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Politics

Republicans introduce bill authorizing Trump to buy Panama Canal

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Ray Bogan Political Correspondent
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A group of House Republicans introduced a bill to authorize the purchase of the Panama Canal. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., and more than a dozen of his colleagues brought it forward after President-elect Donald Trump expressed interest in bringing the canal back under American ownership for national security and economic reasons. 

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Johnson said Trump is right to consider repurchasing the Panama Canal. The People’s Republic of China has made significant investments in canal infrastructure, and Chinese companies have managing rights for two ports on either side. 

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“China’s interest in and presence around the canal is a cause for concern. America must project strength abroad – owning and operating the Panama Canal might be an important step towards a stronger America and a more secure globe,” Johnson said in a statement.  

History of the Panama Canal

The canal opened in 1914 after the United States spent a decade building it. Ships can pass through the canal in eight to ten hours, saving them an 8,000-mile journey around South America’s Drake Passage, which is one of the roughest and most dangerous crossings in the world.

More than 10,000 ships use the canal annually, including U.S. Coast Guard and military vessels. According to the State Department, 72% of the ships that pass through are either coming from or going to a U.S. port.

Some of the largest ships pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to transit. Those tolls generate billions of dollars in yearly revenue. 

In 1903, the U.S. gained permanent rights to the Panama Canal Zone when former President Theodore Roosevelt signed a treaty with newly independent Panama. The canal cost $375 million to build, which was the nation’s most expensive construction project at the time. Former President Jimmy Carter gave Panama control of the canal in 1978.

[Ray Bogen]

A group of House Republicans introduced a bill to authorize the purchase of the Panama Canal. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., and more than a dozen of his colleagues brought it forward after President-elect Trump expressed interest in bringing the canal back under American ownership for national security and economic reasons. 

Johnson said President Trump is right to consider repurchasing the Panama Canal. The People’s Republic of China has made significant investments in canal infrastructure and PRC companies have managing rights for two ports on either side. 

Johnson said in a statement: “China’s interest in and presence around the canal is a cause for concern. America must project strength abroad – owning and operating the Panama Canal might be an important step towards a stronger America and a more secure globe.”

The canal opened in 1914 after the United States spent a decade building it. Ships can pass through in eight to ten hours, saving them an 8,000 mile journey around South America’s Drake Passage, which is one of the roughest and most dangerous crossings in the world.  

More than 10,000 ships use the canal each year, including U.S. Coast Guard and military vessels. According to the State Department, 72% of the ships that pass through are either coming from or going to a U.S. port. 

Some of the largest ships pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to transit. Those tolls generate billions of dollars in yearly revenue. 

In 1903, the United States gained permanent rights to the Panama Canal Zone when President Theodore Roosevelt signed a treaty with newly independent Panama. The Canal cost $375 million to build, which up to that time was the United States’ most expensive construction project. President Jimmy Carter gave Panama control of the canal in 1978

Politics

Security preparations well underway for Trump inauguration

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While President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his inauguration as the nation’s 47th president next Monday, Jan. 20, security preparations for the ceremony are underway. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated the inauguration as a national special security event.

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Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will take the oath of office on the West Front of the Capitol on Monday.

While law enforcement is preparing for some demonstrations, WJLA-TV reported that the agencies do not foresee or expect any major security problems.

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DHS designated the presidential inauguration as a national special security event. As a result, the U.S. Secret Service is the lead agency for the implementation of a security plan with various other agencies involved.

“The designation allows for significant resources from the federal government, as well as vital assistance from state and local partners,” the agency said in a statement.

Outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray told 60 Minutes that the FBI is not tracking any specific or credible threats to the inauguration.

However, Wray added that when any type of terror attack occurs in the States, there are often few dots to connect in advance, as well as very little time to act.

The National Guard will provide crowd management, traffic control and civil disturbance support operations among other duties.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is expected to discuss inauguration security at a news briefing later on Monday, Jan. 13.

The 20th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution specifies that the term of each elected president begins at noon on Jan. 20 of the year following the election. Each president must take the oath of office before assuming duties.

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[Craig Nigrelli]

