Instagram and X promote new video tools amid TikTok’s uncertain future
Instagram is promoting a new video editing app and X is rolling out a new video feature. Both announcements come as TikTok continues to face an uncertain future.
Meta said its new app called Edits launches next month. It is a “full suite of creative tools” that will enable users to edit clips for Instagram and save drafts.
Instagram announced the new software Sunday, Jan. 19, just hours after TikTok briefly shut off its U.S. service when a new national security law went into effect.
The law also impacted another ByteDance-owned app, CapCut, which is popular for editing videos.
According to Bloomberg, Instagram ran ads in Apple’s App Store after TikTok was pulled down –– people who searched for “TikTok” saw a promotion for Instagram instead.
Instagram, of course, is one of the main apps to reap the benefits of a TikTok ban as it already has a similar short-form video feature called Reels.
Is there any truth to rumors about Meta buying TikTok?
Speculation has been swirling on social media that Meta is buying TikTok, following rumors that Facebook created a new TikTok account and that TikTok CEO Shou Chew removed the word “CEO” from his TikTok bio.
And, archive photos of Chew’s profile from 2022, 2023 and 2024 do not show the CEO title in his bio, suggesting it was never there in the first place.
What about X?
Meanwhile, X –– which is owned by Elon Musk –– also announced Sunday that it’s adding a tab in the app’s bottom bar where users can quickly access video content on the platform. The company called it an “immersive new home for videos.”
“I have been against a TikTok ban for a long time, because it goes against freedom of speech,” Musk said. “That said, the current situation where TikTok is allowed to operate in America, but X is not allowed to operate in China is unbalanced. Something needs to change.”
What happens next?
Tiktok’s long-term future is still up in the air as the law requires ByteDance to sell its U.S. business.
Trump has said he is aiming to revive TikTok but wants 50% U.S. ownership.
Top Taliban official tells leader there’s ‘no excuse’ for female education ban
One of the Taliban’s top officials is urging the head of the terror group, which now controls Afghanistan in the wake of the United States’ withdrawal, to scrap its education ban for Afghan women and girls. The country’s deputy minister of foreign affairs shared a video on his official account on X, saying there’s “no excuse” for the ban, which does not allow females in Afghanistan to pursue and education after 6th grade.
“We are committing an injustice against 20 million people out of a population of 40 million, depriving them of all their rights,” Sher Abbas Stanikzai said in the video. “This is not in Islamic law, but our personal choice or nature.”
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, urged the leaders of the Islamic Emirate to open the doors of education for everyone.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony of a madrasa in Khost province, he said, "The path we are currently following stems from… pic.twitter.com/doj1AoIvT6
Sher Abbas Stanikzai was once the head of the Taliban team in talks that led to the complete withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan.
This is not the first time Stanikzai has spoken out about educating females. In September 2022, a year after schools closed for girls and just months before the introduction of a university ban, he made similar remarks.
Other education bans
In September 2024, there were also reports women had been banned from medical training and courses, but the Taliban has not confirmed that. A ban like that could create further problems because, in Afghanistan, women and girls can only be treated by female doctors and health professionals.
No country recognizes the Taliban as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan, but countries like Russia and China have been building ties with them.
Biden preemptively pardons Fauci, Milley, Jan. 6 committee members
In the final hours of his tenure, President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons for potential targets of the Trump administration. On Monday, Jan. 20, Biden preemptively pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly four decades — including during the COVID-19 pandemic during President-elect Donald Trump’s first administration.
He also pardoned now-retired Gen. Mark Milley, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Trump’s first term, and has publicly warned he believes Trump is a fascist. Milley has also been heavily criticized by Republicans for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
President Biden also issued preemptive pardons for members of Congress who served on the Jan. 6 Committee — including former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, who Trump has vowed retribution against.
President Joe Biden’s statement
Our nation relies on dedicated, selfless public servants every day. They are the lifeblood of our democracy.
Yet alarmingly, public servants have been subjected to ongoing threats and intimidation for faithfully discharging their duties.
