Donald Trump Inauguration Highlights: Democratic states sue Trump over birthright order on his first full day in office

Newly sworn-in Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged changes at the State Department to make it a "21st-century agency" that moves "at the speed of relevance."

Emphasising the department's central role in shaping foreign policy, Rubio vowed it would deliver "better, faster, and more effectively" than any other agency.

Rubio was greeted with a long round of applause by State Department staff who gathered in the lobby for his arrival.

President Donald Trump is expected to announce a $500bn (£405bn) private sector investment in AI infrastructure, involving a joint venture called Stargate with OpenAI, Softbank, and Oracle, per CBS News.

A federal judge in Washington, DC, has scheduled an emergency hearing with the ACLU over the Trump administration’s decision to shut down the CBP One app, which allowed migrants to apply for asylum legally, BBC reported.

Civil rights groups argue the move has effectively ended asylum at the US-Mexico border.

The Trump administration is ramping up immigration enforcement, with White House border czar Tom Homan announcing that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers will begin raids targeting undocumented immigrants today.

Earlier, Fox News reported that the administration has rescinded a Biden-era ban on conducting immigration raids in sensitive areas such as schools, churches, and hospitals.

In addition to these actions, Homan commented on the suspension of a refugee program for Afghans and others, citing “a massive vetting problem” as the reason for the pause. He further added that a now-suspended program for refugees needs examination before it can continue.

The administration’s aggressive stance is further evidenced by Trump’s directive to the military to construct detention camps for holding undocumented immigrants. A former acting ICE director told CNN this move signals Trump’s intent to carry out mass deportations, fulfilling a key campaign promise.

Donald Trump dismissed Tuesday's National Prayer Service, saying, “I didn’t think it was a good service, no. They could do much better,” after Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde urged him to have “mercy” on immigrants and the LGBTQ community. During the remarks, Trump was seen speaking to JD Vance, who shook his head in response, CNN reported.

As he returned to the White House, Trump, responding to a reporter, quipped, “Not too exciting, was it?”

Donald Trump and JD Vance attended the National Prayer Service this morning, where Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde appealed to the president to rethink his hardline policies.

Addressing Trump directly, she said, “In the name of God, I ask you to have mercy on the people in our country who are scared now,” including LGBT children and undocumented migrants. Budde emphasised, “The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals,” urging Trump to show “mercy” to those in fear.

The Trump administration has fired Admiral Linda Fagan, the first female leader of a US armed forces branch, citing “leadership deficiencies” and “operational failures,” according to a Department of Homeland Security official, CNN reports.

Reasons included her “failure to address border security threats,” an “excessive focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion policies,” and alleged mishandling of Operation Fouled Anchor, a secret investigation into rape and assault allegations within the Coast Guard. However, CNN notes the Coast Guard recently exceeded its recruiting goals for the first time in six years.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum vowed to defend the country’s sovereignty while pursuing dialogue with US President Donald Trump, who kicked off his term with measures to curb immigration and threats of tariffs.

“The people of Mexico can be sure that we will always defend our sovereignty and our independence,” Sheinbaum said, adding it’s vital to “have a cool head.”

She pledged humanitarian support for migrants and promised to handle US tensions “step by step,” avoiding confrontation.

US Senator Marco Rubio of Florida was sworn into office on Tuesday, becoming the first cabinet nominee of President Donald Trump to assume a role. Rubio emphasised that US foreign policy under Trump would prioritise American interests above all else.

The Senate unanimously confirmed Rubio, a staunch supporter of Israel and vocal critic of China, just hours after Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

“His [Trump’s] primary promise when it comes to foreign policy is that the priority of the United States Department of State will be the United States – it will be furthering the national interest of this country,” Rubio stated following his swearing-in ceremony, conducted by US Vice President JD Vance. (Reuters)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is sworn by Vice President JD Vance in the Vice Presidential Ceremonial Office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington, as his wife, Jeanette Rubio, looks on. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Starting his second term with a flurry of executive orders, US President Donald Trump has sought to revoke birthright citizenship – automatic citizenship of children born in the US to non-citizen parents.

Among the first few ‘Presidential Actions’ listed by the White House on its website, the order titled ‘Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship’ specifies that those who were born in the US “but not subject to the jurisdiction thereof” are excluded from birthright citizenship.

The Indian-American community, which is one of the fastest-growing immigrant populations in the US, will be profoundly impacted by this change as and when it comes through.

READ THE FULL REPORT HERE

US billionaire Elon Musk referred to Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz as “Oaf Schitz” on his social media platform X on Tuesday. The comment was in response to a video of Scholz speaking about free speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

“Shame on Oaf Schitz!” Musk wrote, reacting to Scholz’s remarks that freedom of speech should not extend to supporting extreme-right views. (Reuters)

Ukraine is working to set up a meeting between Zelenskyy and US President Trump, Zelenskyy himself said on Tuesday at an interview panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

"The teams have been working on a meeting, they are currently in the process," Zelenskyy said.

US President Donald Trump is set to make a significant infrastructure announcement on Tuesday, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

“It’s going to be a massive announcement, and it’s going to prove that the world knows America is back,” Leavitt said during an interview on Fox & Friends.

The announcement is scheduled for 4 pm, although no further details have been provided. (Reuters)

A lot happened after flurry inauguration speech of Trump - worry not here is the rewind-:

- Donald Trump began his second term as the 47th president of the US with a flurry of executive orders targeting Joe Biden’s legacy, immigration policies, environmental standards, and more.

- Orders included withdrawing the US from the World Health Organisation and the Paris Climate Agreement, sparking immediate global reactions.

- Trump declared a national border emergency and pushed an immigration crackdown, with the US Senate swiftly passing a migrant detention bill hours after his inauguration.

- The World Health Organisation expressed regret over the US decision to withdraw, while European leaders criticised the Paris Agreement exit.

- Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship through an executive order is already facing at least two legal challenges.

- Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed Trump’s return to power and their strategies for relations with the US during a lengthy phone call.

Immigrant and civil rights advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union, filed a lawsuit against a birthright citizenship executive order signed by Republican U.S. President Donald Trump after taking office on Monday.

"Immigrants' rights advocates today sued the Trump administration over its executive order that seeks to strip certain babies born in the United States of their U.S. citizenship," the advocates said in a statement that called the order unconstitutional. (Reuters)

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a video call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday in which he proposed further developing their strategic partnership just hours after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th U.S. president.

Putin waved at Xi and addressed Chairman Xi as his "dear friend", saying he wanted to outline "new plans for the development of the Russian-Chinese comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation."

The Kremlin released a video of their meeting.

"I agree with you that cooperation between Moscow and Beijing is based on a broad commonality of national interests and a convergence of views on what relations between major powers should be," Putin told Xi.

"We build our ties on the basis of friendship, mutual trust and support, equality and mutual benefit. These connections are self-sufficient, independent of domestic political factors and the current global situation."

Russia, waging war against NATO-supplied Ukrainian forces, and China, under pressure from a concerted U.S. effort to counter its growing military and economic strength, have increasingly found common geopolitical cause. (Reuters)

Millions of Indian Americans currently residing in the US face uncertainty as Donald Trump on Monday signed the executive order to tight immigration laws and end birthright citizenships, which means that a baby born to non-citizen parents, who don't hold a green card, will not be granted US citizenship.

According to the data from the US Census Bureau, there are over 5 million Indian Americans currently residing in the United States, accounting for 1.47 per cent of the total US population. While 34 per cent of these are US born, nearly two-thirds of them are immigrants, the data says. Read more.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that his administration would likely stop buying oil from Venezuela and was looking "very strongly" at the South American country.

"It was a great country 20 years ago, and now it's a mess," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office hours after his inauguration. "We don't have to buy their oil. We have plenty of oil for ourselves."

Trump's envoy for special missions, Richard Grenell, had earlier said he spoke with multiple officials in Venezuela and would begin meetings early Tuesday, days after the outgoing Biden administration imposed new sanctions on the government of President Nicolas Maduro. (Reuters)

US President Donald Trump's insistence Monday that he wants to have the Panama Canal back under US control fed nationalist sentiment and worry in Panama, home to the critical trade route and a country familiar with US military intervention.

“American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form, and that includes the United States Navy. And above all, China is operating the Panama Canal,” Trump said Monday. (AP)

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he plans to remove over 1,000 appointees from the administration of former President Joe Biden, announcing four dismissals on social media, including celebrity chef

Jose Andres and former top general Mark Milley. (Reuters)

President Donald Trump, who criticized the response to the wildfires during his inaugural address, has said he will travel to Los Angeles on Friday.

During his inauguration speech on Monday, the newly appointed US President lauded the efforts of the firefighters and criticised the previous administration for handling the situation.

President Donald Trump says his administration will move to suspend the security clearances of the more than four dozen former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter saying that the Hunter Biden laptop saga bore the hallmarks of a “Russian information operation.”

The action is an early indication of Trump's determination to exact retribution on perceived adversaries and is the latest point of tension between Trump and an intelligence community of which he has been openly disdainful.

