The ACTUAL NEWS: Friday, January 17th 2025 Recap
Today in History, Inauguration Ceremony at the Rotunda, EU Orders Elon Musk to Disclose X Algorithm, Putin Signs 20-Year Alliance with Iran, and More National and Global News
TODAY IN HISTORY
1706: Benjamin Franklin, statesman, diplomat, scientist, and inventor who helped draft the Declaration of Independence and wrote Poor Richard’s Almanac, was born.
1773: Captain James Cook became the first person to cross the Antarctic Circle.
1819: Simón Bolívar, the “Liberator,” proclaimed Colombia a republic.
1893: Queen Liliuokalani, the Hawaiian monarch, was overthrown by a group of American sugar planters led by Sanford Ballard Dole.
1939: The Reich issued an order forbidding Jews from practicing as dentists, veterinarians, and chemists.
1945: The Red Army occupied Warsaw.
1963: Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev visited the Berlin Wall.
1964: Michelle Robinson Obama, former First Lady; wife of U.S. President Barack Obama, was born.
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NATIONAL
U.S. President Joe Biden called the Equal Rights Amendment "the law of the land" on Friday, backing an effort to enshrine the change into the U.S. Constitution, even though it long ago failed to secure the approval of enough states to become an amendment. POTUS: “The American Bar Association (ABA) has recognized that the Equal Rights Amendment has cleared all necessary hurdles to be formally added to the Constitution as the 28th Amendment.”
SCOTUS upholds the TikTok ban, rejecting the request to stop TikTok from being forced to sell the app to avoid facing a ban.
President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration will take place inside the U.S. Capitol on Monday rather than outdoors due to severe cold. This marks the first time in 40 years that U.S. presidential inaugural ceremonies will be moved indoors.
The largest U.S. aerospace trade group opened the door on Friday to discussions on specific tariffs after President-elect Donald Trump suggested slapping duties on countries including Mexico and Canada. The Aerospace Industries Association, which represents U.S. planemaking and defense companies such as Boeing and General Dynamics, addressed the prospect of tariffs for the first time, saying in a statement it would discuss how to tailor them to protect national security and key industries.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced on Friday that he will not attend U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. Instead, he will travel to celebrate the Lunar New Year with employees and their families.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will attend U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday, officials from her office said on Friday, in a trip that should further strengthen her ties with the U.S. leader.
United Airlines said on Friday it is donating $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural committee and stated that CEO Scott Kirby plans to attend various events over the long holiday weekend.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that the government will reach its statutory borrowing limit on Tuesday and begin employing "extraordinary measures" to avoid breaching the cap and risking a potential catastrophic default.
A new lawsuit by a trade group for employers seeks to void a Biden administration-backed federal rule intended to help ensure that the estimated 175 million Americans with private health insurance have access to affordable mental health services.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump reported having a "productive conversation" with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Friday, covering topics such as trade, fentanyl, and TikTok. Trump expressed optimism about "solving many issues together, starting immediately".
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Friday sued two large automakers, accusing General Motors and the United Auto Workers of age discrimination, and Stellantis, the unit that includes Chrysler, of subjecting female employees to sexual harassment.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s team is preparing a series of executive orders on immigration, set to be issued just hours after his inauguration. The orders are expected to take aggressive action on the issue.
Immigrant farmworkers are preparing for incoming U.S. President Donald Trump's promise of mass deportations by assigning guardians for their children if they are detained, according to groups providing them legal support.
President Joe Biden announced that his administration has selected 15 more drugs for Medicare price negotiations, including treatments for diabetes and cancer, aimed at reducing costs for seniors. These drugs, along with the 10 previously negotiated, account for a third of Medicare Part D spending. Following the first round of negotiations, which reduced prices by 40-80%, the Inflation Reduction Act continues to deliver significant savings for seniors.
The U.S. Justice Department said on Friday it has filed a lawsuit alleging that pharmacy chain operator Walgreens knowingly filled millions of prescriptions that lacked a legitimate medical purpose. If found liable, Walgreens, one of the country's largest pharmacy chains with over 8,000 pharmacies across the U.S., could face civil penalties of up to $80,850 for each unlawful prescription, the Justice Department said in a statement.
