The feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar continues to set new precedents on this planet of rap beef. Drake has filed a brand new lawsuit towards his mother or father label, Common Music Group, accusing the conglomerate of selling a tune that put his life and livelihood in speedy hazard.

A brand new 91-page lawsuit filed in New York’s Southern District Court docket right this moment particulars three tried residence invasions the Canadian rapper skilled at his Toronto residence final spring — one involving the taking pictures of his safety guard — and months of on-line hate. Drake is alleging within the petition that these break-ins, and the broader vitriol he skilled, are a direct results of UMG’s launch of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” the focused Drake diss-turned-hit single.

The lawsuit states that UMG knowingly dedicated defamation of character by releasing and selling “Not Like Us” as a result of the report’s lyrics “advance the false and malicious narrative that Drake is a pedophile,” use an aerial view of his residence as the quilt artwork to the tune and encourage the general public to “resort to vigilante justice in response.”

“The recording cloaks cleverly harmful lyrics behind a catchy beat and welcoming hook. Capitalizing on these attributes, UMG used each software at its disposal to make sure that the world would hear that Drake “like ’em younger,'” the lawsuit reads. The submitting goes on to quote quite a few TikTok and YouTube postings that defame the rapper on account of the tune; shares a photograph of a flyer that was posted round his neighborhood calling him a predator; and claims the musician needed to pull his baby out of faculty for concern of his security.

Graham’s attorneys allege that UMG closely promoted the monitor with the intention to weaken Drake’s status and devalue his model as an artist with the intention of backing him right into a nook and re-signing a deal that was favorable to the label.

This newest swimsuit follows information that the Canadian rap star withdrew a earlier submitting towards UMG and streaming large Spotify, which accused the businesses of launching a marketing campaign that paid influencers, radio stations and others to advertise the tune final summer time. Each lawsuits lean into UMG’s energy within the scenario and downplay Lamar’s half within the battle because the artist who launched the tune laced with accusations of pedophilia and baby grooming.

“UMG could spin this criticism as a rap beef gone authorized, however this lawsuit isn’t a couple of disagreement between artists. This lawsuit entails no claims towards Kendrick Lamar or some other artist; as a substitute, it’s about UMG — the writer and unique rights holder of Lamar’s music, in addition to Drake’s — and its malicious resolution to publish and promote” the monitor, the lawsuit reads.

Within the months because it was launched, “Not Like Us” has grown right into a cultural phenomenon far bigger than the preliminary beef. Apart from these lawsuits regarding the monitor, “Not Like Us” has develop into a West Coast anthem, has been streamed a couple of billion instances worldwide (and counting) and is nominated for 5 awards heading into the 2025 Grammys subsequent month, together with tune and report of the 12 months. Off the momentum of “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar has launched a cinematic music video, hosted a Juneteenth live performance in Los Angeles and dropped his sixth studio album, GNX, a physique of labor that doubles down on the message of separating himself from these within the tradition he sees as pretend, nefarious and fraudulent. By comparability, the tracks that Drake dropped within the wake of the pair’s battle (“No Face” and “Housekeeping Is aware of” feat. Latto) have racked up streams however struggled to make the identical affect.

Drake is suing UMG for an undisclosed quantity in damages.

UMG denied the lawsuit’s claims in a press release: “Not solely are these claims unfaithful, however the notion that we might search to hurt the status of any artist—not to mention Drake—is illogical,” it begins. “We have now invested massively in his music and our workers all over the world have labored tirelessly for a few years to assist him obtain historic business and private monetary success.”

The assertion says that the artist has “deliberately and efficiently used UMG to distribute his music and poetry to have interaction in conventionally outrageous back-and-forth ‘rap battles’ to specific his emotions about different artists” all through his profession, and that he now “seeks to weaponize the authorized course of to silence an artist’s inventive expression and to hunt damages from UMG for distributing that artist’s music.”

“We have now not and don’t have interaction in defamation—towards any particular person,” it continues. “On the similar time, we’ll vigorously defend this litigation to guard our folks and our status, in addition to any artist who may instantly or not directly develop into a frivolous litigation goal for having carried out nothing greater than write a tune.”

Wasteful Leicester had been harshly punished by scientific Crystal Palace whose 2-0 win on the King Energy Stadium inflicted a sixth straight league defeat on the hosts.

The Foxes racked up their highest shot tally of the season and hit the bar by Boubakary Soumare after half-time, however had been removed from wily as they wasted probability after probability with Jamie Vardy the most important perpetrator.

