PoliticsThe IndependentBiden gets controversial Trump officials to resign in first act on inauguration day
Joe Biden has asked surgeon general Jerome Adams to resign as his administration begins on Wednesday, in what has been billed as a reboot of the US government's pandemic response. Mr Adams, who has served as the surgeon general since 2017, announced his resignation at the Biden administration's request, and said it had “been the honor of my life to serve”. He and Michel Pack, the chief executive of the state-run US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), are among those Trump administration officials asked to resign by Mr Biden - with more expected to follow.
WorldReutersTwitter locks account of China's U.S. embassy over its defence of Xinjiang policy
Twitter has locked the account of China's U.S. embassy for a tweet that defended China's policy towards Muslim Uighurs in Xinjiang, which the U.S. social media platform said violated its stand against "dehumanizing" people. China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that it was confused by the move and that it was the embassy's responsibility to call out disinformation and clarify the truth. The Chinese Embassy account, @ChineseEmbinUS, posted a tweet this month that said that Uighur women had been emancipated and were no longer "baby-making machines", citing a study reported by state-backed newspaper China Daily.
PoliticsThe TelegraphTrump spends first night as a private citizen 'looking for lawyers for his impeachment trial'
Donald Trump spent his first night as a private citizen settling into his new home at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where he has reportedly already begun preparing for his upcoming impeachment hearing. Mr Trump's final engagement in Washington DC as president was attending his farewell at Joint Base Andrews in DC, which was attended only by some 250 of his most loyal aides and supporters. Notably absent were close White House aides and his own vice president Mike Pence.
PoliticsLA TimesEugene Goodman, who diverted Capitol riot mob, escorted Kamala Harris to the inaugural platform
Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman, who two weeks ago was credited with potentially saving lives when he diverted members of the mob who stormed the building away from the Senate chamber, escorted Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to the inaugural platform. Goodman was in uniform and alone Jan. 6 when he is credited for bravely standing between a crowd of angry rioters and the door to the Senate floor. Yelling “back up,” Goodman led the mob up two flights of stairs, where other officers were stationed.
PoliticsThe WeekFox News' Chris Wallace calls Biden's speech the 'best inaugural address I ever heard'
President Biden's inaugural address has won some high praise on Fox News. Fox News anchor Chris Wallace on Wednesday praised Biden's "great" inaugural address, going as far as to deem it the best he's ever watched in his life. "I thought it was a great speech," Wallace said.
WorldReutersRussia tells social networks: Stop promoting anti-Kremlin Navalny protests to minors
Russia has asked social networks, including the video-sharing app TikTok, to stop the spread of posts encouraging minors to take part in unsanctioned rallies on Saturday in support of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Navalny, President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critic, was detained at the weekend and later jailed for alleged parole violations after flying back to Russia for the first time since being poisoned by a military grade nerve agent. He accuses Putin of ordering his murder, which the Kremlin denies.
WorldAssociated PressIran’s telecom minister appears before prosecutor, released
Iran's judiciary released the country's telecom minister on bail Wednesday after he was summoned for prosecution by Iran's general prosecutor, state TV reported. The state media outlet quoted Jamal Hadian, a spokesman for the telecommunications ministry, as saying Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi appeared before a prosecutor Wednesday, was released and had already returned to his office. The office of the general prosecutor had summoned Jahromi for prosecution over his refusal to block Instagram and other foreign social media messaging systems, according to earlier reports.
PoliticsThe IndependentTrump news: Romney attacks former president as children get secret service protection
Senator Romney is calling for reform after Donald Trump gave clemency to 143 people before leaving office. Donald Trump arrived in Palm Beach, Florida, on Air Force One shortly to resume civilian life at Mar-a-Lago after departing the White House for the final time on Wednesday morning. "It was a privelege to be your president," he told the small his farewell event at Joint Base Andrews before boarding Air Force One with wife Melania for the last time.
U.S.USA TODAYHero Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman escorts Kamala Harris for inauguration
Eugene Goodman, the Capitol Police officer who led rioters away from the Senate chamber on Jan. 6, escorted Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at the inauguration Wednesday. Goodman is the acting deputy Senate sergeant-at-arms, which is why he was escorting Harris. Goodman went viral this month after a video showed him leading a pro-Trump mob away from the Senate floor during the deadly Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol, potentially saving lives.
PoliticsReutersU.S. Senate approves Haines as Director of National Intelligence
Among Republicans voting against Haines were Senators reputed to have party leadership ambitions, Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri. Marco Rubio, the acting outgoing Republican chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, said in a statement, "Our adversaries will not stand by and wait for the new administration to staff critical positions, and I am pleased my Senate colleagues joined me in swiftly confirming Director Haines to this important post."
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Gutfeld on the media fawning over President Biden
The press is praising Biden after four years of attacking Trump; reaction and analysis on 'The Five'
PoliticsAssociated PressBiden charts new US direction, promises many Trump reversals
The 78-year-old Democrat has pledged immediate executive actions that would reverse Trump's decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement and rescind the outgoing president's ban on immigration from certain Muslim nations. His first legislative priority is a $1.9 trillion pandemic response package, but there are plans to send an immigration overhaul to Capitol Hill out of the gate, as well. He's also pledged an aggressive outreach to American allies around the world who had strained relationships with Trump.
