Donald Trump will place his hand on two Bibles during the swearing-in ceremony: the Lincoln Bible from 1861 and one gifted by his mother in 1955. The Lincoln Bible has been used three times since, by President Barack Obama at each of his inaugurations and by Donald Trump in 2017. In 2013, Obama too took the oath of office keeping his hands on two Bibles -- one was owned by Martin Luther King Jr and the other was the Lincoln Bible.
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The White House website saw significant changes after President Trump's team took over, leading to the removal of pages about the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and historical presidents. The administration attributed these absences to ongoing development and editing during the transition and committed to restoring the content, including a Spanish translation section.
Dan Bongino, a critic of Barack Obama, was appointed FBI deputy director by Donald Trump. Previously a Secret Service agent, Bongino has linked Obama to various political scandals. With conservative commentator Bongino and ally Kash Patel leading the FBI, significant changes are expected in the agency amid internal upheaval and scrutiny.
Residents in Western North Carolina are worried about FEMA's decision to end temporary housing assistance for 2,000 families after Hurricane Helene, especially with a snowstorm imminent. Concerns about power outages and infrastructure fragility persist. Volunteers continue to provide aid amid growing frustration over the government's response.
Moskovsky Komsomolets, a leading pro-Kremlin paper, accused Trump of not fulfilling “obligations†to stop Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. Accusing the Trump administration of showing a strange passivity, inconsistency and inability to fulfil the obligations it took upon itself, the newspaper said Moscow has another way of ending the Ukraine crisis in a manner that suits Russia.
In Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a child died, and three others were injured after a mortar shell exploded when they mistook it for a toy. The incident occurred in South Waziristan district, known for past militant activity. Such tragedies have claimed numerous lives in the region, with children unknowingly playing with explosive devices.
Britain's King Charles III made an appeal on Saturday for unity in "uncertain times", as the 76-year-old monarch emerges as a key figure in the UK's diplomatic drive over Ukraine. "In these uncertain times, where it is all too easy to believe that our differences are problems instead of a source of strength and an opportunity for learning, the Commonwealth's remarkable collection of nations and peoples come together in the spirit of support and, crucially, friendship."
Israeli forces have started withdrawing from the Netzarim corridor in Gaza as part of a truce agreement with Hamas. The withdrawal allows Palestinians to move freely without Israeli inspections. Concerns remain over extending the ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages in the next phase.
Avian influenza (H5N1) has been detected in a sheep in England for the first time, prompting the implementation of strict biosecurity measures. Authorities emphasize the low risk to livestock and urge animal owners to maintain cleanliness and report signs of infection, while monitoring of the situation continues.
Karine Jean-Pierre criticized the Democratic Party for abandoning Joe Biden after his weak presidential debate performance, describing it as unprecedented and harmful to their election chances. She recounted her challenging tenure as White House press secretary and revealed her relief at leaving the role. Jean-Pierre now focuses on self-care and remains uncertain about her future plans.
In Tigray, Ethiopia, war veterans like Chandera Weldesenbet struggle with untreated injuries and disabilities due to destroyed health facilities. Thousands of ex-combatants face limited access to medical support, orthopedic therapy, and employment, leading to begging and reliance on scarce resources. The regional government appeals for federal and international aid to address the overwhelming needs of disabled veterans.