In a statement, President Biden said, “Our nation relies on dedicated, selfless public servants every day. They are the lifeblood of our democracy. Yet alarmingly, public servants have been subjected to ongoing threats and intimidation for faithfully discharging their duties.”
Biden added, “These are exceptional circumstances, and I cannot in good conscience do nothing.”
Reaction from both sides of the aisle
The president also made clear the preemptive pardons are not meant to imply any wrongdoing; rather, they’re meant to provide protection for these individuals. Some Democrats argued against preemptive pardons, including Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who served on the House Jan. 6 Committee.
Some Trump supporters have also spoken out against the pardons, like Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R, who claimed in a post on X that those pardoned Monday are guilty of crimes.
Google won’t add fact-checking despite new European Union law: Report
Google is pushing back against the European Union by refusing to add fact-checking, despite the requirements of a new European Union law. Axios obtained a letter that Google Global Affairs President Ken Walker sent to Renate Nikolay, the deputy director general of content and technology at the EU.
In the letter, Walker said Google would “pull out of all fact-checking commitments in the code” before the rules become law and called it not “appropriate” or “effective” for their services.
Google has never included fact-checking as part of its content moderation practices, while the proposed code would obligate Google to display fact-check results alongside its search results and YouTube videos and incorporate fact-checking into its ranking algorithms.
According to Axios, Walker defended Google’s existing content moderation strategy in the letter, citing its effectiveness during the “unprecedented cycle of global elections.”
He also mentioned a new feature on YouTube that enables some users to add notes to videos, which is similar to X’s community notes feature and a new program Meta announced last week.
X, previously known as Twitter, also signed the code but reversed course after Elon Musk bought the platform.
It’s not clear whether all the code’s requirements will be formalized into official rules under Europe’s Digital Services Act, which regulates digital platforms and services.
But EU lawmakers have been discussing with the companies that signed about the commitments they’ll agree to follow.
South Korean president reacts to arrest after massive police operation
The death toll rises slightly as relentless Southern California wildfires continue to burn. And President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary wins over a key senator for his confirmation. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.
South Korean president arrested in massive police operation
After weeks of avoiding arrest, South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol is in custody after a massive law enforcement operation Wednesday morning, Jan. 15.
Investigators with the country’s anti-corruption agency arrested Yoon for questioning in multiple criminal investigations related to his short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024, including accusations of leading an insurrection — a crime punishable by life imprisonment or even the death penalty in South Korea.
Following his arrest, which saw around 3,000 police officers descending on his residence, Yoon released a pre-recorded video message calling the investigations “illegal,” saying “rule of law in this country has completely collapsed” and adding that he only agreed to cooperate with the investigation to prevent violence. The embattled president avoided arrest for weeks, holed up in his fortified residence and surrounded by his presidential security team.
President Yoon Suk Yeol has been taken into custody, but he again reached out to his supporters decrying the investigation as illegal and that he was complying with the warrant to avoid "bloodshed."#SouthKorea#news Here is the break down: https://t.co/mn8CM5nRoIpic.twitter.com/Qks6ganmiU
Officials said that so far, Yoon has refused to answer investigators’ questions or comment and will not allow the sessions to be recorded.
The anti-corruption agency has 48 hours to request a court order for a formal arrest on a charge of attempting a rebellion or release Yoon. If Yoon is formally arrested, investigators can extend his detention to 20 days before transferring the case to public prosecutors for indictment.
South Korea is a key American ally. The U.S. has nearly 30,000 troops stationed there. In addition, President Joe Biden hosted Yoon for a state visit in Washington, D.C. in April 2023.
Southern California wildfire death toll rises to 25, ‘dangerous situation warning’ issued
The National Weather Service issued a warning that the Los Angeles California area is “not out of the woods yet,” even though winds were not as strong as expected on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Wind gusts are forecast to pick up Wednesday, with a dangerous situation warning in effect from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. PST for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Evacuation orders remain in place for 88,000 Los Angeles residents. About 90,000 others remain in evacuation warning zones, meaning they might need to leave at a moment’s notice. A total of 6 million people are under a critical fire threat.