The sweeping move, announced via executive order Monday, also sets up a potential court challenge from ex-officials seeking to maintain access to sensitive government information. “The president has a lot of authority when it comes to security clearances.

The problem the White House will run into is, if they depart from their existing procedures, they could set up a judicial appeal for these 51 people — and it will probably be a class-action suit since they're all in alike or similar circumstances,” said Dan Meyer, a Washington lawyer who specializes in the security clearance and background check process.

The executive order targets the clearances of 50 people in all, including the 49 surviving signatories. The list includes prominent officials like James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence under President Barack Obama and John Brennan, Obama's former CIA director.

Also targeted is John Bolton, who was fired as Trump's national security adviser during his first term and later wrote a book whose publication the White House sought to block on grounds that it disclosed national security information.

(AP)

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday saying the United States would designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organisations in a move that could push a militarised agenda for the border and Latin America.

The order highlighted Mexican drug cartels and other Latin American criminal groups like Venezuela gang Tren de Aragua and Salvadoran gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), which it said “threaten the safety of the American people, the security of the United States, and the stability of the international order in the Western Hemisphere.”

The order did not list the groups by name, but said Cabinet secretaries would recommend groups for designation as terrorist organizations in the next 14 days. It was among a slew of orders Trump signed Monday to kick off his administration.

“The Cartels have engaged in a campaign of violence and terror throughout the Western Hemisphere that has not only destabilized countries with significant importance for our national interests but also flooded the United States with deadly drugs, violent criminals, and vicious gangs,” the order read.

It was unclear what the impact could be for fighting the cartels, but there was concern it could be another way to make it more difficult for people from the countries where those groups operate to access the US.

(AP)

Donald Trump, now the 47th President of the United States, and First Lady Melania Trump took to the stage at the Commander-in-Chief Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C., to share their first dance.

The couple swayed under the spotlight, Melania maintaining her signature composed demeanour, with little sign of a smile.

Their dance, a slow sway, caught the audience’s attention, as social media buzzed with reactions to their seemingly distant chemistry.

US President Donald Trump has ordered federal workers to return to the office five days a week and weakened job protections for civil servants, the first salvoes in his campaign to gut the federal bureaucracy. The one-two punch would force large numbers of white-collar government employees to forfeit remote working arrangements, reversing a trend that took off in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

If upheld by the courts, the measures could also strip mid-level officials of the legal guarantees that generally keep them insulated from ideological purges. Trump's allies have said the return-to-work mandate and the stripping of civil service protections - widely known as "Schedule F" is intended to help the president replace long-serving government workers with loyalists faithful only to his agenda.

In a brief statement posted to the White House website, Trump ordered all heads of departments and agencies to "take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary." A second statement said that any power government officials have "is delegated by the President, and they must be accountable to the President."

(Reuters)

US President Donald Trump’s second inaugural address was a familiar echo of his first with a fierce critique of the country’s current state and grand promises to fix its problems.

Eight years ago, Trump had vowed to end “American carnage” immediately. On Monday, he declared that the country’s “decline” would come to an immediate end, ushering in “the golden age of America”.

Trump’s speech was notable for its lengthy list of policy proposals, which seemed more suited to a State of the Union address. However, the overarching themes remained quintessentially Trumpian, with the president positioning himself as a national saviour.

Trump broke with tradition by delivering his speech from inside the Capitol Rotunda due to the freezing temperatures outside. His audience consisted of several 100 elected officials, pro-Trump VIPs, and notable figures like tech mogul Elon Musk.

(Read more from report)

US President Donald Trump, while speaking to the US military members based in South Korea, asked "how is North Korean leader Kim Jong-un doing?"

Command Sergeant Major Robin Bolmer responded to Trump and said, "We are ready to receive you Mr President," BBC reported.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday at the Oval Office to establish and implement DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency).

Section 1. Purpose. This Executive Order establishes the Department of Government Efficiency to implement the President’s DOGE Agenda, by modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.

Section 2. Definitions. As used in this order:

(a) “Agency” has the meaning given to it in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, except that such term does not include the Executive Office of the President or any components thereof.

Section 3. DOGE Structure.

(a) Reorganization and Renaming of the United States Digital Service. The United States Digital Service is hereby publicly renamed as the United States DOGE Service (USDS) and shall be established in the Executive Office of the President.

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump dance at the Commander in Chief Ball, part of the 60th Presidential Inauguration on Monday night.

(AP Photo)

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday delaying by 75 days the enforcement of a ban of popular short-video app TikTok that was slated to be shuttered on Jan. 19. But Trump suggested that the U.S. should be a half owner of TikTok's U.S. business in return for keeping the app alive.

The short video service used by 170 million Americans was briefly taken offline for U.S. users on Saturday, hours before a law that said it must be sold by its Chinese owner ByteDance on national security grounds took effect on Sunday. U.S. officials had said that under ByteDance, there was a risk of Americans' data being misused.

TikTok restored access on Sunday and thanked Trump for providing assurances to TikTok and its business partners that they would not face hefty fines to keep the app running. The app and website were operational on Monday, but TikTok was still not available for download in the Apple and Google app stores.

Trump's order, signed hours after he was inaugurated on Monday, directs the attorney general to not enforce the law "to permit my administration an opportunity to determine the appropriate course of action with respect to TikTok."

The executive order capped 48 hours of legal maneuvering and political intrigue that left millions of TikTokkers saddened and then elated over the rapidly changing fate of their app.

(Reuters)

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Commander in Chief Ball, which is held for military service members.

Trump arrived at the Ball's location, Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Monday evening, which is the first of the inaugural balls of the evening.

When asked to fulfil his promise of ending the Russia-Ukraine war on Day 1, US President Donald Trump said that Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to call off the hostilities and make a deal with Russia, BBC reported.

"Most people thought that war would have been over in one week. I think he’d be very well off to end that war," Trump said at the Oval Office on Monday.

South Korea's acting president Choi Sang-mok said on Tuesday he hoped for bilateral relations with Washington to develop more reciprocally under the Trump administration, citing concerns about how U.S. policies might hit Asia's fourth-largest economy.

"The government will strive to further strengthen policy cooperation with the United States and promote mutual interests based on the shared value of the Korea-U.S. alliance," Choi said, citing the alliance's slogan of "We Go Together". Choi said he would seek to have a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump at the earliest time possible, hours after Trump was sworn in for his second term as the 47th president of the United States.

Choi, the finance minister, has been serving as acting president since Dec. 27, trying to steer South Korea through its worst political crisis in decades after the impeachments of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and President Yoon Suk Yeol over Yoon's short-lived bid to impose martial law on Dec. 3. Trump, who held a 12-minute phone call with Yoon just a day after his victory in the November presidential election, has not had a phone call with either Han or Choi.

Earlier on Tuesday, Choi congratulated Trump on his inauguration in a post on social media platform X, saying "The Republic of Korea looks forward to Making the Alliance Great Again". Choi also said Seoul would review response measures to Trump's proposed policies, particularly on tariffs and electric vehicles, which are expected to affect its economy both directly and indirectly.

(Reuters)

At the Oval Office on Monday night, President Donald Trump signed an executive order which dealt with "protecting women from radical gender ideology". However, the details related to the order hasn't been released.

Former US President Joe Biden, hours before demitting the office on January 20, pardoned his family members, including his brothers James and Frank Biden, and sister Valerie Biden Owens.

President Donald Trump said, "I think it makes Biden look very bad, very weak and very guilty." He further added that Biden pardoned them as "they're guilty as hell".

US President Donald Trump has signed an order withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO).

While signing the order, Trump said "Oh, that's a big one. They wanted us back so badly so we'll see what happens," reported BBC.

US President Donald Trump, while signing a flurry of executive orders in the Oval Office on Monday, said that he is considering 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada.

""I think we'll do it February 1st," said Trump while responding to a reporter.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order addressing the issue of birthright citizenship, however, the official text of the order hasn't been published on the website of White House.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order pardoning about 1,500 January 6 rioters, who had stormed the US Capitol in 2021.

US President Donald Trump signs an executive order on a hiring freeze as he attended an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event at Capital One Arena in Washington DC. The parade was a continuation inauguration ceremonies.

(AP Photo)

The U.S. Senate on Monday unanimously confirmed Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a China hawk and staunch backer of Israel, as President Donald Trump's secretary of state. The Senate backed Rubio by a vote of 99-0, days after the long-term member of the Senate foreign relations and intelligence committees sailed through his friendly confirmation hearing.

Rubio became the first of Trump's cabinet nominees to be confirmed by the Senate, just hours after the president was sworn in for a second White House term. Additional votes on Trump nominees were expected this week.

Rubio, 53, is a harsh critic of China and an advocate for Israel. The son of immigrants from Cuba, he has also pushed for tough measures against the Communist-ruled island and its allies, especially the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

During his confirmation hearing, he warned that the U.S. must change course to avoid becoming more reliant on China, and promised a robust foreign policy focused on American interests. Rubio also said it should be U.S. policy that the war in Ukraine must end. He said reaching an agreement to stop the fighting would involve concessions from both Moscow and Kyiv, and he suggested that Ukraine would have to give up its goal of regaining all the territory Russia has taken in the last decade.

