U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
YouTube Agrees to Follow Australia’s New Under-16 Social Media Ban 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
Apple Leads Singles’ Day Smartphone Sales as iPhone 17 Demand Surges 
EU Prepares Antitrust Probe Into Meta’s AI Integration on WhatsApp 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Rio Tinto Raises 2025 Copper Output Outlook as Oyu Tolgoi Expansion Accelerates 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
ByteDance Unveils New AI Voice Assistant for ZTE Smartphones 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
Hikvision Challenges FCC Rule Tightening Restrictions on Chinese Telecom Equipment 
TSMC Accuses Former Executive of Leaking Trade Secrets as Taiwan Prosecutors Launch Investigation 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
Billionaire Elon Musk has denied any interest in acquiring TikTok, despite U.S. concerns over its Chinese ownership. Speaking at a late January event hosted by Germany’s Axel Springer SE, Musk stated, “I have not put in a bid for TikTok” and added that he doesn’t use the app or have any plans for it.
His remarks followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Musk could buy TikTok. However, Musk emphasized that acquisitions are rare for him, noting that his purchase of Twitter, now rebranded as X, was an exception. “I usually build companies from scratch,” he said.
The U.S. has been pressuring ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell its U.S. assets or face a ban, citing national security risks. Lawmakers fear China could access American user data, a claim TikTok has repeatedly denied. ByteDance has insisted it has no plans to sell TikTok.
Amid the ongoing battle, Apple and Google have yet to reinstate TikTok on their app stores following new U.S. restrictions. In response, TikTok has enabled Android users to download the app via its website.
Trump, who previously sought to ban TikTok during his presidency, recently softened his stance, acknowledging the platform's influence among young voters. He confirmed discussions with potential buyers and expects a decision soon on the app’s future, with 170 million U.S. users hanging in the balance.
Additionally, Trump signed an executive order to establish a sovereign wealth fund, potentially positioning it to acquire TikTok. ByteDance and TikTok have yet to comment on the developments.
The situation remains fluid as lawmakers, tech giants, and investors closely monitor TikTok’s fate in the U.S.
