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United States Supreme Court Greenlight the Ban on TikTok

Tik Tok

by Admin Jan 19, 2025 The United States Supreme Court has affirmed a law that prohibits TikTok from operating in the country unless its parent company, ByteDance, based in China, sells the platform by this Sunday. However, the Chinese social media giant contested the law, claiming it infringes on the free speech rights of its over 170 million users in the United States. However, the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed this argument, leaving TikTok with the option to secure an approved buyer for the US version of the app or risk being removed from app stores and web hosting services. The White House announced that incoming President Donald Trump’s administration, which begins on Monday, will enforce the law. However, President-elect Donald Trump has promised to decide the matter in the coming weeks. Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of Tiktok, who has expressed his anticipation to attend President Trump’s inauguration alongside other prominent guests, further expressed his gratitude to the incoming president for his willingness to collaborate with the social media app and ensure its continued availability in the United States. On Friday, Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social: “The Supreme Court decision was expected, and everyone must respect it. “My decision on TikTok will be made in the not-too-distant future, but I must have time to review the situation. Stay tuned!” It could be recalled that late last year, both Democratic and Republican lawmakers voted to ban the video-sharing app due to concerns about its connections to the Chinese government and security concerns about the app being used as spyware on United States citizens. In its defense, the Chinese social media platform has consistently maintained that it does not share user data with Beijing. Enacted in April of last year, the law gives TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, until January 19, 2025, to sell the US version of the platform to an independent party to avoid a complete ban. With the ban going into effect on Sunday, Apple and Google have announced that they will cease offering the app to new users and will stop providing security updates to existing users, which could ultimately lead to its demise. ByteDance has stated that it will not sell TikTok and plans to shut down the app’s US operations on Sunday unless granted an extension. The Supreme Court said, “There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community,” It further added “But Congress has determined that divestiture is necessary to address its well-supported national security concerns regarding TikTok’s data collection practices and relationship with a foreign adversary.” Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary said: “TikTok should remain available to Americans, but simply under American ownership or other ownership that addresses the national security concerns identified by Congress in developing this law.” She further added, “President Biden recognized actions to implement the law simply must fall to the next administration, which takes office on Monday”. However, incoming President Trump also revealed he had spoken to China’s President Xi Jinping and discussed TikTok, among other issues.

Former CIA Analyst Admits to Leaking Documents on Israel’s Planned Strike Against Iran

Central Intelligence Agency CIA

by Admin Jan 19, 2025 After months of intense investigation about the leaked Israel plan attack on Iran, a former CIA employee has admitted to leaking classified information regarding Israel’s plans to launch an attack on Iran. Asif Rahman, 34, pleaded guilty to charges of willfully retaining and transmitting national defense information. Rahman was arrested by the FBI in November, shortly after the classified documents surfaced on the Telegram messaging app. The documents shared on the Telegram app by an account named Middle East Spectator outlined Israel’s preparations for a potential strike on Iran, although they did not specify any concrete targets. The documents, produced by the United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, detailed aviation exercises and the movement of munitions at an Israeli airfield. The leak prompted Israeli officials to postpone their planned retaliatory strike. Employed by the Central Intelligence Agency since 2016 and holding a top-secret security clearance, he was arrested by the FBI in Cambodia in November. A court filing reveals that on October 17, Rahman printed two top-secret documents detailing “a United States foreign ally and its planned kinetic actions against a foreign adversary.” The government prosecutor revealed that Rahman photographed the documents and used a computer program to alter the images in “an attempt to conceal their source and erase his activity,”. The Prosecutor further revealed that Rahman then shared the documents with “multiple individuals he knew were unauthorized to receive them” before shredding the originals at his workplace. In a statement made by the FBI, it revealed that “Rahman also destroyed multiple electronic devices, including a personal mobile device and an internet router he used to transmit classified information,”. Rahman faces a potential 20-year prison sentence after pleading guilty in a Virginia federal court to two counts of willfully retaining and transmitting national defense information. General Matthew Olsen, the United States Assistant Attorney General said “Mr Rahman betrayed the trust of the American people by unlawfully sharing classified national defense information he swore an oath to protect,” On October 1, Iran launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles toward Israel as a response to the deaths of senior members of the Iran-supported militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah. However, Israel retaliated with a wave of strikes on military targets in Iran in late October.

