On Saturday, Donald Trump’s official social media accounts announced details of a new digital asset, called the $TRUMP meme coin. Initially dismissed as a possible hack due to the lack of accompanying statements, the posts quickly gained traction as linked websites traced back to Trump’s known businesses.

Donald Trump's $TRUMP Meme Coin Takes Crypto World By Storm

Donald Trump has officially arrived in Washington D.C. for the live coverage of his second inauguration, as preparations unfold for the 47th U.S. President’s swearing-in ceremony. Excitement builds across the capital as supporters gather to celebrate the milestone event marking Trump's return to office.

Trump 2.O Inauguration: Trump Holds Victory, Musk Joins President-Elect On Stage

TikTok began restoring its services on Sunday after President-elect Donald Trump said he would revive the app's access in the U.S. when he returns to power on Monday. "Frankly, we have no choice. We have to save it," Trump said at a rally on Sunday ahead of his inauguration, adding that the U.S. will seek a joint venture to restore the short-video sharing app used by 170 million Americans.

TikTok Restores US Services, Thanks Donald Trump For Granting Time

Donald Trump returned to Washington Saturday evening to celebrate with family, supporters, and political allies before his second inauguration. Watch this report for more details!

Trump 2.O Inauguration: Five-Tier Ticket Package, Based On Degree Of Engagement

German Ambassador to the US warned the Trump administration will weaken law enforcement and media independence, granting big tech ‘co-governing power.’ Watch this report for more details!

German Ambassador: Trump plans to redefine constitutional order

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second-term inauguration, the cryptocurrency industry is making a bold play for influence. Leading crypto firms have collectively donated over $10 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, positioning themselves favorably with the most pro-crypto US President to date.

$10mn crypto donations boost Trump inauguration

Trump 2.O Inauguration: Donald Trump arrives in Washington ahead of swearing-in-ceremony

Marco Rubio, Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of State, has vowed to confront China and deter its invasion of Taiwan. Speaking to fellow Senators at his confirmation hearing, Rubio took a tough line on China, calling the nation dangerous, he said that China cheated its way to superpower status

Trump's pick for Secretary of State solidifies stance on China

Five days before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, Joe Biden gives a goodbye speech to the country from the Oval Office.

Joe Biden and Donald Trump Defy Animosity to Seal Gaza Ceasefire | WION

Survey Finds Donald Trump's Second Term Welcomed By Rivals Than Allies

Survey Finds Donald Trump's Second Term Welcomed By Rivals Than Allies | World News | WION

Former President Donald Trump expressed frustration over the flags flying at half-staff during his inauguration. After earlier face-off, Donald Trump's Inauguration To See Full-Height Flags Despite Carter Mourning Period. Watch to know more!

Donald Trump's Inauguration To See Full-Height Flags Despite Carter Mourning Period | WION

Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be secretary of state, said Wednesday that the next US administration would seek "bold diplomacy" with the goal of ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;
"This war has to end, and I think it should be the official policy of the United States that we want to see it end," Rubio said at his confirmation hearing in the Senate.&nbsp;
"This is not going to be an easy endeavor," he said, "but it's going to require bold diplomacy."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-waltz-stephen-miller-marco-rubio-donald-trumps-key-picks-for-white-house-775358" rel="dofollow">Mike Waltz, Stephen Miller &amp; Marco Rubio: Donald Trump's key picks for White House</a>
"It is important for everyone to be realistic. There will have to be concessions made by the Russian Federation, but also by the Ukrainians," he said.&nbsp;
Trump has previously vowed to end the war within a day, with his aides speaking of leveraging US assistance to Ukraine to force it into territorial concessions.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-lifts-ban-on-bhabha-atomic-research-centre-indian-rare-earths-indira-gandhi-atomic-research-centre-igcar-why-is-it-important-8624889" rel="dofollow">US lifts ban on Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, two other Indian entities - Why is it important?</a>
Rubio, a one-time political opponent of Trump, is a three-term senator who has robustly supported both Ukraine and NATO, the transatlantic alliance forged in the Cold War.
Trump in his first term repeatedly described NATO as a bad deal for the United States, accusing European nations who are US economic competitors of freeloading.
Rubio distanced himself from calls to exit NATO but said: "What's important for the United States is not just to have defense allies, it's to have capable defense allies."
"I think there is a question to be asked -- I'm not stating a public policy position, I'm stating a question to be asked.
"And that is, should the role of the United States and NATO in the 21st century be the primary defense role, or as a backstop to aggression, with countries in the region assuming more of that responsibility by contributing more?"
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World: "This war has to end, and I think it should be the official policy of the United States that we want to see it end," Rubio said at his confirmation hearing in the Senate. 

Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be secretary of state, said Wednesday that the next US administration would seek "bold diplomacy" with the goal of ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "This war has to end, and I think it should be the official policy of the United States that we want to see it end," Rubio said at his confirmation hearing in the Senate. "This is not going to be an easy endeavor," he said, "but it's going to require bold diplomacy." Also read: Mike Waltz, Stephen Miller & Marco Rubio: Donald Trump's key picks for White House "It is important for everyone to be realistic. There will have to be concessions made by the Russian Federation, but also by the Ukrainians," he said. Trump has previously vowed to end the war within a day, with his aides speaking of leveraging US assistance to Ukraine to force it into territorial concessions. Also read: US lifts ban on Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, two other Indian entities - Why is it important? Rubio, a one-time political opponent of Trump, is a three-term senator who has robustly supported both Ukraine and NATO, the transatlantic alliance forged in the Cold War. Trump in his first term repeatedly described NATO as a bad deal for the United States, accusing European nations who are US economic competitors of freeloading. Rubio distanced himself from calls to exit NATO but said: "What's important for the United States is not just to have defense allies, it's to have capable defense allies." "I think there is a question to be asked -- I'm not stating a public policy position, I'm stating a question to be asked. "And that is, should the role of the United States and NATO in the 21st century be the primary defense role, or as a backstop to aggression, with countries in the region assuming more of that responsibility by contributing more?" Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Trump State Dept Marco Rubio calls for 'bold diplomacy' to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine

US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday (Jan 15) that the Israel-Hamas have reached a Gaza ceasefire deal.&nbsp;
Trump took to his Truth Social, saying that the hostages will be released shortly.&nbsp;
"WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!," the US president-elect posted.&nbsp;
<figure class="image"><img alt="trump" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/880x267/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/01/15/mvvwaENnS2CLCCFtE4zZ.png" style="width: 880px;">
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Further, the US, Qatar and Egypt will issue a joint statement announcing the deal, a senior Arab diplomat familiar with the negotiations told The Times of Israel.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-ceasefire-agreement-know-whats-in-the-draft-as-israel-hamas-talks-enter-final-stage-8622034" rel="dofollow">Gaza truce: Know what's in the draft as Israel-Hamas talks enter final stage</a>
<h2>'EPIC ceasefire'</h2>
Trump in another post said that the "EPIC" ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of his victory in November.&nbsp;
"This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones," Trump said in his post.&nbsp;
"We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!," he added.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tense-meet-between-trump-aide-netanyahu-did-more-for-gaza-deal-than-biden-ever-did-report-8624183" rel="dofollow">Tense meet between Trump aide, Netanyahu did more for Gaza deal than Biden ever did: Report</a>
<h2>Security cabinet to meet</h2>
The security cabinet will meet at 11 am (local time) on Thursday to approve the hostage-ceasefire deal, according to Hebrew media reports.&nbsp;
<h2>Hamas official confirms&nbsp;</h2>
Following Trump's announcement, Senior Hamas official Basem Naim confirmed that the Palestinian militant group has accepted deal with Israel.&nbsp;
The war began after the Hamas group attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking around 250 hostages.&nbsp;
Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/idf-rejects-hamas-accusation-of-setting-gaza-hospital-on-fire-8573248" rel="dofollow"> IDF arrests 240 'terrorists' after targeted operation near Gaza's Kamel Adwan Hospital</a>
Following the attack, Israel retaliated with attacks on the Gaza Strip, and killed more than 64,000 people, according to a study published in The Lancet.&nbsp;
Also read:&nbsp;
<h2>Herzog meets Red Cross President</h2>
Israeli President Isaac Herzog is currently meeting with International Committee of the Red Cross President Mirjana Spoljaric to discuss preparations for a hostage deal, his official said.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hospital-or-hamas-lair-who-says-israeli-raid-put-gazas-last-major-hospital-out-of-service-8571974" rel="dofollow">Hospital or Hamas lair? WHO says Israeli raid put Gaza's last major hospital 'out of service'</a>
Spoljaric informed Herzog about the ICRC's "preparedness for the transfer of the hostages and the different challenges facing them,&rdquo; according to the president&rsquo;s office.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

World: The US, Qatar and Egypt will issue a joint statement announcing the deal, a senior Arab diplomat familiar with the negotiations told The Times of Israel. 