The death toll from the fires rose to 25 on Tuesday. The Eaton and Palisades fires — burning for a full week — are now considered the most destructive and second-most destructive wildfires in Southern California history.
The Palisades fire remains the largest, scorching nearly 24,000 acres of land. It is only 18% contained, a small improvement from Tuesday’s 14% containment.
The Eaton fire spans about 14,000 acres and is now 35% contained. The Auto fire in Ventura County grew slightly from 56 to 60 acres but is now 47% contained, according to CalFire’s latest update.
As of Wednesday morning, five fires continued to scorch the region, with winds forecast to hit 70 miles an hour later Wednesday and into Thursday, Jan. 16.
Pete Hegseth faces tough questions on Capitol Hill
Late Tuesday night, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, told Fox News she’d vote to confirm Hegseth. She was on the fence ahead of the hearing, and many Democrats hoped she would vote no. Her support for Hegseth could put him over the top.
The hearings continue Wednesday for several nominees, including Trump’s picks for attorney general, Pam Bondi; secretary of state, Marco Rubio; and CIA director, John Ratcliffe.
Find Straight Arrow News political correspondent Ray Bogan’s full recap of Tuesday’s proceedings here.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission files lawsuit against Elon Musk over X shares
Elon Musk, one of the heads of Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency, faces a new lawsuit over his social media company X. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against Musk.
Since Trump appointed Musk to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency during his second term, it’s unlikely the incoming Trump administration will pursue this lawsuit.
US watchdog sues Capital One, alleges bank cheated customers out of $2B
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is suing Capital One, saying the bank misled consumers about its offerings for high-interest savings accounts and cheated customers out of more than $2 billion in interest payments.
The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, focuses on Capital One’s promises and handling of its “360 Savings” accounts. The Bureau said despite promoting 360 Savings as an account that provides one of the nation’s highest interest rates, Capital One froze its rate at a low level for at least several years, even as interest rates rose nationally.
The CFPB said that at the same time, Capital One created “360 Performance Savings,” which saw a much higher growth rate but did not notify 360 Savings account holders about the new offering and instead “worked to keep them in the dark.”
The lawsuit alleges the company marketed the products similarly to obscure their distinction and banned employees from “proactively telling” those with 360 Savings accounts about 360 Performance Savings.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is seeking to impose civil penalties on Capital One and provide financial relief to those impacted.
Musicians come together for benefit concerts to support wildfire victims
With the wildfires in California impacting so many people and uprooting people’s lives, entertainers are coming together to hold benefit concerts to support the victims.
Ringo Starr is taking the famous song lyrics, “I get by with a little help from my friends,” seriously. The former Beatles drummer is holding a two-night benefit concert this week in Nashville. It will feature guest performances from Jack White, Sheryl Crow and “War and Treaty.”
Funds from the concert, which will air as a special on CBS later this year, will be directed to the American Red Cross.
Live Nation is gearing up for its benefit concert, titled “FireAid,” to be held on Jan. 30. Sources told TMZ the response from musicians has been so overwhelming that the event will likely be held in two different venues.
Live Nation is expected to announce the lineup within days.
China floats Elon Musk as possible future owner of US TikTok: Report
Chinese officials are weighing options for TikTok as the popular short-form video app faces an outright ban in the U.S. on Jan. 19. One possible option they are discussing is selling its U.S. operations to X owner Elon Musk, according to a report from Bloomberg.
The Chinese government would “strongly” prefer TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, remain the app’s owner, according to Bloomberg sources. But they have discussed Musk’s X taking over TikTok’s U.S. arm as a possible contingency.
Bloomberg said it is unclear whether Musk, X, TikTok or ByteDance are involved in these discussions with Chinese government officials.
Despite his ownership of a rival social media platform, Musk has adamantly maintained that TikTok shouldn’t be banned.
In my opinion, TikTok should not be banned in the USA, even though such a ban may benefit the 𝕏 platform.
Doing so would be contrary to freedom of speech and expression. It is not what America stands for.
