At the inaugural parade, US President Donald Trump welcomed relatives of the hostages recently released by Hamas. Israeli families whose members were either still held captive or had died attended the ceremony. The relatives approached the stage and exchanged handshakes with Trump. "We won, but now the work begins," Trump addressed the audience while family members, adorned in yellow scarves, entered.
Read full storyPresident Donald Trump executed an order withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate agreement once again, demonstrating his opposition to worldwide initiatives aimed at addressing global temperature rise, even as extreme weather incidents continue to escalate across the globe.
Subsequently, he signed an official communication to the United Nations, informing the international organisation about the nation's decision to exit the significant 2015 agreement, which aims to decrease the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change.
Read full storyThe Senate voted unanimously to approve Marco Rubio as secretary of state, marking the first Cabinet confirmation for President Trump's administration.
Read full storyReports claimed that Kamala Harris did not extend any invitation for a formal sit-down or tour to the Vances. In November, Usha Vance reached out to the staff of the Second husband Doug Emhoff seeking details about the house -- on ways to childproof it as all three of Vance's children are under the age of eight.
Read full storyFormer president Bush was asked whether he would behave at the swearing-in ceremony before his entry. The staff also warned Bush that there are hot mics ahead so that they keep their chuckles low. Obama chimed in from behind and said, "Nope". "I'll behave," Bush said with a wink. Though the presidents attended Trump's inauguration, they skipped the inaugural luncheon.
Read full storyPrime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Donald Trump as he took oath on Monday as the 47th president of the United States. "Congratulations my dear friend President Donald Trump on your historic inauguration as the 47th President of the United States! I look forward to working closely together once again, to benefit both our countries, and to shape a better future for the world. Best wishes for a successful term ahead!" PM Modi wrote on X.
Read full storyA lighthearted moment occurred at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Monday when President-elect Donald Trump tried to kiss his wife, Melania Trump, on the cheek during the inaugural ceremony, but was stopped by the brim of her dark navy wide-brimmed hat.
As Trump leaned in, Melania extended her cheek, but his forehead accidentally bumped into the hat. The couple quickly switched to an air kiss instead.
Melania’s outfit, consisting of a dark navy statement coat and matching wide-brimmed hat, designed by Adam Lippes and Eric Javits, became the subject of attention. The hat, which covered her eyes, sparked social media comments and comparisons to characters like Carmen Sandiego and Mary Poppins. Despite the bold look, it added an elegant touch to her overall style for the ceremony.
Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, marking a remarkable comeback as he takes office for a historic second term. The inauguration, held indoors at the Capitol due to frigid weather, was attended by prominent political figures, business leaders, and former presidents, all witnessing Trump’s return to power after four years out of office.
In a departure from tradition, the event saw a smaller crowd, with Trump and outgoing President Joe Biden traveling together to the Capitol. The two shared a moment of civility as Biden greeted Trump and First Lady Melania at the White House earlier in the day, setting a tone of unity despite their stark political differences.
A Swift Start to Controversial Policies
Trump wasted no time in outlining his agenda, promising immediate action on key issues such as immigration, national security, and cultural reform. In his speech, Trump declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, pledging to prioritize deportations and end birthright citizenship. He also vowed to reshape federal government programs, aiming to reverse what he sees as decades of American decline.
Trump’s stance on the culture wars was clear as he announced plans to enforce a policy recognizing only two biological sexes, eliminating diversity programs, and reinforcing conservative values throughout the government.
Global Reactions and Support
The inauguration drew international attention, with Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulating Trump ahead of the ceremony and expressing an interest in renewed talks on the Ukraine conflict. Meanwhile, foreign leaders from countries like Argentina and Italy, including hard-right figures like President Javier Milei and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, attended the event.
Trump’s Second Term and the Future
As Trump assumes the presidency for the second time, his leadership promises to shape both the U.S. political landscape and international relations in profound ways. From proposed tariffs to questioning U.S. foreign aid, Trump’s unpredictable foreign policy and nationalist agenda are expected to rattle the global order. The world is watching closely as Trump sets the stage for another tumultuous term in office.
JD Vance was sworn in as the 50th Vice President of the United States on Monday, marking a significant moment in the nation's political history.
Vance, the first vice president with a background as a venture capitalist and author, took the oath of office at the Capitol, with President Donald Trump officiating the ceremony. The event was attended by a mix of high-profile political figures, including former presidents and business moguls, who played key roles in Vance's rise to power.
In his inaugural speech, Vance emphasized the importance of restoring America’s traditional values and tackling the issues that he claims have contributed to the country’s decline. His appointment comes as part of Trump’s broader agenda to reshape the U.S. government through fresh leadership from outside the political establishment.
Vance’s new role signals a dramatic shift in U.S. politics, with the vice presidency now held by a figure who promises to be a strong ally in pushing Trump’s nationalist policies forward.
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As the nation prepares for the 60th Presidential Inauguration, a group of talented choir students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are hard at work rehearsing in the Rotunda of the US Capitol.
The choir’s performance will be one of the key musical features at the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. The students, carefully selected for this prestigious event, are rehearsing ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, which will take place later today.
The choir members, under the guidance of their professors, are focused on perfecting their renditions of patriotic songs that will accompany the inaugural proceedings. Their performance will be heard by thousands in attendance at the Capitol, as well as millions of viewers watching the live broadcast around the world.
The students’ practice session in the Capitol Rotunda comes at a pivotal moment, symbolizing the unity and tradition that the inauguration represents. For many of them, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of a historical event that will be remembered for years to come.
As the final notes echo through the Rotunda, the choir members are aware of the significance of their performance, knowing their voices will contribute to the grandeur of this momentous occasion. The atmosphere in the Capitol is one of excitement and anticipation, as preparations continue for the day's key events.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar participated in the Inauguration Day Prayer Service at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Monday, as part of the official events marking the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States.
Dr. Jaishankar took to Twitter to express his honor, stating, "Privileged to represent India as EAM and Special Envoy of Prime Minister Modi at the Swearing-In Ceremony of the 47th President of the United States of America today in Washington DC."
The ceremony, which brought together global leaders and dignitaries, was a significant moment in U.S.-India relations, with Dr. Jaishankar's presence underscoring the importance of the bilateral ties between the two nations.
On Monday morning, several prominent figures from Donald Trump’s inner circle, along with major tech CEOs and former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, gathered at St. John’s Episcopal Church for a pre-inaugural service.
Notably seated in the same row were Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, and his partner Lauren Sanchez, alongside Boris Johnson, reflecting the blend of political and business elites present. The service, held ahead of the official inauguration, underscored the high-profile nature of the event, drawing influential figures from various sectors to mark the historic occasion.
Around 2,600 people are expected to attend Donald Trump's inauguration in the Capitol building, according to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. The distribution includes:
These numbers highlight the scale of the event taking place inside the Capitol building.