US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday (Jan 15) that the Israel-Hamas have reached a Gaza ceasefire deal. Trump took to his Truth Social, saying that the hostages will be released shortly. "WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!," the US president-elect posted. Further, the US, Qatar and Egypt will issue a joint statement announcing the deal, a senior Arab diplomat familiar with the negotiations told The Times of Israel. Also read: Gaza truce: Know what's in the draft as Israel-Hamas talks enter final stage 'EPIC ceasefire' Trump in another post said that the "EPIC" ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of his victory in November. "This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones," Trump said in his post. "We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!," he added. Also read: Tense meet between Trump aide, Netanyahu did more for Gaza deal than Biden ever did: Report Security cabinet to meet The security cabinet will meet at 11 am (local time) on Thursday to approve the hostage-ceasefire deal, according to Hebrew media reports. Hamas official confirms Following Trump's announcement, Senior Hamas official Basem Naim confirmed that the Palestinian militant group has accepted deal with Israel. The war began after the Hamas group attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking around 250 hostages. Also read: IDF arrests 240 'terrorists' after targeted operation near Gaza's Kamel Adwan Hospital Following the attack, Israel retaliated with attacks on the Gaza Strip, and killed more than 64,000 people, according to a study published in The Lancet. Also read: Herzog meets Red Cross President Israeli President Isaac Herzog is currently meeting with International Committee of the Red Cross President Mirjana Spoljaric to discuss preparations for a hostage deal, his official said. Also read: Hospital or Hamas lair? WHO says Israeli raid put Gaza's last major hospital 'out of service' Spoljaric informed Herzog about the ICRC's "preparedness for the transfer of the hostages and the different challenges facing them,” according to the president’s office. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel, Hamas reach Gaza ceasefire deal; Trump says 'hostages to be released soon'

During his Presidential campaign, Donald Trump claimed he would end the war in Ukraine. Later, Trump watered down his promise, saying he would bring Russia and Ukraine to the ‘negotiating table’. The promise comes from a President who has lost patience with America's costly involvement in the war. Watch to know more!

Will Trump's 'End Russia War' Plan Leave Ukraine With Heavy Compromise? | WION Originals

Ahead of Donald Trump's presidential inauguration, the Senate has begun confirmation hearings for his cabinet nominees.
President-elect Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary is facing Senators for his confirmation hearing, being grilled over allegations of misconduct. Let's listen in

Pete Hegseth Faces Multiple Allegations Of Misconduct

President-elect Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary is facing Senators for his confirmation hearing, being grilled over allegations of misconduct. Let's listen in

US: Trump's Pentagon Pick Pete Hegseth Grilled By Senators As Cabinet Hearings Begin | World | WION

US President-elect Donald Trump will take office next week, and even before officially assuming office, he has made his intentions for the second term very clear. Trump's takeover goals and aspirations are reverberating on the international stage, the latest being making Greenland a part of America. So, what does this mean for the NATO territory? Watch this report for more details!

US President-elect Trump needs Greenland for national security

China has just capped a stellar year for its exports with another surge in December.

That'll likely make the target on its back even larger in the eyes of President-elect Donald Trump, who'll return to the white house next week.

Chinese Trade Surplus Soars To $1 Tn On Pre-trump Exports

From world leaders to businessmen and tech giants, notable personalities from all walks of life have been invited to the US Capitol in Washington DC on January 20 to attend Donald Trump's swearing-in as the 47th President of the US.

Trump Oath Countdown:  A Global Gathering Of Allies And Diplomatic Leaders | WION

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.

Trump to be sworn in as 47th US President; S. Jaishankar to represent India at Trump's inauguration

All is not well in the Trump camp. The US president-elect's former chief strategist, Steven K. Bannon, has intensified his public attack against Elon Musk over his influence on the incoming administration.

