Meta has agreed to pay $25 million to settle a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit stemmed from Meta's decision to suspend Trump's accounts on Facebook and Instagram following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. This settlement marks a notable moment in the ongoing relationship between Meta and Trump, as well as the broader implications for social media companies and their policies.
Tshego Gaelae from South Africa has made history by becoming the first Black woman to win the Mrs. World pageant in its 40-year history. This remarkable achievement is not just a personal victory for Gaelae, but a significant milestone for diversity and representation in beauty pageants worldwide.
U.S. District Judge George O’Toole issued the temporary restraining order on Sunday while the case was sealed.
At a hearing in Boston on Thursday, O’Toole confirmed from the bench that the inmate, identified in court filings by the pseudonym Maria Moe, is back in the general population after prison officials moved her to a “special housing unit” and resumed her hormone therapy, her lawyers said.
Borussia Dortmund has appointed former Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac as their new head coach. The Bundesliga club parted ways with Nuri Sahin last week after their Champions League loss at Bologna, which marked their fourth successive defeat across all competitions.
On Wednesday, January 29, the Trump administration rescinded a memo that had frozen federal grants and loans, causing widespread confusion earlier in the week.
A senior administration official confirmed the rescission, which was ordered by the Office of Management and Budget.
The initial order, which had sparked chaos and confusion across Washington, was temporarily halted by a federal district judge on Tuesday evening.
The order states that the United States will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the transition of a child from one sex to another, and it will strictly enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these procedures.
Foreign visitors to New Zealand will now be able to work remotely while in the country, the government announced on Monday, January 27.
Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis said the change, which takes effect immediately, is part of a plan to boost the economy.
“Making the country more attractive to digital nomads—people who work remotely while traveling—will boost New Zealand’s attractiveness as a destination,” Willis explained.
US President Donald Trump is expected to sign four executive orders that will reshape the military. These orders include banning transgender service members from serving in the US armed forces, dismantling the military’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, and reinstating back pay for service members discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations.
On January 20, during his first hours in office, Trump revoked an executive order signed by former President Biden in 2021 that allowed transgender people to serve and prevented the military from discharging soldiers based on their gender identity. Trump also signed a sweeping executive order recognizing only two genders, male and female.
When users logged in to TikTok on Sunday afternoon, they were greeted with a message: “Welcome back! Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!”
In a statement, TikTok expressed gratitude to Trump for “providing clarity” to its service providers. “We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive,” the company said.Trump indicated that his upcoming executive order would grant TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, additional time to secure an approved U.S. buyer, staving off a permanent ban. This move provides temporary relief for the app and its extensive U.S. user base while discussions over its ownership continue.
The app, along with other ByteDance platforms like CapCut and Lemon8, became inaccessible following the ban. This marked the culmination of months of controversy surrounding the popular platform. Meanwhile, Apple and Google removed ByteDance apps from their U.S. app stores, citing legal obligations.
The ban follows a Supreme Court decision upholding a 2024 law requiring TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app to a non-Chinese owner or face prohibition. Critics, including lawmakers across party lines, have flagged TikTok as a potential national security threat, alleging that the Chinese government could exploit the app to access Americans’ data or manipulate content.
However, TikTok has pushed back against these allegations. CEO Shou Zi Chew defended the app, stating it is “safe and secure” while framing the ban as an attack on free speech. Chew also expressed gratitude toward President-elect Donald Trump, who has shown strong support for TikTok and hinted at a possible 90-day extension to allow ByteDance more time to negotiate a sale.
The app’s shutdown has sparked widespread reactions. Some users lamented the loss of a creative outlet, while others, including popular creators, urged followers to migrate to rival platforms. Still, the future of TikTok remains uncertain. Trump’s administration is divided, with some officials advocating for stricter measures and others emphasizing free speech concerns.
Trump himself expressed a cautious approach, stating, “The Supreme Court decision was expected, and everyone must respect it. My decision on TikTok will be made in the not-too-distant future.”
As the app goes offline, its users face an uncertain future, with many mourning the loss of a platform that transformed entertainment, education, and social interaction. Whether Trump’s administration will provide TikTok a lifeline or enforce the ban remains to be seen, but for now, TikTok’s U.S. community has been silenced.
The 2024 Electoral College results were validated during a Monday session presided over by Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost the November contest.
Trump captured the presidency with 312 electoral votes to Harris’s 226 — a total that was confirmed during the certification, marking the final step in the election process before Trump formally takes back the White House on Jan. 20.
A significant moment in the ceremony was the swearing-in of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as Ghana’s first female Vice President, marking a milestone in the country’s political history.
Global dignitaries, including heads of state, diplomats, and international representatives, attended the event, underscoring Mahama’s leadership on the global stage. Their presence highlighted Ghana’s role as a beacon of democracy and stability in Africa.
In his inauguration speech, Mahama urged Ghanaians to join him in a national reset aimed at creating a more resilient and prosperous country, emphasizing accountability, innovation, and unity. Mahama also expressed gratitude to voters for their confidence in his leadership, promising that their votes would translate into tangible change.
Mahama outlined four key areas his administration will prioritise: Economic restoration and stabilisation, improvement of the business and investment environment, accountability and the fight against corruption, governance and constitutional reforms.
He assured businesses and investors that Ghana is open for business again, promising a more transparent and fair tax regime to stimulate growth.
The President paid special attention to youth and women, promising policies that will foster job creation and inclusivity.
“Our youth represent the heartbeat of our democracy. Their ambitions will drive our policies,” Mahama said, pledging to implement a 24-hour economy model to create jobs and stimulate local industries.
He also celebrated Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang’s historic achievement as Ghana’s first female vice president, describing her inauguration as a symbol of progress toward gender equality.
