase of 62% over six years, and the two sides pushed other issues into 2025 to end a three-day strike.
Airbnb.org providing free, temporary housing for displaced California residents
Airbnb.org, the nonprofit founded by Airbnb, is providing free, temporary housing for people displaced by the Los Angeles County fires. The organization partnered with the non-profit 211 LA to connect those who lost their homes or have been forced to evacuate with a free place to stay.
FBI releases new video and info about DC pipe bomb suspect
Nearly four years after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, the FBI has released new video and information about the suspect who allegedly planted pipe bombs at the Democratic and Republican National Committee offices the night before. The bombs didn’t detonate, but the FBI said they were “viable” and posed a risk to people.
In the newly released security camera video, the suspect can be seen planting a pipe bomb outside the DNC headquarters in Washington, D.C., on the night of Jan. 5, 2021. A second pipe bomb was left close to the RNC headquarters the same night.
The FBI also released new information about the suspect, saying it believes the masked and hooded person is about 5 foot, 7 inches tall, and was wearing Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes.
According to the FBI, fewer than 25,000 pairs of those shoes were sold between August 2018 and the time of the attack.
Investigators are hoping the new video and information, along with a $500,000 reward, can help them solve the years-old mystery. While the bombs were planted the night before the attack on the U.S. Capitol, investigators said there’s no clear link between the events of Jan. 6 and the devices.
US to send nearly $6B to Ukraine in Biden administration’s final days
The Biden administration announced it is sending another $6 billion in aid to Ukraine in its final weeks before President Joe Biden’s departure from the White House. The decision comes as Russia launched new aerial attacks on Ukraine on Tuesday.
Biden said he will send $2.5 billion in weapons to Ukraine as the administration tries to spend all the money it has available to help Ukraine in its war against Russia. The new money allows the military to pull existing stock and get it to the Ukrainian battlefield faster.
In addition, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced the U.S. will provide Ukraine $3.4 billion in economic assistance. The money will help pay for its government, schools, health care and first responders.
The total $5.9 billion package covers the last of the money that Congress appropriated to war-torn Ukraine.
Yellen called it a crucial time because Russia intensified its attacks on Ukrainian people and infrastructure. The attacks left hundreds of thousands without heat in frigid winter conditions.
President-elect Donald Trump said on the campaign trail that he would end Russia’s war on Ukraine by the time he takes office. However, Trump recently stated that is going to be difficult.
February will mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.