President Biden grants clemency to 2,500 convicts of nonviolent drug offenses.

President Joe Biden

by Admin Jan 17, 2025 Just days before the end of his term, outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of nearly 2,500 individuals convicted of nonviolent drug offenses. This was announced on Friday in a statement made by President Biden, who said “serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice”. He further added, “With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in US history,” In his statement, President Biden expatiated that “Based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes”. “As Congress recognized through the Fair Sentencing Act and the First Step Act, it is time that we equalize these sentence disparities”, He further explained that “This action is an important step toward righting historical wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities after spending far too much time behind bars.” The announcement comes as the Democrat has authorized pardons and commuted sentences for many individuals before his successor, Republican Donald Trump, takes office on Monday. In December 2024, President Biden commuted the sentences of 37 out of 40 federal inmates on death row, changing their sentences to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. He also mentioned that he pardoned 39 individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes and commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 others serving lengthy prison terms in the same month. President Biden has faced significant criticism, including from incoming President Donald Trump, over his decision to pardon his son Hunter Biden, who pleaded guilty to tax violations and was convicted on firearms-related charges.

South Korea Impeached President Keeps Mute to Investigators as Detention Prolongs

President Yoon Suk Yeol walked away by investigating officers

by Admin Jan 17, 2025 After the historic arrest of President Yoon on Wednesday morning South Korean anti-corruption investigators plan to seek a warrant to extend the detention of President Yoon Suk-yeol after the impeached leader again refused to participate in questioning regarding his brief declaration of martial law. On Friday, South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) disclosed that it has submitted a request to the court. On Wednesday, President Yoon became the first sitting president in South Korean history to be taken into custody after investigators conducted a dawn raid on his residence in Seoul. According to the terms of the warrant executed that day, investigators were authorized to detain the embattled leader for up to 48 hours. Seoul Central District Court on Thursday dismissed a motion from President Yoon’s lawyers challenging the legality of his arrest, which came into effect after a weeks-long standoff between investigators and presidential security at his compound. President Yoon, who has been suspended from office since his impeachment on December 14, is under investigation for offenses including insurrection, which is punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty, though South Korea has a longstanding moratorium on executions. Seok Dong-Hyeon, one of President Yoon’s lawyers, disclosed that “The president will not appear at the CIO today. He has sufficiently expressed his basic stance to the investigators on the first day,” In the meantime, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok has assumed the role of acting president. Deputy Prime Minister Choi filled the position following the impeachment of Yoon’s initial successor, Han Duck-soo. Han was removed from office after refusing to promptly fill three vacancies on the Constitutional Court, which further complicated the leadership transition. President Yoon’s legal counsel has strongly criticized his arrest, labeling it as an illicit act of destabilizing the constitution. In a statement, they asserted that President Yoon saw no reason to answer questions regarding the charges against him, signaling his refusal to engage with the ongoing legal proceedings.

Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, and his wife have been sentenced to jail in a corruption case

Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi

by Admin Jan 17, 2025 Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Friday morning, while his wife, Bushra Bibi, received a seven-year sentence. Both were charged in a case concerning the misuse of authority and corruption related to Khan’s Al-Qadir University Project Trust. In addition to their prison sentences, Khan was fined 1 million Pakistani rupees (approximately $3,500), while Bibi was fined 500,000 rupees. The charge sheet accused Khan and his wife of acquiring land valued at billions of rupees (millions of US dollars) from Malik Riaz, a prominent real estate tycoon in Pakistan, for the Al-Qadir Trust. The purpose of this acquisition was to establish a nonprofit educational institute for the underprivileged. The NAB alleged that Khan, who served as prime minister from August 2018 to April 2022, made a quid pro quo deal with Riaz, allowing him to launder over $239 million. This allegedly resulted in significant losses for the national treasury. Khan, who did not appear in court on January 13 when the decision was postponed for the third time, previously stated that these delays were an attempt to “pressurize” him. This case marks the fourth major conviction for the former prime minister. An accountability court in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, where Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023, reserved its verdict last December and has postponed the announcement three times. Bibi was arrested within the court premises. Three previous convictions, announced in January of last year, were linked to selling state gifts, leaking state secrets, and entering into an unlawful marriage. All of these convictions have either been suspended or overturned. Despite this, Khan remains in prison, facing numerous pending cases against him, which he describes as a political witch-hunt. Faisal Fareed Chaudhry, Khan’s lawyer, criticized the decision as an ongoing instance of “bogus persecution” against Khan and his wife. He stated, “This may be the only case where the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) could not prove a loss of even a single penny.” Chaudhry stated that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) did not present any evidence of financial losses to the state or demonstrate any connection between the Al-Qadir Trust and personal financial benefits for Khan or his family. He noted, “The criminal proceedings against Khan and Bushra Bibi were not substantiated during the prosecution. The entire case appears to be politically motivated. I do not understand how the establishment of a trust could constitute a conflict of interest.” Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), responded to the verdict in its initial statement. The PTI stated, “While we await the detailed decision, it is important to highlight that the case against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi related to the Al Qadir Trust lacks a solid foundation and is destined to fail. All evidence and witness testimonies confirm that there has been no mismanagement or wrongdoing. Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are trustees without further involvement in the matter.” Khan was removed from power in April 2022 through a parliamentary vote of no confidence, which he claims was the result of a conspiracy involving the military and the United States—allegations that both entities have denied. Since its formation in 1947, Pakistan’s military has wielded considerable political influence, directly ruling the country for nearly three decades. Initially, the military was viewed as Khan’s supporter and the architect of his rise to power, but their relationship later deteriorated. Notably, while no prime minister in Pakistan’s history has completed their term, three of four military dictators have governed for nearly a decade each.

South Korea Impeached President Yoon Arrested and Detained

President Yoon Suk Yeol walked away by investigating officers

by Admin Jan 15, 2025 History was made on Wednesday morning after President Yoon Suk Yeol became South Korea’s first sitting president to be arrested and detained. The historic event was filled with a lot of dramatic instances where the investigators had to cut security barb-wires and scale the fence of Yoon, 64, who is under investigation for insurrection due to a failed martial law order issued on December 3, which led to widespread turmoil in the country. President Yoon has also been impeached by parliament and suspended from his duties. However, he will only be removed from office if the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment. Investigators from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) were unable to arrest him on January 3 after a six-hour standoff with the president’s security detail. However, just before dawn on Wednesday, a much larger and coordinated team of investigators and police descended on his residence in central Seoul. They were equipped with ladders to climb over buses blocking the entrance and bolt cutters to remove barbed wire. A team of around 1,000 officers involved in the arrest scaled walls and hiked up nearby trails to reach the presidential residence. After several hours, authorities announced that President Yoon had been arrested. In a three-minute video released just before his arrest, the 64-year-old leader stated that he would cooperate with the investigators while reiterating his previous claims that the warrant for his arrest was not legally valid. The impeached president said “I decided to appear before the CIO, even though it is an illegal investigation, to prevent any unsavory bloodshed,” However, President Yoon’s lawyers argued that his arrest was “illegal” because the CIO, as an anti-corruption agency, lacked the authority to investigate the insurrection allegations against Yoon. They also assert that the warrant was issued by the incorrect jurisdiction. The same court later dismissed President Yoon’s request for an injunction to invalidate the arrest warrant, which the authorities assert is lawful. The floor leader of the opposition Democratic Party, Park Chan-dae, stated that Wednesday’s arrest demonstrated that “justice in South Korea is alive.” He said, “The arrest is the first step toward restoring constitutional order, democracy, and the rule of law”. According to the current warrant, authorities can hold President Yoon for up to 48 hours after his arrest. After this period, they must obtain a new warrant to continue detaining him while the investigation is ongoing. If the new warrant is granted, they can keep him in custody for up to 20 days before he must be brought to trial. If they do not secure a new warrant, Yoon must be released. The country is currently being led by Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok as acting president. He was thrust into power after the first acting president, Han Duck-Soo was also impeached two weeks after taking over the office by the parliament which is dominated by the opposition party.