Mahama introduced the concept of a 24-hour economy, aimed at unlocking Ghana’s dormant economic potential by keeping public services, markets and businesses operational 24/7.
"This model will create decent jobs for young people, stimulate local industry, attract foreign investments, and foster resilient communities,” Mahama explained.
Mahama ended his speech with a patriotic call to action, inviting Ghanaians to partner with his administration in building a better future.
“This is a patriotic call to action for all of us to participate in building a nation that lives up to its promise, where unity, progress, and equality are not just ideals but the very fabric of our nation,” he said.
“Let us write the next chapter in Ghana’s story — one of promise, transparency, and transformative progress. May God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong,” Mahama declared.
The peaceful transition of power and the celebratory inauguration reaffirm Ghana’s status as one of Africa’s most stable democracies, setting a strong example for the region and beyond. As Mahama begins his tenure, hopes are high for progress and unity under his leadership.
President Bola Tinubu has departed Lagos for Accra, Ghana, to attend the inauguration of President-elect John Dramani Mahama.
Tinubu was invited to the event by the incoming President, Mahama, and the inauguration is billed to be held on January 7 in Accra, the capital of the Republic of Ghana.
The United States House of Representatives has re-elected Republican Mike Johnson as its speaker, in a vote seen as a test of party unity ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term in the White House.
Johnson emerged victorious after an uncertain first round of voting, as some party members initially withheld their votes over issues like his role in recent bipartisan budget negotiations.
He ultimately won the speakership with 218 votes out of a total of 435, after two holdouts—Ralph Norman of South Carolina and Keith Self of Texas—changed their votes following Donald Trump's intervention.
Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement to resolve a five-year-old lawsuit alleging its voice activated Siri virtual assistant recorded users without consent. The lawsuit claimed Siri inadvertently activated without the trigger words “Hey, Siri,” capturing private conversations that were later shared with advertisers to target consumers.
Two plaintiffs said their mentions of Air Jordan sneakers and Olive Garden restaurants triggered ads for those products. Another said he got ads for a brand name surgical treatment after discussing it, he thought privately, with his doctor.
The allegations, which contradict Apple’s long-standing commitment to customer privacy, highlight potential misuse of Siri’s functionality. CEO Tim Cook has frequently championed privacy as a “fundamental human right.”
The proposed settlement, which must still be approved by a federal judge, was filed Tuesday night in the Oakland, California federal court. Apple isn’t acknowledging any wrongdoing in the settlement. A hearing is scheduled for February 14, 2024, to finalize the agreement.
If approved, tens of millions of Apple customers who owned Siri-equipped devices between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2023, may file claims. Compensation could amount to $20 per device for up to five devices per consumer. However, payments may vary based on the number of claims submitted, as only 3% to 5% of eligible consumers are expected to participate.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs may seek up to $28.5 million in legal fees, plus $1.1 million for expenses, from the settlement fund.
The $95 million is about nine hours of profit for Apple, whose net income was $93.74 billion in its latest fiscal year.
For affected consumers, this case underscores the importance of vigilance in protecting personal data in the digital age.
The football world mourns the loss of legendary manager Joe Kinnear, who passed away at the age of 77 following a long battle with vascular dementia. Known for his managerial stints at Wimbledon, Newcastle, and other clubs, Kinnear left an indelible mark on the sport.
Kinnear's journey began in Dublin, where he was born to a father who worked at the Guinness brewery. Moving to Watford at the age of seven, Kinnear's passion for football flourished. After captaining Watford and Hertfordshire Schoolboys, he impressed at junior level and was signed by Tottenham Hotspur in 1963 as a promising right-back. He made his senior debut in 1966 and played 258 games for Tottenham, winning the FA Cup, the League Cup twice, and the UEFA Cup. Additionally, he earned 26 international caps for the Republic of Ireland.
TSG Hoffenheim has completed the signing of Nigerian forward Gift Orban from Olympique Lyon. The deal, worth €9 million with an additional €3 million in potential add-ons, marks a new chapter for the 22-year-old striker.
Orban had joined Lyon from Belgian club Gent last year but struggled to secure a consistent place in the team, making only 21 appearances and scoring five goals. Despite his efforts, he had not featured in the league since September.
Iran's reformist government, led by President Masoud Pezeshkian, has lifted the nation's ban on WhatsApp and Google Play. This decision marks an initial step in the administration's broader push for reform, aiming to improve the lives of Iran's 85 million citizens.
During a high-level meeting chaired by President Pezeshkian, the decision overcame resistance from hardline factions within the Islamic regime. Telecommunications Minister Sattar Hashemi described the move as a milestone, writing on X, “Today, we took the first step towards lifting internet restrictions by demonstrating unity. This path will continue.”
The Ballon d'Or is no stranger to controversy, and this year's award has certainly sparked some heated discussion. In a recent turn of events, Manchester City star Rodri found himself at the center of attention after Cristiano Ronaldo criticized the decision to award him the prestigious trophy over Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or recipient, voiced his displeasure, claiming it was "unfair" that Vinicius Jr. didn't win despite his contributions to La Liga and Champions League success. This comment didn’t sit well with Rodri, who had an impressive season, leading his club to Premier League and Euro 2024 victories.
The January transfer window has officially kicked off with Arsenal's promising young defender, Josh Robinson, making a significant move to League One side Wigan Athletic. The 20-year-old talent has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal, marking an exciting new chapter in his career.
Robinson has stood out at Arsenal's Hale End academy, showcasing his skills and earning a spot on the first-team bench for several Champions League matches this season. Despite his connection to Arsenal, Robinson is eager to embrace the opportunities at Wigan. He expressed his excitement, saying, "I am very excited to start my journey here. It’s a very big football club, and I look forward to seeing what the season holds. They were interested in me, and when you see a big club like Wigan, you cannot turn that opportunity down."