“In my opinion, TikTok should not be banned in the USA, even though such a ban may benefit the X platform,” Musk posted in April. “Doing so would be contrary to freedom of speech and expression. It is not what America stands for.”
Musk has had positive dealings with the Chinese government as part of his role as CEO of Tesla.
Recently, President-elect Donald Trump said TikTok has a “warm spot” in his heart, despite being the first president to propose banning the app on national security concerns during his first administration.
“We’ll take a look at TikTok,” he said in December. “I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok because I won youth by 34 points. And there are those that say that TikTok has something to do with it.”
Based on a Tufts University analysis of Associated Press data, Vice President Kamala Harris won the under-30 vote by four points, though Trump did make major gains in the age group and won under-30 men by 14 points, a group he lost in 2020.
In recent months, ByteDance hoped the situation could be resolved in the courts. Last week, the Supreme Court heard arguments over whether the ban should be upheld.
The people cited in Bloomberg’s report said Beijing may get more involved in the negotiations, despite ByteDance’s repeated claims it operates independently from the Chinese government. Chinese officials see it as an opportunity to work with the Trump administration, with promises of tariffs and export controls on the docket.
A day before the Supreme Court heard arguments over TikTok, billionaire and former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt’s group put in a formal bid to take over the app.
The People’s Bid for TikTok also includes investor Kevin O’Leary and has been in the works since May 2024. The value of that offer wasn’t made public but McCourt has said he doesn’t need the highly coveted algorithm as part of the deal, which could significantly decrease the value of U.S. operations.
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.
Wildfires force thousands to evacuate Southern California
Three massive wildfires are burning out of control in Southern California, putting thousands of homes at risk. And President-elect Donald Trump shares his plans to acquire Greenland, the Panama Canal and bring Canada as the 51st state. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
Southern California wildfires force thousands to evacuate
Three separate wildfires are burning in the Los Angeles, California, area, and there is no end in sight, as strong winds are fueling the flames. The most extreme of the three is the Palisades Fire, which spans nearly 3,000 acres and has already forced 30,000 residents to evacuate.
Cities surrounding Pacific Palisades, including Malibu, issued evacuation orders. Officials there told all residents to prepare to leave their homes, whether they were under evacuation orders or not since the inferno was moving so quickly.
All hands are on deck to fight the #PalisadesFire in Southern California. California is deeply grateful for the brave firefighters & first responders battling the blaze.
We will continue to mobilize resources and support local communities as they respond to this severe weather. pic.twitter.com/JZrYy85e4z
The neighboring city of Santa Monica also issued an evacuation order for the northern part of the city. It also closed the area to the public, warning of an immediate threat to life.
As thousands of firefighters continue to battle the flames, authorities work to find the fire’s cause.
A second wildfire, dubbed the Eaton Fire, burns near Pasadena. A city spokeswoman said it has “created its own firestorm” with flying embers igniting at least a dozen other spot fires.
So far, the Eaton Fire has consumed about 1,000 acres. It engulfed homes and forced more than 100 people to evacuate from a nursing home — some in wheelchairs and on gurneys. A federal disaster declaration is now in effect for the Eaton Fire.
Crews are also battling the Hurst Fire about 100 acres in the San Fernando Valley, which is in the northern part of Los Angeles County. The Hurst Fire also prompted evacuation orders.
The Los Angeles County canceled schools in 19 districts Wednesday, Jan. 8. Plus, more than 200,000 people are without access to power, either because of the powerful Santa Ana winds or because a utility provider turned off electricity to prevent additional fires.
The forecast called for the winds to continue for days, producing gusts that could top 100 miles per hour in the mountains and foothills.
Biden administration asks federal appeals court to block 9/11 plea deals
The Biden administration asked a federal appeals court to block a plea agreement for accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. The controversial deal would spare Mohammed from the death penalty for his role in planning the terror attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.
The deadly attack rocked the U.S. and began the war on terrorism.