EntertainmentArchitectural DigestThe Coolest New Automotive Technology at CES 2021
Mercedes-Benz's Hyperscreen, General Motors' Bright Drop, and Jeep's Electric Wrangler were among the unveils that turned heads Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
HealthReutersPfizer vaccine appears effective against coronavirus variant found in Britain - study
The COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech is likely to protect against a more infectious variant of the virus discovered in Britain which has spread around the world, according to results of further lab tests released on Wednesday. Last week, Pfizer said a similar laboratory study showed the vaccine was effective against one key mutation, called N501Y, found in two highly transmissible new variants spreading in Britain and South Africa. The latest study, posted on bioRxiv.org but not yet peer reviewed, was conducted on a synthetic virus with 10 mutations that are characteristic of the variant known as B117 identified in Britain.
CelebrityINSIDERPrincess Diana's former chef says he made the 'cardinal sin' of serving her favorite breakfast - a can of baked beans - to Americans
Princess Diana's chef once served her favorite breakfast to an American family who refused to eat it. Darren McGrady, who worked at Kensington Palace, said Diana favored a can of baked beans and a grapefruit on gym days. Diana particularly loved baked beans and would even write McGrady notes requesting them.
WorldBusiness InsiderArchaeologists unearthed 210 sarcophagi in an Egyptian city of the dead. They'd remained undisturbed for at least 2,500 years.
KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/GETTY Decorated wooden sarcophagi from Saqqara on display during the official announcement of the discovery on January 17, 2021. KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/GETTY The underside of a wooden sarcophagus discovered at Saqqara. KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/GETTY Colored coffins from Saqqara on display October 3, 2020.
PoliticsReutersBiden administration calls China sanctions on Trump officials 'unproductive and cynical'
China's move to sanction former Trump administration officials was "unproductive and cynical", a spokeswoman for President Joe Biden's National Security Council said on Wednesday, urging Americans from both parties to condemn the action. Around the time Biden was sworn in as president on Wednesday China announced sanctions against "lying and cheating" outgoing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and 27 other top officials under former President Donald Trump, a striking repudiation of its relationship with Washington under Trump. China's foreign ministry said Pompeo and the others had "planned, promoted and executed" moves that had interfered in its internal affairs.
EntertainmentLA TimesHere's what Jennifer Lopez said in Spanish at Biden's inauguration
Lopez opened her performance at the inauguration with a portion of “This Land Is Your Land,” the 1940 folk song by Woody Guthrie, who, incidentally, identified as a socialist and ally of working people. She followed the patriotic flourish with another very J. Lo touch, a sweeping delivery of her 1999 hit, "Let's Get Loud." The irony of Lopez bringing her crowd-pleasing stadium anthem to a relatively small, socially distanced ceremony a year into the pandemic was not lost on Twitter.
SportsBBCPakistani fans celebrate India's historic cricket win over Australia
Pakistani cricket stars and fans have celebrated India's upset win over Australia in a rare instance of bonhomie with their neighbours. On Tuesday, injury-hit India chased 328 to hand Australia a first Test defeat in Brisbane since 1988 and win one of the all-time great series 2-1. Incredible Test & series win for India have not seen a bold, brave & boisterous Asian team on a tougher tour of Australia.
HealthINSIDERDermatologists debunk 9 skincare myths and reveal how to get and keep healthy-looking skin
Dermatologists debunk nine skincare myths and offer advice on how to have healthy skin without falling for trendy, pseudoscience. It's important to remember that genetics play a large role in your skin's overall texture and appearance. The same skincare routine isn't for everyone, and it may take some trial and error to determine what's right for you.
EntertainmentArchitectural Digest19 Stylish Bar Cabinets to Elevate Your Space in 2021
Store your stemware and sauvignon blanc in style Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
CelebrityThe Daily BeastMeghan Markle Staffer Fact-Checked ‘Finding Freedom’ for Authors, British Court Hears
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's most senior royal aide fact-checked the book Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family to “make sure” authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand “got nothing wrong,” a senior editor at the Mail on Sunday claimed Wednesday in testimony released by the High Court in London. Harry and Meghan have consistently denied they co-operated with Scobie and Durand either directly or indirectly, leaving many observers to wonder why the couple did not complain about the book's multiple apparent invasions of their privacy.
PoliticsUSA TODAYDonald Trump spends final minutes in office at Mar-a-Lago, is first president to skip inauguration in more than 150 years
Outgoing President Donald Trump spent his final minutes as president at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, becoming the first president in more than 150 years to skip his successor's inauguration. "We will be back in some form," Trump told supporters at an early farewell ceremony at Joint Base Andrews that featured a 21-gun salute and a military band playing "Hail to the Chief." In a nine-minute speech on "an incredible four years," Trump recounted highlights that included the creation of the Space Force, deregulation and tax cuts.
CelebrityINSIDERNeville Longbottom actor Matthew Lewis says he finds watching his 'Harry Potter' performance 'painful'
In an interview with the New York Times, Neville Longbottom actor Matthew Lewis said he sometimes finds his performance in "Harry Potter" too "painful" to watch. Lewis said he finds it "difficult" when too much of himself comes through in a character, and that when he watches "Harry Potter," he thinks: "that's not Neville; that's you." Matthew Lewis said that he finds his performance as Neville Longbottom in the "Harry Potter" movies "painful" to watch as he sees too much of himself in the awkward Gryffindor student.
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Bennett: 'Tedious' inaugural address shows Biden not seeking unity
The 'Special Report' All-Star panel reacts to the 46th president's calls for America to come together
“If you’re looking to win elections, it is probably best not to urge your supporters not to vote.”
“Warnock’s portrayal of himself as a dog lover, a means of overcoming white suspicions of Black men, smacked of pure genius.”
“Trump has done damage to the Republican brand among suburban voters that goes well beyond just races where he is on the ballot.”
“Once more, Democrats must profusely thank activist Stacey Abrams.”
“Overall, demographic trends show that the state’s electorate is becoming younger and more diverse each year.”