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY, PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP WILL BE SWORN-IN AS THE NATION’S 47-TH PRESIDENT. SECURITY PREPARATIONS ARE NOW WELL-UNDERWAY IN WASHINGTON D-C.
TRUMP AND VICE-PRESIDENT ELECT JD VANCE WILL BOTH TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE ON WHAT IS CALLED THE WEST FRONT OF THE CAPITOL. WASHINGTON D-C TELEVISION STATION, WJLA, IS REPORTING THAT WHILE LAW ENFORCEMENT IS PREPARING FOR SOME DEMONSTRATIONS, THE AGENCIES DO NOT FORESEE OR EXPECT ANY MAJOR SECURITY PROBLEMS.
THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY HAS DESIGNATED THE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION A “ NATIONAL SPECIAL SECURITY EVENT”. AS A RESULT, U.S. SECRET SERVICE IS THE LEAD AGENCY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SECURITY PLAN WITH VARIOUS OTHER AGENCIES INVOLVED.
THE SECRET SERVICE PROVIDED THIS STATEMENT, “ THE DESIGNATION ALLOWS FOR SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AS WELL AS VITAL ASSISTANCE FROM STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERS. “
ON THE CBS PROGRAM 60 MINUTES ON SUNDAY NIGHT, OUTGOING FBI DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER WRAY SAID THIS
WRAY :”We are not tracking any specific or credible threats to the inauguration. What I would tell you though is that we are dealing with a threat landscape where terrorists, whether foreign or jihadist inspired or domestic terrorists or others can move from radicalization to action quite quickly with crude but lethal attacks.”
WRAY POINTED OUT THERE ARE OFTEN VERY FEW DOTS TO CONNECT AND VERY LITTLE TIME TO TAKE ACTION, IN-ADVANCE OF AN ATTACK.
ALSO, THE NATIONAL GUARD WILL PROVIDE CROWD MANAGEMENT, TRAFFIC CONTROL AND CIVIL DISTURBANCE SUPPORT OPERATIONS.
LATER THIS MORNING, WASHINGTON D-C MAYOR MURIEL BOWSER WILL GIVE DETAILS ABOUT THE POLICE EFFORTS WHEN IT COMES TO INAUGURATION SECURITY.
THE 20TH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION SPECIFIES THAT THE TERM OF EACH ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES BEGINS AT NOON ON JANUARY 20TH OF THE YEAR FOLLOWING THE ELECTION. EACH PRESIDENT MUST TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE BEFORE ASSUMING THE DUTIES.

Kennedy Felton Lifestyle Correspondent/Producer
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Lifestyle

How AI is revolutionizing luxury goods authentication

Kennedy Felton Lifestyle Correspondent/Producer
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“Fake it till you make it” might seem like sound advice, but not when it comes to luxury goods. Counterfeit items could cost you more than just money.

Thanks to artificial intelligence, spotting a fake Chanel or Gucci has never been easier.

Luxury market still thriving despite expected shrinkage

While the global luxury market is expected to shrink in 2025, the U.S. remains the second largest, valued at $106 billion. According to AP News, Europe holds the top spot. This highlights the need for advanced technology to combat counterfeit schemes.

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The Hollywood Reporter says Cool Kicks, a popular sneaker store in Los Angeles, attracts 200 to 600 customers daily at its Melrose location. Customers bring in shoes for the store to buy and resell.

To reduce the risk of counterfeit goods, Cool Kicks partners with AI company Entrupy. Entrupy uses a system that takes detailed photos of products from multiple angles to analyze their authenticity.

According to Entrupy, its app compares the photos with a database of verified goods, ensuring accuracy in authentication.

Traditional methods still in use

Before the rise of AI, and still today for some companies, physical inspections were –– and are –– used to verify luxury goods. For instance, real UGG boots have security labels with QR codes and holographic logos.

At sneaker resell stores, inspectors look for signs like uneven stitching, poor-quality leather and mismatched logos. Some luxury bag companies have introduced microchips for digital verification.

Counterfeiters continue to evolve despite these measures, making their products harder to detect.

Last November, retailer Lacoste began using AI to identify counterfeit items returned to their stores. According to a press release, the technology delivers over 91% accuracy in real-world scenarios.

Counterfeits fuel organized crime

Buying counterfeit goods may seem harmless, but it poses risks beyond financial losses. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports that counterfeit goods are part of a multi-billion-dollar global industry linked to transnational organized crime.

The best way to avoid fake luxury goods is to shop from authorized retailers and check for authenticity certificates. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

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[KENNEDY FELTON]

Fake it till you make it may sound like good advice, but when it comes to luxury goods – it could cost you. And now thanks to AI, spotting a fake Chanel or Gucci might be easier than ever.

While the global market is expected to shrink in 2025, AP News says the U.S. still ranks as the second largest luxury market – valued at 106 billion dollars – behind Europe. This has made advanced tech crucial in identifying counterfeit schemes.

The Hollywood Reporter says Cool Kicks – a popular store for sneakerheads – attracts 200 to 600 customers daily at their Melrose location, bringing in shoes for the store to buy and resell.

To combat the risk of counterfeit goods, Cool Kicks partners with an AI company called Entrupy. The system takes photos of products from different angles to analyze the details. The app then compares this with the initial authentication, ensuring authenticity.

Before technologies like AI – and still today for some companies – physical inspection is used to authenticate items. For example, real Uggs include a security label with a QR code and holographic logo. At sneaker resell stores, inspectors look for flaws such as uneven stitching, poor quality leather, or mismatched logos. Some luxury bag companies have even implemented microchip features for digital verification. But scammers continue to evolve, making it harder to spot a fake.

Last November, retailer Lacoste even began using AI to identify counterfeit items being returned. According to a press release, it delivers over 91 percent accuracy in real-world scenarios.

Buying counterfeit goods could also pose risks beyond your wallets. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says counterfeit goods are a part of a multi-billion dollar global industry with links to transnational organized crime.

The best way to protect yourself is to buy from authorized retailers and look out for authenticity certificates. If the deal seems too good to be true, chances are – it probably is. For SAN, I’m KF. Download our app for more top stories.

U.S.

