Trump says he wants to buy Greenland. It's not for sale.

Summary

Apple News Today: January 8, 2025

Host: Shumita Basu

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1. President Elect Trump’s Ambitious Expansion Plans

Overview: In a surprising turn of events, President Elect Donald Trump has reignited discussions about expanding the United States' territorial boundaries by expressing intentions to seize control of the Panama Canal and purchase Greenland. These statements have once again placed Trump at the center of international debate regarding American expansionism.

Key Points:

• Trump’s Statements: Trump publicly asserted the necessity of acquiring Panama and Greenland for the United States’ "economic security."

  Donald Trump (00:50): “I can't assure you. You're talking about Panama and Greenland. No, I can't assure you on either of those two. But I can say this. We need them for economic security.”

• Historical Context: During his first term, Trump floated the idea of buying Greenland, which was strongly rejected by Denmark. Greenland, a former Danish colony since the 1950s, is protected under the Danish constitution, making any purchase or change in its status legally complex and politically sensitive.

• Expert Insights: Politico reporter Seb Starchevich highlights the improbability and potential global backlash of such actions.

  Seb Starchevich (01:28): “It sounds impossible and ridiculous to even talk about, but if that were to happen, there would obviously be global outrage.”

• Strategic Importance: Greenland’s geostrategic location between the US and Europe, its rich reserves of minerals and rare earth elements, and the presence of a US military base underscore Trump’s motivations.

  Seb Starchevich (01:54): “Greenland occupies a unique geostrategic position between the US And Europe. It's a gateway to the Arctic, and it's also really rich in minerals and rare earths.”

• Greenland’s Stance: Greenlanders advocate for self-determination, rejecting any notions of being sold or controlled by foreign powers.

  Emmanuel Akinwotu (02:23): “Greenland should be Greenlander's decision on what kind of state we would like to be and also who we should cooperate with.”

• Family Involvement: Amidst these tensions, Trump’s son, Donald Jr., visited Greenland, initially claiming it was a personal trip, though later disclosures suggested government involvement.

Conclusion: Trump’s recent declarations about Greenland and the Panama Canal have stirred significant international concern and skepticism. Experts agree that such moves are unprecedented and could lead to substantial geopolitical tensions. The situation remains fluid, with global reactions eagerly anticipated.

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2. Meta’s Shift in Content Moderation Policies

Overview: Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced the termination of its traditional fact-checking program. This strategic pivot aims to enhance free expression on its platforms by relying on community-driven content verification.

Key Points:

• Policy Changes: Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, explained the company's decision to eliminate professional fact checkers in favor of community notes.

  Mark Zuckerberg (03:15): “The recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point towards once again prioritizing speech. So we're going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms.”

• Community Notes: Users will now contribute to fact-checking by adding context to posts, photos, and other content, similar to systems on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Wikipedia.

• Controversial History: Meta’s previous fact-checking mechanisms have faced criticism, particularly from Republicans who accuse the company of bias against conservative viewpoints.

  Ben Goggin (03:53): “Meta's fact checking system has been controversial for years.”

  Ben Goggin (04:02): “Republicans have alleged that Meta's fact checking system and third party partners are biased against Republicans.”

• Implications for Content: With the removal of restrictions on political posts, users can expect an increase in political content within their feeds.

  Ben Goggin (04:31): “People can expect to probably see more political content in their feeds as a result of this.”

• Corporate Alignment with Trump: The shift in Meta's policies coincides with broader attempts by tech CEOs to cultivate favorable relations with President Elect Trump, including financial contributions to his inaugural committee.

  Ben Goggin (05:29): “Meta's move has largely been contextualized by this type of business favor towards Trump, or at least trying to earn his favor.”

Conclusion: Meta's overhaul of its content moderation strategies marks a significant departure from established practices, aiming to empower users while navigating political pressures. This change is part of a larger trend among tech leaders seeking alignment with the incoming administration, potentially reshaping the landscape of social media discourse.

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3. United States Declares Genocide in Sudan

Overview: The US government has officially declared that a genocide is occurring in Sudan, specifically attributing atrocities to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in the ongoing civil war.

Key Points:

• Genocide Declaration: The US accuses the RSF of committing mass murder of children on an ethnic basis and employing sexual violence against women and girls since the war’s inception in April 2023.

• Humanitarian Crisis: The conflict has precipitated severe famine and the largest refugee crisis globally, displacing over 11 million people as reported by the United Nations.

• Economic Sanctions: The Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on RSF leaders and seven UAE-based companies implicated in financing and arming the RSF.

• Field Report: NPR’s West Africa correspondent Emmanuel Akinwotu detailed the dire situation in refugee camps.