In court filings Tuesday, Jan. 7, the Justice Department argued the government would be irreparably harmed if the guilty pleas were accepted for Mohammed and two co-defendants in the 9/11 attacks.
It said the government would be denied a chance for a public trial and the opportunity to “seek capital punishment against three men charged with a heinous act of mass murder that caused the death of thousands of people and shocked the nation and the world.”
The Defense Department negotiated and approved the plea deal but later revoked it.
However, attorneys for the defendants argued the deal was already legally in effect and that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who began the administration’s efforts to throw it out, acted too late.
Mohammed is set to enter his guilty plea on Friday, Jan. 10, if the appeal is not granted. His co-defendants, accused of lesser roles in 9/11, are due to enter theirs next week.
Harris, Johnson deliver eulogies for President Jimmy Carter
The 39th president died last week at the age of 100.
Carter’s body had been lying in repose since Saturday, Jan. 5, at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta before being transported Tuesday morning to Washington D.C.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson each delivered a eulogy during Tuesday’s ceremony
“We all know that his care for humanity didn’t stop at building homes,” Johnson said. “In the face of illness, President Jimmy Carter brought lifesaving medicine. In the face of conflict, he brokered peace. In the face of discrimination, he reminded us that we are all made in the image of God. If you were to ask him why he did it all, he would likely point to his faith.”
Harris highlighted Carter’s faith. She said, “James Earl Carter, Jr. loved our country. He lived his faith. He served the people. And he left the world better than he found it.”
Carter’s body will lie in state through Thursday morning, Jan. 9, and then be taken to the National Cathedral for a state funeral. Biden is expected to deliver a eulogy.
Trump suggests using military, economic force to expand America
In a wide-ranging press conference from Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump touched on a bunch of topics, including a $20 billion foreign investment to build data centers in the U.S. He also talked about his plans to revoke Biden’s recent ban on offshore oil and natural gas drilling as well as expansion strategies for the United States.
Trump reiterated his goals of acquiring the Panama Canal, which has been under Panama’s sole control since 1999, and Greenland, a territory of Denmark.
Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., is leading an American delegation currently in Greenland, though the country’s prime minister said he is there as “a private individual.”
The Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen responded to Trump’s remarks Tuesday, saying Greenland was not for sale.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede reiterated this point, saying “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders. Our future and fight for independence is our business.”
A reporter asked the president-elect if he can assure that he would not use any military force to take control of either the Panama Canal or Greenland.
“I can’t assure you, you’re talking about Panama and Greenland,” Trump replied. “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two but, I can say this we need them for economic security. The Panama Canal was built for a military. I’m not going to commit to that now.”
In response to those remarks, the prime minister of Denmark called the United States its country’s “closest ally” and did not believe the U.S. would use any force to secure Greenland. Panama’s foreign minister repeated earlier comments from the country’s president that the sovereignty of the Panama Canal is not negotiable.
“[I’d use] economic force because Canada and the United States — that would really be something,” he said. “You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like. It would also be much better for national security. Don’t forget, we basically protect Canada.”
Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued his response in a post on X saying, “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.”The president-elect also spoke of one more geographical goal of his in the upcoming term: to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, saying it “has a beautiful ring to it.”
Not long after his remarks, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said she directed her staff to begin drafting legislation for the name change.
Police: Former soldier used AI to plan Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion attack
New details are emerging about the man who blew up a Tesla Cybertruck outside Trump Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year’s Day. Las Vegas police said Tuesday the attacker used generative AI, including ChatGPT to plan the attack.
An investigation into former soldier Matthew Livelsberger, 37, found his search history on ChatGPT included questions about firearms and explosives. Straight Arrow News reporter Lauren Taylor has more details on the investigation into the Cybertruck explosion.
Girl Scout cookie season begins, 2 flavors discontinued
Girl Scout cookie season has arrived. The annual tradition is meant to teach young girls about entrepreneurial skills through selling boxes of cookies.
Almost everyone has a favorite, of course, but if yours is Girl Scout S’mores or Toast-Yay! Cookies — bad news. The Girl Scouts plan to retire those two flavors later this year.