Leicester appeared buoyed from their 6-2 FA Cup win over QPR on the weekend as they burst out of the traps and dominated the opening interval, however Vardy shot straight at Dean Henderson when performed in behind by Stephy Mavididi.

It took Palace 51 minutes to muster their first shot on track nevertheless it was a ruthlessly scientific transfer which noticed them snatch the lead towards the league’s second-leakiest defence, when Ismaila Sarr slid Jean-Philippe Mateta by to spherical Jakub Stolarczyk.

Probabilities continued to come back and go for Leicester with Soumare inches away from his first objective for the membership, earlier than one other sucker punch, this time from Marc Guehi, ended their comeback hopes.

The England centre-back has been the topic of a chronic switch pursuit by Chelsea however after the Blues recalled Trevoh Chalobah from Palace earlier on Wednesday, he seems more likely to stay at Selhurst Park on this window.

Enzo Maresca’s aspect might have missed out on a seasoned striker with the standard of his end to seal three factors, a strong rising volley at Stolarczyk’s close to submit after Eberechi Eze had dinked a free-kick over the house defence.

These targets moved Palace, now on a six-match unbeaten league streak, above Manchester United into 14th, whereas Leicester, who had been forward of the Eagles at first of their winless run, stay two factors from security in nineteenth.

Evaluation: Downturn in targets provides to Leicester’s woes

Sky Sports activities’ Ron Walker:

“Leicester have a targets downside. Previous to Ruud van Nistelrooy’s appointment they’d scored in each Premier League sport besides one, however this was their fourth clean of their six-match dropping run, throughout which they’ve netted solely twice.

“That will be a large enough downside in the event that they did not have the second-worst defence within the division. They’ve seen this defeat towards Crystal Palace earlier than; Leicester’s performances below the brand new boss have been higher than the outcomes, and this was no completely different.

“However that will not choose them up sufficient factors to keep away from the trapdoor to the Championship.

“Realistically, they should rating their method out of hassle – this defence is not going to enhance any time quickly. So Jamie Vardy’s barren run with out a objective, stretching again to the beginning of their dropping streak, is a major problem.

“Counting on a 38-year-old striker at all times offered a threat, and Jordan Ayew and Patson Daka don’t have the firepower to exchange him.

“Additional high quality incomings at one finish of the pitch or the opposite – or ideally each – look a should if the Foxes are to remain up. However after their PSR considerations in recent times, which may be an excessive amount of to ask.”

Van Nistelrooy: Second half value us the sport

Leicester head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy:

“Within the second half the extent dropped an excessive amount of, in the event you evaluate the 2.

“We weren’t constant sufficient over 90 minutes to get a consequence. On the premise of the second half, we did not deserve quite a bit, and that is what value us the sport.

“Palace stepped up their sport within the second half, they weren’t as sharp and aggressive within the first. They got here out strongly and we had been pushed again a bit with out being in a variety of hazard. The primary objective went in right away, the primary probability they’d. That modified the momentum.”

Glasner happy with consequence however not efficiency

Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner:

“We’re very happy with the consequence, the clear sheet, however not very happy with our efficiency, particularly within the first half.

“Often we’re speaking about techniques, however the whole lot was how we ready the sport. We did not do what we needed to do what we needed to do, we did not assault with the best depth. Out of possession, it was the identical.

“Within the second half, we performed with extra depth, made extra probabilities and scored extra targets, nevertheless it was nonetheless not considered one of our greatest performances.”

Story of the match in stats

What’s arising within the Premier League?

AMES ― The Iowa State vs. Kansas basketball sport hardly wants any added introductions.

Loads of followers lined up hours forward of tip-off and a few even camped in a single day to order their spot in line. Their persistence was rewarded with a marquee 74-57 win for the Cyclones.

The hype was already in place for this matchup of Massive 12 rivals, however it continued to construct because the Cyclones took the courtroom for the primary time because the No. 2-ranked workforce within the nation in opposition to the Tenth-ranked Jayhawks.

Curtis Jones led the Cyclones with 25 factors on 9-of-17 taking pictures. He additionally had six rebounds, two steals and 4 turnovers. Often serving because the sixth man for Iowa State, he entered the beginning lineup rather than Milan Momcilovic, who’s out indefinitely with a hand harm.

Extra:Iowa State basketball vs Kansas rating in the present day: Recap, sport highlights from Cyclones’ win

Dishon Jackson added 17 factors, 4 rebounds and a block off the bench. Brandton Chatfield earned his first begin as a Cyclone, changing Jackson on Wednesday evening.

