Current Events
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Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal that would end over a year’s worth of conflict in the Gaza region this coming weekend.
On Wednesday (Jan. 15), President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, announced that Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal. The truce is set to put an end to 15 months of hellish bombing and fighting in the Gaza Strip, which has killed thousands in the region and reshaped the scope of the Middle East. The deal is contingent upon Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu receiving the approval of the terms from his full Cabinet and security Cabinet. Representatives for Hamas have agreed to the terms. The news was met with jubilation in Gaza. “Praise God, this tragedy is over,” Gaza City resident Mohammad Fares said when interviewed. “We’re all overcome with joy.”
The ceasefire deal, which is set to go into effect Sunday (Jan. 19), has three proposed phases beginning with a six-week period where Hamas is expected to release 33 of the 96 remaining hostages it captured after its attack in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. At least 34 hostages from the 250 who were taken have been confirmed or believed to have been killed. Israel is expected to release Palestinian hostages for every hostage returned in addition to allowing scores of humanitarian aid into the Gaza region. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said a “massive infusion of trucks” is expected to enter once the ceasefire begins. The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen said that Europe would send $123 million in aid to support those displaced. Palestinians displaced from northern Gaza during the bombing will be allowed to return to the area.
Negotiations for the terms of the second phase are set to take place on the 16th day of the first phase of the ceasefire, with the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt continuing to serve as mediators. On Thursday, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that Hamas added “last-minute updates” to the deal, which amounted to reneging on the original terms. Hamas has denied any changes. Observers note that Netanyahu’s stance may be to maintain his fragile coalition, including far-right parties who want to keep fighting Hamas. In the interim, Israel has continued to conduct airstrikes on the region, with the Gaza Health Ministry claiming that over 80 lives were lost in the last 24 hours.
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President Joe Biden will be vacating the White House after serving four years along with his decades of public service, some of which has garnered its fair share of criticism. In his outgoing address, President Joe Biden warned of an oligarchy taking form in Washington and framed the changing landscape of content moderation in social media as a danger to democracy.
In the 17-minute farewell address, President Joe Biden was stern in his delivery as he thanked the American people before taking aim at the formation of what Biden feels is an influential core of Big Tech leaders such as Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk inserting themselves in opposition of democracy.
“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead,” Biden said.
President Biden didn’t explicitly name Zuckerberg or Musk by name but it is little secret that the pair’s recently affirmed proximity to President-elect Donald Trump is questionable considering the influence the pair wield in both wealth and across social media. Further, Meta, helmed by Zuckerberg, is adopting a new policy that does away with content moderation and instead will adopt the community notes feature from X.
Further in the address, Biden suggested that Supreme Court justices serve an 18-year term limit instead of the lifetime appointments of today. He also made slight mention of Trump’s 34-county felony convictions although he won’t face any time.
President Joe Biden’s farewell address can be viewed below.
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Photo: Getty
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D-Nice and will.i.am are teaming up to host a live stream concert that will benefit victims of the wildfires plaguing the Los Angeles area.
On Wednesday (January 15), will.i.am and D-Nice announced an event to help all of those affected by the wildfires that have been prevalent in Los Angeles, California for the past week and a half. The L.A. Check In, modeled after D-Nice’s popular Club Quarantine events, will feature sets from D-Nice and DJ Hed as well as appearances from surprise celebrity guests and famous hometown heroes. Viewers will be able to get information on places to donate to relief efforts, as well as to get updates on resources that are needed for victims.
The L.A. Check In is also organized by actor and philanthropist Etienne Maurice, the Annenberg Foundation, and will.i.am’s Angel Foundation. “Families and students across the city urgently need our support as many lives have been disrupted, including losing everything in the fires,” the Black Eyed Peas’ co-founder said in the press release announcing the live stream. “Teaming up with fellow musicians and the Annenberg Foundation for fire relief is what the community needs right now to connect us and activate those who wish to donate and volunteer.”
“Club Quarantine was a way for people to find community all over the world through love of music and culture,” D-Nice said in the press statement. “The music I played at that time was secondary to what was really happening, which were the conversations and connections that people were having. L.A. Check In will leverage Los Angeles’ star power while reminding one another of the resilience we build and have in each other.” The event will be broadcast live on Thursday (January 16) at 6 P.M. Pacific Time from will.i.am’s FYI Campus, with viewers being able to tune in through his YouTube page and D-Nice’s Instagram page.
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Source: Gilbert Carrasquillo / Getty / Lil Kim
Lil Kim meant well with her prayers in an attempt to offer support to those impacted by LA wildfires, but praying for another natural disaster to help deal with the current didn’t land well on social media.
