Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Danish and Greenlandic officials at the White House on Wednesday as President Donald Trump escalated calls for the U.S. to “acquire” Greenland.
Trump: U.S. Control ‘Unacceptable’ to Lose
Trump said Greenland is vital to U.S. and NATO security, citing its Arctic location and natural resources. He reiterated that anything less than U.S. control of the island is “unacceptable,” raising concerns among American allies.
Denmark and Greenland Push Back
Danish and Greenlandic leaders have firmly rejected the idea, warning that any U.S. military action would fracture NATO. Greenland’s prime minister said the territory would stand with Denmark, NATO and the European Union.
NATO and Protests
NATO officials have tried to calm tensions, while protests erupted in Denmark with demonstrators insisting Greenland is not for sale. Despite the rhetoric, experts note the U.S. already has significant military access to Greenland under existing agreements.
For more on U.S. international relations, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
Verizon confirmed the issue in a statement, saying it was impacting wireless voice and data services for some users. The company said engineers were actively working to identify and resolve the problem but did not provide a timeline for full restoration.
“We understand how important reliable connectivity is and apologize for the inconvenience,” Verizon said.
Customers Report ‘SOS’ Signal
Many affected users took to social media, reporting their phones displayed “SOS” instead of normal network bars. Outage-tracking site Downdetector showed reports spiking around noon Eastern time, with as many as 175,000 customers affected at the peak.
By mid-afternoon, reports had dropped to fewer than 60,000, suggesting service was gradually being restored.
911 Calls Impacted in New York
New York City Emergency Management officials said the outage affected some Verizon users attempting to call 911. Residents were advised to use devices from other carriers, landlines, or to go directly to a police precinct or fire station if they could not connect.
Not Believed to Be a Cyberattack
Law enforcement agencies reviewed whether the outage could be linked to a cyberattack, but authorities said it is currently believed to be a technical issue. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency referred inquiries back to Verizon.
Verizon said teams were on the ground working to fix the issue and encouraged customers to check the company’s website and social media channels for updates.
For more business news and updates on services you need to know, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
Greensboro police are renewing their appeal for public help in the disappearance of Marissa Carmichael, a North Carolina mother of five who vanished two years ago after making a distressed call to 911.
Last Seen After Early-Morning 911 Call
Carmichael, who was 24 at the time, was last seen around 3:46 a.m. on Jan. 14, 2024, at an Exxon gas station on East Market Street in Greensboro. Just before she disappeared, she called 911 sounding distressed and asked for help finding a ride home. When officers arrived at the scene, she was no longer there.
Surveillance Footage Shows Her Leaving
Police say surveillance video shows Carmichael getting into a vehicle and leaving the gas station. The footage has not been released publicly because the case remains an active investigation. Authorities have identified and interviewed the driver of the vehicle, who is currently considered a witness.
Police Say Disappearance Is Out of Character
A spokesperson for the Greensboro Police Department said officers remain “absolutely” concerned for Carmichael’s welfare. Police noted that her lack of contact with her family and children is highly out of character. Investigators declined to say whether foul play is suspected or if any suspects have been identified.
Family Recounts Final Hours
According to her family, Carmichael was last seen by relatives the day before she vanished. Her mother, Sara Carmichael, said Marissa later went to a nightclub, attended an afterparty at an Airbnb, and was eventually dropped off at the gas station. Since that morning, her phone has been turned off and her social media accounts have been inactive.
A Mother’s Plea for Answers
Sara Carmichael has said the uncertainty has been devastating for the family, especially for Marissa’s five children. “Every day I wake up wondering if this is the day I’ll get answers,” she said, adding that the situation still feels unreal two years later.
How to Share Information
Greensboro police confirmed Marissa Carmichael was entered into national missing persons databases the day she was reported missing. Anyone with information is urged to contact police or call Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers anonymously at 336-373-1000.
Zoe Saldaña has once again become Hollywood’s highest-grossing actor, overtaking Scarlett Johansson thanks to the massive success of Avatar: Fire and Ash. The latest installment in James Cameron’s franchise has propelled Saldaña back to the top of the all-time box office rankings.
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Powers Milestone
Six months after Johansson briefly held the record, Saldaña reclaimed the title with her third turn as Neytiri. Avatar: Fire and Ash has grossed $1.23 billion worldwide and counting, pushing Saldaña’s lifetime box office total in lead or lead ensemble roles to $15.46 billion, according to The Numbers. Johansson previously held the mark at $15.06 billion.