Tamin Lipsey and Joshua Jefferson every had 10 factors. Jefferson additionally had 12 rebounds.

It was a back-and-forth begin to the sport till Jones hit back-to-back 3-pointers to get the soldout crowd going and provides the Cyclones a 15-11 lead with 11:12 left within the first half. Iowa State by no means relinquished the lead from there and after these two baskets, it began to tighten up its effort on the boards and defensive finish.

Iowa State closed the primary half with an 8-0 run to take a 40-30 lead over the Jayhawks.

Kansas had proven a capability to make key defensive changes at halftime in current outings. The Jayhawks held each Cincinnati and Arizona State to fewer than 15 second-half factors of their final two video games coming into Wednesday.

Extra:Iowa State basketball’s Milan Momcilovic to be sidelined with hand harm

The Jayhawks did not make it straightforward after the break, holding Iowa State to 9-of-28 (32.1%) within the second half, however the Cyclones labored via offensive lulls. They drew fouls to get to the free-throw line and had a counter for each Kansas push.

Kansas went on a 9-0 run, whereas Iowa State had a five-minute scoring drought early within the second half. The Jayhawks capitalized on Cyclone turnovers and offensive struggles to trim the deficit down.

Jefferson substituted again into the sport and broke the drought with a post-up end, and Kansas answered again with Flory Bidunga basket to trim the Iowa State lead right down to 44-41 with 13:59 left.

That might be the closest the Jayhawks would get to catching the Cyclones.

Kansas reduce the lead down to 5 factors twice, however Iowa State would get on a well timed run to increase its lead. A four-point sequence between a Demarion Watson free throw and a Lipsey 3-pointer ignited the Hilton Coliseum crowd, as Iowa State took a 61-52 lead going into the under-4 media time-out.

An 11-0 Cyclone run within the closing minutes shortly afterwards sealed the victory.

Zeke Mayo paced the Jayhawks with 17 factors. Hunter Dickinson was held to 6 factors on 3-of-10 taking pictures, with eight rebounds, 4 turnovers and two blocks. Kansas dedicated 17 turnovers within the loss, which was 23 Cyclone factors off turnovers.

Iowa State improves to 15-1 general and 5-0 in Massive 12 Convention play. The Cyclones are headed on the street for his or her subsequent sport at West Virginia on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT.

Eugene Rapay covers Iowa State athletics for the Des Moines Register. Contact Eugene at erapay@gannett.com. Comply with him on Twitter at @erapay5.

This story was up to date so as to add a video.

Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan would be the new Match of the Day presenters from subsequent season, the BBC has introduced.

It’s the first time the function will probably be shared between three folks.

They’ll cut up presenting duties for Match of the Day 2 on Sundays and MOTD: Champions League on Wednesdays, in addition to Saturday’s flagship present.

Gary Lineker has hosted Match of the Day since 1999 and can accomplish that for the remainder of the season.

The previous England striker will proceed to steer the BBC’s TV protection of the FA Cup subsequent season and current the boys’s World Cup in 2026.

Cates, Chapman and Logan would be the sixth set of most important presenters for Match of the Day, which is the longest-running soccer present on the earth having launched on 22 August 1964.

Final season, 33 million viewers tuned in throughout all Match of the Day Premier League and FA Cup programmes.

Former England gamers Alan Shearer and Micah Richards will proceed as common MOTD pundits.

BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski mentioned: “I do know viewers will love these three unbelievable broadcasters and journalists on the coronary heart of our soccer protection subsequent season.

“They’re sensible at what they do and MOTD viewers may be positive they are going to be effectively sorted as the large soccer speaking factors are expertly analysed.

“Gary has performed an outstanding job at Match of the Day for the final 25 years, he’ll be missed tremendously and all of us nonetheless get to take pleasure in him on our screens throughout a few of soccer’s best tournaments.

“Outdoors of Match of the Day we have some nice new reveals, voices and surprises lined up for the 2025-26 season throughout audio, video and digital and we sit up for sharing them with you all later within the 12 months.

“It is a really thrilling time for BBC Sport’s soccer protection.”

AMES, Iowa – One other ranked opponent, one other win for Iowa State.

No. 2 Iowa State (15-1, 5-0) was dominant once more, knocking off No. 9 Kansas (12-4, 3-2 Huge 12), 74-57 Wednesday evening in Hilton Coliseum to run its successful streak to 12 video games, tying for the third-longest in class historical past.

