Capcut.. Lemon8.. and some others were in the fray as TIKTOK was banned in the United States..
But users of Marvel Snap didn’t realize how they would fall into this until last night–ByteDance owns that, too!
Users on other social media platforms are shellshocked..
DEVELOPING..
CAPCUT SHUT DOWN
LEMON8 SHUT DOWN
And just in case you wanted to see the illustrious set of nations that the United States now joins in this, brace yourselves:
Saturday night tears across American socials..
Capcut is no more in AMERICA..
Users getting warning that Tiktok is next..
We all feel the same right. This year’s January has 495 days in it.
January: The Month That Feels Like “Skinamarink”
Here we are, deep in the throes of January. If you’ve ever seen the surreal horror movie Skinamarink, you’ll understand when I say this month feels like what would happen if Skinamarink were a month. Oppressively long, disorienting, and endless—January this year is dragging in a way that feels almost personal.
To make matters worse, this January is one of those with five full weeks. That extra week on the calendar? It’s like the universe decided to throw in a bonus round of cold, dark monotony just to see if we’d notice.
As I write this, it’s only January 17th. Only the 17th. Which means we’re not even close to the finish line. And yet, every day feels like a mini-eternity.
Now don’t get me wrong—I’ve spent plenty of time complaining about how fast life seems to be flying by. There’s never enough time in the day, right? But this month? Oh, there’s time. There’s so much time. So much so that by 5:00 PM every evening, you’re already drained, staring into the abyss, wondering how it’s still only January.
They say “Blue Monday” hits a few weeks after Christmas—that unofficial holiday when credit card bills are due, the winter doldrums set in, and your New Year’s resolutions have either crumbled or become oppressive. This year, though? Every single day of January feels like Blue Monday.
It’s weird. It’s strange. It’s never-ending. It’s punishing. It’s brutal.
And I think we all feel it. The days, though technically growing longer, seem darker. The weather seems colder. Everything takes just a little longer than it should. And when push comes to shove, that creeping fatigue washes over you like a relentless wave.
Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I need some vitamin D, zinc, and a few hours in front of a light therapy lamp. But I don’t think it’s just me—I think it’s you, too. It’s all of us. We’re longing for something else, something brighter, something warmer.
And it sure as hell isn’t January. Thankfully, there’s only 755 days left of the month to go.
The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the law requiring China-based ByteDance to divest its ownership of TikTok by Sunday or face an effective ban of the popular social video app in the U.S.
ByteDance has so far refused to sell TikTok, meaning many U.S. users could lose access to the app this weekend. The app may still work for those who already have TikTok on their phones, although ByteDance has also threatened to shut the app down.
Developing..
Starship Prototype Breaks Up During Test Launch, Disrupting Flights
Elon Musk’s Starship prototype experienced a dramatic failure during its seventh launch attempt, breaking apart mid-flight and sending fiery debris streaking across the skies above the Caribbean. The incident occurred late Thursday night during a SpaceX test flight from Boca Chica, Texas.
The launch was part of a stress-testing program designed to push the Starship’s superheavy rocket to its limits. Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, the prototype broke up, scattering debris over a wide area and grounding nearby aircraft. The event triggered safety concerns at Miami International Airport, which was forced to redirect at least 20 flights to avoid potential hazards from the falling debris.
SpaceX has yet to release a detailed statement on the failure, though initial reports suggest the breakup may have been linked to extreme stress during the test. The launch was a key milestone in SpaceX’s ambitious program to develop reusable spacecraft capable of interplanetary travel, including missions to Mars.
Observers reported seeing a fiery display as debris illuminated the night sky, marking another setback for the Starship program, which has faced several high-profile challenges in recent years. Despite the failure, SpaceX continues to push forward with its vision for space exploration and transportation, emphasizing the importance of rigorous testing to achieve groundbreaking technological advancements.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident to assess its impact on air travel and public safety. This latest development highlights the inherent risks of pioneering aerospace innovation and the complexities of balancing safety with progress in the race for space exploration.
Last minute moves to save Tiktok before the weekend? So take those TIKTOK goodbye videos down–looks like it may not be going anywhere yet.
Party like it’s COVID lockdown again.
THIS IS DEVELOPING..
President Joe Biden won’t enforce a ban on the social media app TikTok that is set to take effect a day before he leaves office on Monday, a U.S. official said Thursday, leaving its fate in the hands of President-elect Donald Trump.
Congress last year, in a law signed by Biden, required that TikTok’s China-based parent company ByteDance divest the company by Jan. 19, a day before the presidential inauguration. The official said the outgoing administration was leaving the implementation of the law — and the potential enforcement of the ban — to Trump.