(Reuters)

US President Donald Trump signed an order to withdraw United States from the Paris Climate Treaty. The order was addressed to the United Nations.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday he will revoke nearly 80 executive actions of the previous administration, with the Republican adding he also will implement an immediate regulation freeze and a hiring freeze.

"I'll revoke nearly 80 destructive and radical executive actions of the previous administration," Trump said.

(Reuters)

US President Donald Trump addresses Inauguration Parade at the US Capitol arena in Washington.

US President Donald Trump began his speech at the Capitol One arena after the inauguration parade and announced that he'll sign pardons for January 6 rioters on Monday night itself.

Trump said, "Tonight I'm going to be signing on the [6 January] hostages' pardons to get them out."

President Donald Trump's alma mater, New York Military Academy, participated in the Inauguration Parade held in the Capitol One arena in Washington DC.

Trump is a 1964 graduate and a distinguished alumnus of the military academy, NBC News reports.

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance salute to the inauguration parade at Capitol One arena in Washington DC, continuing the inauguration celebrations.

(AP Photo)

Trump's children, Ivanka, Don Jr., Eric, Ivanka and Barron, are onstage at the Capitol One arena. Barron received a loud cheer from the crowd present in the arena.

Melania Trump's father, Viktor Knavs, is also onstage, who is joined by former RNC Co-Chair Lara Trump, who is Trump's daughter-in-law.

Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa congratulated U.S. President Donald Trump on his inauguration in a statement on Monday, saying he is looking forward to improving relations between the two countries.

"We are confident that he is the leader to bring peace to the Middle East and restore stability to the region," he said.

The U.S., Britain, the European Union and others imposed tough sanctions on Syria after a crackdown by ousted President Bashar al-Assad on pro-democracy protests in 2011 that spiralled into civil war.

In early January, Washington issued a sanctions exemption for transactions with governing institutions in Syria for six months in an effort to ease the flow of humanitarian assistance. Syria welcomed the move, but has urged a complete lifting of sanctions to support its recovery.

(Reuters)

Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who was nominated by US President Donald Trump to join Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is no longer a part of the newly formed department being led by Elon Musk.

Trump's transition spokesperson Anna Kelly confirmed the development, adding that Ramaswamy is instead planning to run for Ohio's governor.

"He intends to run for elected office soon, which requires him to remain outside of DOGE based on the structure that we announced today. We thank him immensely for his contributions over the last 2 months and expect him to play a vital role in making America great again," Kelly stated, as quoted by NBC News.

Billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk's address at the Inauguration Day of US President Donald Trump is gaining traction due to his one-armed gesture.

Musk, during his speech said, "My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilisation is assured."

Netizens on X have found similarity to his gesture with Germany's 'Nazi' salute as Musk first placed his right hand on his heart and then thrusting it as a salute in air.

In continuation of the inauguration day celebrations, the Inaugural Parade is currently underway at the Capitol One arena with President Donald Trump in attendance.

The Inaugural Parade, like the Trump's Swearing-in-ceremony, was moved indoors due to the record cold temperature. Trump's Swearing-in took place in Capitol Rotunda.

US President Donald Trump officially announced his nominations to the Cabinet on Monday as the White House Office of Communications circulated an email which officially mentioned Trump's picks.

Until now, Trump had announced his picks for the Cabinet but they were not done officially. The Senate is expected to confirm via vote some of the names today.

Here is a brief list of the Cabinet nominations:

US President Donald Trump arrived at the Capitol One arena after he delivered his address to the supporters a day earlier. Trump is at the Capitol One in continuation of the inauguration celebrations.

An emboldened Donald Trump declared that "America's decline is over" as he reclaimed the presidency on Monday, promising a crackdown on illegal immigration and portraying himself as a savior chosen by God to rescue a faltering nation.

"For American citizens, January 20, 2025, is Liberation Day," Trump, 78, said inside the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, the symbol of U.S. democracy that was invaded on Jan. 6, 2021, by a mob of Trump supporters intent on reversing his 2020 election defeat to Joe Biden.

The inauguration completes a triumphant return for a political disruptor who was twice impeached, survived two assassination attempts, was convicted in a criminal trial and faced charges for attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss. He is the first president in more than a century to win a second term after losing the White House and the first felon to occupy the White House. —Reuters

From declaring plans to “take back” the Panama Canal to blaming US inflation on government overspending, Donald Trump’s speech after being sworn in as the 47th President of US was a blitzkrieg of claims and announcements.

Here’s a breakdown of Trump’s recent claims and how they stack up against facts.

Claim 1: Trump pledged to take back the Panama Canal and claimed 38,000 Americans died building it.

What Trump Said:

“A short time from now, we are going to be… taking back the Panama Canal. The U.S. spent more money on the project than ever before and lost 38,000 lives. China is now operating the canal, and American ships are being severely overcharged.”

The Facts:

The actual number of deaths from the American construction effort for the Panama Canal stands at around 5,600, not 38,000, according to The Guardian. Most of those who died were workers from the Caribbean, including Antigua, Barbados, and Jamaica. Additionally, the claim that China controls the canal is false. While a Hong Kong consortium won a port operations bid in 1997, US and Taiwanese companies operate other ports along the canal. Read Full Report

US President Donald Trump is preparing to issue sweeping pardons to defendants charged in the Jan. 6 2021 attack on the US Capitol and intends to cut short sentences for people who attacked police, ABC News reported on Monday, citing unidentified sources. ABC News reported that Trump planned to wipe away convictions for those who did not commit violence during the riot at the Capitol.

Trump is seeking to commute the sentences of those convicted of assaults on law enforcement, a move that could allow supporters currently in prison to be released, according to the report. —Reuters

President Trump has officially been sworn in as the 47th president of the United States, but the day’s events are far from over.

Trump has just signed the first official documents of his second presidency, surrounded by congressional leaders, with much more to come.

Here’s what’s ahead for the rest of the day:

- Lunch for Guests: A formal luncheon is taking place in Statuary Hall, where Trump will dine with his allies and supporters.

- Parade: A modified inauguration parade will proceed around the Capital One Arena, with Trump in attendance.

- Signing Ceremony: Trump is expected to sign executive orders at the White House later this afternoon.

- Inaugural Balls: Three official balls will take place this evening – the Liberty Ball, Commander in Chief Ball, and Union Station Ball.

Stay tuned for more updates, as we anticipate political developments and announcements throughout the day.

The pace of today’s inauguration events is set to slow as guests enjoy a lavish luncheon in Statuary Hall, following the initial speeches and ceremonies. The menu includes:

Starter

Chesapeake Crab Cake served with tomato tartar, bay sauce, pickled vegetables, romanesco, dill, and chive oil

Accompanied by Veritas Vineyards ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay from Monticello, Virginia

Main Course

Greater Omaha Angus Ribeye Steak with Thumbelina carrots, broccoli rabe, carrot top herb sauce, red wine truffle jus, and potato gratin

Paired with Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California

Dessert

Minnesota Apple Ice Box Terrine with sour cream ice cream and salted caramel

Served with Korbel Russian River Valley Natural from Sonoma County, California

While guests take a break, we continue to bring you updates and analysis as President Trump’s second administration takes shape.

Former President Joe Biden gave a brief, subdued response to President Donald Trump’s inaugural address on Monday in his first remarks as a former president.

“We have a lot more to do. We heard the inaugural address today — you know, we got a lot more to do,” he said, crossing himself to laughter from a crowd of former aides at a Joint Base Andrews hangar.

Biden told the crowd he was “leaving office, but we’re not leaving the fight,” urging them to “stay engaged in all the ways you can.”

Standing with former first lady Jill Biden, the former president expressed his gratitude to his team.

“No president gets to choose the moment they enter history. But they get to choose the team they enter it with. And we chose the best damn team in the world,” he said, encouraging them to look back on the past four years with “pride.”

Biden called it the “honor of my life to serve as your president” and offered his perspective on how his one-term presidency would be remembered: “Mark my words: the future’s going to judge what you’ve done as one of the most significant contributions that’s been made by all of America.”

“Thank you, Joe,” the crowd cheered.

The Bidens then crossed the tarmac hand in hand and boarded Special Air Mission 46 for a flight to Santa Ynez, California. They waved from the top of the small steps, with Biden saluting before ducking inside the plane.

The Trump administration has discontinued the use of the CBP One app, which had allowed migrants to legally enter the United States, according to the agency.

This action closes a crucial entry point for those seeking to come to the country. Homeland Security officials had previously credited the app with reducing migrant crossings by offering an organised method to apply for entry.

With the app now deactivated and asylum restrictions in place, the border is effectively closed to asylum seekers. Existing appointments through the app have been cancelled, according to CBP.

President Donald Trump is marking the start of his second term by signing a series of documents, including appointments and executive actions, during a signing ceremony at the US Capitol following his swearing-in.

