United States

A massive winter storm is moving across the United States, threatening more than half the country with snow, sleet, ice, dangerous cold and possible power outages. Forecasters warn of heavy snowfall in the Plains, Midwest and Northeast, ice accumulation across a broad region, and an arctic air mass bringing life-threatening wind chills. Utilities, transportation agencies, schools and emergency officials are preparing for hazardous travel, service disruptions and extended cold as the multi-day system tracks eastward. Residents are urged to follow official forecasts and safety guidance.

A powerful winter storm triggered thousands of flight cancellations across the United States, disrupting air travel at major airports and regional hubs. Airlines halted or delayed departures as snow, ice, and strong winds created hazardous conditions for aircraft and ground operations. The Federal Aviation Administration issued weather advisories, and carriers announced travel waivers and urged passengers to monitor flight status closely. Airport crews focused on deicing, runway clearing, and safety checks while travelers faced long waits, rebookings, and limited ground transportation options as the storm moved across multiple regions.

TikTok has finalized a deal to create a new U.S. entity in response to a year‑old American law that effectively banned the app but has not been enforced. The agreement aims to separate TikTok’s U.S. operations and user data from Chinese parent company ByteDance and address national security concerns raised by U.S. officials. The law remains in force, and the White House retains authority to act, leaving the app’s long‑term status dependent on government review, legal interpretations, and future policy decisions on foreign‑owned digital platforms.

Adela-Mae Marshall, a professional model and “Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 6” runner-up, has been named Miss Universe Philippines Muntinlupa 2026 by pageant camp Aces and Queens. The camp announced on January 17, 2026, that Marshall will represent Muntinlupa City in the Miss Universe Philippines 2026 national pageant. Marshall will undergo training with Aces and Queens as she prepares for the competition, where she will vie for the national crown and the chance to represent the Philippines at Miss Universe. Official details on the full roster of candidates and the coronation date for Miss Universe Philippines 2026 have yet to be released by the organizers.

Indonesian authorities launched a search and rescue operation after a turboprop ATR 42-500 passenger aircraft carrying 11 people lost contact with air traffic control on Saturday while flying from Yogyakarta to Makassar. The Indonesia Air Transport plane vanished from radar at 1:17 p.m. local time over the mountainous Leang-Leang area in Maros, South Sulawesi province. The Transportation Ministry said rescue teams deployed to the last known location and coordinated efforts with local authorities and aviation agencies to locate the missing aircraft.

OpenAI announced that it will begin testing advertisements for non-paying ChatGPT users in the coming weeks as part of a broader push to monetize the widely used AI chatbot. The San Francisco-based company, valued at about $500 billion and reporting significant operating costs, plans to introduce clearly labeled ads within the free version of ChatGPT while leaving paid tiers ad-free. OpenAI said it will work with selected advertisers during the initial rollout, publish detailed ad and data-use policies, and monitor user experience and regulatory compliance as it seeks to move the service toward profitability.