Trump’s former advisor Steve Bannon questions Musk's influence in incoming Trump administration

Ex-Trump strategist accuses Musk of promoting techno-feudalism

Donald Trump's proposed mass deportations of undocumented immigrants could have profound economic consequences for the United States. As per the University of California, an extreme scale of the proposed deportations could cost the u.S. Economy up to $500 billion.

Trump's Deportation Plan Could Cost U.S. $500 Bn | World Business Watch | WION

Multiple tech companies as well as crypto giants have reportedly donated to the inauguration fund of Republican candidate and US President-elect Donald Trump. Watch to know more!

Crypto Firms Among Big Donors Of Trump Inauguration Fund | World DNA | WION

Inflation in the U.S. eased during 2024, but economists caution that President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed mass deportation of undocumented immigrants could significantly impact prices. Watch to know more!

USA: Donald Trump's Plan For Mass Deportation Could Have A Big Effect Economy | World DNA | WION

Ukrainian forces have captured two North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian troops in Kursk border region, President Volodymyr Zelensky has offered an exchange. Watch this report for more details!

Russia-Ukraine War: Zelensky Offers To Exchange North Korean Soldiers With Ukrainians | World DNA

The Supreme Court seemed inclined on Friday to uphold a law that would force a sale or ban the popular short-video app TikTok in the United States by Jan. 19, with the justices focusing on the national security concerns about China that prompted the crackdown. During about 2-1/2 hours of arguments, the nine justices pressed lawyers representing TikTok, its Chinese parent company ByteDance, and app users about the risk of China's government exploiting the platform to spy on Americans and carry out covert influence operations while also probing free speech concerns. "Are we supposed to ignore the fact that the ultimate parent is, in fact, subject to doing intelligence work for the Chinese government?" conservative Chief Justice John Roberts asked Noel Francisco, a lawyer for TikTok and ByteDance.
The companies and users sued to block the law passed by Congress with strong bipartisan support last year and signed by outgoing Democratic President Joe Biden, whose administration is defending it. They appealed a lower court's ruling upholding the law and rejecting their argument that it violates the US Constitution's First Amendment protection against government abridgment of free speech. Some justices raised apprehensions about the law's impact on free speech, but their prevailing concern seemed centered on the national security implications of a social media platform with foreign owners that collects data from a domestic user base of 170 million Americans, about half the US population.
Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh asked Francisco about potential long-term risks of China gathering data on users, especially those who flocked to the app at a young age, and using "that information over time to develop spies, to turn people, to blackmail people&mdash;people who a generation from now will be working in the FBI or the CIA or the State Department.
"The Supreme Court's consideration of the case comes at a time of rising trade tensions between the world's two biggest economies. Republican Donald Trump, due to begin his second term as president on Jan. 20, opposes the ban.Trump on Dec. 27 urged the court to put a hold on the Jan. 19 deadline for divestiture to give his incoming administration "the opportunity to pursue a political resolution of the questions at issue in the case."Francisco called the app one of the most popular speech platforms for Americans and said it would essentially shut down on Jan. 19 without a divestiture.