Suspected Marburg Outbreak Kills 8 in Tanzania says WHO

World Health Organization Tanzania

by Admin Jan 15, 2025 A suspected outbreak of the Marburg virus in Tanzania has resulted in at least eight fatalities, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In a statement released on Tuesday, the global health agency reported that nine suspected cases of this highly fatal disease have been identified in two districts within the Kagera region northwest of the country. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus took to his X page and said “We would expect further cases in coming days as disease surveillance improves”. Samples from two patients were collected and tested to confirm the outbreak at Tanzania’s national laboratory, according to the United Nations. The contacts of the patients, including healthcare workers, have been identified and are being monitored. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning regarding the high risk of further spread in Tanzania and the surrounding region. This risk is primarily due to Kagera’s position as a transit hub, which sees considerable cross-border movement between neighboring countries such as Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The announcement was made weeks after a Marburg outbreak in Rwanda was declared over. This outbreak infected 66 people and resulted in 15 fatalities. Marburg is a viral hemorrhagic fever with a fatality rate that can be as high as 88 percent. It belongs to the same virus family as Ebola, which is transmitted to humans by fruit bats. The virus can spread between people through direct contact or via blood and other bodily fluids of infected people, including contaminated bedding or clothing. There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the virus.

President Biden remove Cuba from the United States list of state sponsors of terrorism

President Joe Biden

by Admin Jan 15, 2025 As President Biden prepares to leave office on January 20 he gave his final foreign policy speech on Tuesday afternoon where he announced the removal of Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. A move that counters the incoming President Donald Trump’s foreign policy plan during his first term as president of the United States added Cuba to the list of state sponsors of terrorism. After removing Cuba from the list in 2015, President Barack Obama, and Trump reinstated it due to the communist country’s support of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.. President Biden’s decree to remove Cuba from the United States list of state sponsors of terrorism was facilitated by the Roman Catholic Church which in return Cuba has agreed to release 553 prisoners. Mike Waltz, Donald Trump’s nominee for national security adviser, said, “Anything they [the Biden Administration] are doing right now we can reverse, and no one should be under any illusion in terms of a change in Cuba policy.” An official from the Biden administration who chose to remain anonymous revealed that Cuba would “gradually” release 553 prisoners who have been unjustly detained in exchange for its removal. However, Cuba’s foreign ministry stated that the agreement ends certain coercive measures that have harmed the nation’s economy. Cuba has not revealed any details regarding whom it may free, but relatives of those imprisoned after the anti-government protests in 2021 expressed hope that their loved ones would be among them. Cuba currently sits with North Korea, Syria, and Iran on the United States’ list of state sponsors of terrorism, indicating that it has “repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.” Prodesq, political analyst Temitope Oladeji gives an insight into how President Joe Biden’s decision to remove Cuba from the United States’ list of state sponsors of terrorism, Oladeji said “The prisoner’s release is a decision that is significant and marks a step towards normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States,” He further hinted that the religious part of the Roman Catholic Church played an important role in the finalization of the deal, as President Joe Biden is a devoted Roman Catholic Christian, which shows the power religion plays in world policies. It however remains uncertain if Donald Trump will revert President Biden’s decision and add Cuba back to the state sponsor terrorism list of the United States like he did in 2015 after President Obama removed Cuba from the list but Trump added the Caribbean country back.