  Emmanuel Akinwotu (07:01): “In August, famine was declared in what's the largest refugee camp in Sudan, in the western region of Darfur. But now it's been confirmed in three other refugee camps in the same proximity.”

• Expert Analysis: Nathaniel Raymond from Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab described the extreme conditions in refugee camps like Zamzam, where food insecurity has reached critical levels.

  Nathaniel Raymond (07:30): “Zamzam is in a condition called IPC 5, or Integrated Phase Classification 5, which is the highest level of food insecurity. And children in particular have been dying from a lack of food.”

• US Policy Implications: The US’s declaration does not equate to military support for the Sudanese government. However, it aligns with UN accusations of war crimes, though the timing and response have faced criticism.

  Cameron Hudson (07:51): “This attempt to position the administration on the right side of history won't work. It's too late and too many people have died for that to happen.”

• Historical Context: This marks the seventh time since the Cold War that the US has declared a genocide, following previous declarations in Bosnia, Rwanda, and Darfur.

Conclusion: The US declaration of genocide in Sudan underscores the severity of the humanitarian crisis and the international community’s recognition of the atrocities committed by the RSF. Despite the gravity of the situation, critiques highlight concerns over the timeliness and efficacy of the US response, emphasizing the immense human cost already endured.

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4. Raging Fire in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles

Overview: A massive wildfire erupted in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, forcing residents to evacuate and causing significant property damage amid hazardous wind conditions.

Key Points:

• Evacuations and Damage: Over 1,200 acres have been consumed by flames, with residents abandoning vehicles on roads and fleeing toward the ocean to escape the advancing fire.

  Marcia Horowitz (09:20): “The fire came right down to the road and the fire department came up and said get out of your cars now because the fires were right up against the cars.”

• Emergency Response: Firefighters deployed bulldozers to clear abandoned vehicles, facilitating emergency vehicle access. High winds have exacerbated the situation, posing ongoing threats and complicating rescue efforts.

• Public Safety: Residents are urged to stay informed via the Apple News app for real-time updates as the situation evolves.

Conclusion: The Pacific Palisades wildfire represents a significant emergency, with rapid-fire spread fueled by destructive winds. Authorities continue rescue operations amid challenging conditions, highlighting the urgent need for community preparedness and effective emergency response strategies.

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5. Devastating Earthquake in Tibet

Overview: A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck a remote region in the foothills of the Himalayas near Mount Everest, resulting in substantial casualties and infrastructural damage.

Key Points:

• Casualties and Damage: Chinese state media reports over 100 fatalities and numerous injuries, with temperatures plummeting in the affected areas amidst ongoing rescue operations.

• Rescue Efforts: The earthquake's impact complicates rescue missions, hindered by harsh weather conditions and the region's rugged terrain.

Conclusion: The earthquake in Tibet poses a severe humanitarian and logistical challenge, necessitating international support and efficient coordination to manage rescue and recovery efforts in the affected regions.

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6. National Funeral for Former President Jimmy Carter

Overview: The United States is commemorating former President Jimmy Carter with a national funeral, honoring his decades of service and contributions to the nation.

Key Points:

• Ceremonies and Honors: Political figures from both major parties attended the service at the Capitol, with a national day of mourning observed, leading to the closure of public institutions and the stock market.

• Upcoming Events: The national funeral is scheduled for the following day at Washington National Cathedral, marking a significant moment of bipartisan respect and remembrance.

Conclusion: Jimmy Carter’s national funeral signifies a unifying moment in American politics, reflecting on his legacy and the nation's appreciation for his dedicated public service.

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7. Exciting TV Crossover Event: Abbott Elementary Meets It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Overview: In a delightful twist for television fans, ABC’s Abbott Elementary and FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia are collaborating on a crossover event, merging the comedic worlds of educational satire and offbeat bar antics.

Key Points:

• Collaboration Insights: Quinta Brunson, creator of Abbott Elementary, shared the organic development of the crossover with Rob McElhenney of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

  Quinta Brunson (11:30): “Rob McElhenney... we felt like we could actually do this.”

• Episode Plot: The crossover will feature the It’s Always Sunny characters performing community service at Abbott Elementary, intertwining the distinct comedic styles of both shows. Further developments for It’s Always Sunny will unfold later in the year.

Conclusion: This crossover represents a unique blend of beloved television genres, promising fans a humorous and engaging storyline that bridges the gap between two distinct comedic universes.

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Stay Informed: For real-time updates and more in-depth coverage on these stories, download the Apple News app. Stay tuned to Apple News Today for comprehensive news delivered every weekday morning.