Winners of nine-straight over league opponents, the second-longest string in class historical past, and 28-straight in Hilton Coliseum, Iowa State rattled off a 16-2 run within the recreation’s last 5 minutes to interrupt open a decent recreation.

Iowa State shot simply 32.1 p.c within the second half, however protection will at all times maintain a slumping offense, because the Cyclones pressured 17 Jayhawk turnovers and at all times got here up with the large play when wanted.

The Cyclones have been led by Curtis Jones, who scored 20 of his 25 factors within the first half en path to his fourth 20-point outing in 5 Huge 12 video games. Jones had 4 3-pointers within the first half to assist the Cyclones go into the break with a 40-30 lead. Jones made simply his second begin of the season rather than an injured Milan Momcilovic.

Dishon Jackson poured in 17 factors from the bench and Tamin Lipsey was big within the second half, tallying eight of his 10 factors after intermission, together with a pair of clutch 3-pointers to ignite the group. Lipsey additionally had three of ISU’s 11 steals to maneuver him to No. 4 on ISU’s profession steal record (208).

Keshon Gilbert added seven factors and a team-high eight dimes, and Joshua Jefferson posted his sixth double-double of the season with 10 factors and 12 boards.

Zeke Mayo led the Jayhawks with 17 factors.

The way it Occurred
Kansas led 11-9 after the primary eight minutes, as each groups began gradual. Jones then caught fireplace with back-to-back 3-pointers, together with a trey from the nook on a baseline out of bounds play to provide the Cyclones a 15-11 lead moments later.

Again-to-back runners from Jones elevated the Cyclone result in 24-17 with eight minutes left within the first interval. ISU led by eight factors (32-24) after the ultimate media timeout, however Zeke Mayo and Rylan Griffen nailed two-straight 3-pointers to trim the result in 32-30.

However the Cyclones ended the half robust, scoring the ultimate eight factors, together with two bombs from Jones within the last minute to provide ISU a 40-30 lead on the break. Jones had 20 first-half factors.

After scoring the primary basket of the second half, the Cyclones went chilly, permitting the Jayhawks to attain nine-straight factors and minimize the Cyclone result in 42-39. Jefferson lastly ended a five-minute scoring drought for the Cyclones with a bucket inside to cease the KU momentum.

Baskets have been well-earned on each side in the course of the subsequent seven minutes, however the Cyclones have been in a position to go on a 9-2 run began with a Lipsey 3-pointer to provide the Cyclones a 57-45 lead with seven minutes remaining.

KU struck again as ISU went chilly once more. Hunter Dickinson tallied a few hoops in a 7-0 run, and abruptly the Cyclone lead was 57-52 with a bit of over 5 minutes left within the contest. However Lipsey answered with a clutch 3-pointer moments later to push the lead again as much as 9 factors (61-52).

The Cyclones then put a stamp on the sport with an 11-0 run to go up 73-55 with :42 seconds left. Lipsey discovered Jefferson free down low adopted by a Jones trey, and the Cyclones seized all life out of the Jayhawks.

Key Performer
Dishon Jackson, who had began the primary 15 video games of the season, did not have an issue coming off the bench for the primary time. Jackson was lively within the paint, scoring 12 of his 17 factors within the opening interval to assist the Cyclones go into the break with a 10-point lead. He additionally grabbed 4 boards and was a strong 9-of-11 on the foul line, together with 5-of-6 down the stretch.

Notes

• With three steals this night, Tamin Lipsey moved into fourth all-time on the Iowa State steals record.
  • Lipsey eclipsed 850 profession factors.
• Demarion Watson pulled in 5 boards, giving him 150 for his profession.
• Curtis Jones moved to No. 17 all-time at ISU in 3-pointers made.
• Brandton Chatfield had two swipes in the present day, giving him over 50 in his profession.

Up Subsequent
Iowa State travels to West Virginia on Saturday. Tipoff is ready for 4 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

The BBC’s flagship soccer present, Match of the Day, shall be introduced by Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan from subsequent season.

For the primary time, the function of lead presenter throughout the BBC’s iconic Premier League highlights programmes, Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2, and the most recent addition to the BBC’s soccer highlights portfolio, Match of the Day Champions League, shall be shared by three presenters.

The extremely revered trio, who additionally work throughout different components of BBC Sport, shall be on the coronary heart of BBC Sport’s stellar soccer crew that features Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Alex Scott, Jason Mohammad, Kelly Somers, John Murray and Steve Crossman.