No fact-checks, DEI or tampons in men’s bathrooms: Meta’s policy overhaul wrap

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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg made significant policy changes this week that aligned more closely with conservative values. These changes include rolling back content moderation, eliminating fact-checking, removing tampons from men’s bathrooms at Meta facilities, and ending the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

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Zuckerberg told Joe Rogan on Friday, Jan. 10, that the sweeping changes were not intended to appease President-elect Donald Trump. Still, he acknowledged that the results of the 2024 election influenced his decisions.

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“The good thing about doing it after the election is you get to take this kind of cultural pulse and see where people are right now and how they’re thinking about it,” Zuckerberg said. “We try to have policies that reflect mainstream discourse. This is something I’ve been thinking about for a while. I think this is going to be pretty durable.”

In the post-election environment, Zuckerberg has met with Trump on several occasions, visiting Mar-a-Lago in November and returning to the Florida estate on Friday following his three-hour interview with Rogan. These meetings and a $1 million donation from Zuckerberg to Trump’s inaugural fund last month have fueled speculation about his motives.

The New York Times reported that “more than a dozen current and former Meta employees, executives, and advisers said Zuckerberg’s shift in policy serves two purposes. It positions Meta to align with the rising conservative power in Washington as Trump prepares to take office on Jan. 20. It also reflects Zuckerberg’s personal views on how his $1.5 trillion company should be run, views he no longer wants to keep private.”

According to those employees, Zuckerberg spearheaded the recent changes and kept the information in a small circle. Most employees learned about the changes when the news became public this week.

The changes include a rollback on content moderation, allowing for more discussion on sensitive political issues. Meta has also dismantled its fact-checking program, instead relying on users to flag posts they believe contain misinformation. The company will allow more political content in Facebook and Instagram feeds—content previously suppressed.

In addition to changes in online speech, Meta has ended its DEI initiatives. The company eliminated its chief diversity officer position and removed diversity hiring goals. Transgender and nonbinary themes were also removed from its Messenger chat app.

Facility managers in Silicon Valley, Texas and New York were instructed to remove tampons from men’s bathrooms this week, according to multiple media reports.

Inside Meta, reactions to the changes have been divided. According to The New York Times, this internal divide mirrors the broader political landscape. Conservatives have largely hailed the decisions, while liberals have expressed caution over their potential long-term impact. Meta’s whirlwind week has captured the attention of both sides of the political spectrum.

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META CEO MARK ZUCKERBERG HAS BEEN ON A MISSION SINCE TRUMP WON THE ELECTION – MAKING MAJOR CHANGES IN POLICY THIS WEEK THAT ARE MORE IN LINE WITH CONSERVATIVE VALUES –

LIKE ROLLING BACK ITS CONTENT MODERATION, NIXING FACT-CHECKING, REMOVING TAMPONS FROM MEN’S BATHROOMS IN META FACILITIES, AND PUTTING AN END TO ITS DEI PROGRAMS.

ZUCKERBERG TOLD JOE ROGAN FRIDAY – THE RECENT SWEEPING CHANGES ARE NOT TO APPEASE TRUMP – 

BUT HE SAYS THE RESULTS OF THE 2024 ELECTION INFLUENCED HIS DECISION TO PULL THE TRIGGER.

“There’s no good time to do it, you know, no matter what time. The good thing about doing it after the election is you get to take this kind of cultural pulse as like okay where are people right now and how are people thinking about it? We try to have policies that reflect mainstream discourse. This is something i’ve been thinking about for awhile. I think this is going to be pretty durable.”

IN A POST-ELECTION WORLD –

ZUCKERBERG HAS MET WITH TRUMP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS – MAKING VISITS TO MAR-A-LAGO IN NOVEMBER AND BACK OUT AT TRUMP’S FLORIDA MANSION FRIDAY FOLLOWING HIS THREE-HOUR ROGAN INTERVIEW ACCORDING TO FOUR PEOPLE WHO SPOKE WITH THE NEW YORK TIMES.

THESE TALKS WITH TRUMP – PARTNERED WITH A MILLION DOLLAR DONATION HE MADE TO TRUMP’S INAUGURAL FUND LAST MONTH – HAS LED TO SPECULATION OVER ZUCKERBERG’S MOTIVES.

THE TIMES SPOKE WITH PEOPLE CLOSE TO ZUCKERBERG OVER THE RECENT CHANGES.

THE TIMES WROTE IN ITS REPORT –

“In interviews, more than a dozen current and former Meta employees, executives and advisers to Mr. Zuckerberg described his shift as serving a dual purpose. It positions Meta for the political landscape of the moment, with conservative power ascendant in Washington as Mr. Trump takes office on Jan. 20. More than that, the changes reflect Mr. Zuckerberg’s personal views of how his $1.5 trillion company should be run — and he no longer wants to keep those views quiet.”

THOSE EMPLOYEES SAY ZUCKERBERG HEADED THE CHARGE ON META’S RECENT CHANGES – AND KEPT THE INFORMATION WITHIN A SMALL CIRCLE – WITH MOST EMPLOYEES FINDING OUT ABOUT THE CHANGES WHEN THE PUBLIC DID – THIS WEEK.

THE CHANGES LARGELY TRIGGERED CHEERS FROM THE RIGHT AND CAUTION FROM THE LEFT.

