President Trump’s second term brings several new appointments, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health Secretary and Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. Pete Hegseth narrowly confirmed as Defence Secretary and Marco Rubio approved as Secretary of State with a 99-0 vote. Other appointments include Pam Bondi as Attorney General and Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary.
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Michelle Obama will not attend Donald Trump's inauguration, as confirmed by her office without any explanation. Former President Barack Obama will attend. This is Michelle's second missed event in two weeks, following Jimmy Carter's funeral. The Bushes and the Clintons will be in attendance, reports said. The Obamas attended Donald Trump's inauguration in 2017.
The United States has delayed its planned tariffs on Canada and Mexico for 30 days following security commitments from both countries. Canada will implement a $1.3 billion border plan, while Mexico will deploy 10,000 soldiers to the border to address drug trafficking and illegal migration.
US President Trump warned Ukrainian President Zelenskyy of serious consequences if he renegotiates a rare earth minerals deal. Amid tensions, Trump expressed anger towards Russian President Putin, and Zelenskyy emphasized the need for global support and stronger ties with the US. The conflict continues with new attacks in Kharkiv, as Ukraine faces potential military offensives from Russia.
The Harvard International Review removed an article critical of the Sikh separatist Khalistan movement after facing backlash and a complaint. The decision and subsequent controversy highlight tensions between editorial decisions and authors' perspectives, as well as the ongoing sensitivities surrounding the Khalistan movement.
CNN faced criticism after helping free a Syrian prisoner who was later identified as a torturer for the Assad regime. Elon Musk reacted to the news, highlighting the irony. The prisoner, initially thought to be Adel Ghurbal, was revealed to be Salama Mohammad Salama, a lieutenant in Syrian Air Force Intelligence, accused of war crimes and extortion.
A Japan Airlines aircraft collided with a parked Delta Airlines plane at Seattle-Tacoma Airport, causing damage but no injuries. The incident led to minimal disruption. This collision adds to recent aviation accidents, heightening concerns in the sector. The Federal Aviation Administration's NOTAM system also experienced a recent failure.
Republicans have 219 seats and Democrats 215. Democrats are united in backing Rep Hakeem Jeffries (D, NY) which means if another Republican joins Massie in voting for an alternative candidate, Mike Johnson could fall short of a majority. “We’ve seen Johnson partner with the Democrats to send money to Ukraine, authorize spying on Americans, and blow the budget,†Massie posted recently on X.
Law enforcement agencies in Pakistan’s Punjab province arrested 20 alleged Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists, including one Sikh individual. Punjab Police's Counter-Terrorism Department recovered a significant amount of explosives, detonators, and IED bombs, and thwarted plans to attack significant buildings in Lahore and other cities.
Usha Vance, the United States' second lady, will visit Greenland this week in a high-profile tour featuring historical sites and the Avannaata Qimussersu dogsled race. Accompanied by her child, Vance will explore Greenlandic heritage. The visit coincides with Greenland's significant local opposition to Trump's renewed interest in acquiring the territory for strategic reasons.
While some argue this funding supports press freedom and media development, others raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Here’s a breakdown of how much government money has been directed toward these organizations.