Transcript

[Gideon Resnick]

Good morning. It's Wednesday, January 8th. I am Gideon Resnick in for Shamita Basu. This is Apple News today. On today's show, how your social media feeds might change soon. The US Declares a genocide in Sudan and two unlikely TV sitcoms are teaming up. But first, President Elect Trump talked yesterday about expanding the United States in what seems like an implausible way, seizing control of the Panama Canal and Greenland. And he told reporters he hasn't ruled out using military force or economic coercion to do so.

[Donald Trump]

I can't assure you. You're talking about Panama and Greenland. No, I can't assure you on either of those two. But I can say this. We need them for economic security.

[Gideon Resnick]

During his first term, you might remember that Trump also floated the idea of buying Greenland. That was strongly rejected by Denmark. Greenland is a former colony of Denmark and became a formal territory of the kingdom in the 1950s. So Greenland is subject to the Danish constitution and any changes to its legal status would require a constitutional amendment. So purchasing has never really been on the table. Any military efforts would cause greater backlash.

[Seb Starchevich]

It sounds impossible and ridiculous to even talk about, but if that were to happen, there would obviously be global outrage.

[Gideon Resnick]

That's Politico reporter Seb Starchevich, who's been following these developments from Brussels.

[Seb Starchevich]

Denmark and the US Are both members of NATO. It's just not realistic, in my personal opinion. But if that were to happen, there would obviously be a global outcry, global outrage, but it would be unprecedented.

[Gideon Resnick]

All of it begs the question, why does Trump want to control Greenland so badly?

[Seb Starchevich]

Greenland occupies a unique geostrategic position between the US And Europe. It's a gateway to the Arctic, and it's also really rich in minerals and rare earths. It also already hosts a US Military base. Trump has repeatedly said that Greenland is vital to American security interests.

[Gideon Resnick]

Neither Greenland nor Denmark want this to happen to be clear. And Greenland is not for sale. In fact, there's a growing movement in Greenland for independence. Here's one member of Greenland's parliament talking with cnn.

[Emmanuel Akinwotu]

Greenland should be Greenlander's decision on what kind of state we would like to.

[Gideon Resnick]

Be and also who we should cooperate with. As all of this drama has played out, Trump's son Donald Jr. Was on a trip to Greenland. He claimed it was a personal visit with no government business involved. But the president elect revealed on social media later that his representatives were part of Don Jr. S entour. Let's turn now to Meta and its decision to eliminate the company's fact checking program. These changes will affect billions of users on Facebook and Instagram. Here's Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaking on Tuesday, explaining the move.

[Mark Zuckerberg]

The recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point towards once again prioritizing speech. So we're going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms.

[Gideon Resnick]

Now, instead of traditional fact checkers, the company will rely on community notes similar to those found on X and Wikipedia. That involves users, not trained fact checkers, adding context and fact checks to posts, photos and other content. Zuckerberg attributed the change in Meta's content moderation policies to the shift in the political environment, and observers have noted the system was never without its issues.

[Ben Goggin]

Meta's fact checking system has been controversial for years.

[Gideon Resnick]

Ben Goggin is a technology editor with NBC News.

[Ben Goggin]

In the last several years, Republicans have been highly critical of Meta and how they've fact checked different news news outlets and content creators. Republicans have alleged that Meta's fact checking system and third party partners are biased against Republicans.

[Gideon Resnick]

Users may also expect to see changes to the type of content they see on Meta platforms. The social media giant had previously attempted to limit political posts. That will no longer be the case.

[Ben Goggin]

Now Meta says they don't want to be involved in that decision making, so they are going to be pulling back on their restriction. So people can expect to probably see more political content in their feeds as a result of this.

[Gideon Resnick]

Here's how Zuckerberg put it we're going.

[Mark Zuckerberg]

To simplify our content policies and get rid of a bunch of restrictions on topics like immigration and gender that are just out of touch with mainstream discourse. What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas, and it's gone too far.

[Gideon Resnick]

Recently, Dana White, the UFC president and Trump ally, also joined Meta's board. Zuckerberg is far from the only big tech CEO to make recent attempts at forging a warmer relationship with President Elect Trump. Leaders from companies like Apple, Meta, Amazon and OpenAI have pledged a million dollars apiece for Trump's inaugural committee, some from their personal checkbooks, others from company coffers.

[Ben Goggin]

Meta's announcement comes in the context of CEOs across the spectrum of industry really coming to Trump and literally offering him money and favor and, you know, kissing the ring, as some people have said. Meta's move has largely been contextualized by this type of business favor towards Trump, or at least trying to earn his favor.

[Gideon Resnick]

The United States says a genocide is taking place in Sudan and accuses the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group, of murdering children, including infants, quote, on an ethnic basis. The State Department also says the group has targeted women and girls with sexual violence since the start of the country's civil war that broke out in April of 2023. The conflict has led to a widespread famine and the world's biggest refugee Crisis. More than 11 million people are displaced, according to the United Nations. Along with the State Department's announcement, the Treasury Department issued sanctions against RSF's leader and seven companies in the United Arab Emirates that are accused of supplying the RSF with money and weapons. NPR's West Africa correspondent Emmanuel Akinwotu has been reporting on the war for months. He explained the scale of the famine recently to npr.