CHANGES INCLUDE A ROLLBACK ON CONTENT MODERATION – OPENING UP DISCUSSION ON SENSITIVE POLITICAL ISSUES.

META DISMANTLED ITS FACT-CHECKING PROGRAM – OPTING INSTEAD TO RELY ON USERS TO FLAG POSTS THEY FEEL IS “MISINFORMATION.”

THE COMPANY WILL ALSO ALLOW FOR MORE POLITICAL CONTENT IN USERS FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM FEEDS – CONTENT THE COMPANY PREVIOUSLY SUPPRESSED.

IN ADDITION TO CHANGES IN ONLINE SPEECH –

META ENDED ITS DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES –

ELIMINATING ITS “CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER” POSITION AND REMOVING DIVERSITY HIRING GOALS.

TRANSGENDER AND NONBINARY “THEMES” ON ITS MESSENGER CHAT APP WERE ALSO REMOVED.

AND THE TIMES REPORTED FACILITY MANAGERS IN SILICON VALLEY, TEXAS AND NEW YORK WERE TOLD THIS WEEK TO REMOVE TAMPONS FROM MEN’S BATHROOMS.

FROM WITHIN META – WITH OVER 72 THOUSAND EMPLOYEES –

REACTIONS TO THE RECENT CHANGES HAVE BEEN DIVIDED AS REPORTED BY THE TIMES WHO SPOKE WITH INSIDERS.

THE INTERNAL DIVIDE MIRRORS THE BROADER POLITICAL LANDSCAPE –

CONSERVATIVES LARGELY TOUTING THE DECISIONS AS A RESTORATION OF FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS  –

WHILE LIBERALS ARE LARGELY VOICING CAUTION OVER POTENTIAL LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES.

META’S WHIRLWIND OF A WEEK – CAPTIVATING THE ATTENTION OF BOTH SIDES OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM.

THANKS FOR WATCHING OUR NEWS UPDATE.

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Politics

Xi Jinping sending top Chinese official to Trump’s inauguration: Report

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China is reportedly sending a high-level envoy to Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, signaling an effort to ease tensions between Washington and Beijing as the new U.S. administration takes office. This comes after Trump extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping in December, though Xi is reportedly not attending.

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The attendance of any high-level Chinese official would mark an unprecedented shift, as China typically sends its ambassador in Washington to represent the country at such events.

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Xi is expected to dispatch a senior official, though it remains unclear who that will be. Some sources told the Financial Times it could be the country’s vice president or foreign minister. According to their report, Trump’s team expects China to respond appropriately by sending an official of proper distinction to start the relationship on the right foot.

The timing of the move is significant as both countries brace for a possible escalation in their already tense relationship. Human rights, trade, Taiwan, artificial intelligence and the origins of COVID-19 are longstanding issues that could intensify during Trump’s second term.

Trump has also made cabinet appointments known for their tough stance on China, including Mike Waltz, his incoming national security adviser, and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who was nominated for secretary of state.

Trump confirmed his team is already in contact with Beijing, even before Inauguration Day. During a recent radio interview, he stated that his people and Xi’s have been “talking through their representatives.”

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In a rare diplomatic move, China is REPORTEDLY sending a high-level envoy to Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20th, signaling an effort to ease tensions between Washington and Beijing as the new U.S. administration takes office.

THIS COMES AFTER TRUMP SENT AN INVITE TO CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JIN PING HIMSELF IN DECEMBER – WHO IS REPORTEDLY NOT GOING.

BUT THE ATTENDANCE OF ANY HIGH-LEVEL CHINESE OFFICIALS WOULD mark an unprecedented shift –

WITH CHINA USUALLY USING ITS AMBASSADOR IN WASHINGTON TO REPRESENT THE COUNTRY AT SUCH EVENTS.

XI IS EXPECTED TO DISPATCH A SENIOR OFFICIAL –

YET WHICH ONE REMAINS UNCLEAR.

SOME SOURCES TOLD THE FINANCIAL TIMES IT COULD BE THE COUNTRY’S VICE PRESIDENT OR FOREIGN MINISTER.

ACCORDING TO THEIR REPORT –

TRUMP’S TEAM EXPECTS CHINA TO RESPOND TO THE INVITATION APPROPRIATELY BY SENDING AN “APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF OFFICIAL TO START THE RELATIONSHIP OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT.”

The timing of this move is significant, as both countries brace for possible escalation in their already tense relationship. 

HUMAN RIGHTS, TRADE, TAIWAN, AI, COVID ORIGINS ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN LONGSTANDING AND WILL LIKELY INTENSIFY DURING TRUMP’S SECOND TERM.

TRUMP IS ALSO MAKING CABINET APPOINTMENTS KNOWN FOR THEIR TOUGH STANCE ON CHINA –

Including Mike Waltz, his incoming national security adviser, and Senator Marco Rubio, NOMINATED TO become secretary of state.

Trump confirmed that his team is already in contact with Beijing EVEN BEFORE INAUGURATION DAY –

stating during a recent radio interview that HIS PEOPLE AND XI’S HAVE been “talking through their representatives.”