US President Donald Trump, during his inauguration speech on Monday, announced the establishment of an external revenue service to collect tariffs from foreign countries exporting goods to America.

“I will immediately begin the overhaul of our trade system to protect American workers and families. Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens,” Trump said.

“For this purpose, we are establishing the external revenue service to collect all tariffs, duties, and revenues. It will be massive amounts of money pouring into our treasury, coming from foreign sources. The American dream will soon be back and thriving like never before, to restore competence and effectiveness to our federal government,” he added.

Read the FULL REPORT on trading system ‘overhaul’

- President Trump opened his address by humourously noting the cold weather in Washington, DC, where it was 26°F, explaining why his inauguration was held indoors in the Capitol Rotunda instead of the usual outdoor location.

- He joked about the deceptive sunshine, noting the contrast between the warmth outside and the cold, which made the indoor venue much more comfortable at 72°F, with excellent acoustics.

- Trump then pivoted to attack President Biden’s recent pardons, specifically targeting figures like former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley and former Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, whom he called "disasters" and criticised for their roles in the January 6 investigation.

- The president hinted at plans to pardon those involved in the January 6 insurrection, saying, "It’s action, not words that count," and promising significant actions regarding those involved.

Donald Trump is currently speaking to supporters gathered in an overflow room at the Capitol, having been introduced by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Johnson emphasised the importance of the moment, saying, "We have the chance to make the next four years the most consequential period in our nation’s history." He also noted his critical role in helping advance Trump’s legislative agenda through Congress.

Donald Trump plans to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, as outlined in a document circulated by the White House.

Former President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden boarded the Marine One helicopter to depart Washington, DC, with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump accompanying them to the stairs to bid them farewell.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, also left the ceremony by car after exchanging hugs with the Bidens.

President Donald Trump, sworn in for his second term, announced plans for immediate policy changes during his inaugural address on Monday. Trump reiterated his commitment to reshaping U.S. policy both domestically and internationally. Here are some of the announcements he made:

📌Immigration and border security Trump declared illegal immigration a national emergency, committing to a border crackdown. He announced plans to deploy troops to the US-Mexico border, reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy, and detain all individuals crossing illegally.

📌Energy, trade, and economic policies Trump announced a national energy emergency to address inflation and energy prices, pledging increased domestic drilling. “We will drill, baby, drill, and bring down costs for every American family,” he promised. He also revealed plans to overhaul trade policy, establish an “External Revenue Service” to collect tariff revenues, and prioritise economic self-sufficiency. “The American dream will soon be back and thriving like never before,” he said, announcing the creation of a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Read the full list HERE

- President Trump shifted his focus to addressing inflation and energy costs, key themes of his campaign.

- He announced plans to direct his cabinet to "defeat inflation" and bring down costs rapidly, attributing the crisis to overspending and rising energy prices.

- Trump declared a national energy emergency and pledged to ramp up domestic oil and gas drilling, asserting that America will become a manufacturing powerhouse again.

- He emphasised the nation's vast oil and gas reserves, vowing to lower prices, refill strategic reserves, and export energy globally.

- Trump announced the end of the Green New Deal and revocation of the electric vehicle mandate, promising to save the auto industry and restore consumer choice.

- He committed to revitalising American automobile production and thanked auto workers for their support.

- To protect American workers, Trump outlined plans to overhaul the trade system by imposing tariffs on foreign nations, redirecting revenue to benefit US citizens.

- He introduced the creation of the External Revenue Service to manage tariffs and generate significant revenue from foreign sources.

- Trump reaffirms his vision to restore the American Dream and establish a new Department of Government Efficiency to enhance federal operations.

- Donald Trump announced plans to sign a series of executive orders enforcing strict anti-migration policies, acknowledging potential legal challenges.

- He declared a national emergency at the southern border, pledging to halt illegal entry and begin deporting "millions of criminal aliens" while reinstating the "remain in Mexico" policy.

- Trump vowed to end the practice of catch and release and deploy troops to secure the southern border against what he called a "disastrous invasion."

- He stated that cartels would be designated as foreign terrorist organisations, invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to empower federal and state law enforcement to eradicate foreign gangs and criminal networks.

- Trump emphasised these actions as part of restoring America and promoting a "revolution of common sense."

- Donald Trump portrayed himself as a heaven-sent savior, claiming he would solve America's problems.

- He described his election as a mandate to reverse past betrayals and restore faith, wealth, democracy, and freedom to the people, declaring, "From this moment on, America's decline is over."

- Trump promised to restore the integrity, competency, and loyalty of the government while ensuring liberties and the nation's destiny are no longer denied.

- He reflected on being tested more than any president in history, sharing that he has learned a lot over the past eight years.

- Trump recounted a near-death experience in Pennsylvania, where he survived an assassination attempt, stating, "I was saved by God to make America great again."

- Trump continues his speech by criticising the Biden administration and its handling of the migrant crisis.

- He states that the country's challenges will be "annihilated" and accuses the US of confronting a crisis of "trust over radical and corrupt establishment."

- He claims the previous administration provided sanctuary and protection for "dangerous criminals" who illegally entered the country.

- Trump accuses the government of giving "unlimited funding to the defence of foreign borders" while neglecting to defend American borders.

- He remarks, "We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home."

- Donald Trump begins his speech as president by addressing fellow presidents and others attending the event, including former Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Joe Biden.

- He states, "The golden age of America begins right now. From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected. I will very simply put America first."

- Trump lays out his vision for America, stressing that sovereignty will be reclaimed, safety restored, and justice rebalanced. He promises to end the "vicious, violent, and unfair weaponisation" of the US Justice Department.

- He highlights that the top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous, and free.

- Trump declares that America will soon be "greater, stronger, and far more exceptional than ever before."

- He expresses confidence and optimism as he returns to the presidency, describing it as the "start of a thrilling new era of national success."

- He concludes by stating, "Sunlight is pouring over the entire world, and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never before."

Now officially the 47th president, Donald Trump is delivering his inaugural address.

Donald Trump is now sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. Supreme court chief justice John Roberts administered the oath.

Biden, in final act in office, issues pardons to his family members, due to 'unrelenting attacks' from Trump and allies. On Monday, President Joe Biden granted pardons to his siblings and their spouses, citing a pattern of political attacks aimed at harming him.

The pardons were issued just before leaving office and also included commutations for allies targeted by Donald Trump. Biden emphasised that these pardons did not imply any wrongdoing or admission of guilt.

Among those pardoned were his brother James and his wife, Sara, his sister Valerie and her husband, John Owens, and his brother Francis. Biden had previously pardoned his son, Hunter, for tax and gun-related crimes.

Melania Trump, left, and Vice President-elect JD Vance arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

President Joe Biden, left, and Vice President Kamala Harris arrive for the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

President-elect Donald Trump has entered the Capitol Rotunda for his swearing-in ceremony, with Vice President-elect JD Vance having entered moments earlier.

Vance was seen shaking President Joe Biden’s hand as he made his way to his seat.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are inside the Capitol Rotunda for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.

The Capitol Rotunda is filling up with guests for Donald Trump’s swearing-in, including living former US presidents.

George W. Bush arrived with his wife, Laura, Bill Clinton was accompanied by Hillary Clinton, but Barack Obama walked in solo. The former presidents had previously gathered for Jimmy Carter’s memorial service, where Michelle Obama was also absent.

Mike Pence, Trump’s former vice president, showed up alone as well. His wife, Karen Pence, notably refused to greet Trump at Carter’s memorial, though Pence himself did speak with his former boss despite their strained relationship.

From left, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush and former President Barack Obama, arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)

Argentina's President Javier Milei, center, former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, top right, and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool Photo via AP)

Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via AP, Pool)

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, followed by Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)

Guests including Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai and Elon Musk, arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Pool)

External affairs minister S Jaishankar is at Trump’s inauguration ceremony in Washington DC. He is is representing PM Modi as his special envoy.

"Privileged to represent 🇮🇳 as External Affairs Minister and Special Envoy of PM at the Swearing-In Ceremony of the 47th President of the United States of America today in Washington DC," he wrote in a post on X.

Flags that were lowered for the passing of former President Jimmy Carter have been raised again at the US Capitol, as House Speaker Mike Johnson ordered them to be lifted for Trump’s inauguration.

US flag flys at full staff at the West Front the US Capitol building on the inauguration day of Donald Trump's second presidential term in Washington, US, January 20, 2025. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

Joe Biden and Donald Trump, along with their spouses and vice-presidents, JD Vance and Kamala Harris, are now at the Capitol for Trump’s swearing in.

Trump and Biden are riding together in the same car, while the two first ladies share a limo, as do Vance and Harris.

Things are buzzing fast today, so while the outgoing and incoming presidents sip tea at the White House, let's catch up!

Trump’s inauguration day kicked off with a church service in DC, where tech billionaires were in attendance with his family and allies. Now, Trump and Melania are hanging with the Bidens, and they will soon roll out for the Capitol.

