1 Iran Conflict: Israeli-Lebanese Cease Fire Extended By Three Weeks
President Trump held court with reporters in the Oval Office yesterday after hosting a second round of ambassador-level peace talks between Israel and Lebanon. On Lebanon, Trump announced the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire will be extended by three weeks, brokered during the White House meeting between Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad. On Hezbollah, Trump said Iran cutting off its funding to the group is a firm U.S. requirement for any peace deal. On nuclear weapons, Trump flatly ruled out using a nuclear weapon against Iran, calling the question "stupid." On gas prices, Trump acknowledged that Americans should be prepared for prices to stay elevated "for a little while," framing the cost as worth it to ensure "Iran without a nuclear weapon." Trump also said Iran's military leadership is in "turmoil" and claimed the country has "no idea" who is leading it.
2 US Special Forces Soldier Arrested After Winning $409k Betting On Maduro's Removal Before Raid Was Reported
A U.S. Army special forces soldier involved in the operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was arrested yesterday and charged with using classified government information to place bets on a prediction market and pocket more than $400,000 in winnings. Gannon Ken Van Dyke allegedly placed more than $33,000 in bets on the platform Polymarket within hours of President Trump's January 3rd announcement of Maduro's capture, before the news was public. The indictment, unsealed in the Southern District of New York, charges Van Dyke with commodities fraud, wire fraud, theft of government information, and money laundering. Trump compared the case to Pete Rose betting on his own team. Polymarket said it had referred the matter to the DOJ and cooperated with the investigation.
3 Medical Marijuana Rescheduled As Less Dangerous
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order yesterday reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal law, placing it in the same category as some pain medications, ketamine, and testosterone. The change does not legalize marijuana at the federal level, does not permit recreational use nationwide, and does not remove cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act entirely. Blanche said in a statement that the reclassification "will enable more targeted, rigorous research into marijuana's safety and efficacy, expanding patients' access to treatments and empowering doctors to make better-informed healthcare decisions." Cannabis industry advocates called it a positive first step, while some reform advocates said it falls well short of the descheduling or full federal legalization many had hoped for. The reclassification applies specifically to state-licensed medical marijuana; recreational and unregulated cannabis remains federally illegal.