Francisco said the real target of the law "is the speech itself&mdash;this fear that Americans, even if fully informed, could be persuaded by Chinese misinformation. That, however, is a decision that the First Amendment leaves to the people."Citing Trump's stance on the case, Francisco asked the justices to, at a minimum, put a temporary hold on the law, "which will allow you to carefully consider this momentous issue and, for the reasons explained by the president-elect, potentially moot the case."
Conservative Justice Samuel Alito later floated the possibility of the court issuing what is called an administrative stay that would temporarily freeze the law while the justices decide how to proceed.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-to-to-hear-tiktok-ban-case-8606305" rel="dofollow">US Supreme Court to to hear TikTok ban case</a>
<h2>A COLD WAR HYPOTHETICAL</h2>
Liberal Justice Elena Kagan's questions underscored the court's competing concerns over national security and free speech. Referring to ByteDance, Kagan told Francisco that the law "is only targeted at this foreign corporation, which doesn't have First Amendment rights."But later Kagan grilled US Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, arguing for Biden's administration, with a Cold War-inspired hypothetical question about whether Congress could have forced the American Communist Party to divorce itself from the Soviet Union in the 1950s."
Content manipulation is a content-based rationale: we think that this foreign government is going to manipulate content in a way ... that concerns us and may very well affect our national security interests," Kagan said. "That's exactly what they thought about Communist Party speech in the 1950s, which was being scripted in large part by international organizations or directly by the Soviet Union."Francisco told Kavanaugh that on Jan. 19 "at least as I understand it, we (TikTok) go dark. Essentially, the platform shuts down unless there's a divestiture, unless President Trump exercises his authority to extend it." But Trump could not do that on Jan. 19 because he does not take office until the following day, Francisco said.
"It is possible that come Jan. 20th, 21st or 22nd, we might be in a different world," Francisco added.Responding to conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Francisco said it could take "many years" for ByteDance to divest TikTok.Francisco presented the hypothetical situation of the Chinese government taking hostage the children of Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos to force him and his newspaper to publish "whatever they wanted on the front page of the Post, so China effectively has total control.""I still don't think that Congress could come in and tell Bezos, 'Either sell the Post, or shut it down,' because that would violate Bezos' rights and the Washington Post's rights," Francisco said.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/khaby-lame-becomes-most-followed-tik-tok-video-creator-491173" rel="dofollow">Khaby Lame becomes most-followed Tik Tok video creator</a>
<h2>'GEOPOLITICAL GOALS'</h2>
Prelogar said Chinese government control of TikTok poses a grave threat to American national security. TikTok's immense data set on its American users and their non-user contacts gives China a powerful tool for harassment, recruitment and espionage, Prelogar said, and its government "could weaponize TikTok at any time to harm the United States."Prelogar said the First Amendment does not bar Congress from acting to protect Americans and their data. Prelogar also cited a "long tradition" of barring foreign control of U.S. communication channels and other critical infrastructure.
"The national security harm arises from the very fact of a foreign adversary's capacity to secretly manipulate the platform to advance its geopolitical goals in whatever form that kind of covert operation might take," Prelogar said.Asked by conservative Justice Clarence Thomas to identify TikTok's speech at issue in the case, Francisco cited TikTok's powerful algorithm, which feeds individual users short videos tailored to their liking."What the act does is it says TikTok cannot do that unless ByteDance executes a qualified divestiture," Francisco said. "That's a direct burden on TikTok's speech."
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

