Latest news bulletin | December 17th – Morning
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
Latest Stories
TechCrunchHow to delete Facebook, Instagram, and Threads
In the wake of Meta’s decision to remove its third-party fact-checking system and loosen content moderation policies, Google searches on how to delete Facebook, Instagram, and Threads have been on the rise. People who are angry with the decision accuse Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg of cozying up to the Trump administration at the expense of turning the company's social media platforms into more of a hotbed for misinformation and polarizing speech than they already are. Zuckerberg’s remarks that the company’s third-party fact checkers were “too politically biased” for his vision of “free expression” probably didn’t help matters.
- Business Insider
Whatever happens to TikTok, it's changed us forever
TikTok might be gone — but its effects have changed us forever. Whatever happens to the app, the TikTokification of American life is here to stay.
- CBC
Trump targets Canada's digital services tax with America First trade policy
One of U.S. President Donald Trump's freshly signed executive orders puts the Liberal government's digital services tax into the sights of America's Commerce, Treasury and Trade departments, threatening to further irritate the trade relationship between the two countries.The America First Trade Policy, signed into force by Trump Monday evening, seeks to ensure America's trading relationships bring maximum benefit to "American workers, manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs and businesse
- The Daily Beast
‘No Other Choice’: Trump Issues an Ultimatum to Pal Putin
Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to his one-time ally Vladimir Putin, threatening him with retribution if he doesn’t make a deal to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. In an apparent effort to make good on his already-broken vow to end the war within 24 hours of becoming president, Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday to try and bend the strong-man leader’s arm. “I’m going to do Russia, whose Economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big FAVOR. Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War
- HuffPost
This Donald Trump Move Could Doom His ‘Honeymoon Period,’ Says CNN Data Reporter
“Simply put, this is not a popular policy," said Harry Enten.
- BuzzFeed
Jeff Bezos's Fiancée Lauren Sánchez Reacted To Criticism Of Her Inauguration Outfit
I want to Eternal Sunshine the clip of Mark Zuckerberg seemingly looking down her bra.
- The Daily Beast
Doug Emhoff Avenges Kamala’s Viral Handshake Snub
Doug Emhoff, the husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris, was out for blood at President Donald Trump’s inauguration, deliberately snubbing a man who refused his wife’s offer of a handshake earlier this month, according to CNN. On Monday, Emhoff, who served as second gentleman of the United States from 2021 to 2025, rejected a handshake from Bruce Fischer, husband of Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska. Emhoff brought up the moment Fischer appeared to refuse Harris’ proffered hand at the Republi
- HuffPost
Donald Trump Has Middle-Of-The-Night Meltdown Over Pastor’s ‘Nasty’ Sermon About Him
The fuming free speech-advocating president demanded an apology.
- HuffPost
Jimmy Kimmel Spots Truly Awkward Melania Moment At Trump Inauguration
The late night host joked that this must be a sign the two are "very, very much in love."
- HuffPost
Trump Revokes Workplace Discrimination Rules Enacted By LBJ In 1965
The new president just unwound a landmark anti-discrimination measure implemented amid the height of the Civil Rights Movement.
- People
Donald and Melania Trump Married 20 Years Ago — and the Guest List Was Fascinating: See the Photos
Donald and Melania Trump got married on Jan. 22, 2005
- The Daily Beast
CNN To Fire Hundreds of Staff Amid Ratings Crisis
CNN will lay off hundreds of employees on Thursday, capping a year of financial struggles and falling ratings as the network seeks to pivot toward a digital future, sources said Wednesday. The exact number of Thursday’s layoffs, which were first reported by CNBC, is unclear. They will not impact CNN’s marquee talent, which includes Jake Tapper, Kaitlan Collins, and Anderson Cooper, according to CNBC. CNN declined to comment. The cuts come as CEO Mark Thompson has set his sights on digital as CNN
- CNN
Trump pardons DC officers convicted in death and cover up
President Donald Trump has issued a “full and unconditional pardon” to Washington, DC, police lieutenant Andrew Zabavsky and officer Terence Sutton for their roles in the death of 20-year-old Karon Hylton-Brown, a case that drew protests on the heels of the murder of George Floyd.
- BuzzFeed
Nearly 3 Million People Can't Get Over What This Mom Found In Her 12-Year-Old Son's Locker
"I feel like if I did not film it, nobody would believe me."
- The Hill
Judges who oversaw Jan. 6 cases push back on Trump pardons
Federal judges who oversaw Jan. 6 cases pushed back against President Trump’s sweeping pardons Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell wrote in in court filings for Proud Boys Nicholas Ochs and Nicholas DeCarlo that she would not dismiss their cases with prejudice — leaving the door open for charges to be filed against the men in…
- People
Pregnant Woman Set to Give Birth Was Beheaded Weeks Before Due Date, Ex Sentenced for Murder
Liese Dodd's killer was sentenced to 60 years in prison last week
- HuffPost
Donald Trump Inauguration Blunder Has Stephen Colbert Asking: 'Is He Really President?'
The "Late Show" host cooked up a comedy theory about who is now actually in power.
- The Canadian Press
B.C. First Nations leader reverses stance on pipeline as Trump tariff threat looms
VANCOUVER — The president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs is reversing his previous opposition to the scrapped Northern Gateway pipeline project that would have created another route for Alberta's oil to get to the Pacific Ocean.
- CBC
This man faced a $4K bill for truck reported stolen after police sent pickup notice during postal strike
When David Miller's pickup truck went missing in Ottawa last summer, he reported it as stolen and accepted it could be on a container ship sailing to parts unknown. He'd resigned himself to never seeing it again. Then, early last week, he got an even bigger surprise in his mailbox, he says.The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) sent him a notice saying his 2018 Dodge RAM had been found and it was sitting in a towing company's south Ottawa storage yard. Miller could go to a police station, get the neces
- The Daily Beast
Trump Frees Infamous Drug Mastermind After Pledging Fentanyl Crackdown
President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued an unconditional pardon for the creator of a dark web drug marketplace, despite months of campaign tough talk toward fentanyl dealers and other traffickers. The pardon, for Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht, even came on the same day he promised to impose harsh penalties on China over the country’s failure to crack down on fentanyl manufacturing. Trump announced the pardon in a Truth Social post Tuesday evening—fulfilling one of his many campaign promises—w