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Today’s Rundown:
- TRUMP SAYS U.S. USED SECRET “DISCOMBOBULATOR” TO DISABLE EQUIPMENT DURING VENEZUELAN RAID: President Trump claimed that U.S. forces used a secret pulsed-energy weapon, which he called a “Discombobulator,” to disable Venezuelan military equipment during the January raid that captured President Nicolás Maduro. Trump said the device prevented Russian and Chinese rockets from firing and made other defense systems “not work” as U.S. helicopters and troops entered Caracas. U.S. officials not named in the interview suggested Trump might be referring to existing cyber or acoustic tools rather than a uniquely named weapon. The raid also included strikes on drug-trafficking vessels and the seizure of Venezuelan tankers, and Trump indicated more operations against cartels could follow. Maduro and others captured in the operation now face federal charges in the U.S.
- EUROPEAN UNION OPENS FORMAL PROBE INTO ELON MUSK’S GROK AI OVER DEEPFAKES: European Union regulators launched a formal investigation into Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok after it was used to generate sexually explicit deepfake images of women and minors. The probe, under the Digital Services Act, will examine whether the X platform (formerly Twitter) met legal obligations to address harmful and illegal content such as manipulated sexualized images. Several countries, including the UK and Malaysia, have already taken related actions or bans over similar concerns. X says it has restricted Grok’s image editing features in some places, but EU officials are not convinced the safeguards are sufficient. The case could lead to fines of up to 6 % of global revenues if regulators find violations.
- REMAINS OF FINAL ISRAELI HOSTAGE FOUND IN GAZA, ENABLING NEXT CEASEFIRE PHASE: Israeli authorities say they have recovered the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza, completing a key step in the ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Hamas. The discovery paves the way for the second phase of the truce, which includes reopening the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, demilitarizing parts of Gaza, and starting reconstruction efforts. The hostages were taken during the October 7, 2023 attacks that sparked the long conflict. The U.S. and regional partners helped negotiate and verify the transition to this next stage of the ceasefire framework.
- TIKTOK DATA CENTER OUTAGE RAISES CONCERNS FOR NEW U.S. OWNERS: A major outage at a TikTok data center disrupted access for many users and triggered trust concerns among the platform’s new U.S. owners. The outage highlighted infrastructure vulnerabilities as TikTok transitions to U.S.-based data systems following legal and regulatory pressure. Some users and advertisers reported service problems and data delays, prompting discussion about how stable and secure TikTok’s operations will be under the new ownership structure. The company says it is investigating the cause and working to restore full service while maintaining data privacy commitments.
- SCIENTISTS FIND OLDEST WOODEN TOOLS EVER DISCOVERED IN GREECE: Archaeologists in Greece say they have uncovered the oldest known wooden tools in the region, dating back tens of thousands of years. The tools, made from durable wood and well-preserved due to unique environmental conditions, provide new insight into early human survival techniques and material use. Researchers noted the find expands understanding of prehistoric life in the area and will help refine timelines of early tool-making cultures in Europe. The discovery may influence how scientists interpret other ancient archaeological sites where wood rarely survives.
- LOONEY TUNES LIBRARY GETS LONG-TERM HOME AT TCM WITH SIX-YEAR DEAL: The classic Looney Tunes animation library will remain available on Turner Classic Movies (TCM) for at least six more years thanks to a new licensing agreement. The deal ensures that iconic characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and others will continue to be shown on the channel, preserving access for fans and introducing the shorts to new audiences. TCM says it plans to feature curated programs and special presentations alongside the ongoing agreement. This move comes as studios reassess where and how legacy animated content is distributed amid shifting media partnerships.
- KANYE WEST APOLOGIZES FOR ANTISEMITIC REMARKS, CITES BIPOLAR DISORDER IN WSJ AD: Kanye West published an apology in The Wall Street Journal for previous antisemitic comments, describing his behavior as harmful and attributing it in part to struggles with bipolar disorder. In the ad, West expressed regret for the pain his words caused and said he is committed to learning and growth. The apology follows a series of controversies that led to business and creative setbacks and sparked widespread criticism. Mental health advocates said the statement highlights the importance of understanding how mental illness can affect behavior, though some critics have also called for accountability beyond health explanations.
- PHILIP RIVERS WITHDRAWS FROM BUFFALO BILLS HEAD COACHING SEARCH: Former NFL quarterback and coach Philip Rivers has withdrawn his name from consideration for the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching vacant position. Rivers, known for his long NFL career and recent coaching roles, had been a finalist in the Bills’ search process. His decision means Buffalo will continue looking at other candidates to lead the team into the next season. The move comes amid a broader coaching carousel in the league as teams finalize staffs for upcoming campaigns.
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