TRUMP’S INITIAL INVITE AND REPORTS OF CHINA SENDING A TOP LEVEL envoy TO THE INAUGURATION COULD SIGNAL both countries’ desire to manage the tensions STRATEGICALLY.

THANKS FOR WATCHING OUR NEWS UPDATE.

FOR MORE STORIES THAT MATTER TO YOU, DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS MOBILE APP OR VISIT US ONLINE AT SAN DOT COM.

 

Politics

Democratic Sen. Fetterman to discuss nominees in first meeting with Trump

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Acknowledging that President-elect Donald Trump invited him and he accepted, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, D, has confirmed that he will travel to south Florida and meet with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort. It will be the first meeting between the incoming president and a sitting Democratic U.S. senator.

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Trump won the key battleground state of Pennsylvania in the November election and its 19 electoral votes. During the campaign, Fetterman endorsed Kamala Harris, but acknowledged that Trump had momentum in his state and a connection to Pennsylvania voters, saying he could see the intensity and it was astonishing.

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Most recently, Fetterman was the first Democrat to sponsor the Laken Riley Act, which stipulates that federal authorities detain immigrants charged with or convicted of such crimes as burglary, larceny, theft or shoplifting. The bill passed in the House and is now headed for the Senate.

In an interview on Fox News this week, the Democrat appeared to be open to Donald Trump’s desire to acquire Greenland and make it part of the United States. Fetterman said he would not favor taking Greenland by force, but said it’s worth having a conversation about acquiring or buying it.

During their upcoming meeting, President-elect Trump is expected to talk with Fetterman about nominees who need U.S. Senate confirmation, including Pete Hegseth for secretary of the Department of Defense.

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[Craig Nigrelli]

SAYING QUOTE “PRESIDENT TRUMP INVITED ME AND I ACCEPTED”, DEMOCRATIC PENNSYLVANIA SENATOR JOHN FETTERMAN CONFIRMS HE WILL TRAVEL TO SOUTH FLORIDA AND MEET WITH PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP AT HIS MAR-A-LAGO RESORT. IT WILL BE THE FIRST MEETING BETWEEN THE INCOMING PRESIDENT AND A SITTING U.S. SENATOR WHO IS A DEMOCRAT.
TRUMP WON THE KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION AND ITS 19 ELECTORAL VOTES. DURING THE CAMPAIGN, DEMOCRAT FETTERMAN, ENDORSED KAMALA HARRIS, BUT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT TRUMP HAD MOMENTUM IN HIS STATE AND A CONNECTION TO PENNSYLVANIA VOTERS, SAYING “ ANYBODY WHO SPENDS TIME DRIVING AROUND, YOU CAN SEE THE INTENSITY. IT’S ASTONISHING. “
FETTERMAN ALSO CRITICIZED SOME OF HIS FELLOW DEMOCRATS AND THEIR LINE OF ATTACK DURING THE CAMPAIGN SAYING TRUMP VOTERS ARE NOT FASCISTS.
MORE RECENTLY, FETTERMAN WAS THE FIRST DEMOCRAT TO SPONSOR THE LAKEN RILEY ACT THIS MONTH, WHICH STIPULATES THAT FEDERAL AUTHORITIES DETAIN MIGRANTS WHO ARE CHARGED OR CONVICTED OF CRIMES SUCH AS BURGLARY, LARCENY, THEFT OR SHOPLIFTING. THE BILL PASSED IN THE HOUSE AND IS NOW HEADED FOR THE SENATE WHERE FETTERMAN SAID, “ WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO HAVE A SECURE BORDER. “
IN AN INTERVIEW ON FOX NEWS THIS WEEK, THE DEMOCRAT APPEARED TO BE OPEN TO DONALD TRUMP’S DESIRE TO ACQUIRE GREENLAND AND MAKE IT PART OF THE UNITED STATES.
SEN. JOHN FETTERMAN, (D) PENNSYLVANIA :” I would not support taking it by force but i do think it is a responsible conversation if they were open to acquiring it, just buying it out. If anyone thinks that bonkers do you remember the Louisiana Purchase ? “
DURING THEIR MEETING WHICH SUPPOSEDLY MIGHT TAKE PLACE THIS WEEKEND, , PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP IS EXPECTED TO PUSH FOR SUPPORT FOR SOME OF HIS NOMINEES, WHO NEED SENATE CONFIRMATION INCLUDING PETE HEGSETH FOR DEFENSE SECRETARY.

Energy

The largest nuclear power plant operator in US to buy major natural gas producer

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Constellation Energy, the largest nuclear power plant operator in the U.S., has announced its $16.4 billion acquisition of Calpine Corp., a private power company. The deal, one of the biggest in the nation’s energy sector, highlights the growing demand for electricity driven by data center operations.

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Goldman Sachs projected that power demands from data centers will grow 15% annually through the end of the decade. Constellation said this latest agreement will help the company meet these increasing energy needs by adding Calpine’s extensive natural gas energy production to its portfolio.

Natural gas is considered a relatively clean-burning fuel. However, it emits greenhouse gases, including methane, that raise environmental concerns.

Experts caution that reliance on natural gas to meet surging energy demands could undermine efforts to combat climate change unless effective measures are implemented to manage emissions.

