EU to indefinitely freeze Russian assets
The European Union has announced plans to indefinitely freeze Russian assets held within the bloc, in a move aimed at ensuring up to $246 billion in R...
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.
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.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Kyiv has escalated its naval campaign against Moscow’s economic lifelines, claiming a successful strike on a vessel suspected of skirting international sanctions within the Black Sea.
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.
The European Union has announced plans to indefinitely freeze Russian assets held within the bloc, in a move aimed at ensuring up to $246 billion in Russian funds remain in EU jurisdictions, officials said on Friday.
Sudan is facing a record-breaking internal displacement crisis as fighting between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Friday.
Are Europe’s defence structures prepared to meet evolving threats from Russia? Recent remarks by NATO and intelligence officials have highlighted gaps that could shape European security over the next five years.
The Ashgabat forum in Turkmenistan brought together Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, raising questions about whether Russia remains connected to regional partners despite Western sanctions.
A bulk carrier owned by a Turkish company was struck during a Russian attack on Ukraine’s southern coast on Friday.
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