World: The Supreme Court is reviewing the case amid US-China trade tensions. President-elect Trump, starting his second term on January 20, opposes the ban and urged a delay.

The Supreme Court seemed inclined on Friday to uphold a law that would force a sale or ban the popular short-video app TikTok in the United States by Jan. 19, with the justices focusing on the national security concerns about China that prompted the crackdown. During about 2-1/2 hours of arguments, the nine justices pressed lawyers representing TikTok, its Chinese parent company ByteDance, and app users about the risk of China's government exploiting the platform to spy on Americans and carry out covert influence operations while also probing free speech concerns. "Are we supposed to ignore the fact that the ultimate parent is, in fact, subject to doing intelligence work for the Chinese government?" conservative Chief Justice John Roberts asked Noel Francisco, a lawyer for TikTok and ByteDance. The companies and users sued to block the law passed by Congress with strong bipartisan support last year and signed by outgoing Democratic President Joe Biden, whose administration is defending it. They appealed a lower court's ruling upholding the law and rejecting their argument that it violates the US Constitution's First Amendment protection against government abridgment of free speech. Some justices raised apprehensions about the law's impact on free speech, but their prevailing concern seemed centered on the national security implications of a social media platform with foreign owners that collects data from a domestic user base of 170 million Americans, about half the US population. Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh asked Francisco about potential long-term risks of China gathering data on users, especially those who flocked to the app at a young age, and using "that information over time to develop spies, to turn people, to blackmail people—people who a generation from now will be working in the FBI or the CIA or the State Department. "The Supreme Court's consideration of the case comes at a time of rising trade tensions between the world's two biggest economies. Republican Donald Trump, due to begin his second term as president on Jan. 20, opposes the ban.Trump on Dec. 27 urged the court to put a hold on the Jan. 19 deadline for divestiture to give his incoming administration "the opportunity to pursue a political resolution of the questions at issue in the case."Francisco called the app one of the most popular speech platforms for Americans and said it would essentially shut down on Jan. 19 without a divestiture. Francisco said the real target of the law "is the speech itself—this fear that Americans, even if fully informed, could be persuaded by Chinese misinformation. That, however, is a decision that the First Amendment leaves to the people."Citing Trump's stance on the case, Francisco asked the justices to, at a minimum, put a temporary hold on the law, "which will allow you to carefully consider this momentous issue and, for the reasons explained by the president-elect, potentially moot the case." Conservative Justice Samuel Alito later floated the possibility of the court issuing what is called an administrative stay that would temporarily freeze the law while the justices decide how to proceed. Also Read: US Supreme Court to to hear TikTok ban case A COLD WAR HYPOTHETICAL Liberal Justice Elena Kagan's questions underscored the court's competing concerns over national security and free speech. Referring to ByteDance, Kagan told Francisco that the law "is only targeted at this foreign corporation, which doesn't have First Amendment rights."But later Kagan grilled US Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, arguing for Biden's administration, with a Cold War-inspired hypothetical question about whether Congress could have forced the American Communist Party to divorce itself from the Soviet Union in the 1950s." Content manipulation is a content-based rationale: we think that this foreign government is going to manipulate content in a way ... that concerns us and may very well affect our national security interests," Kagan said. "That's exactly what they thought about Communist Party speech in the 1950s, which was being scripted in large part by international organizations or directly by the Soviet Union."Francisco told Kavanaugh that on Jan. 19 "at least as I understand it, we (TikTok) go dark. Essentially, the platform shuts down unless there's a divestiture, unless President Trump exercises his authority to extend it." But Trump could not do that on Jan. 19 because he does not take office until the following day, Francisco said. "It is possible that come Jan. 20th, 21st or 22nd, we might be in a different world," Francisco added.Responding to conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Francisco said it could take "many years" for ByteDance to divest TikTok.Francisco presented the hypothetical situation of the Chinese government taking hostage the children of Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos to force him and his newspaper to publish "whatever they wanted on the front page of the Post, so China effectively has total control.""I still don't think that Congress could come in and tell Bezos, 'Either sell the Post, or shut it down,' because that would violate Bezos' rights and the Washington Post's rights," Francisco said. Also Read: Khaby Lame becomes most-followed Tik Tok video creator 'GEOPOLITICAL GOALS' Prelogar said Chinese government control of TikTok poses a grave threat to American national security. TikTok's immense data set on its American users and their non-user contacts gives China a powerful tool for harassment, recruitment and espionage, Prelogar said, and its government "could weaponize TikTok at any time to harm the United States."Prelogar said the First Amendment does not bar Congress from acting to protect Americans and their data. Prelogar also cited a "long tradition" of barring foreign control of U.S. communication channels and other critical infrastructure. "The national security harm arises from the very fact of a foreign adversary's capacity to secretly manipulate the platform to advance its geopolitical goals in whatever form that kind of covert operation might take," Prelogar said.Asked by conservative Justice Clarence Thomas to identify TikTok's speech at issue in the case, Francisco cited TikTok's powerful algorithm, which feeds individual users short videos tailored to their liking."What the act does is it says TikTok cannot do that unless ByteDance executes a qualified divestiture," Francisco said. "That's a direct burden on TikTok's speech." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

US Supreme Court likely to uphold TikTok ban amid security concerns

Donald Trump has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed interest in meeting with him. The discussions are ongoing to arrange the meeting, signaling potential shifts in US-Russia relations and international diplomacy.

Donald Trump confirms Putin wants to meet and talks are being arranged

Donald Trump is scheduled to face sentencing in a New York courtroom regarding the hush money case. The legal proceedings come after a lengthy investigation, with Trump’s involvement in the scandal drawing significant attention and controversy. Watch in for more details!

Hush money case: Judges reject Trump's claim of Presidential privilege

A fast-spreading wildfire is currently raging through Los Angeles and parts of California, causing widespread destruction. Thousands have been evacuated as the blaze continues to grow, posing serious threats to communities and wildlife in the region.

Los Angeles wildfire: US President Biden vows support for 'as long as it takes'

Two months after the U.S. election, the most spectacular of all 'Trump trades' isn't Bitcoin, Tesla or any other likely suspects. Rather, it's shares of a stodgy, 87-year-old company many on Wall Street had forgotten about long ago.

Ackman bets Trump will privatize Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac

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