TikTok Got a Reprieve, but Americans and Chinese Are Still on RedNote

During the Los Angeles County wildfires, lead and chlorine levels spiked to 100 and 40 times average levels, respectively, even miles from the flames, posing a significant health risk. Researchers warn of added danger from burning structures releasing toxins like lead from paint and pipes, and chlorine from plastic. As wildfires become more frequent in populated areas due to climate change, concerns over toxic releases and health impacts are expected to increase, with lead and...

TikTok is restoring access to its video app after President-elect Donald Trump provided clarity that companies distributing and hosting the platform would not face penalties for violating a US ban. The company, owned by ByteDance, is working on a long-term solution to keep TikTok in the US. Apple and Google app stores still do not have TikTok available for download. Trump plans to issue an executive order to extend the deadline for the ban, with...

Record numbers of homeowners are making a new year's resolution to sell their properties, with Rightmove's House Price Index for January showing a 1.7% monthly increase in average asking prices, the largest since 2020. Buyers are rushing to beat rising house prices before stamp duty thresholds decrease in April, prompting a surge in new sellers and increased buyer demand, although uncertainties about interest rates and tax changes loom ahead. Full Article

The federal government workforce has expanded under the Biden administration but remains near record low levels as a share of overall employment, growing by 4.4 percent in the past four years to just over three million. Efforts to trim the bureaucracy could lead to significant cuts, with agencies like the State Department and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services rebounding from previous declines in staffing levels. Despite hiring increases in certain areas, challenges remain in attracting...

Entrepreneur may receive revenue from product purchases featured on their platform. Fresh Books reports that a college degree does not impact small-business revenue, making online skills training appealing. The Ultimate Cybersecurity & IT Career Certification Pathway Training Bundle offers courses from beginner to advanced levels, preparing individuals for tech careers and freelance work, with a focus on CompTIA and Cisco certification exams. Total Seminars provides these courses, with the bundle currently priced at $24.97 on...

TikTok, the Chinese-owned social media app, went dark for U.S. users ahead of a federal law banning it from the country, prompting a message about the ban and a potential solution from President Trump. Apple and Google removed TikTok from their app stores, leading to uncertainty and potential penalties for violating the law. Despite legal challenges and last-minute pleas, TikTok faced a blackout as the deadline approached, impacting millions of users and creators on the...