The Brooklyn rapper came under fire after she posted a prayer of support on her Instagram Stories, asking for a miracle—a monsoon—to help douse the flames currently wreaking havoc across Los Angeles.
“I’ve Been sending strong prayers up for LA and everyone affected by the fires. “
“This is heartbreaking. I pray to Jesus that God make [sic] it monsoon in LA.”
A monsoon is “a periodic wind especially in the Indian Ocean and southern Asia,” per dictionary.com.
Monsoons are nothing to wish or pray for; they cause extensive damage, such as flooding and water damage, wash away crops, destroy water, and cause hygiene issues.
Hilariously the post is still up, but she damn sure turned the comments off.
That didn’t stop people from reacting to her praying for a monsoon.
“So they can add Landslides & Mudslides to the mix? Nah,” one person on X, formerly Twitter, wrote.
Others sympathized with the “Crush On You” crafter but still wished she hadn’t hit the post button.
“God knows we means, but I just wish she didn’t post this shit. There are some things that just gotta be sacred,” another user on X wrote.
Lil Kim Responds To The Criticism
Lil Kim has since responded to criticism for her post and clarified she meant rain, but for whatever reason, is still pushing for a monsoon, which would be worse than a rainy day.
“What’s happening is devastating and what LA really needs right now is rain—so what’s the issue? Doesn’t everyone understand that a monsoon is heavy rain? I’m so happy to see that everyone is staying so positive during such a tragic situation. Let’s keep praying and supporting everyone that has been affected by this,” Kim wrote on X.
She didn’t help her because she added a screenshot of the definition of a monsoon thinking it would quiet the haters.
For anyone that’s confused. Any questions? pic.twitter.com/S7yXDeTQxV
— Lil’ Kim (@LilKim) January 16, 2025
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Spoiler alert: it only made things worse.
Doubling down is crazy https://t.co/cEit0s2u6q
— Meeka Meanz (@datassholemeeka) January 16, 2025
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We are sure she meant send rain, but lord, she should have someone proofread that joint before posting it.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
1. Pretty much
4. It definitely is not the best answer
8. Y’all out of pocket
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With a new strain of norovirus afflicting more people nationwide, we take a look at its effects and how to prevent yourself from it.
The viral stomach bug commonly known as norovirus is raging, as the Centers for Disease Control published its findings about the wave of cases Monday (Jan. 13). In tests performed over the New Year’s holiday nationwide, 28% came back positive, which is double the result for the number of tests for the virus that were performed last March. In New York City alone, 1,264 cases were reported in December – less than 500 cases were reported to the city’s Department of Health in the last two years. Cases have notably been higher in the Northeast and Midwest regions, according to sewer sampling reports from WaterWasteSCAN.
Experts cite a new strain, GII.17, which has demonstrated an ability to evade immunity, as part of what’s fueling this rise. Seven out of 10 cases are currently linked to it, per the CDC. The virus can be spread through contact with someone else who’s infected or through eating contaminated food or touching contaminated surfaces. Norovirus normally surges during the winter, and those who are afflicted with it are contagious for up to two weeks afterward.
For those who come down with norovirus, more often than not they wouldn’t need professional medical attention unless they have a high fever, severe abdominal pain that lasts more than three days, and feeling as if they’ll lose consciousness. Treatment includes constant hydration, especially for at-risk segments of the population. “That’s especially true for young kids and elderly people because in those people, fluid shifts and dehydration can be a lot more dangerous than for a 30-year-old with no medical problems,” said NYU Langone Health gastroenterologist Dr. Rabia De Latour when interviewed.
According to Dr. Jessica Justman, an epidemiologist at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, those working in environments where it can be more prevalent should be extra cautious. The CDC has recommended a solution of bleach and water to disinfect surfaces along with soap and hot water. They also recommend thoroughly washing one’s hands with soap and water and avoiding eating raw shellfish such as oysters in addition to thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables.
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Source: JIM WATSON / Getty / Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama wants no part of the sh*t show, aka Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, and social media doesn’t blame her for saying nah to the moment.
Spotted on Raw Story, Michelle Obama will not be joining her husband, Barack Obama, at the Trump inauguration, her office announced without giving a reason.
A statement from the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama announced that “Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies. “Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration.”
The announcement sparked immediate reactions from both sides. Those who supported our Forever First Lady applauded her on social media for not being in attendance.
Many brought up the apparent tension between Obama and Donald Trump, who said violent things about Ms. Obama during the 2024 presidential campaign.