Gary Lineker, who’s stepping apart from Match of the Day this summer season after 26 years, continues to be an enormous a part of the BBC Sport household, presenting the boys’s FA Cup and males’s 2026 World Cup.

Match of the Day first aired in 1964 and the trio are the sixth set of principal presenters for the weekly soccer highlights programme. It’s simply as treasured by audiences now because it was again then, bringing individuals collectively week in, week out. Final season 33 million viewers tuned in throughout all Match of the Day Premier League and FA Cup programmes on BBC TV and iPlayer, whereas hundreds of thousands extra benefit from the opinion and evaluation on the BBC Sport web site, app and social channels.

Gabby Logan, who can also be on the coronary heart of the BBC’s rugby and athletics protection, mentioned: “It’s at all times an actual second [sitting in the chair] as a result of it has such historical past. It’s nonetheless so related to so many individuals now and talked about in a panorama the place TVs modified a lot.

“There’s an unlimited duty to ensure we proceed to evolve whereas on the similar time respecting the traditions of Match of the Day. Folks wish to see the objectives, they wish to see the incidents, they wish to see the moments everybody’s speaking about, so whereas we will tinker on the edges, the core is the soccer.”

On changing into one of many presenters Kelly Cates, who can even proceed her function with Sky Sports activities, mentioned: “As soon as I sit in that chair and the theme music begins, I simply know that’s going to be a extremely unimaginable second. I’ve labored with a variety of the pundits earlier than they usually’re all unbelievable, so I’m simply wanting ahead to getting began.

“I’ve identified Gabby and Mark very well for years so to convey all of it collectively, embracing the digital facet of issues, it appears like a extremely complete soccer package deal for followers and that’s what makes it so thrilling too.”

On sharing the function with Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman, mentioned: “This isn’t concerning the three of us, it’s concerning the three of us plus our pundits, plus our editors, plus our analysts and stats individuals and manufacturing individuals, radio and on-line. Genuinely that is about all of us as a division working collectively.

Mark Chapman, who will proceed his common programmes on BBC Radio 5 Reside, together with Saturdays with the enduring Sports activities Report, added: “I do know the historical past of a variety of radio programmes and TV programmes and I do really feel honoured to be following within the footsteps of the people who we’re following in and respectful of what they’ve finished.”

Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport added: “I do know viewers will love these three unimaginable broadcasters and journalists on the coronary heart of our soccer protection subsequent season. They’re sensible at what they do and Match of the Day viewers might be positive they are going to be effectively taken care of as the massive soccer speaking factors are expertly analysed.

“Gary has finished an outstanding job at Match of the Day for the final 26 years, he’ll be missed tremendously and all of us nonetheless get to get pleasure from him on our screens throughout a few of soccer’s biggest tournaments.

“Outdoors of Match of the Day we’ve obtained some nice new reveals, voices and surprises lined up for the 2025/26 season throughout audio, video and digital and we sit up for sharing them with you all later within the 12 months. It’s a very thrilling time for BBC Sport’s soccer protection.”

BBC Sport stays the house for soccer followers from throughout the UK, bringing collectively as much as 5 million viewers each weekend with its Match of the Day programmes, plus Champions League highlights, FA Cup and Girls’s Tremendous League, in addition to stay radio commentaries of the most important video games on BBC Radio 5 Reside and Sounds and being the go-to vacation spot for stay textual content and on-line protection for followers.

This summer season, the Lionesses will hope to retain their title as European Champions on the Girls’s Euro 2025 in Switzerland. The BBC will ship stay protection throughout TV, radio and on-line all through the competitors.

RM4

A YELLOW climate warning for fog is at present in place in Somerset.

The Met Workplace stated the warning might be in place till 11am at present (Thursday, January 16).

Fog will end in troublesome driving situations.

Slower journey occasions with delays to bus and practice companies are attainable and there’s a probability of delays or cancellations to flights, the newest forecast stated.

A few of the UK’s busiest airports noticed disruption round Christmas time as thick fog blanketed the nation, with delays at Heathrow, Luton and Manchester airports.

Flights have been additionally disrupted earlier this month as snow, ice and heavy winds prompted runway closures or pauses to operations at with Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol airports.

Met Workplace meteorologist Clare Nasir stated: “The problem might be over the following few days, fog, in addition to some pockets of frost as properly, the place we see clearer skies.

“In actual fact, that’s how we see this night and in a single day, cussed cloud anyplace from the Midlands, East Anglia down in the direction of the South East.

“Lots of cloud throughout the north west of Scotland, with some outbreaks of rain in between, some clearer skies.