It’s all leading to the swearing-in ceremony, happening just after 11:00 AM local time (9:30 IST) at the Capital One Arena, where Vice-President-elect JD Vance will take the oath. Trump’s turn to swear in comes before noon EST (10:30 IST), followed by his grand inauguration speech.

And there’s a whole lot more to come – think luncheon, parade, and fancy balls – but we’ll get to that later!

Approximately 2,600 people are expected to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration at the Capitol building. This includes around 800 in the Capitol Rotunda, 1,300 in Emancipation Hall, and 500 in the theater at the Capitol Visitor’s Center, according to the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

Staff prepare for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in the US Capitol Rotunda on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States. Chip Somodevilla/Pool via REUTERS

President Joe Biden, center left, and first lady Jill Biden, left, greet President-elect Donald Trump, center right, and Melania Trump, right, upon arriving at the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have welcomed President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump to the White House following a service at St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Typically, after the morning service, the president-elect, vice president-elect, and their spouses visit the White House for a brief private meeting between the outgoing president and the incoming president.

This year, however, Biden and Trump, along with their spouses, are expected to share tea at the White House. Following this, the outgoing president traditionally accompanies the president-elect to the US Capitol for the swearing-in ceremony.

Outgoing vice president Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, have been seen welcoming JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, to the White House.

Vice President Kamala Harris, center left, and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, left, greet Vice President-elect JD Vance, center right, and his wife Usha Vance, right, upon arriving at the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Joe Biden has shared “one more selfie for the road” alongside his wife, Jill Biden.

“We love you, America,” Biden wrote in a post on X.

Before the ceremony inside the Capitol Rotunda, President-elect Trump will meet with outgoing president Biden and his wife Jill for tea at the White House at around 9.45am local time (8:15pm IST).

Trump will be joined by incoming first lady Melania for the tea, which is traditionally held on inauguration day to welcome the new president.

The meeting offers a stark contrast to four years ago, when Trump refused to acknowledge Mr Biden's election victory or attend his inauguration.

This time around, the incoming and outgoing presidents will travel in the same car as they join a motorcade to depart for the Capitol at around 10:25am local time (8:55pm IST).

Earlier, Biden and first lady Jill greeted the vice president and her husband Doug Emhoff at the Pennsylvania Avenue side of the White House.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has extended his congratulations to Donald Trump ahead of his inauguration, expressing a willingness to engage in dialogue with the new US administration on Ukraine.

“We welcome Trump’s desire to restore direct contacts with Russia and prevent world war three,” Putin said during a video call with Russia’s security council on Monday.

He said he would protect Russia’s interests when negotiating an end to the invasion of Ukraine, noting that any lasting peace would require “resolving the original reasons for the crisis” and “respecting the legal interests of all people who live in the region.”

Donald Trump will issue a memo on Monday directing agencies to investigate trade deficits and unfair trade practices. However, he will stop short of imposing new tariffs on his first day in office, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The presidential memo directs federal agencies to investigate and remedy “persistent trade deficits and address unfair trade and currency policies by other nations”, the outlet writes.

It will also direct agencies to evaluate China’s adherence to its 2020 trade agreement with the US, as well as the current status of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

President-elect Donald Trump, Melania Trump and Barron Trump arrive for a service at St. John's Church, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington, ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump arrive for a service at St. John's Church on Inauguration Day of Donald Trump's second presidential term in Washington, US January 20, 2025. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon

Joining now ? Here is what happened so far:

- Supporters of Donald Trump have started assembling in Washington, DC, ahead of his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States.

- The ceremony will take place indoors at noon (10:30 PM IST) with Vice President-elect JD Vance taking his oath of office before Trump.

- Trump’s speech is anticipated to strike a more optimistic tone compared to his 2017 “American carnage” address. He is expected to call for a “revolution of common sense.”

- According to reports, the new administration plans is set to issue up to 100 executive orders targeting areas like immigration, energy, trade tariffs, January 6 pardons, and transgender rights on the day 1 of new administration.

- Meanwhile, in his final hours as president, Joe Biden pardoned Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley, and members of the House committee that investigated the January 6 Capitol attack, aiming to protect them from potential retaliation by the incoming administration.

- According to a report by The Washington Post, Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) initiative is set to face a lawsuit within minutes of Trump’s inauguration.

-Elon Musk, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg are expected to attend the ceremony. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will also attend, following Trump’s recent stay on a potential ban of the app.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is carrying a personal letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for US President-elect Donald Trump, news agency PTI reported citing sources.

Jaishankar, who is attending Trump’s inauguration in Washington DC as Modi's special envoy, is also set to attend a meeting of the Quad foreign ministers. The meeting likely to take place in Washington DC, could mark the first such meeting under the Trump 2.0 administration.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Monday expressed his optimism about US President-elect Donald Trump’s second term, wishing him a "fruitful" tenure in the White House.

"On our side, we do not want to get into any fight with the US or with Venezuela, China, India, Russia," Lula said. "We want peace, harmony, and relations in which diplomacy is the most important thing."

Meanwhile, Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro said Saturday that he is the victim of political persecution as he accompanied his wife to the airport in Brasilia to board a flight to attend US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.

Brazil's Supreme Court on Thursday rejected Bolsonaro's request to temporarily restore his passport, preventing him from traveling to attend the inauguration. The court ruled that Bolsonaro currently holds no official position that would permit him to represent Brazil at the event.

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou warned on Monday that France and Europe as a whole would have to stand up to US President-elect Donald Trump and his policies, or face being "crushed".

"The United States has decided to embark upon an extremely domineering form of politics, via the dollar, via its industrial policy, via the fact that it can capture the world's investments and the world's research," Bayrou told reporters, as he held a New Year's address in the city of Pau.

"And if we don't do anything, our fate is very simple - we will be dominated. We will be crushed. We will be marginalised," he said.

"And how we react, that is a decision that lies solely with the French people and with Europe, because clearly, without Europe, we cannot do anything," Bayrou added. (Reuters)

In his final hours in office, President Joe Biden has used his extraordinary powers to issue pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci, retired Gen. Mark Milley, and members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. The move is seen as a protective measure against potential "revenge" by the incoming Trump administration.

Biden's decision follows warnings from Donald Trump, who has hinted at an enemies list targeting individuals who opposed him politically or sought to hold him accountable for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

A day filled with ceremony, stage performances, and formal balls awaits, as Donald Trump is inaugurated for his second term on what is expected to be the coldest inauguration in 40 years.

Amid the freezing weather, Trump has promised a flurry of executive actions. Speaking yesterday, he declared, "Every radical and foolish executive order of the Biden administration will be repealed within hours of when I take the oath of office." Read more on the expected orders here.

At a lively rally on Sunday, Trump energised supporters, saying, "You're going to have a lot of fun watching television tomorrow."

It's almost 5 hours now for Trump's inauguration. Donald Trump will be sworn in today as the 47th President of the United States, marking his second term in office and becoming the first president to take the oath as a convicted felon.

The official swearing-in ceremony begins at noon in Washington, DC (10:30PM IST). Vice President-elect JD Vance will take the oath first, followed by Trump, who will also deliver his second inaugural address.

Trump is expected to waste no time in setting the tone for his administration, with a series of executive orders anticipated shortly after the ceremony as part of his renewed Make America Great Again agenda.

Stay tuned to our live blog for real-time updates on today’s events.

Tulsi Gabbard, who has been picked by President-elect Donald Trump to oversee the US intelligence community, along with influential lawmakers has attended a reception of a newly-created Indian American Business Titans organised in the US capital on the eve of the historic presidential inauguration.

Gabbard, influential Republican Senator Rick Scott and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp were seen interacting with Indian-American businessmen and entrepreneurs representing Indian American Business Titans, whose members have a net worth of at least between USD 500 million and USD 1 billion and are mostly from Florida, Georgia and Missouri.

“Our purpose is to do fundraising for good candidates. That's why we said it in our thing that empowering leadership policy means prosperity. We are prosperous. Most of my group members are in a billion and more. We created billions of dollars in the US and Canada,” successful hotelier and entrepreneur from Florida Danny Gaekwad, who is the brain behind such a group, told PTI in an interview on Sunday. -PTI

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has spoken of the relationship shared by the UK and the US as a “uniquely close bond” which would continue to flourish as Donald Trump is set to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of America in Washington DC on Monday.

Extending “warmest congratulations” on behalf of the British government, Starmer sought to focus on Trump's historical ties with the UK – a reference to his familial connection through his Scotland-born mother.

He stressed that the second Trump presidency would see both nations tackle "global challenges" together as they work towards growth on both sides of the Atlantic.

“For centuries, the relationship between our two nations has been one of collaboration, cooperation and enduring partnership. It is a uniquely close bond. Together, we have defended the world from tyranny and worked towards our mutual security and prosperity,” said Starmer in a statement released by 10 Downing Street in London.

Carrie Underwood might not be Beyoncé or Garth Brooks in the celebrity superstar ecosystem. But the singer's participation in President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration is nevertheless a sign of the changing tides, where mainstream entertainers, from Nelly to The Village People are more publicly and more enthusiastically associating with the new administration.

