US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration will see notable absences, including Michelle Obama and Nancy Pelosi. However, former Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Biden will attend. World leaders like Argentina’s President Milei and Italy’s PM Meloni are also confirmed. Elon Musk will be present, while tech giants like Bezos and Zuckerberg will not attend. Performers include Carrie Underwood and Lee Greenwood.
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An Austrian woman, 73, has been kidnapped in Agadez, Niger. This incident marks the first abduction of a European citizen in the country since the 2023 military coup. The Austrian embassy in Algeria is in contact with local authorities. No group has claimed responsibility, and Niger authorities have yet to comment.
Federal agents have discovered over 150 explosive devices and arrested Virginia man Brad Spafford for possessing an unregistered short-barreled rifle. The investigation, initiated by a neighbor's tip, uncovered Spafford's extensive collection and far-right extremist beliefs, marking the FBI's biggest find of 'finished explosive devices.'
A rapidly spreading wildfire near Malibu, California, has scorched nearly 4,000 acres, destroying structures and forcing evacuations. Driven by strong Santa Ana winds and dry conditions, the Franklin Fire has prompted widespread power outages as a safety measure. Over 1,500 firefighters are battling the blaze, with no reported casualties yet.
A train collision near Sri Lanka's Minneriya National Park killed at least six elephants, including four babies. The crash, which caused train derailment, occurred as the elephants attempted to cross railway tracks. This incident highlights the rising number of elephant fatalities from train accidents, driven by habitat loss and increasing elephant movement near human settlements. In 2024, nine elephants died in such collisions, a slight decrease from 24 in 2023.
Pete Hegseth, Trump's defense secretary pick, faced intense questioning from Senate Democrats regarding his controversial past, including accusations of drunken behavior and sexual misconduct. Despite the allegations, Hegseth denied all claims and stated his support for women in combat roles. Vice President-elect JD Vance condemned the grilling, calling it 'grandstanding.'
US President Donald Trump revealed he has spoken with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in an effort to end the Ukraine war. Trump claimed the conflict wouldn't have occurred under his leadership and emphasized his past relationship with Putin. He also discussed a non-nuclear deal with Iran.
Father Paolo Dall'Oglio, an Italian Jesuit priest and critic of Bashar al-Assad, disappeared in 2013 while negotiating with extremists in Syria. Friends at Deir Mar Musa monastery, where he promoted interfaith dialogue, hope Assad’s recent overthrow will reveal his fate. The monastery, once abandoned due to war, has reopened, continuing Dall'Oglio’s mission of unity. His supporters aim to heal Syria’s sectarian divides through reconciliation and shared remembrance.
Several election security employees at CISA have been placed on leave pending a review of their efforts to counter foreign interference and misinformation. This affects critical support for state and local election offices. State election officials from both parties have defended CISA's work, highlighting the importance of their assistance in cybersecurity and physical security measures ahead of the 2024 election.
A substitute teacher in Fort Worth, Texas, is under investigation after allegedly calling for ICE raids at Northside High School, claiming many students don't speak English. The Fort Worth ISD has suspended the teacher during the investigation. This incident adds to past controversies over anti-immigrant rhetoric in the district, highlighting the sensitivity given the high Hispanic and ELL student population.
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was released from Iranian prison, thanks to Elon Musk's intervention with Iran's UN ambassador. Her boyfriend sought Musk's help amidst Iran-Italy-USA prisoner negotiations. Sala endured harsh conditions during detention, while an Iranian engineer held in Italy was also freed. Musk's involvement remains obscure.