The U.S. Federal Reserve announced on Friday that it had withdrawn from a global body of central banks and regulators devoted to exploring ways to police climate risk in the financial system.
The U.S. Secretary of State and the foreign ministers of Australia, India, and Japan are expected to meet in Washington on Tuesday, the day after President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, people familiar with the matter said.
Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate tapped by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to help lead a government efficiency advisory group, plans to run for Ohio governor, a source familiar with his thinking said on Friday.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders, a prominent ally of President-elect Donald Trump, announced on Thursday that she will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos next week.
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Pentagon chief, told lawmakers this week that, if confirmed, he would focus on accelerating the military's adoption of autonomous technologies and improving its ability to counter the growing threat of drones, which are increasingly disrupting U.S. national security.
CNN reached a settlement on Friday with a U.S. Navy veteran who helped evacuate people from Afghanistan after the U.S. military withdrew from the country in 2021, a judge said on Friday, hours after a jury found the TV news outlet liable for defaming him.
U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has protected about 84%, or $96.7 billion, in clean energy grants created by its signature climate law from any clawback by the next administration, a White House official said on Friday.
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket successfully reached orbit on its first flight on January 16, marking a significant milestone for the private space company founded by Jeff Bezos. The launch, which took place at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, had been delayed several times due to weather and technical issues. This achievement brings Blue Origin closer to competing with SpaceX in the highly competitive space launch industry.
Sierra Space's navigation satellite has passed an early review for the U.S. Space Force's Resilient Global Positioning System (R-GPS) program, announced on January 16. The Colorado-based company is one of four selected to enhance the existing GPS constellation with smaller, more affordable satellites. Competitors include Astranis, Axient, and L3Harris.
As the TikTok ban looms in the U.S., Duolingo is benefiting from a surge in new Mandarin learners, with a 216% increase in U.S. users compared to last year. The rise comes as many TikTok users migrate to RedNote, a Chinese app gaining popularity as a TikTok alternative. Duolingo’s language lessons, especially in Mandarin, are helping these new users adjust to the platform.
GLOBAL
Azerbaijan has decided not to renew its cooperation deal with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), accusing Washington of using the agency to advance a political agenda. The move follows comments from USAID Director Samantha Power about Azerbaijan's 2023 military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, which displaced tens of thousands of people. USAID has yet to comment.
The presidents of Iran and Russia signed a strategic partnership treaty in Moscow today, deepening their military ties. While the agreement is not expected to include a mutual defense clause, like Russia's treaties with Belarus and North Korea, it formalizes the growing cooperation between the two nations.
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on six Russian oil tankers still under construction at the Zvezda shipyard, marking the first time Washington has sanctioned vessels before they have even set sail or carried any sanctioned cargo. The move, announced last week, underscores the growing pressure on Russia’s maritime operations.
Former Canadian finance minister Chrystia Freeland announced on Friday that she would participate in the contest to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as leader of the ruling Liberal Party.
The EU has upgraded its strategic partnership with Mexico. “As I discussed with Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente, we are united by our shared commitment to democracy, human rights, gender equality, climate action, and the rules-based international order,” said Kaja Kallas, VP of the EU Commission.
Israeli and Hamas negotiators have resolved their remaining differences in the ceasefire deal. Prime Minister Netanyahu has called for a meeting of Israel’s security cabinet to vote on the agreement. U.S. officials confirmed that the ceasefire, which is scheduled to begin Sunday, will proceed as planned, despite the delayed vote.
China’s population declined for the third straight year.
Japan's foreign minister said on Friday that he would highlight the economic and national security value that the United States' key Asian ally offers during his visit to Washington for President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday.
President-elect Trump held a conversation with Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen, where he reiterated the possibility of imposing tariffs if Denmark does not give up Greenland. “We are in a serious situation,” she stated.
U.S. officials have confirmed that Sudan’s military has used chemical weapons at least twice in its ongoing conflict with a paramilitary group. The Treasury Department said military leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan was responsible for attacks on civilians and the denial of humanitarian access in the country’s civil war.