“Now, just a few issues occur by means of this night and into Thursday.

“The cloud will increase throughout Northern Eire, you’ve seen some beautiful sunshine at present, extra cloud by means of tomorrow.

“Elsewhere with these clearer skies, we’ll see most likely some pockets of frost, so temperatures dipping near freezing, if not beneath, and once more, with a lighter breeze, fog will re-form anyplace from central and southern components of England and Wales down in the direction of the west nation.

“A chilly begin throughout Wales, Northern England, southern Scotland.

“Extra cloud to start Thursday throughout Northern Eire, the central belt of Scotland, in the direction of the north west.”

The way forward for the favored social media app TikTok hangs within the stability because the Supreme Courtroom weighs a possible ban, however when might customers know what is going to occur?

Whereas solutions on what precisely might occur stay unclear, an necessary deadline looms.

This is what to know:

When does the TikTok ban take impact?

TikTok, which has been a cultural phenomenon, may very well be banned on Jan. 19 beneath a regulation that forces the platform to chop ties with its China-based dad or mum firm, ByteDance, or shut down its U.S. operation.

The destiny of the social media platform shall be determined by the Supreme Courtroom, which final week heard oral arguments in a authorized problem to the statute and appeared more likely to uphold the regulation. The courtroom might rule on the case as quickly as this week.

In the meantime, President-elect Donald Trump has requested the justices to place the regulation on maintain so he can negotiate a “political decision” to the problem after he takes workplace.

What’s going to occur if TikTok is banned?

On Wednesday, NBC Information, citing an individual with data of TikTok’s planning, stated the corporate is getting ready to doubtlessly make the app unavailable to its 170 million American customers if the U.S. ban goes into impact Sunday. Nonetheless, with no Supreme Courtroom choice made but, lively conversations had been ongoing as of noon on Wednesday, the individual stated.

Earlier reviews had indicated if TikTok wasn’t offered to an accepted purchaser, the federal regulation would prohibit app shops, resembling these operated by Apple and Google, from providing the favored app. It could additionally bar web internet hosting companies from internet hosting TikTok.

TikTok customers who have already got the app on their telephones would proceed to have entry to it, however new customers would not have the ability to obtain the app, and current ones would now not have the ability to obtain updates. Finally, the app can be rendered unworkable, the Justice Division has stated in courtroom filings.

The one who spoke to NBC Information stated that possibility nonetheless stays on the desk.

Trump’s choose for nationwide safety adviser, Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, additionally stated in an interview on Wednesday that the president-elect is exploring choices to “protect” TikTok.

Waltz made the remark when Fox Information anchor Bret Baier requested him a couple of report from The Washington Submit that stated Trump was contemplating an government order to droop enforcement of the ban.

Why might TikTok be banned?

The federal regulation was the end result of a yearslong saga in Washington over TikTok, which the federal government sees as a nationwide safety risk on account of its connections to China.

U.S. officers argue that the huge quantities of consumer knowledge that TikTok collects, together with delicate info on viewing habits, might fall into the palms of the Chinese language authorities by means of coercion. Additionally they are involved that the proprietary algorithm that fuels what customers see on the app is weak to manipulation by Chinese language authorities, who might strain ByteDance to form content material on the platform in a method that’s troublesome to detect.

TikTok, which sued the federal government final yr over the regulation, has lengthy denied it may very well be used as a instrument of Beijing.

The corporate negotiated with the Biden administration between 2021 and 2022 to resolve the issues round U.S. knowledge privateness and potential algorithmic manipulation. In courtroom paperwork, it has accused the administration of primarily strolling away from these negotiations after it offered a draft settlement in August 2022. However the Justice Division has stated the Biden administration concluded the proposal was “inadequate” as a result of it could preserve TikTok’s ties to China. The company stated the Government Department additionally might “neither belief ByteDance to conform nor detect noncompliance earlier than it was too late.”

What is occurring with the Supreme Courtroom?

Listening to arguments in a momentous conflict of free speech and nationwide safety issues, Supreme Courtroom justices appeared persuaded by arguments that the nationwide safety risk posed by the corporate’s connections to China override issues about limiting the speech both of TikTok or its 170 million customers in the US.

Early in arguments that lasted greater than two and a half hours, Chief Justice John Roberts recognized his major concern: TikTok’s possession by China-based ByteDance and the dad or mum firm’s requirement to cooperate with the Chinese language authorities’s intelligence operations.

