News From Around the Web
#1 State Officials and Daycare Manager Push Back on Viral Video Fraud Allegations in Minnesota - Greg Wehner for Fox News, Scott, New York Post, United Politics, @amuse, and Reality Novel on X
Minnesota officials and a daycare manager denied fraud allegations Monday after a viral video questioned state-funded childcare centers, with both sides disputing claims that the facility was closed or improperly collecting taxpayer money. The allegations stem from a viral video posted by independent journalist Nick Shirley showing visits to several Minnesota daycare facilities, including Quality Learning Center in Minneapolis, which appeared inactive during the visit despite receiving state childcare assistance funds...
#2 Trump Admin Slams Daily Beast Story on State Department Official Mora Namdar as ‘Shameful,’ ‘Sexist’ - Ryan King for New York Post, Steve Cunningham, Houston Chronicle, Elena, Hyland114, and GapowX on X
The State Department lashed out at the Daily Beast for a “sexist” story mocking the appointment of Mora Namdar as head of the Bureau of Consular Affairs — a role in which she will oversee who gets visas and passports. The lefty tabloid published a story skewering the appointment with the headline, “Trump Hires Beauty Salon Owner to Decide Who to Ban From U.S.“ “What a shameful, pathetic, and quite frankly sexist way to describe her career,” Tommy Pigott, State Department principal deputy spokesperson, fired back in response...
#3 More Musicians Cancel Kennedy Center Concerts After Board Votes to Add Trump’s Name to the Building - Raquel Coronell Uribe for NBC News, Cubbie Hopeful, Chris D. Jackson/Hoodlum/Ultra MAGA Kelly, Todd Spangler, Richard Grenell, Sue Jones MD, and MrTomDurante on X
More musicians have canceled their upcoming concerts at the Kennedy Center after its board voted to rename the performing arts venue to include President Donald Trump’s name. The canceled performances to date include shows previously promoted for Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, and Jan. 14. The Cookers, a jazz band that was scheduled to perform Wednesday night, did not cite a specific reason in announcing their decision, but their statement hinted at politics...
#4 Russian Official Threatens Zelenskyy as Moscow Claims Kyiv Attacked Putin Residence - David Brennan for ABC News, Julian Assange, Asharq Al-Awsat English, A Way With Words Cymru, AFP News Agency/MXheritage, and Ishaq Samaila on X
A top Russian official on Monday issued personal threats against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Russia claimed that Ukraine launched a drone attack on one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's official residences. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov alleged that Ukraine launched a drone attack on Putin's state residence in Novgorod region on the night of Dec. 29. Lavrov offered no evidence to support the assertion, which Zelenskyy was quick to dismiss as a Russian disinformation effort...
#5 China Fires Missiles on Second Day of Military Drills Taiwan Calls “Highly Provocative and Reckless” - CBS News, OSINTdefender/tsybka, Rinku Yadav Allipur, and Global Combat, Global Surveillence on X
China launched missiles and deployed dozens of fighter aircraft and navy vessels around Taiwan on Tuesday for a second day of live-fire drills aimed at simulating a blockade of the self-ruled island's key ports and assaults on maritime targets. The two-day war games code-named "Justice Mission 2025" have been slammed by Taipei as "highly provocative and reckless." China claims Taiwan as part of its sovereign territory and has refused to rule out military action to seize the island democracy....
#6 Trump Meeting With Netanyahu Monday- Kathryn Watson for CBS News, China Xinhua News, Deeqa Ali, Phoenix God save KING REZA PAHLAVI, sk/Trita Parsi, KOIKIMEDIA, and James J. Marlow on X
President Trump said after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday that Hamas must disarm soon or "there will be hell to pay." He said the next phase of the Gaza peace plan could move forward quickly if Hamas disarms. Standing alongside Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, Mr. Trump also claimed dozens of other countries that supported the peace deal are ready to "wipe out" the terrorist group if Hamas doesn't disarm, but he did not name any of them...
