US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Richard Grenell as special envoy for missions in volatile regions, including Venezuela, North Korea, and the Balkans. Grenell, a seasoned diplomat and Trump loyalist, previously served as ambassador to Germany and special envoy for Serbia and Kosovo. He will focus on diplomatic solutions, echoing Trump's foreign policy stance.
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Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino denied claims from the US state department that a deal had been reached allowing US warships to transit the Panama Canal for free. Mulino clarified that he had informed US secretary of defense Pete Hegseth that neither he nor Panama could waive transit fees. The Panama Canal authority also stated there were no adjustments to fees. The disagreement follows recent talks with US officials, including concerns over China's influence in the canal region.
America First Legal released photos of Joe Biden and Hunter Biden from the Obama-Biden era showing them meeting Chinese officials including President Xi Jinping. The release was delayed until the 2024 Election Day by the National Archives, AFL claimed adding that the images support claims that Hunter Biden leveraged his father's political influence for business dealings in China.
Harvard University and other top US institutions are facing major financial disruptions due to President Trump's federal funding cuts and policy changes. As mass firings, hiring freezes, and halted programs take effect, the US scientific enterprise's future remains uncertain and other countries seek to attract American talent.
Suni's mother said she speaks to her daughter regularly and is not concerned as she knows what Suni does and she's happy there. "She has been there before. I am kind of used to all this. I am not really worried about her. She knows what she's doing and space is as safe as anywhere else," Bonnie said in an interview with NewsNation.
Panama has raised concerns at the United Nations over President Donald Trump's threat to reclaim the Panama Canal while also auditing a Hong Kong-linked company's Panama Ports operation. Trump alleges China's growing influence over the canal, which Panama maintains under a neutrality principle. The canal serves significant US container traffic.
Taiwan's ministry of national defence detected 17 PLA aircraft and 6 vessels near the island. Thirteen aircraft crossed the median line into Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. Recent Chinese military movements and the deployment of advanced naval equipment suggest preparation for a potential invasion of Taiwan.
Skywatchers in the United States get the chance to observe a rare planetary parade tonight. Seven planets will align just after sunset, though not all will be visible to the naked eye. Viewing conditions will be optimal in areas with dark skies and an unobstructed western horizon.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem participated in New York City's inaugural deportation operations as part of President Trump's enforcement initiative. She praised ICE for removing dangerous offenders and shared visuals of the operation on social media, emphasizing the successful apprehension of criminals.
A federal employee revealed that a key figure in Elon Musk's DOGE initiative is residing with family in a federal agency building. Attendees at a town hall raised concerns about potential job cuts following Musk's plan to reduce federal spending by 10 percent within a year.
President-elect Trump's team asserted his leadership within the Republican Party, contradicting claims that Elon Musk influenced the stalled government funding bill. Trump and his Vice President-elect, JD Vance, advocated for a more focused bill alongside raising the debt ceiling. This stance diverges from Musk's suggestion of delaying the bill until Trump's inauguration.