Donald Trump Says Meeting With Russian President Vladimir Putin Is Being Arranged

Donald Trump and Vladmir Putin

by Admin Jan 10, 2025 Donald Trump has revealed that a meeting is being arranged between himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has promised to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine shortly after he ascends office on January 20 and has further expressed skepticism about the United States military and financial support for Kyiv. The President-elect made this known on Thursday afternoon at his Mar-la-go resort in Florida, he said “He wants to meet and we are setting it up, President Putin wants to meet”. He reiterated to reporters who were present to discuss his stance on the wildfire ravaging California. Donald Trump said he had a private telephone conversation with the Russian president who told him that “He has said that even publicly and we have to get that war over with. That’s a bloody mess.” However, the Kremlin has announced that they are open to a new conversation with the incoming administration after the Joe Biden administration closed all communication with Russia in the past two years. A spokesperson for Ukraine’s foreign ministry stated on Friday that the Ukrainians are anticipating high-level discussions with the Donald Trump administration after his inauguration. The meeting will formally bring Donald Trump, the Ukrainian President Volodyomr Zelensky to a round table to discuss the future of Ukraine and the stance of the new United States President on the war which is in its third year. After Donald Trump’s election victory in November, Zelensky expressed his belief that the war would “end sooner” under Trump’s presidency than it would have otherwise. The Ukrainian President mentioned that they had a “constructive exchange” during a phone call, but he did not disclose whether Trump had made any demands related to the discussion about Russia. The president-elect has nominated Keith Kellogg, a former national security adviser and retired lieutenant general in the United States military, to serve as a special envoy to Ukraine and Russia for his second administration. Kellogg in April 2024 released a proposed plan on how to end the war in Ukraine, in his proposal the former national security adviser suggested that Ukraine should receive additional U.S. aid only if it agreed to engage in peace talks with Moscow. However, the document also indicated that if Moscow refused to participate, the U.S. should continue providing aid to Ukraine.

Ten Dead And Several Thousand Rendered Homeless In California’s WildFire

Firefighters Battles Wilde-Fire in Southern California

by Admin Jan 10, 2025 A large wildfire has decimated the state of California and has killed ten people with several thousands of people homeless, while over 10,000 infrastructures have been burnt to the ground. The fire has consumed over 55 square miles of land, and the two largest fires, the Palisades and Eaton Fires are now among the top five most destructive wildfires in California’s history. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna likened the destruction to the aftermath of an atomic bomb. Drone footage revealed neighborhoods where only the outlines of homes and yards remained recognizable. President Joe Biden announced that the federal government will pay for all cleanup costs. It is being reported that the Eaton Fire may have contaminated portions of Pasadena’s water supply, according to a news release from the city. Several reservoirs and pump stations were damaged, which could expose drinking water to potential debris and other contaminants. A statement released by the State Water Resources Control Board, Pasadena Public Health Department, and Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) states, “In the impacted areas, do not drink tap water—Bottled water should be used for all drinking (including baby formula and juice), brushing teeth, washing dishes, making ice, and food preparation until further notice.” However, major airlines, including Southwest, United, and Delta, warn that wildfires and high winds may impact flights to Southern California cities such as Burbank and Los Angeles. While policies vary by airline, most are permitting passengers to change their flights without penalty until at least Friday or Saturday. Prodesq gathered that more than 420,000 people are without electricity in Southern California. Jonathan Erdman, a senior meteorologist at Weather.com said “Even if you haven’t evacuated or been directly affected by the fire you’re probably dealing with the wildfire smoke”. It is expected that a brief break in the winds Saturday, and more Santa Ana winds will be possible early next week. As of the time of this report schools in the Malibu district remain closed until next week.

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