Eight years ago, Trump reportedly struggled to enlist stars to be part of the swearing-in and the various glitzy balls that follow. The concurrent protest marches around the nation had more famous entertainers than the swearing-in, which stood in stark contrast to someone like Barack Obama, whose second inaugural ceremony had performances from Beyonce, James Taylor and Kelly Clarkson and a series of starry onlookers.

There were always some celebrity Trump supporters, such as Kid Rock, Hulk Hogan, Jon Voight, Rosanne Barr, Mike Tyson, Sylvester Stallone and Dennis Rodman, to name a few. But Trump's victory this time around was decisive and while Hollywood may always skew largely liberal, the slate of names participating in his inauguration weekend events has improved.

Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, The Village People and Lee Greenwood all performed at a MAGA style rally Sunday. Those performing at inaugural balls include the rapper Nelly, country music band Rascal Flatts, country singer Jason Aldean and singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw. -AP

Donald Trump's newly-created cryptocurrency soared on Monday to nearly $12 billion in market value, drawing in billions in trading volume, while bitcoin hit a record high just hours ahead of the U.S. President-elect's return to the White House.

Launched on Friday, Trump's meme coin, also known as $TRUMP, surged to $58.56 at 0820 GMT on Monday, giving it a market capitalisaton of about $11.7 billion, according to CoinMarketCap, which ranked it as the 18th biggest cryptocurrency. Its 24-hour trading volume reached $52.5 billion.

Trump had on Friday launched the digital token with branding including an image from his attempted assassination in July, expanding his cryptocurrency interests that already include World Liberty Financial. Of the total number of tokens, 80% are owned by CIC Digital LLC, which is an affiliate of Trump's business The Trump Organization, and another business called Fight Fight Fight LLC, the token's website says. Reuters

Vice President Han Zheng, China’s representative at Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday, is a trusted adviser to President Xi Jinping, a long-time survivor of Chinese politics who rose from toiling on a collective farm and in factories to becoming one of the most powerful people in the country.

China’s decision to send Han, rather than its ambassador to Washington as is usual, appears to be a carefully calibrated signal that it is willing to improve relations with the US, while not leaving Xi exposed to criticism should ties worsen.

Many of the most divisive bilateral issues involve trade, with Trump threatening to impose 60% tariffs on imports from China, but relations have also frayed over technology and China’s moves to assert its territorial claims in the South China Sea.Like many young Chinese, Han was sent to the countryside during the Cultural Revolution to “learn from the peasants” on orders from then-leader Mao Zedong. Many on their return to the cities found jobs in state-run industries. - AP

The U.S. dollar dropped and bitcoin hit an all-time high on Monday before Donald Trump's inauguration as US president later in the session, with investors focusing on policy announcements that could immediately affect the greenback.

Bitcoin, which hit a record high on Monday at $109,071.86 and was last up 4.2 per cent at $108,025.

The dollar index, which measures the US currency against six peers, was 0.32 per cent lower at 109.08. It hit last week a 26-month high of 110.17.

The euro advanced 0.39 per cent to $1.031, but remained near a two-year low touched last week as tariff threats weighed. --Reuters

Describing Donald Trump's inauguration as a “euphoric time” for America wherein the country wants a much bigger change, Asha Jadeja Motwani, a Silicon Valley-based Indian American has said that she is bullish about ties between the US and India under the new administration.

One of the early investors in Google, venture capitalist Motwani, is in the American capital to attend the inauguration.

A Democratic-turned-Trump supporter, she has been attending high-profile close-door events with the President-elect and several of his cabinet colleagues.

“What I'm finding is that the people are fed up with identity politics, of cultural politics. People really want to see America back again driven by merit and by opportunity for all. These are very good times."

Responding to a question on the India-US relationship, Motwani said she wants QUAD to continue. She expressed confidence that this relationship would further strengthen under the Trump administration. --PTI

Oil prices fell on Monday as expectations of Donald Trump relaxing curbs on Russia's energy sector in exchange for a deal to end the Ukraine war offset concern of supply disruption from harsher sanctions.

Brent crude futures dropped 28 cents, or 0.35 per cent, to $80.51 a barrel by 0739 GMT after closing down 0.62 per cent in the previous session. --Reuters

Euro zone bond yields eased in early trading on Monday, with investor focus on the Donald Trump's inauguration and the raft of executive orders he has pledged to sign on day one.

Trump has promised a flurry of executive actions concerning immigration, energy and tariffs early in his presidency.

Germany's 10-year bond yield, the benchmark for the euro zone bloc, slipped 1.1 basis points (bps) to 2.49 per cent in early trading. Yields move inversely to prices.

"(The) market is waiting for the host of executive orders that are likely to be signed in the first day of the Trump presidency," said Mohit Kumar, European economist at Jefferies. --Reuters

Hours ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration, the Chinese foreign ministry said companies should "decide independently" on matters of their operations and deals.

This was in response to a question about US President-elect Donald Trump proposing a 50 per cent US ownership in TikTok.

TikTok CEO Shou Chew will be attending his inauguration ceremony.

TikTok services were restored in the US after a 14-hour shutdown. US president Donald Trump said he would issue an executive order to delay the ban and proposed a US partnership.

The guest list for Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony is a who's who of world leaders, former US presidents, and influential billionaires and tech CEOs. Representing India is External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, while China's Vice President Han Zheng will attend on behalf of President Xi Jinping.

Other notable attendees include Argentina President Javier Milei, Ecuador President Daniel Noboa, Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Australia Foreign Minister Penny Wong.

From the tech world, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg are all expected to attend, along with former US presidents Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W Bush, and Bill Clinton.

(with inputs from New York Times)

President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to sign "close to 100" executive orders just hours after being sworn in as president, revoking dozens of orders and actions taken by the Biden administration.

Trump made the remarks at a pre-inauguration dinner at the National Building Museum, attended by notable figures including Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk .

TikTok users are breathing a sigh of relief and expressing gratitude to President-elect Donald Trump after he pledged to delay the enforcement of a ban on the platform.

"Thank you, President Trump, for saving TikTok!" one user exclaimed, while another added, "We're so grateful for your support! TikTok is more than just an app, it's a community!" The outpouring of support from fans highlights the significant impact TikTok has had on popular culture and the lives of its users, as

TikTok announced on Sunday that it's restoring services in the US, thanks to President-elect Donald Trump's assurance that service providers won't face penalties for hosting the app. In a post on X, TikTok expressed gratitude to Trump, stating that his clarity and assurance enabled them to restore service to over 170 million American users and support

more than 7 million small businesses.

(with inputs from agencies)

Pope Francis has strongly criticized US President-elect Donald Trump's plan to deport immigrants, calling it a "disgrace". In an Italian television interview, the Pope expressed his disapproval of Trump's aggressive deportation plans, stating that it would make "poor wretches who have nothing pay the unpaid bill". Francis emphasized that this approach is not the solution to the issue, reiterating his advocacy for migrants to be welcomed and integrated into societies.

The Pope's criticism is not new, as he previously suggested that Trump's anti-immigration views were "not Christian" during the 2016 presidential campaign ¹. Francis has also appointed Cardinal Robert McElroy, who has described mass deportations as "incompatible with Catholic doctrine," as the next archbishop of Washington, DC. (CNN)

President Joe Biden plans to pen a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, continuing a modern presidential tradition that started with Ronald Reagan in 1989. This gesture comes despite Trump's history of breaking with traditional norms, including skipping Biden's inauguration four years ago.

Biden has firsthand experience with this tradition, having received a "very generous" letter from Trump when he took office. Trump was reportedly inspired to write the letter after being touched by the one left for him by former President Barack Obama.

The letter exchange will be a poignant moment in the transition of power, especially given the tense relationship between Biden and Trump. Their paths will cross on Monday, including a shared ride in the presidential limo to the Capitol for the inauguration.

(with inputs from CNN)

Donald Trump held his final rally as president-elect in Washington, DC on Sunday, covering several key topics. Here's a breakdown of what he discussed:

- TikTok: Trump announced that TikTok is back online in the US, saying "frankly, we have no choice, we have to save it." He promised to issue an executive order delaying the divest-or-ban law.

- Ceasefire Deal: Trump celebrated the recent Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement, taking credit for the deal and calling it a "first step toward lasting peace in the Middle East."

- Los Angeles Wildfires: Trump expressed sympathy for those affected by the wildfires and announced plans to visit California on Friday.

- Executive Orders: Trump vowed to repeal "every radical and foolish executive order of the Biden administration" within hours of taking office, promising an aggressive push of executive actions on his first day.

(with inputs from Reuters)

President-elect Donald Trump arrives at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP

From left, Lara Trump, daughter Carolina, son Luke, Eric Trump, and Donald Trump Jr., right, standing with his daughter Kai Madison Trump, rally before President-elect Donald Trump arrives to speak at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington.(AP)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP)

In a show of unity, President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump will ride together in the same limousine to the Capitol tomorrow for the inauguration ceremony. This gesture marks a return to tradition, as outgoing President Barack Obama had extended the same courtesy to Trump in 2017.

