China’s population fell last year for the third straight year, its government said Friday, pointing to further demographic challenges for the world’s second most populous nation, which is now facing both an aging population and an emerging shortage of working age people. China’s population stood at 1.408 billion at the end of 2024, a decline of 1.39 million from the previous year. The figures announced by the government in Beijing follow trends worldwide, but especially in East Asia, where Japan, South Korea and other nations have seen their birth rates plummet. China three years ago joined Japan and most of Eastern Europe among other nations whose population is falling.

Apple has temporarily pulled the plug on a recently launched artificial intelligence (AI) feature that churned out inaccurate summaries of news headlines from the BBC, Sky News, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and other media organizations.
The iPhone maker’s service falsely created the headline that Luigi Mangione—the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson—had shot himself. It also incorrectly told users that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been arrested and that Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal had come out as gay. It even claimed Donald Trump had endorsed Kamala Harris’ 2024 Democratic running mate Tim Walz for president, according to the Post.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told Israeli media at the Israeli embassy in Washington that he trusts the judgement of Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu on accepting the ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas.
“There’s no such thing as a perfect deal,” Graham said, during a ceremony honoring Michael Herzog, the outgoing Israeli ambassador in Washington and brother of Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
In a press gaggle, Graham told reporters that he wasn’t aware of all the details of the agreement, which both the incoming Trump administration and the outgoing Biden administration have claimed as their own major victory.

As restated by Rabbi Yair Hoffman  Introduction and Foundation In introducing the names of the Shevatim and their families who descended to Mitzrayim, the Parshah begins with the words,

President Biden on Friday made history by commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 individuals, marking the highest number of pardons and commutations granted by any U.S. president.
The recipients of Biden’s latest clemency action are predominantly nonviolent drug offenders, whose sentences the president described as excessively harsh compared to penalties under current laws and policies.
“Today’s clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes,” Biden said in an official statement.

The Supreme Court of the United States delivered a unanimous ruling on Friday, affirming a law that compels the sale of TikTok from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. This decision comes amid efforts by both President Biden and President-elect Donald Trump to halt the divestment process.
All nine justices agreed to mandate that TikTok’s separation from the Beijing-based firm must be completed by January 19. The decision impacts the California-headquartered social media giant, widely popular among Americans.
“There is no doubt that, for more than 170 million Americans, TikTok offers a distinctive and expansive outlet for expression, means of engagement, and source of community,” stated a central portion of the unsigned opinion.

American Dream in East Rutherford has made a bold move by fully opening its doors on Sundays, including retail stores, rides, water slides, ski slopes, and restaurants. This decision comes despite Bergen County’s long-standing “blue laws”, which date back to the 17th century and restrict the sale of non-essential items like clothing, furniture, appliances, and cars on Sundays. Supporters of the move argue that the blue laws are outdated and hinder economic growth in the area, especially for a major tourist destination like American Dream.

Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President inside the Capital Rotunda as bitter cold is forecast to grip the nation’s capital on Monday.
The president-elect announced the change of plans in a noontime Truth Social post Friday, writing in part: “I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way. It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of Law Enforcement, First Responders, Police K9s and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours on the 20th (In any event, if you decide to come, dress warmly!).

President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office from inside the Capitol Rotunda on Monday due to forecasts of intense cold weather. “The weather forecast for Washington, D.C., with the windchill factor, could take temperatures into severe record lows,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way.” The Rotunda is prepared as the inclement weather alternative for each inauguration in the event of inclement weather. The swearing-in was last moved indoors in 1985, when President Ronald Reagan began his second term. Monday’s forecast calls for the lowest inauguration day temperatures since that day.