“Michelle Obama is doing the right thing! In 2025.. who cares about the optics. Standing on principles should be commended. The people concerned about her not attending should be more critical and laser focused on the incoming felon assuming the presidency,” one post on X, formerly Twitter, wrote.
“I love Michelle Obama forever,” MSNBC host Joy-Ann Reid proudly said on BlueSky.
Singer Ricky Davila said on X, “Forever First Lady Michelle Obama will be skipping the dictator coronation on January 20th. Good, she seems to be the only one who clearly understands the assignment.”
X Reminds MAGA Folks Mad At Michelle Obama That Donald Trump Skipped Biden’s Inauguration
Those on the right are BIG MAD that Ms. Obama isn’t going to Trump’s inauguration, but they were quickly reminded that Orange Mussolini didn’t even bother to show up to President Biden’s because he was so bitter America fired him in 2020.
trump skipped biden inauguration why we flipping out that michelle obama doing the same.. pic.twitter.com/dJJXLK8ejt
— maniyah renae (@crzy4kamala) January 14, 2025
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Welp.
We understand if you won’t be tuning in to see Trump lie as he takes the oath of office.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
1. Michelle Obama’s energy is what we’re on for the next 4 years
2. Required watching
3. Black women are fed up
5. EXACTLY
10. NO SIR
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TikTok, the wildly popular social media app that has made stars among some of its users and exploded as a commerce hub, is under the threat of being banned or forced to sell off its assets. With the threat of TikTok going away, thousands of users are flocking to the Chinese social media app RedNote and discovering a new community in the process.
The United States Supreme Court is currently weighing a decision on a law that would ban TikTok in the country over national security concerns and the fact it is owned by a Chinese company. The proposed deadline is January 19, and the nation’s highest court has previously heard arguments from the social media brand’s parent company ByteDance and the incoming Trump administration’s position thus far is to keep access open to the app in the States.
RedNote, which is also known as Xiaohongshu, first launched in 2013 as a shopping destination but now has expanded into a full-on social media hub where users share various forms of content including the short-form video format TikTok is known for. According to a report from Reuters, over 700,000 users joined RedNote in the course of two days with a reported 50,000 Americans among that number but pales in comparison to the roughly 150 million American users of TikTok.
RedNote is currently the second most popular free app on Apple’s App Store. The outlet also added that Lemon8, which is a social media app owned by ByteDance, has seen increased user numbers as well.
On X, the massive social media defection is being documented with some revealing the language barriers users are facing and how some Americans are helping Chinese users improve their English. With some of the stringent laws in China, users have been careful in what they share and discuss on the app but the influx of users is seemingly welcomed.
We’ve got some reactions from X regarding the TikTok defection to RedNote below.
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What does it say about a person that attaching their name to a product instantly increases the likelihood that the product’s value and saleability will plummet?
Apparently, this is a question for Elon Musk.
Not only has the platform formerly known as Twitter done virtually nothing but tank in every possible sense of the word since Phony Stark took the reins, but a recent study has shown potential Tesla buyers are shopping elsewhere for their automotive needs ever since Musk outed himself as an enthusiastic MAGA cultist who wears Donald Trump’s hind parts as a hat.
According to a new study published by Clean Technica, an independent journalism site focused on green and clean energy, researchers for JW Surety Bonds found that approximately 1 in 4 Americans “avoid Tesla’s technology due to their opinions on Elon Musk.”
Imagine that: Tesla’s latest innovation, the Cybertruck, is an $80,000 vehicle (that’s the low-end price tag) that has been rife with malfunctions and subsequent recalls and looks like it was designed by Homer Simpson for children who still participate in soap boxcar racing — but that might not be why a consumer won’t buy it. Basically, a company could be selling an authentic spaceship for cheap and folks still might not shell out a dime for it because Musk’s name is on it. That’s a damn shame, especially for a CEO who is supposedly a tech genius. (I mean, we all know Elon is a tech pro like Ronald McDonald is a fry cook, but still.)
The only thing particularly surprising about the results of JW’s study is that it’s not young people who are likely to reject a product attached to Musk, it’s also the older generations that Trump has relied on for votes.
From Clean Technica:
Perhaps surprisingly when you consider values and norms they are known for, but perhaps unsurprisingly when you consider how popular Tesla has gotten among young people, the age group most likely to avoid Tesla technology due to Elon Musk is Baby Boomers (people born people 1946 and 1964). Despite stereotypes, though, Baby Boomers came of age in the massive cultural change era of the 1960s and 1970s. They were extremely involved in busting up conservative and closed-minded cultural norms and charting a new course forward for American culture and the world. So, it’s also not that surprising that many in the generation are offended by the strong push to “go backward” and be more closed minded and deeply traditional again. That generation also appreciates more the efforts required to change society, and are more aware of what life was like before those changes.