Prior to their joint ride, the Bidens will host the Trumps at the White House for a tea and coffee reception. The two leaders had not ridden together four years ago, when Trump skipped Biden's swearing-in ceremony. (CNN)

In a surprise appearance, Elon Musk joined President-elect Donald Trump on stage, where he expressed his enthusiasm for the changes to come.

Trump welcomed Musk, who was accompanied by his child, and praised him as a "genius" as reported by BBC. Musk briefly addressed the crowd, saying "We're looking forward to making a lot of changes.

This victory is the start really... We're going to do great things here." He also emphasized the importance of cementing the changes and setting a strong foundation for America's future.

Trump thanked Musk and highlighted the need to protect "geniuses" like him, before sharing a personal anecdote about watching one of Musk's rockets land successfully.

Elon Musk, with his son X Æ A-Xii, arrives on the dais with President-elect Donald Trump, at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP)

Donald Trump has promised to sign a record-breaking number of executive orders on his first day in office, boasting that it will make his supporters "extremely happy".

According to Trump, by the end of tomorrow, the "invasion of our borders will have come to a halt" and undocumented immigrants will be on their way back home.

His plans include sealing the Southern border, mass deportation, and preventing transgender people from participating in women's sports. With over 100 executive orders reportedly waiting for his signature, Trump is poised to make a significant impact on his first day in office.

(with inputs from BBC)

In a triumphant speech, President Trump declared "TikTok is back" as of today, marking the reinstatement of the platform's services for US users. Trump's announcement came as he addressed the crowd, promising to "fight" for them over the next four years and touting his campaign's "epic political victory". (BBC)

Thousands of Donald Trump's supporters packed a Washington arena on Sunday to celebrate his victory, a day before the president-elect returns to power with plans to aggressively reshape US immigration and trade policy.

Throngs of fans danced to musician Kid Rock's performance as they awaited Trump's arrival at a "Make America Great Again Victory Rally" at Capital One Arena, an indoor hockey and basketball arena and the venue for some of Monday's inauguration festivities after forecasts of bitter cold prompted officials to cancel the planned outdoor festivities.

The rally was likely to resemble the free-wheeling speeches that have been a Trump staple since his first White House campaign in 2016. The event marked his first major address in Washington since he delivered a speech on Jan. 6, 2021, to his supporters that preceded the storming of the US Capitol.

Stephen Miller, a top Trump adviser, told the audience that Trump would issue an executive order on Monday "ending the border invasion, sending the illegals home and taking America back," drawing cheers.

Ahead of the rally, his fans, many dressed in Trump's trademark red jackets and MAGA hats, waited in a cold, driving rain along several downtown Washington blocks, some chanting "USA! USA!"

Trump's rally, along with his inaugural address on Monday, could preview the tone he plans to adopt during his second White House term. In recent weeks, Trump has bewildered foreign allies by musing aloud about taking over Greenland and the Panama Canal and turning Canada into a U.S. state.

Immigration will be a target of Trump's first executive actions after taking office, along with energy issues and policies aimed at promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, his incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz told CBS. —Reuters

Trump’s rally has kicked off at Capital One Arena with a national anthem performance by singer Kiley Dean. There’s a long list of speakers before Trump himself takes the stage.

(NBC News)

On his last full day in office, President Joe Biden spoke at a South Carolina church, reflecting on his presidency and urging congregants to hold onto faith and hope for a brighter future, as per CNN. “Faith teaches us the America of our dreams is always closer than we think. That’s the faith we must hold on to,” Biden said, adding, “I’m not going anywhere.”

Biden reminisced about his visit to the church in 2020 during his campaign and expressed gratitude for South Carolina's role in reviving his political journey after setbacks in Iowa and New Hampshire. The state’s overwhelming support, particularly from Black voters, propelled him to win the Democratic nomination. Calling his presidency “the honor of his life,” Biden assured the crowd, “I am in no ways tired,” and encouraged them to "keep the faith in a better day to come."

President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance participated in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on Sunday, reported CNN, following the tradition for incoming presidents and vice presidents before their inauguration. The ceremony included a rendition of "Taps" as Trump saluted the tomb. Several of Trump’s national security cabinet nominees, including Sen. Marco Rubio (secretary of state), Pete Hegseth (Pentagon), Elise Stefanik (UN ambassador), and Doug Collins (veterans affairs), were also present.

US Vice President-elect JD Vance met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Sunday, a day before he and President-elect Donald Trump are set to be sworn into office. The two leaders discussed fentanyl, trade balance, and regional stability, according to a statement from the Trump-Vance transition team. Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was invited to attend the inauguration, sent Han as his representative. This meeting comes shortly after Trump and Xi held their first phone call since Trump’s election, discussing TikTok, trade, and Taiwan. Reports indicate Trump is considering a visit to China after taking office, which would be his second as president.

With 10 minutes remaining before the start of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration-eve rally at Capitol One Arena, many upper-level seats remain unfilled, and space is still available in the lower bowl, as per NBC News. The venue, which typically holds 20,000 people, could accommodate an additional thousand attendees due to floor seating. Organizers are continuing to welcome attendees as the rally kicks off.

Thousands of Donald Trump supporters waited in the cold and rain for hours to attend his victory rally, called "Make America Great Again Victory Rally," reported Reuters.

President-elect Donald Trump and Sen. J.D. Vance arrived at Arlington National Cemetery to lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, reported NBC. They were joined by their wives, Melania Trump and Usha Vance, along with several of Trump’s Cabinet picks, including Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence, Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., for secretary of state. Members of Trump’s family, including his children Ivanka, Donald Jr., and Eric, also attended the ceremony.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” at Capitol One Arena in Washington, DC, on Sunday night, reported CNN. The rally precedes Trump’s inauguration on Monday, where Chew is also expected to be among tech leaders participating in the events.

TikTok users in the US are regaining access to the app just hours after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to issue an executive order delaying the app’s ban once he assumes office on Monday, as per Reuters. The platform, which had gone offline late Saturday due to a Supreme Court-upheld ban, is now accessible on browsers and the app, though warnings about the shutdown remain visible.

The ban required TikTok to cease operations in the US unless it divested from Chinese ownership.

Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz praised President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump for their bipartisan roles in facilitating the Gaza ceasefire and hostage agreement, reported CNN. “Both men deserve credit,” Moskowitz stated during a Sunday interview, highlighting the cooperation needed to achieve the deal. With Trump’s inauguration set for Monday, Moskowitz urged Democrats in Congress to focus on bipartisan solutions and adopt a strategy of “selective resistance” toward the incoming administration, supporting collaboration over constant opposition.

Donald Trump announced that on his first day in office, he will issue an executive order to temporarily allow TikTok to continue operating in the US after a law banning the app was set to take effect, as per CNN. He also proposed the US could take a 50% ownership stake in TikTok, either through cooperation with ByteDance or new owners.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan expects President-elect Donald Trump to take swift action on immigration when he assumes office on Monday, including issuing executive orders related to the southern border wall, the “remain in Mexico” policy, and asylum and parole regulations for migrants, reported CNN. In an interview with CNN's Dana Bash on 'State of the Union,' Jordan stated that Trump would likely address these key issues on his first day in office.

Jordan stressed on the importance of the issue, noting that the American public had expressed a strong desire for secure borders during the November 5 elections. He also expressed hope that Trump’s officials, including “border czar” Tom Homan, would begin working immediately on implementing the large-scale deportations promised by the incoming administration. The chairman added that migrants who fail to meet US asylum qualifications could be swiftly targeted under these new policies.

Former Vice President Mike Pence has confirmed he will attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, reported CNN. While his attendance had been uncertain due to his travels in Asia, Pence’s confirmation marks the second time in recent weeks that he will be in the same room as Trump. Their first encounter since January 2021 occurred at President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, where Pence congratulated Trump, though former second lady Karen Pence did not greet him. This will also be the same location where Pence was evacuated to a secure area during the January 6 insurrection.

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his inauguration, outgoing President Joe Biden addressed the start of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage deal in remarks from Charleston, South Carolina, reported CNN. The Israeli military has begun withdrawing from several locations in both southern and northern Gaza. Biden’s team worked on the deal for months, keeping Trump’s transition team informed on the negotiations' final stages.

Israeli officials have credited President-elect Donald Trump for his pivotal role in shaping the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, reported CNN. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called Trump's involvement “very influential,” noting that the strong US support was crucial in the negotiations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also recognized the contributions of both the Biden administration and Trump's transition team in securing the ceasefire and facilitating an upcoming prisoner exchange.

On his final full day in office, US President Joe Biden granted clemency to five individuals, including a posthumous pardon for civil rights leader Marcus Mosiah Garvey, reported CNN. He also commuted the sentences of two others who had shown “remorse, rehabilitation, and redemption.”

Biden also signed an executive order prioritizing economic development funding for distressed communities, focusing on areas facing economic hardship, industrial transitions, and recovery from natural disasters. The order aims to streamline access to federal resources.