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Energy strategists note that utilities face significant challenges in providing enough power for the expanding number of data centers without incorporating natural gas into their energy mix.

Calpine’s CEO Andrew Novotny said the merger would accelerate investments in clean energy, including nuclear power and battery storage technologies.

The companies expect the transaction to close within a year, pending regulatory approval. Constellation has also pledged to address any antitrust concerns by divesting assets if necessary.

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[Simone]

THE LARGEST NUCLEAR POWER PLANT OPERATOR IN THE U.S. ANNOUNCED ONE OF THE BIGGEST DEALS EVER SEEN IN THE NATION’S ENERGY SECTOR.

CONSTELLATION ENERGY SAYS IT’S BUYING CALPINE CORP, A PRIVATE POWER COMPANY, FOR $16.4 BILLION.

ENERGY IS A HOT COMMODITY. GOLDMAN SACHS SAYS ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS WILL INCREASE 15 PERCENT ANNUALLY THROUGH THE END OF THE DECADE. THAT’S DRIVEN BY GROWING A-I AND DATA CENTER OPERATIONS.

CONSTELLATION SAYS THIS ACQUISITION WILL HELP THEM MEET THOSE DEMANDS AND ADD THE LARGEST U-S PRODUCER OF NATURAL GAS ENERGY TO ITS PROFILE.

THAT SAID, WHILE NATURAL GAS IS RELATIVELY CLEAN BURNING, IT STILL LEAKS OUT EMISSIONS, ESPECIALLY METHANE, RAISING CONCERNS.

EXPERTS SAY RELYING ON NATURAL GAS TO MEET SURGING ENERGY NEEDS COULD UNDERMINE EFFORTS TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE UNLESS EMISSIONS ARE EFFECTIVELY MANAGED.

MEANWHILE, ENERGY STRATEGISTS POINT OUT THE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES UTILITIES FACE TO PROVIDE ENOUGH POWER FOR THE GROWING NUMBER OF DATA CENTERS WITHOUT NATURAL GAS.

CALPINE’S CEO SAYS THE MERGER WILL ACCELERATE INVESTMENTS IN CLEAN ENERGY, INCLUDING NUCLEAR AND BATTERY STORAGE.

THE COMPANIES EXPECT THE DEAL TO CLOSE WITHIN A YEAR, PENDING REGULATORY APPROVAL.

CONSTELLATION SAID ON A CALL TO INVESTORS IT WOULD SELL ASSETS TO APPEASE ANY ANTITRUST CONCERNS.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M SIMONE DEL ROSARIO.

Politics

Meta kills DEI programs in its latest appeal to Trump

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Meta is ending its diversity, equity and inclusion programs effective immediately in the company’s latest swing away from traditionally left-leaning causes. The company announced the policy change in an employee memo first reported by Axios.

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“The legal and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the United States is changing,” the memo reads. “The term ‘DEI’ has also become charged, in part because it is understood by some as a practice that suggests preferential treatment of some groups over others.”

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The move comes just days after CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Meta would end third-party fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram in favor of what looks more like X’s community notes. He also announced plans for a loosening of the platforms’ hateful conduct policy.

“The recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point toward once again prioritizing speech,” Zuckerberg said. “So we’re going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms.”

This was seen as another move in President-elect Donald Trump’s favor, and Trump responded in kind.

“Honestly, I think they’ve come a long way – Meta, Facebook – I think they’ve come a long way,” Trump said.

When asked if Trump thought the fact-checking move was done in direct response to his threats to Zuckerberg and Meta, Trump said, “Probably.”

Trump has previously called Facebook “a true Enemy of the People” and threatened Zuckerberg with prison if he or his company tried to influence the election in any way. Since those comments, the two have made inroads, especially following the first assassination attempt on Trump.

“On a personal note, seeing Donald Trump get up after getting shot in the face and pump his fist in the air with the American flag is one of the most badass things I’ve ever seen in my life,” Zuckerberg told Bloomberg.

Meta also donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, something the company had not done for Trump’s first inauguration or for President Joe Biden’s.

The company also promoted longtime Republican executive Joel Kaplan to lead global policy for Meta, replacing former deputy prime minister of the U.K. Nick Clegg, a member of the Liberal Democrats political party.

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Simone Del Rosario: Meta is ending its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs effective immediately in the company’s latest swing away from liberal causes. The company announced the policy change in an employee memo first reported by Axios

In that memo, human resources says, “The legal and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the United States is changing.” It adds, “The term ‘DEI’ has also become charged, in part because it is understood by some as a practice that suggests preferential treatment of some groups over others.”

The move comes just days after CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Meta would end third-party fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram in favor of what looks more like X’s “Community Notes.” He also announced plans for the platforms to loosen its hateful conduct policy. Conservatives are praising those decisions, but of course, the other side has its concerns. 

Mark Zuckerberg: The recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point toward once again prioritizing speech. So we’re going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms.

Simone Del Rosario: This was seen as another move in President-elect Donald Trump’s favor and Trump responded in kind. 

Donald Trump. Honestly, I think they’ve come a long way – Meta, Facebook – I think they’ve come a long way. 