[Emmanuel Akinwotu]

In August, famine was declared in what's the largest refugee camp in Sudan, in the western region of Darfur. But now it's been confirmed in three other refugee camps in the same proximity. And overall, it's now five areas in Sudan affecting about half a million people and counting.

[Gideon Resnick]

Nathaniel Raymond is an executive director at Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab. He described to Akin Wotu what this actually looked like in one camp called Zamzam, where famine was first declared.

[Donald Trump]

Zamzam is in a condition called IPC 5, or Integrated Phase Classification 5, which is the highest level of food insecurity. And children in particular have been dying from a lack of food. People are eating peanut shells, animal fodder, grasses.

[Gideon Resnick]

Watchdog organizations have said that tens of millions across the country are experiencing acute hunger. The death toll from the war is unknown, but US officials have estimated that about 150,000 people have been killed. This declaration of genocide does not mean, however, that the US is supporting the Sudanese military in the war. The UN also accuses their forces of committing war crimes, and some were quick to criticize the US's late response to the conflict. Cameron Hudson, a former American diplomat and Sudan expert at the center for Strategic and International Studies, said on social media, quote, this attempt to position the administration on the right side of history won't work. It's too late and too many people have died for that to happen. The US has only declared a genocide six times before since the end of the Cold War, including in Bosnia in 1993 and Rwanda in 1994. And this comes two decades after the US declared a genocide in Darfur in 2004 that left hundreds of thousands of people dead. Before we let you go, a few other stories being featured in the Apple News app. A raging fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles forced residents to abandon their cars on the road and flee toward the ocean as homes were destroyed and smoke engulfed the area.

[Donald Trump]

The fire came right down to the road and the fire department came up and said get out of your cars now because the fires were right up against the cars.

[Gideon Resnick]

That's Marcia Horowitz, a resident of the area, speaking to KCAL News as she fled on foot with her dog fueled by what officials called a life threatening and destructive windstorm. More than 1200 acres had burned as of Tuesday afternoon. Dramatic video from the scene showed whipping winds as flames consumed palm trees and bulldozers had to be brought in to clear out deserted vehicles to make way for fire trucks. Forecasts predicted dry and strong winds in the next few days, which could make the situation worse. This is a fast moving story and you can follow along on the Apple News app for the latest updates. Meanwhile, rescue efforts continue in Tibet, where a magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit a remote area in the foothills of the Himalayas on the Chinese Nepal border near Mount Everest. Chinese state media said Tuesday that more than 100 people are dead, with many more injured. Temperatures in the area were expected to fall into the low single digits as the rescue operation was underway. Back in the US A special service was held for former President Jimmy Carter in the Capitol, where a number of political figures from both parties eulogized his service to the country. Ceremonies continue into tomorrow when a national day of mourning will be observed. That means that institutions like the post office and federal courts will be closed along with the stock market. Carter's national funeral is scheduled for tomorrow at Washington National Cathedral. And finally, you might have a favorite TV crossover event you remember, like when Steve Urkel showed up on full house. Well, ABC's Abbott elementary and FX's It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia are about to take part in that tradition with the first part of a crossover event tonight. Both shows are set in Philly and are beloved comedies, but with very different vibes. It's Always Sunny features a group of degenerate friends largely set in a dive bar, and Abbott elementary humorously portrays teachers working in an underfunded public school. Here's Abbott elementary creator Quinta Brunson talking to Jimmy Kimmel about how all of this came together.

[Quinta Brunson]

Rob McElhenney, who created Always Sunny along with that team, something came up online and he kind of was like this. Someone said this seems like a sunny episode. He's like, this seems like an avid episode. And then we kind of connected over that and then we really connected in person, and I just get along with him and his team so well that we felt like we could actually do this.

[Gideon Resnick]

The plot of the episode will find the Always Sunny gang at Abbott elementary to perform community service. The Always Sunny episode will tell the rest of the story sometime later this year. You can find all these stories and more in the Apple News app. And if you're already listening to the news app right now, we have a narrated article coming up next from Rolling Stone. It pulls back the curtain on the beloved American game show Jeopardy. It's evolved a lot since its debut in 1964, but kind of lost its way for a while after Alex Trebek's death. The show struggled to find a new host before eventually tapping former champion Ken Jennings. He told Rolling Stone about the show's recovery and what gives it its staying power. If you're listening in the podcast app, you can follow Apple News Narrated to find that story and I'll be back with the news.