Rally in Tel Aviv calls for return of deceased hostage Ran Gvili
Hundreds of people gathered for a second consecutive week at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, on Friday (12 December), to support the family of Master Sg...
Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on 20 January, marking a rare absence from a key ceremonial event. Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, along with their spouses, have confirmed their attendance.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama will not attend the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on 20 January, marking her second absence from key gatherings of former U.S. leaders and their spouses in recent weeks. Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton have confirmed their attendance, accompanied by Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton.
The Office of Barack and Michelle Obama released a statement confirming President Obama’s participation but provided no explanation for Michelle Obama’s decision to abstain. Her absence follows her non-attendance at the state funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, where her husband joined Trump, Bush, and Clinton, alongside their spouses, in a display of bipartisan respect.
Michelle Obama has consistently expressed strong opposition to Trump’s political agenda, campaigning against him in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 elections. In her 2018 memoir, she described her profound disappointment at his election, criticising his “birther” campaign, which questioned Barack Obama’s citizenship. Most recently, she advocated for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign, warning of perceived risks to democratic principles and women’s rights under another Trump presidency.
The presence of three former presidents at the upcoming inauguration underscores the enduring tradition of peaceful transition and respect for the office, even amidst political divisions. Michelle Obama’s absence, however, reflects the deep ideological divide that continues to shape the U.S. political landscape.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
The resignation of Bulgaria's government on Thursday (11 December) puts an end to an increasingly unpopular coalition but is likely to usher in a period of prolonged political instability on the eve of the Black Sea nation's entry into the euro zone.
An extratropical cyclone has caused widespread disruption across Brazil’s São Paulo state, with powerful winds toppling trees and power lines, blocking streets and leaving large parts of the region without electricity.
Britain’s King Charles III said on Friday, 12 December, that his cancer treatment is expected to be reduced in the coming year, using a televised address to urge people across the country to take part in cancer screening programmes, officials confirmed.
Talks aimed at ending the war between Ukraine and Russia are set to continue in Berlin this weekend, with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior European leaders, a U.S. official said.
Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat said Friday that discussions in Washington with U.S. officials have strengthened efforts to expand bilateral trade, moving closer to a $100 billion target.
Lebanon is prepared to demarcate its border with Syria, President Joseph Aoun said on Friday, while noting that the dispute over the Shebaa Farms could be addressed at a later stage.
Greek farmers blocked the Port of Thessaloniki on Friday (12 December) as part of nationwide protests demanding delayed European Union subsidies and compensation for rising production costs and livestock losses.
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