Reporter: Do you think he is directly responding to the threats you’ve made to him in the past?

Donald Trump: Probably, yeah, probably. 

Simone Del Rosario: Trump has previously called Facebook “a true Enemy of the People” and threatened Zuckerberg with prison if he or his company tried to influence the election in any way. Since those comments, the two have made inroads, especially following the first assassination attempt on Trump. 

Mark Zuckerberg: On a personal note, it’s, seeing Donald Trump get up after getting shot in the face and pump his fist in the air with the American flag is one of the most badass things I’ve ever seen in my life. 

Simone Del Rosario: Meta also donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, something the company had not done for Trump’s first inauguration or President Joe Biden’s. 

The company recently promoted longtime Republican executive Joel Kaplan to lead global policy for Meta, replacing former deputy prime minister of Britain Nick Clegg, a member of the Liberal Democrats party.

Finally, Meta announced Ultimate Fighting Championship president and longtime Trump ally and friend Dana White is joining the board. For SAN, I’m SDR.   

International

IDF finds and destroys Hezbollah weapon supplies in southern Lebanon

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Just because the Israel Defense Force (IDF) is adhering to the rules of a ceasefire with Hezbollah doesn’t mean that it’s not dismantling the terrorist network in other ways. This week, the IDF announced it found a trove of Hezbollah weaponry and military equipment in southern Lebanon.

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The IDF’s 769th “Hiram” Brigade said the latest discovery announced on Friday, Jan. 10, included rocket launchers, mortar shells, rocket-propelled grenades, missiles and explosives.

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Soldiers also found weapons in a depot containing dozens of shoulder-launched missiles along with a stache of other equipment.

Meanwhile, the IDF’s 300th Brigade also made some notable finds just days before on, Wednesday, Jan. 8, uncovering and destroying five Hezbollah weapons facilities.

Inside the weapons storage lockers were more than 200 mortar shells, ready-to-fire rocket launchers and personal body armor.

The soldiers also found a truck with Hezbollah insignia containing three medium-range rocket launchers.

All the weapons were destroyed, and the IDF made sure to stress the military is continuing to carry out the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure, which is allowed under the current Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreement.

It also looks like Israel may be getting help soon.

The Lebanese prime minister said on Friday, Jan. 10, that Lebanon’s army will soon begin efforts to disarm Hezbollah.

All of this is coming as Lebanon elected President Joesph Aoun on Thursday, Jan. 9, after a two-year vacuum at the position, adding some stability to the war-torn country that is trying to fight its way out of an economic collapse.

Aoun’s election has garnered some praise from President Joe Biden and Israel’s foreign minister, who expressed optimism Aoun’s win could mean better and more stable futures for both countries.

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[RYAN ROBERTSON]

JUST BECAUSE THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCE IS ADHERING TO THE RULES OF A CEASEFIRE WITH HEZBOLLAH DOESN’T MEAN IT’S NOT DISMANTLING THE TERRORIST NETWORK IN OTHER WAYS. 

CHECK THIS OUT.

THE IDF IS REVEALING IT FOUND A TROVE OF HEZBOLLAH WEAPONRY AND MILITARY EQUIPMENT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS IN SOUTHERN LEBANON.

THE I-D-F’S 769TH “HIRAM” BRIGADE SAYS THE LATEST DISCOVERY INCLUDED ROCKET LAUNCHERS, MORTAR SHELLS, ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADES, MISSILES AND EXPLOSIVES.

SOLDIERS ALSO FOUND WEAPONS IN A DEPOT CONTAINING DOZENS OF SHOULDER-LAUNCHED MISSILES ALONG WITH A STACHE OF OTHER EQUIPMENT.

MEANWHILE, THE I-D-F’S 300TH BRIGADE ALSO MADE SOME NOTABLE FINDS JUST DAYS BEFORE.

UNCOVERING AND DESTROYING FIVE HEZBOLLAH WEAPONS FACILITIES.

INSIDE THE WEAPONS STORAGE LOCKERS WERE MORE THAN 200 MORTAR SHELLS, READY-TO-FIRE ROCKET LAUNCHERS AND PERSONAL BODY ARMOR.

THE SOLDIERS ALSO FOUND A TRUCK WITH HEZBOLLAH INSIGNIA CONTAINING THREE MEDIUM-RANGE ROCKET LAUNCHERS.

ALL THE WEAPONS WERE DESTROYED AND THIS IS ALL FAIR GAME.

THE I-D-F MADE SURE TO STRESS THE MILITARY IS CONTINUING TO CARRYOUT THE DISMANTLING OF TERRORIST INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH IS ALLOWED UNDER THE CURRENT ISRAEL-HEZBOLLAH CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE ISRAEL MAY SOON BE GETTING SOME HELP, TOO.

THE LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER SAYS HIS ARMY WILL SOON BEGIN EFFORTS TO DISARM HEZBOLLAH 

ALL THIS COMING AS LEBANON ELECTED PRESIDENT JOSEPH AOUN AFTER A TWO-YEAR VACUUM AT THE POSITION, ADDING SOME STABILITY TO THE WAR-TORN COUNTRY THAT IS TRYING TO FIGHT ITS WAY OUT OF AN ECONOMIC COLLAPSE.