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are heading to Charleston, South Carolina, for the president's final official trip before he leaves office tomorrow, reported NBC. The couple will attend a church service and tour the International African American Museum ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Indian National Congress member Jairam Ramesh took to X to comment on the United States’ climate policy. He pointed out the irony of a recent US insider’s account, detailing the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement just as Trump’s administration gets ready to withdraw from it for a second time. "It is ironic that a US insider's excellent account of how the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement came about has been published just as President Trump’s incoming administration readies to withdraw from it a second time," Ramesh wrote.

"India has to keep doing what it must to deal effectively with its multiple vulnerabilities to climate change – which is already having profound economic, social, and public health impacts. It is in our self-interest to be proactive," he said. He also criticized the government's environmental initiatives, saying, "You cannot inflict disasters like the Great Nicobar mega infraproject and claim ecological leadership."

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and Reliance Foundation Chairperson Nita Ambani met Donald Trump on Sunday ahead of his inauguration. The Ambanis, who arrived in Washington DC on January 18, will attend the inauguration ceremony at the US Capitol, where they will have a prominent seat among notable guests, including Trump’s Cabinet nominees and elected officials.

Ahead of the swearing-in, the Ambanis are set to participate in exclusive events, including a candlelight dinner with Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance. They are also expected to attend a black-tie reception co-hosted by Mark Zuckerberg and Republican donor Miriam Adelson.

Leaders of several sanctuary cities are re-evaluating their stance on immigration policies as Donald Trump prepares to take office again and implement mass deportation plans, as per NBC. Some officials have softened their approach, distancing their cities from the "sanctuary city" label and pledging cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Others, however, remain resolute, reaffirming their cities as sanctuaries for undocumented immigrants and rejecting collaboration with Trump's administration on deportation efforts.

Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama are confirmed to attend the swearing-in ceremony tomorrow, according to their offices, reported NBC. While former First Ladies Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton will also be present, Michelle Obama will not attend, as confirmed by the Obamas' office, which provided no explanation.

Donald Trump will hold a "Make America Great Again Victory Rally" on Sunday at Washington’s Capital One Arena, a day before his second inauguration. The event, featuring speeches by Vice President-elect JD Vance, Elon Musk, and others, along with performances by Kid Rock and The Village People, marks Trump’s return to the capital after his Jan. 6, 2021, address.

On January 20, Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the President of the United States for the second time. That the ceremony will be held close to the US Capitol, where Trump supporters launched an attack four years ago over his 2020 electoral loss, is representative of the remarkable political comeback he made in November.

His return to the White House is also rare in the United States’ 200-plus year history in another way. Trump is only the second president to have come to power, lost the re-election and then won again. The first one to do so was Grover Cleveland in the late 1800s.

Trump’s previous stint in power (2017 to 2021) marked a series of firsts and saw several conventions upended, including some that have become a staple of American democracy. In 2020, Trump insisted he won the election, not Joe Biden. He skipped Biden’s inauguration ceremony, which marks the formal transfer of power, and became the first ex-president to have done so in 150 years. Read More

As the deadline for the TikTok ban approaches, the Chinese social media company ByteDance has proactively removed the app from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. For existing users, the app has gone dark, displaying the message: “A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.” This strongly suggests the imminent disappearance of TikTok from the United States of America.

Oracle has begun shutting down TikTok servers in the country, according to The Information. Meanwhile, US President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering a 90-day reprieve from the ban upon taking office, as per NBC News. This potential delay could offer temporary relief for TikTok’s 170 million users and the platform itself.

At present, the app’s removal from major app stores and restricted access for existing users appear to be temporary measures. However, given the current legal scenario, TikTok may soon vanish from the US, mirroring its 2020 ban in India, which saw millions of users migrate to competitor platforms like Instagram. Read More

Business tycoon Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita will attend US President-elect Donald Trump's second inauguration that will also likely be attended by some of America's most influential billionaires and politicians as well as foreign leaders and celebrities.

The Ambanis, who reached US capitol Washington on January 18, were part of a select 100 who attended an intimate 'candlelit dinner' with trump last evening, sources with knowledge of the matter said.

They were perhaps the only Indians to attend the dinner where Vice President-elect JD and Usha Vance also met them.

The couple will attend the January 20 inauguration as the personal invitee of the Trump family, they said.

An email sent to Reliance Industries Ltd, the company Mukesh Ambani heads as chairman and managing director, for comments remained unanswered. (PTI)

The inauguration begins with President-elect Trump taking the oath of office at 12 pm EST (10.30 pm IST)

Note on the inaugural address: The incoming 47th president, in his interviews, has described the speech intended as uplifting and unifying, contrasting with his 2017 “American Carnage” address.

Following a formal lunch, Trump will participate in a traditional parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House

He is said to be preparing to sign a series of about 100 executive orders on his first day back in office for a second term

Ahead of the oath-taking ceremony, Trump’s inauguration weekend includes 18 galas, with three official events.

While President-elect Trump indulges in celebrations and prepares to take oath on Monday, thousands of people are seen gathering in Washington to protest against his policies.

Displaying anti-Trump posters and banner, the protesterrs raised slogans against the soon to be 47th US President and also against some of his close supporters including Tesla owner Elon Musk.

The same group had also held a similar protest on January 2017, when Trump was inaugurated for the first time.

There were a series of three protests which started from three different parks and culminated near the Lincoln Memorial, coinciding with Trump's arrival for a series of weekend events in the lead-up to his swearing-in ceremony.

“Mass protest is one of the most effective ways to demonstrate to our communities that we are not obeying in advance or bowing to fascism, and invites them to do the same,” People's March was quoted as saying by news agency AP.

US President-elect Donald Trump has decided that he will take the oath of office on January 20 using his Bible given to him by his mother, alongside the Lincoln Bible for his swearing-in on January 20, the inaugural committee announced on Friday.

According to a PTI report, Trump received this Bible in 1955 to commemorate his Sunday Church Primary School graduation at First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, New York.

Due to the forecast of a record cold temperatures in the US, President-elect Donald Trump moved his inauguration day programes, including the Swearing-in-ceremony to inside the US Capitol, instead of outside the building.

Now, most of the 220,000 ticketed people will not be able to witness the inauguration day programs and Trump's much awaited Swearing-in as just a fraction will be able to fit inside the 20,000-seat Capital One Arena where the inauguration will be broadcast and parade entertainers and participants are expected to perform.

When US President-elect Donald Trump decided to move his 2025 Presidential inauguration on January 20 from the West Front of Capitol Hill to inside the Capitol Rotunda and the main inaugural parade to Capital One Arena, an indoor stadium atop Washington Metro due to dangerously frigid temperatures, a group of 30 men and women of Indian origin, who call themselves ‘Shivam Dhol Tasha Group’, were tremendously relieved.

The Texas-based percussion group, which will perhaps be the first all-Indian group to perform at the US Presidential inauguration since its inception in 1789, when the first US President George Washington took oath on the balcony of the Federal Hall in New York, has been concerned about the performance being affected by the Arctic winds sweeping across the US.

The group identifies the enormity of its presence at one of the most significant transitions of power in the world and wants to make sure the performance goes smoothly. “We are used to playing during hot summers in Texas. Washington is dealing with sub-zero temperatures at this point,” says Harish Nehate, an Irving-based realtor who is the group’s co-founder, and plays the single-headed, high-pitched, gong that is part of the traditional drum and snare ensemble.

(Read more from the report)

On January 20, Republican leader Donald Trump will take oath as the 47th President of the United States and a swarm of big tech CEOs and entrepreneurs are likely to be present during his Swearing-in-ceremony.

The inauguration day is poised to bring together tech executives who will be cheering for Trump from the stands.

Among the likes of who all will attend, includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and TikTok CEO Shou Chew.

The Inauguration Day will begin with President-elect Donald Trump's Swearing-in-ceremony, scheduled at 12pm Eastern Time (10:30 pm Indian Standard Time) on January 20.

The Inauguration Day ceremony can be watched live on major news channels and outlets of US, including NBC, CNN, ABC, CBS, Fox News, CSPAN among others.

Donald Trump, who is all set to take oath of office as the 47th President of the United States, has arrived in the capital city of Washington DC as the preparation for his Swearing-in-ceremony appears to be almost complete. Rehearsals for the inauguration ceremony was conducted on January 13.

In a press release, inaugural committee’s co-chairs Steve Witkoff and Kelly Loeffler said, “President Trump is dedicated to uniting the country through the strength, security, and opportunity of his America First agenda.”

Here is the schedule of Donald Trump's Swearing-in-ceremony for January 20:

US President-elect Donald Trump arrived in Washington DC on Saturday evening for a celebration of his Swearing-in-ceremony as he returns to the White House on January 20 on the Inauguration Day that has been upended by record cold temperatures.

Trump will deliver his inaugural address as a part of the official transfer of power. The presidential oath will be administered in the presence of United States Chief Justice John Roberts.

Trump flew from the Republican's base in Palm Beach, Florida via Air Force One sent by President Joe Biden as he prepared for his transition after winning the Nov. 5 election against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.