Marvel Stars Dominate the Top Five
Saldaña now leads a top five dominated by Marvel Cinematic Universe stars. Samuel L. Jackson follows with $14.6 billion, then Robert Downey Jr. at $14.3 billion and Chris Pratt at $14.1 billion. Saldaña’s Marvel contributions include her role as Gamora in the Guardians of the Galaxy films and Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
How Roles Are Counted Matters
Box office rankings hinge on how roles are classified. Downey Jr.’s Oscar-winning turn in Oppenheimer is considered a supporting role and is not included in his total. However, his upcoming appearance as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday is expected to count as a lead ensemble role, potentially reshuffling the rankings again.
Competition Ahead for the Top Spot
Chris Pratt could also challenge Saldaña’s lead. While he has not been confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday, he is set to star in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which is expected to rival or surpass the $1.36 billion haul of its predecessor.
More ‘Avatar’ Films on the Way
Saldaña’s reign may not be short-lived. She is set to reprise Neytiri in two more Avatar films, currently scheduled for release in 2029 and 2031, with the franchise expected to surpass $6.5 billion in total box office receipts.
Less than a week after an immigration agent fatally shot U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good, another violent ICE encounter near a Minneapolis protest has sparked outrage. A disabled woman was pulled from her car as she tried to reach a doctor’s appointment, according to witnesses and video from the scene.
‘I’m Trying to Go to the Doctor’
The woman, who was driving near the protest area, pleaded with officers as they surrounded her vehicle. She told agents she was disabled and attempting to get to a medical appointment. After she stopped and asked how to proceed, officers smashed her windows, cut her seatbelt, and forcibly removed her from the car before arresting her. Authorities later said she was not part of the protest.
The woman said she was disabled and attempting to get to the doctor (Picture: AP)
Protesters Detained Amid Heavy ICE Presence
Nearby, demonstrators were detained as officers moved to break up the protest. Some protesters appeared to be pushed to the ground as tensions escalated. ICE activity in Minneapolis has intensified in recent days, with multiple arrests reported.
Rare Criticism From Trump Allies
The aggressive enforcement actions have drawn condemnation even from staunch supporters of President Donald Trump. Far-right podcaster Joe Rogan questioned the tactics on his show, comparing them to authoritarian policing and asking whether the country was becoming a “papers, please” state.
Death of Renee Nicole Good Looms Large
The latest incident comes as the city continues to reel from the killing of Renee Nicole Good, 37, who was shot by an ICE agent while sitting in her car during a protest-related operation. Authorities allege she used her vehicle to block agents, but video shows officers yelling at her to exit the car as she appeared to comply before shots were fired. She was struck in the head and crashed into a telephone pole.
The agent involved, Jonathan Ross, has been identified as a veteran law enforcement officer with about a decade of experience. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended him, saying he followed his training and that the investigation is ongoing.
Family Rejects Official Narrative
Good’s mother, Donna Ganger, said her daughter was not part of any violent protest and described her as compassionate and kind.
“That’s so stupid” that she was killed, Ganger said after learning details of the incident.
“She was probably terrified.”
For more updates on immigration enforcement trends under the Trump administration, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — An ammonia leak at Memorial City Mall resulted in the facilities being evacuated, according to the Houston Fire Department.
HFD remained on scene late Tuesday night working to contain the chemical, which was being used to keep the ice rink frozen.
The fire department confirms it’s the second ammonia leak reported at the mall recently.
No injuries were reported.
Memorial City Mall released a statement following the incident:
“Due to an ammonia leak at the Memorial City Mall Ice Rink, out of an abundance of caution, Memorial City Mall was closed for the remainder of the evening.”
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — It will feel like winter in Houston all week long, and even colder air is coming by MLK weekend that could bring the first frost of 2026 to parts of Southeast Texas.
While most of the week will be sunny, a cloudy weather disturbance is rolling in Tuesday that also brings a small chance for rain. While dry air will remain in the lower levels, moisture aloft will eventually allow some light rain to fall down to the ground. Your chance of getting measurable rain is just 30%, and if you do get rain, it will probably be less than a tenth of an inch.
With more clouds than sunshine, temperatures will have a tough time climbing out of the 50s.
How long does the cold weather stick around?
For all of this week…and beyond! In fact, two more cold fronts are coming this week, the first late Wednesday, the second late Friday. We are expecting mostly seasonal temperatures with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s most days this week, but the front coming MLK Day weekend will push our lows down into the 30s.
Are any freezing temperatures possible with these cold fronts?
