Ukrainians sing carols, give performances, spread festive spirit in areas once occupied by Russia
Vertep, a 16th-century tradition suppressed during Soviet times, has revived, strengthening Ukrainian identity amid the ongoing conflict.
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The Daily BeastTrump Rewards Agent Who Shielded Him in Assassination Bid With New Job
President Donald Trump just handed a huge promotion to the head of his personal security detail who shielded him from an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally last year. Sean Curran has been appointed director of the Secret Service, Trump announced on Truth Social. “Sean is a Great Patriot, who has protected my family over the past few years, and that is why I trust him to lead the Brave Men and Women of the United States Secret Service,” the president wrote.
- The Daily Beast
‘No Other Choice’: Trump Issues an Ultimatum to Pal Putin
Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum to his one-time ally Vladimir Putin, threatening him with retribution if he doesn’t make a deal to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. In an apparent effort to make good on his already-broken vow to end the war within 24 hours of becoming president, Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday to try and bend the strong-man leader’s arm. “I’m going to do Russia, whose Economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big FAVOR. Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War
- The Independent
Read Biden’s farewell letter to Trump in full
Presidential tradition to leave letters for successors began with Ronald Reagan in 1989
- The Independent
Poll shows how America feels about Trump after his first two days in office. It brings good and bad news
Trump signed a slew of executive orders Monday night in an effort to swiftly execute his policy agenda
- The Independent
Elon Musk trashes Trump’s $500 billion AI plan immediately after president’s boastful press conference
Musk publicly broke from the Trump administration’s latest initiative on artificial intelligence
- HuffPost
This Donald Trump Move Could Doom His ‘Honeymoon Period,’ Says CNN Data Reporter
“Simply put, this is not a popular policy," said Harry Enten.
- CNN Business
Trump has tossed TikTok a lifeline. But China’s not happy
For many of America’s 170 million TikTok users, US President Donald Trump’s move to delay a legal ban of the popular social media platform was cause for celebration. But in China, where TikTok’s parent company is based, the reception has been less positive.
- The Telegraph
Surrendering North Korean soldier refuses to drop sausage at gunpoint
A surrendering North Korean soldier risked his life by refusing to drop his sausage at gunpoint, according to the Ukrainian paratroopers who captured him.
- AFP News
Rubio, on first day, warns China with Asian partners
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on his first full day in office Tuesday warned jointly with Japan, India and Australia against coercive actions in Asia, in a veiled but clear warning to China over its actions at sea.Rubio met in Washington with his counterparts from the so-called Quad a day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who has vowed to push back against a rising China.
- BuzzFeed
A Day In, The New Trump Administration Is Already Causing Terrifying Damage
"Imagine how we feel,” one man told AP News.
- The Telegraph
The five signs China is preparing to invade Taiwan
With a new and unpredictable US president in the Oval Office and increased signs of China’s belligerence in the Taiwan Strait, fears are growing that Beijing is accelerating plans to invade Taiwan, the island democracy that the Communist superpower regards as a renegade province.
- HuffPost
Trump Fires Coast Guard Chief, First Woman To Lead Branch Of U.S. Military
The firing comes amid Trump’s pledge to reshape the U.S. military and rid the nation of what he calls “woke” generals.
- INSIDER
Skeptical of Russia's data, some Western officials judge its economy by looking at Moscow from space
Russia says it's withstanding the impact of sanctions. Sweden's finance minister says satellite images show a different story.
- BBC
Canada changes tone in bid to stave off Trump tariffs
It is the latest pitch by Justin Trudeau as his country tries to avoid a trade war with the US.
- The Independent
Taiwan president says ‘impossible’ for mainland China to be the motherland
President says Republic of China has older historical roots than communist People’s Republic of China
- CNN
Trump terminates John Bolton’s security detail within hours of taking office
Within hours of taking office, President Donald Trump terminated the Secret Service detail that was assigned to his former national security adviser John Bolton, Bolton confirmed to CNN on Tuesday.
- HuffPost
Here's What JD Vance's Body Language Said During THAT Sermon, According To Experts
Body language experts also had thoughts on second lady Usha Vance's reaction to the Episcopal bishop's sermon.
- Reuters
Trump orders US exit from World Health Organization
NEW YORK/LONDON/GENEVA (Reuters) -The United States will leave the World Health Organization, President Donald Trump said on Monday, saying the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises. Trump said the WHO had failed to act independently from the "inappropriate political influence of WHO member states" and required "unfairly onerous payments" from the U.S. that were disproportionate to the sums provided by other, larger countries, such as China.
- INSIDER
A British submarine secretly tracking a Russian spy ship hanging around undersea cables surfaced nearby to send a message, UK says
The UK authorized the British submarine to surface closely to the Russian vessel to warn it off, British defense secretary Healey said.
- The Hill
New allegations against Pete Hegseth alarm Democrats as Pentagon confirmation looms
Senate Democrats are sounding the alarm over a sworn affidavit from the ex-sister-in-law of Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth that accuses him of being abusive toward his second wife. The document emerged Tuesday, one day after the Senate Armed Services Committee advanced Hegseth’s nomination on a party-line vote and as Senate Republicans push to complete…