Prince Harry's lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch's British newspaper group officially begins at the High Court in London on Tuesday. The Duke of Sussex is expected to appear as a witness during the trial next month.
VIDEO OF THE DAY
Vice President Harris reflects on the last four years of the Biden-Harris Administration
PHOTO(S) OF THE DAY
Workers are rushing to prepare the stage for the Trump Inauguration and Oath Ceremony, which will now be held indoors, at the Rotunda of the Capitol.
One hundred thousand chairs and sections of fencing are being removed, as the vast majority of visitors will no longer be able to attend the historic event. The Inaugural Parade will also take place inside the Capital One Arena, which hosts only 20,000 people. The Victory Rally on Sunday and the three Inaugural Balls will proceed as planned.
This is the next head of US Secret Service, Sean Curran.
VIDEO QUICK NEWS
POTUS Biden to Pentagon: “Remember your oath.”
Moments from the Biden-Harris Administration: Climate and Conservation
Bill Gates shared details of his three-hour-long meeting with President-elect Trump.
Putin signs 20-year alliance with Iran.
U.S. and International Partners Disrupt Chinese-Sponsored "PlugX" Malware Operation
The U.S. Department of Justice and FBI announced the completion of a multi-month operation aimed at removing the "PlugX" malware, deployed by a Chinese hacker group, Mustang Panda, from thousands of infected computers globally. The operation, carried out in collaboration with international partners, primarily French law enforcement and cybersecurity company Sekoia.io, involved deleting the malware from 4,258 U.S.-based computers. Since 2014, Mustang Panda, sponsored by the Chinese government, used this malware to infiltrate systems across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Chinese dissident groups. This technical operation reflects ongoing U.S. efforts to combat state-sponsored cyber threats, as well as its broader commitment to global cybersecurity. The FBI continues its investigation into Mustang Panda's activities and encourages the use of antivirus software to prevent future infections.
U.S., Japan, and South Korea Conduct Trilateral Bomber Flight Amid Chinese Diplomacy Efforts
On January 15, 2025, U.S. B-1 bombers joined Japanese and South Korean fighters in a trilateral flight over the Indo-Pacific, highlighting the strengthening defense ties between the three nations. This flight, the first of 2025, builds on a growing history of trilateral cooperation aimed at addressing regional security concerns, particularly with respect to China and North Korea. The exercise, which included Japanese F-2s and South Korean F-15Ks, underscores increasing interoperability among their air and maritime forces.
This military cooperation follows a trilateral summit in August 2023, but also comes during a time of political change, including the resignation of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. Despite these shifts, China has sought to ease tensions, notably by sending a military delegation to Japan for the first time in years, as part of broader outreach to U.S. allies. The strategic context of these developments reflects both rising security challenges and diplomatic efforts in the Indo-Pacific region.
Brussels Orders Elon Musk’s X to Disclose Changes to Recommendation Algorithm Amid EU Probe
The European Commission has expanded its investigation into X (formerly Twitter), ordering Elon Musk’s platform to fully disclose recent changes to its recommendation algorithm. This includes handing over internal documents and providing details on content moderation and amplification. The move follows concerns raised by German politicians that X’s algorithm is amplifying far-right content ahead of Germany’s February elections. The Commission emphasized that the investigation is independent of political events and aims to ensure fair and democratic online environments in the EU.
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Marks Success and Setback, First-Stage Booster Caught but Rocket Lost
SpaceX's seventh Starship test flight on January 16, 2025, showcased significant advancements, including the successful retrieval of the first-stage booster, which was caught by the launch tower's robotic arms after returning to Earth. However, the flight was not without its challenges, as the company lost communication with the Starship spacecraft, which broke up while heading into space. The mission, which launched from SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas, used a new version of the Starship rocket powered by 33 Raptor engines. Following the loss of the spacecraft, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk suggested an oxygen or fuel leak could have caused the failure, but emphasized that the next launch would not be delayed. The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily slowed flights in Florida due to debris falling from the launch.
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