It now looks like a freeze is possible with the cold front coming in MLK Day weekend. A high pressure cell from western Canada will move all the way down to Southeast Texas by Sunday morning, and with a clear sky and very dry air, a light freeze and frost are possible. Beyond that, signals are growing that a colder pattern will develop across Canada and the United States near the end of January, but it remains to be seen if any of that arctic air will make a move down to Texas.
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Claudette Colvin, whose 1955 arrest for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated Montgomery bus helped lay the groundwork for the modern civil rights movement, has died at 86, according to the Claudette Colvin Legacy Foundation.
Defiance Before Rosa Parks
Colvin was just 15 when she was arrested on March 2, 1955 — nine months before Rosa Parks’ historic stand. She refused to move for a white passenger, later saying she felt “history had me glued to the seat.”
A Lasting Legal Impact
Colvin became one of four plaintiffs in the landmark lawsuit that ended bus segregation in Montgomery. Her courage helped set the stage for the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the rise of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
A Legacy Long Overlooked
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said Colvin’s bravery was “too often overlooked,” but emphasized her role in shaping the movement. In 2021, Colvin successfully petitioned to have her juvenile record expunged, saying she hoped it would inspire future generations.
For more historical figures and more history facts, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
Several career prosecutors in the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are leaving their posts, sources told NBC News, marking another wave of departures from a division that has already seen steep staffing losses over the past year.
Decision Tied to Minneapolis Shooting Case
At least six prosecutors, most of them supervisors in the division’s criminal section, announced their exits during a staff meeting Monday. The move followed reports that the Justice Department would not pursue a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal immigration agent.
Shift in Investigation Approach
Sources said career prosecutors had offered to pause other work to assist with the case, which was initially considered as a possible “color of law” excessive-force investigation. That approach was later abandoned, with the case instead treated as an assault on a federal officer, framing the agent as the victim.
Disputes Over Accountability
Video from the scene shows the agent firing at the woman’s vehicle as it drove away and officers appearing not to provide immediate medical aid afterward. Senior Trump administration officials have publicly blamed the woman, while some legal experts argue the footage warrants a full civil rights probe.
Official Response and Retirements
A Justice Department official said leadership in the criminal section is leaving under an early retirement program and insisted plans to retire predated the Minneapolis case. Several sources, however, said the handling of the shooting factored into the timing of this week’s announcement.
Broader Exodus and Internal Frustration
The Civil Rights Division has lost roughly 75% of its staff across sections in 2025, amid complaints that political leadership has narrowed the division’s traditional mission. Prosecutors have also cited past interventions in high-profile cases, including civil rights prosecutions involving police misconduct, as contributing to morale issues.
Role of the Civil Rights Division
The criminal section handles hate crimes and cases involving law enforcement abuse, including excessive force and denial of medical care. Civil rights advocates warn that declining to investigate highly visible cases could discourage accountability and allow abuses to go unaddressed.
For more on the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.
At least 2,000 people have been killed during widespread anti-government protests in Iran over the past 16 days, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The group reports demonstrations in more than 600 locations nationwide, with over 10,700 arrests and at least nine children among the dead. The figures could not be independently verified, and Iranian authorities have not released official totals.
Trump Urges Americans to Leave Iran
President Donald Trump on Tuesday suggested Americans evacuate Iran, calling it “a good idea” as violence intensifies. The State Department echoed the warning, urging U.S. citizens to consider departing by land amid internet shutdowns and escalating security measures.
White House Signals Possible Action
Trump said his administration would act once it receives “accurate numbers” on the death toll, adding that any number of deaths is “too many.” He also posted messages encouraging protesters and warning Iranian officials to halt the crackdown. While Trump did not attend, senior members of his national security team met Tuesday to discuss Iran, with military options remaining on the table.
Sanctions and Tariff Pressure
On Monday, Trump announced a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran, escalating economic pressure on Tehran. China, a key Iranian trading partner, criticized the move and warned against what it called interference in Iran’s internal affairs.
Government Response and Internet Shutdown
Iranian leaders have framed the unrest as a foreign-backed “terrorist war,” while security forces have reportedly used tear gas and live ammunition. A nationwide internet shutdown has stretched beyond four days, according to monitoring groups.
International Concern Grows
The United Nations’ human rights chief said he was horrified by the mounting violence and urged Iran to end repression and restore communications. Protests that began over inflation and currency collapse have increasingly taken on an openly anti-government tone, with exiled opposition figures calling for international support.