Solely Justice Neil Gorsuch appeared like he would aspect with TikTok to seek out that the ban violates the Structure.

Gorsuch labeled arguments superior by the Biden administration in protection of the regulation a “paternalistic viewpoint.” TikTok, he stated, has supplied to submit a warning that the content material may very well be manipulated by the Chinese language authorities.

“Don’t we usually assume that the perfect treatment for problematic speech is counter speech?” he requested Solicitor Basic Elizabeth Prelogar, who defended the regulation for the Biden administration.

A warning wouldn’t be sufficient to counterbalance the unfold of misinformation, Prelogar stated.

Francisco and lawyer Jeffrey Fisher, representing content material creators and TikTok customers, repeatedly tried to focus the courtroom on the First Modification restrictions that might fall on TikTok and its customers, imperiling the livelihood of content material creators, if the regulation is allowed to take impact.

However in comparison with the mildly difficult questions directed to Prelogar, they confronted skepticism from each justice apart from Gorsuch.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh raised U.S. issues about China accessing info on tens of tens of millions of People, particularly youngsters and other people of their 20s, with whom TikTok is extraordinarily widespread.

“That looks as if an enormous concern for the way forward for the nation,” stated Kavanaugh, whose daughters are in that age vary.

Roberts downplayed Fisher’s argument that banning TikTok violates American customers’ free speech rights. “Congress is okay with the expression,” Roberts stated. “They’re not effective with a international adversary, as they’ve decided it’s, gathering all this details about the 170 million individuals who use TikTok.”

The justices are anticipated to behave inside days, virtually actually forward of the Jan. 19 deadline.

What else might occur?

Some traders have been eyeing TikTok, together with Trump’s Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and billionaire businessman Frank McCourt. On Thursday, McCourt’s Venture Liberty initiative stated it, together with its unnamed companions, offered a proposal to ByteDance to amass TikTok’s U.S. belongings. The consortium, which incorporates “Shark Tank” host Kevin O’Leary, didn’t disclose the monetary phrases of the provide.

Prelogar stated an eventual sale of the platform, even after the ban kicks in, would enable TikTok to renew operations. The sale of Twitter to Elon Musk, who renamed it X, exhibits that the sale of a social media platform can occur rapidly, she stated.

That top-profile transaction went by means of in about six months from provide to completion, she stated.

TikTok, in the meantime, has been “on discover” since 2020, throughout Trump’s first time period, that its sale may very well be required if it couldn’t fulfill the U.S. authorities’s nationwide safety issues.

ByteDance has stated it received’t promote the short-form video platform, and legal professionals stated a sale would possibly by no means be doable beneath the circumstances set within the regulation.

What apps might change TikTok?

TikTok has greater than 170 million customers within the U.S., and if it does get banned, it’s not clear which opponents will profit probably the most. Some specialists suppose established social media platforms, resembling Instagram and YouTube, might see the most important inflow of customers. However some customers are searching for one thing totally different and will flip to different apps.

Xiaohongshu, or “RedNote”

Not too long ago, some U.S. TikTok customers have flocked to the Chinese language social media app Xiaohongshu in protest of the looming ban. Like TikTok, Xiaohongshu, which in English means “Little Crimson Ebook,” combines e-commerce and short-form movies.

The app has gained traction in China and different areas with a Chinese language diaspora — resembling Malaysia and Taiwan — racking up 300 million month-to-month lively customers, a majority of whom are younger ladies who use it as a de-facto search engine for product, journey and restaurant suggestions, in addition to make-up and skincare tutorials.

On Tuesday, the Xiaohongshu, known as “RedNote” by American customers and on some app shops, was the highest downloaded free app in Apple’s U.S. app retailer.

Lemon8

Lemon8, additionally owned by TikTok’s dad or mum firm ByteDance, is a lesser-known life-style app that enables customers to submit footage and short-form movies. Although the platform lets customers submit TikTok-like movies, it leans extra into footage and has been described as a combination of Instagram and Pinterest.

Up to now few weeks, many creators have hailed Lemon8 because the place to go if TikTok is banned beneath federal regulation. Some have additionally really helpful it by means of paid sponsored posts tagged #lemon8partner, indicating a latest company push to generate extra customers.

However the regulation that targets TikTok additionally states the divest-or-ban requirement for ByteDance applies usually to apps which might be owned or operated by the 2 firms or any of their subsidiaries. Meaning although Lemon8 isn’t explicitly named within the statute, its future within the U.S. can be in jeopardy.