AOUN’S ELECTION GARNERED SOME PRAISE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE AND ISRAEL’S FOREIGN MINISTER, WHO EXPRESSED OPTIMISM HIS WIN COULD MEAN BETTER AND MORE STABLE FUTURES FOR BOTH COUNTRIES.

FOR MORE ON THIS STORY– DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP OR VISIT SAN DOT COM.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS– I’M RYAN ROBERTSON.

U.S.

Citizens help arrest suspect on suspicion of arson near LA’s Kenneth Fire

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A suspect was arrested for arson in connection with at least one of the wildfires in the Los Angeles area. It’s all thanks to a group of residents trying to protect their neighborhood.

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Crews started battling flames from the Kenneth Fire near homes in Calabasas and the West Hills, northwest of LA Thursday, Jan. 9. It’s the latest of five wildfires now spreading through the region.

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Police responded to the area about 20 to 30 minutes after the Kenneth Fire began, on reports of a man attempting to light a fire.

Video taken by a resident posted to social media shows a man being handcuffed at the scene.

The resident said one of her neighbors spotted him behind a van trying to ignite a blow torch, when another neighbor stopped his car in the middle of the road yelling for help. That’s when she said the whole neighborhood ran out and detained him with zip ties and rope until police got there.

LA radio station KFI AM also posted a photo of the alleged suspect that showed what appears to be the blow torch on top of the police car next to him.

Police haven’t released the suspect’s name or confirmed whether he was responsible or had any connection with the current wildfires.

As of Friday, Jan 10, the Kenneth Fire was 35% contained

Meanwhile, more arson situations have been caught on camera, with people lighting fires across LA area streets bringing attention to the city’s crime and homeless issues.

Podcaster and Stanford professor Andrew Schuberman got a video of what appears to be arsonists in dark clothing, setting a fire in Santa Monica. He said crews were able to put the flames out before it got worse.

In 2023, City Journal reported that the LA Fire Department spent approximately $427 million on homeless-related fires.

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[Craig Nigrelli]

A SUSPECT IS NOW IN CUSTODY FOR ARSON IN CONNECTION WITH AT LEAST ONE OF THE WILDFIRES IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA – AND IT’S ALL THANKS TO A GROUP OF RESIDENTS TRYING TO PROTECT THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. 

CREWS STARTED BATTLING FLAMES FROM THE KENNETH FIRE NEAR HOMES IN CALABASAS AND THE WEST HILLS – NORTHWEST OF L-A … THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

IT’S THE LATEST OF FIVE WILDFIRES NOW SPREADING THROUGH THE REGION.

POLICE RESPONDED TO THE AREA ABOUT 20 TO 30 MINUTES AFTER THE KENNETH FIRE BEGAN … ON REPORTS OF A MAN ATTEMPTING TO LIGHT A FIRE. 

VIDEO TAKEN BY A RESIDENT POSTED TO SOCIAL MEDIA SHOWS A MAN BEING HANDCUFFED AT THE SCENE. 

THE RESIDENT SAYS ONE OF HER NEIGHBORS SPOTTED HIM BEHIND A VAN TRYING TO IGNITE A BLOW TORCH … WHEN ANOTHER NEIGHBOR STOPPED HIS CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD YELLING FOR HELP.

THAT’S WHEN SHE SAYS THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD RAN OUT AND DETAINED HIM WITH ZIP TIES AND ROPE UNTIL POLICE GOT THERE.

We were just so happy that law enforcement came so quickly … they came from all sides just in case he tried to get away.. It really was a valiant effort .. they really did their due diligence and I hope detectives can put this case to rest

L-A RADIO STATION “K-F-I-A-M” ALSO POSTED A PHOTO OF THE ALLEGED SUSPECT THAT SHOWED WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE BLOW TORCH ON TOP OF THE POLICE CARE NEXT TO HIM. 

POLICE HAVEN’T RELEASED THE SUSPECT’S NAME OR CONFIRMED WHETHER HE WAS RESPONSIBLE OR HAD ANY CONNECTION WITH THE CURRENT WILDFIRES. 

AS OF FRIDAY MORNING, THE KENNETH FIRE IS 35 PERCENT CONTAINED. 

MEANWHILE, MORE ARSON SITUATIONS HAVE BEEN CAUGHT ON CAMERA … WITH PEOPLE LIGHTING FIRES ACROSS L-A AREA STREETS … BRINGING ATTENTION TO THE CITY’S CRIME AND HOMELESS ISSUES. 

PODCASTER AND STANFORD PROFESSOR ANDREW HUBERMAN GOT THIS VIDEO OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE ARSONISTS IN DARK CLOTHING SETTING A FIRE IN SANTA MONICA.

HE SAYS CREWS WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FLAMES OUT BEFORE IT GOT WORSE. 

IN 20-23, CITY JOURNAL REPORTED THE L-A FIRE DEPARTMENT SPENT APPROXIMATELY 427 MILLION DOLLARS ON HOMELESS-RELATED FIRES.

FOR SAN – I’M JACK AYLMER … FOR ALL YOUR LATEST NEWS HEADLINES – DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP TODAY.