Tesla sales declined in 2024 compared to 2023. It was the first annual decline for the company since the Model S was launched in 2012. There are many reasons for that, but Tesla definitely took a sales hit in the key market of California, as well as elsewhere, because of Elon Musk’s more and more involved and more and more extreme political engagement. There was already strong research on that as well as a wicked drop in Tesla sales in California. However, the situation surely grew as the year went on and reached new heights in November when Donald Trump was elected president instead of Kamala Harris and Elon Musk was by Trump’s side along the way, during Thanksgiving, during Christmas, and on New Year’s Eve.
It’s almost as if no one really benefits from being a Trump supporter besides the orange man himself. (Just ask Rudy Giuliani.)
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Source: Courtesy of Billboard / Courtesy of Billboard
Billboard Magazine is looking at BigXthaPlug as Rap’s newest star. He has been chosen to grace the cover of their “Future Of Hip-Hop” issue.
Source: Courtesy of Billboard / Courtesy of Billboard
This week the music industry trade publication released their first cover series of 2025. On the cover BigXthaPlug is featured and with a headline that reads “BREAKS THROUGH GENRE NOW”. In the exclusive interview he details his come up, his recent success and more. Early in the feature he explains that his father was the one who saw his musical talent early on. “The first time I remember having a mic in my face was when I was about 9 or 10 years old. My pops took me to this spot, and right in the middle of the room, there was a round wooden table with a mic…” he revealed. “Then they just put me on the mic, and I just started rapping. Afterwards, my dad told me, ‘You’re good—you need to rap for real.’ That was one of my earliest memories for sure.”
Later on BigXthaPlug explains his creative process and makes it clear that he makes music for everyone. “I’m talking about something,” he explains. “A lot of older people who love music—that’s what they grew up on: actual substance. Here’s this young dude that sounds old, but he’s on these young-old beats. I literally mixed everything up so everybody could love it.”
Billboard Magazine’s “Future Of Hip-Hop” issue is out now. You can view BigXthaPlug’s interview below.
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Source: The Washington Post / Getty
The report by Special Counsel Jack Smith on Donald Trump’s alleged interference in the 2020 presidential election was released, with many on social media outraged at the findings.
Early Tuesday morning (January 14), the report by Special Counsel Jack Smith on the alleged attempts by Donald Trump to interfere with the results of the 2020 presidential election was released, sending shockwaves as the report rebuked the president-elect for his efforts. “Indeed, but for Mr. Trump’s election and imminent return to the presidency, the office assessed that the admissible evidence was sufficient to obtain and sustain a conviction at trial,” Smith stated in the report.
Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report painfully reminds us of just how far the conservative justices were willing to go: pic.twitter.com/M6GwQw5Tlf
— Shanlon Wu (@shanlonwu) January 14, 2025
The damning 137-page report explicitly connected Trump to the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, that left five dead and 140 police officers injured, having encouraged “violence against his perceived opponents” after losing the presidential election in 2020 to Joe Biden. Smith also highlighted how Trump and his accomplices, including Rudy Giuliani, attempted to overturn the results in Arizona and Michigan. The report also detailed racist threats made to District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, and how Trump encouraged the isolation of his then-Vice President Mike Pence to compel him not to certify the 2020 results.
Smith wrote that he made the move to quickly indict Trump to not impact the 2024 presidential election. “Because of the Office’s deep familiarity and experience with these policies, it focused on completing both of its investigations promptly and making timely charging decisions, long before the election,” he wrote. Smith resigned as Special Counsel last week, and while the report has been sent to Congress, it’s assured there will be no further action since Republicans control both the House and the Senate. There is a second volume of the report related to the classified documents case against Trump. Still, Attorney General Merrick Garland has opted to wait until the legal proceedings against Trump’s co-defendants have ended.
The report has left many online upset at the evidence against the president-elect, seeing it as justice being denied. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Denise Wheeler, a novelist, laid the blame squarely at Garland’s feet with her post: “Merrick Garland waited until late 2022 to appoint a special counsel to investigate the biggest & most treasonous criminal in our country’s history. Yet it wasn’t until after Trump announced his candidacy that Garland acted. This wasn’t weakness. It was flat-out intentional.”