Meta’s Instagram

Instagram launched Reels in 2020, a TikTok-like feed of brief movies customers can create or scroll by means of. The function has confirmed to be massively widespread and a few specialists say creators are more likely to arrange store there if a TikTok ban does occur. As of 2022, Instagram had 2 billion lively month-to-month customers. Meta now not discloses consumer numbers for its particular person platforms.

However might it change TikTok? That relies upon. Whereas many creators at present submit on each platforms, some specialists say the youngest customers are unlikely emigrate to a service made widespread by their millennial dad and mom. And whereas Meta’s algorithm is addictive, it’s nonetheless not TikTok.

Up to now, some TikTok customers have additionally blamed the surge of scrutiny on the platform on Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, pointing to a Washington Submit report from 2022 that stated the tech behemoth paid a Republican consulting agency to undermine TikTok by means of a nationwide media and lobbying marketing campaign.

YouTube

Although TikTok dominates headlines as a driver of web developments, Pew Analysis Heart says YouTube is definitely probably the most widely-used platform amongst teenagers and adults.

YouTube customers can scroll by means of Shorts simply as they’ll on TikTok or Reels on Instagram and Fb, permitting them to observe hours of bite-sized movies. Most of the movies featured on YouTube are from TikTok or creators who submit to a number of platforms. That stated, YouTube continues to be identified for its longer-format movies so it could not have the number of content material that TikTok customers are searching for — at the very least not but.

Snapchat

Snapchat, launched in 2011 with its notorious disappearing movies, stays widespread amongst teenagers and youthful adults. The platform gained a lot traction that Meta designed an analogous function in Fb and Instagram known as “Tales” that lets customers submit images or movies that disappear inside 24 hours. In 2020, Snapchat launched one other function that lets customers “shine a light-weight on probably the most entertaining Snaps, irrespective of who created them.”

The platform is estimated to have roughly 692 million world month-to-month lively customers final yr, based on eMarketer.

Twitch

For TikTok customers who benefit from the “TikTok Dwell” feed that options livestreamed movies, Twitch may very well be a very good various. The Amazon-owned platform is a frontrunner within the streaming trade and permits customers on the platform to observe among the web’s hottest streamers, resembling Kai Cenat. Twitch says it has 105 million month-to-month guests.

Clapper

Clapper, a TikTok clone, has additionally been gaining some traction amid the looming ban. The app was launched in 2020 by Dallas-based entrepreneur Edison Chen, and focuses on Gen X and millennial customers. In September of that yr, the corporate described itself in a Fb submit as a “free speech” platform that didn’t “censor posts and feedback.” However in weblog submit on its web site from 2021, the corporate wrote it “stopped being a ‘Free Speech’ platform” in September 2020 and “modified its mission and targets” to give attention to “neighborhood”.

Different little-known apps

For TikTok customers who wish to get away from the overcrowded spots, there are lesser-known apps like Triller, which is widespread for music movies, and Zigazoo, which was designed with children in thoughts.

If none of those apps tickle your fancy, it is also doable that different platforms might emerge within the subsequent few months as firms try to draw customers searching for a brand new place to go.

The Met Workplace has issued a yellow climate warning for fog, which covers an enormous swathe of England and elements of Wales.

Fog is anticipated to persist by means of Thursday morning – and will probably be “dense” with “visibility under 100m” in some locations, forecasters have mentioned.

The climate warning stretches from Exeter and Cardiff as much as Hull, protecting cities together with Oxford, Peterborough, Birmingham and Lincoln.

The Met Workplace web site states: “A few of the fog will are likely to skinny and raise into low cloud throughout elements of southern England and the southeast Midlands by daybreak, however is more likely to persist in a hall from southwest England by means of the remainder of the Midlands to Lincolnshire and Yorkshire till late morning.”

The warning is in place till 11am on Thursday.

Get the forecast in your space

Drivers are being urged to verify circumstances and ensure their fog lights are working earlier than setting out.

Buses, trains, flights and ferry journey might all be affected by the climate, the Met Workplace has mentioned.

The warning comes simply after the tip of a chilly snap which noticed temperatures within the UK drop to virtually -20C.

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Temperatures fell to -18.7C in Altnaharra, a hamlet within the Scottish Highlands, on Friday – making it the UK’s coldest January evening in 15 years.

Snow has additionally induced journey disruption journey up to now week. Manchester Airport was compelled to shut each its runways final Thursday, whereas roads in Cornwall and Devon have been closed.

Tons of of colleges throughout England, Scotland and Wales have been additionally compelled to close.