And this for good measure: The chief executive of TikTok plans to attend U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, the New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the plans.
Shou Zi Chew has been invited to sit in a position of honor on the dais, which is typically reserved for former presidents, family members and other important guests, the report said.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss internal Biden administration thinking.
So take those TIKTOK goodbye videos down–looks like it may not be going anywhere yet.
Party like it’s COVID lockdown again.
David Lynch’s family announces that he is dead at the age of 78.
“It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch. We would appreciate some privacy at this time,” read a message on Facebook. “There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’ ”
“It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way,” they added.
Lynch, who would have turned 79 this Monday, Jan. 20, was best known for creating the 1990 TV series Twin Peaks. The show spawned a 1992 feature film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, and a 2017 revival season. A four-time Oscar nominee, he also directed films including The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive. He was known for his distinctive style that became described as “Lynchian“
Mr Baseball dead at 90.
Bob Uecker, often referred to as “Mr. Baseball,” is a beloved figure in the world of sports, celebrated for his wit, humor, and extensive career in baseball.
Born on January 26, 1934, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Uecker played as a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1962 to 1967, suiting up for teams like the Milwaukee Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, and Philadelphia Phillies.
While his on-field career was modest, Uecker’s true legacy blossomed off the field as a broadcaster..
And yes, he was famous for his appearances on Mr. Belvedere and being chocked by Andre the Giant and Wrestlemania 4.
Forgive us of this political post…
…so here we sre again. As we stand on the edge of a transition, Joe Biden’s presidency will conclude in just five days. The nation prepares for the inauguration of Donald Trump, marking his return to the White House for a second term—a rare occurrence, echoing Grover Cleveland’s nonconsecutive presidencies. Move over, Grover; Trump is back.
At moments like this, it’s natural to reflect on where we’ve been as a nation, where we’re heading, and how we feel about it all. However, in an era where everything is politicized, this post will steer clear of passing judgment on Biden’s presidency. Whether his leadership was perceived as successful, flawed, or something in between, history ultimately decides. Time has a way of refining perspective, and future historians and authors will undoubtedly analyze this administration with the clarity of hindsight.
A Presidency Marked by Unique Circumstances
When Joe Biden assumed office, the United States was grappling with extraordinary challenges. We were in the throes of a global pandemic—a reality that shaped nearly every facet of life. Debates raged over vaccine mandates, government agencies operated under uncertain conditions, and businesses struggled with reopening timelines. Public health officials were thrust into the spotlight, navigating a landscape filled with questions and few clear answers. The word “normal” became elusive, a concept we struggled to define amidst lockdowns and isolation.
Biden’s inauguration itself symbolized the strangeness of the era. It was a subdued event, devoid of the crowds that traditionally mark the transfer of power. COVID restrictions meant the absence of throngs of supporters, and the typically jubilant atmosphere gave way to one of caution and restraint. For a man known for his gregariousness and touchy-feely demeanor—sometimes joked about as “sniffing” those around him—this was an ironic twist. Biden entered the presidency during a time when social interactions were fundamentally altered.
Reflecting on Leadership and Time
As we look back on Biden’s tenure, we can’t help but notice the changes he underwent. His age and health became frequent topics of discussion, with observers noting his physical and verbal missteps. At times, his decisiveness shone through; at other moments, his actions—or inactions—sparked controversy. Yet, such scrutiny is not unique to Biden. Every president ages before our eyes, their time in office marked by the weight of the job and the crises they face.
Thinking about where we were in January 2021, it’s remarkable to consider how far we’ve come. The fears and uncertainties of the pandemic felt all-encompassing, yet here we are in 2025, having moved past those moments. The world, once seemingly crushing in on itself, has found a sense of equilibrium. “Normal” has returned—or at least some version of it.
But what is normal now? With Donald Trump’s return to office, the question arises: Is this the “old normal” reasserting itself, or has Biden’s presidency fundamentally shifted the landscape? Was his time in office a glitch in the matrix, or did it reset the system entirely? These are questions for philosophers and historians to ponder.
Measuring Time by Leaders
In the movie Sister Act, a nun tells Whoopi Goldberg’s character how many popes she’s lived through—a reflection of how we measure time by leaders. In America, we do something similar. Personally, I was born in 1980 during Jimmy Carter’s presidency (technically, just before Reagan’s term began). It’s fascinating to think about the presidents we’ve lived through and how our perspectives on them evolve with time.
As we close the chapter on Biden’s administration and begin another under Trump, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect—not just on politics but on the passage of time and the moments that define our lives. History has a way of reshaping perceptions, and one day, we may see this era in an entirely different light. Until then, we continue moving forward, living through history one presidency at a time.