The organization said discontinuing those two flavors may lead to something new and delicious.
Johnny Depp, Kelly Rowland and Reba warn fans about AI scammers
Scammers are posing as celebrities to trick fans out of their money. Johnny Depp, Kelly Rowland and Reba McEntire have recently warned their supporters about the alarming trend.
Stars are urging fans to stay vigilant, especially as scammers use advanced technology and artificial intelligence to make their impersonations more convincing.
Johnny Depp issues warning
Depp took to Instagram on Monday, Jan. 6 with a detailed warning for his fans. He emphasized that his official Instagram account is his only social media presence.
Depp stated he’s not on platforms like X, Snapchat, or Discord. Likewise, he said he doesn’t offer paid fan meetings, club memberships, or fan cards—opportunities scammers attempt to leverage for money.
“Today, AI can create the illusion of my face and voice,” Depp said in his post. “Scammers may look and sound just like the real me. But neither I, nor my team, will ask you for money or your personal information.”
Depp says his team is “actively working to combat these illicit schemes.”
Kelly Rowland fan targeted by impersonator
Singer and actress Kelly Rowland also shared a warning after facing a similar issue. Someone using the Instagram handle @iam.kellyrowland without a profile picture messaged a fan claiming they lost their credit card and needed money for a plane ticket to perform in the fan’s city.
The scammer followed up with another message, claiming to be Beyoncé.
Reba McEntire urges fans to be cautious
Last November, McEntire shared her own warning on Instagram. She stressed that neither she nor her team would ever contact fans via direct message or phone to solicit money.
McEntire urged her followers to protect themselves online and be wary of scammers attempting to exploit their admiration for her.
How to spot a scam
When it comes to online scams, there are clear red flags to watch for:
Verify the account: Look beyond the blue checkmark. Check the account’s post history, follower count and activity to ensure authenticity.
Be wary of urgent requests: Celebrities won’t ask for money or personal information through direct messages.
Look out for odd spelling and grammar: Many scams contain typos or awkward phrasing, like the scammer who misspelled “plane” in messages pretending to be Rowland.
Check website URLs: Always inspect links before clicking. Watch for subtle misspellings or unfamiliar domains.
FBI criticized after reporter videos inside NOLA terror suspect’s home
A video showing a journalist inside the Houston home of a suspected New Orleans terrorist is drawing attention from lawmakers. The New York Post recorded the footage just 37 hours after the deadly car attack on Bourbon Street.
One senator is questioning the FBI over what she calls an “unsecure perimeter” around the suspect’s home between FBI searches.
Around 3 a.m. on New Year’s Day, authorities say Shamsud-Din Jabbar was the driver of a truck that plowed through a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 14 people and injuring dozens more.
The suspect died in a shootout with police. Authorities believe ISIS inspired the attack. They found an ISIS flag, weapons and explosive devices inside Jabbar’s truck. The FBI identified Jabbar’s last known residence as a home in Houston, where agents raided the property between Jan. 1 and Jan. 2. They also reportedly discovered bomb-making materials inside the home.
However, less than eight hours after the FBI left, a New York Post reporter posted a video of herself walking through the unsecured house. She filmed items left behind by the FBI, including computers, a Quran and what she described as a “bomb-making station.”
The reporter received online backlash for entering the home, and criticism has also been directed at the FBI for leaving the site unsecured after the initial raid. Following the incident, the FBI confirmed to several news outlets on Friday, Jan. 3, that agents had returned to the house for a second search.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., criticized the FBI’s handling of the situation, posting on X, “The fact that a reporter has better intel than the FBI tells us all we need to know. The FBI has failed its core mission.”
Local Houston news outlets report that they arrived at the home on New Year’s Day before investigators. They witnessed FBI, SWAT vehicles and local sheriff’s department officers arriving at the scene. By Thursday morning, the first search had concluded, and the second search was also completed Friday morning. It is unclear why authorities returned or if they collected more evidence during the second search.
As of now, the FBI has not commented on why a journalist was inside the home between the two searches.