January, 2026
Trump’s ‘unprecedented’ diplomat recall sparks concerns over politicization of foreign service
U.S. State Department officials have said that the recall of nearly 30 ambassadors is part of reshaping the U.S. diplomatic posture abroad with personnel deemed fully supportive of U.S. President Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ priorities. (Alex Brandon/The Associated Press) Since the founding of the modern American Foreign Service in 1924, there has never been anything like the recent move by the United States to recall 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial and other senior embassy posts, says the president of the American Foreign Service Association. “This is entirely unprecedented,” said JohnRead more
Here’s what New Year’s celebrations looked like as the world rang in 2026
From Sydney to Paris to New York City and Toronto, crowds rang in the new year with exuberant celebrations filled with thunderous fireworks or light shows, while others took a more subdued approach. As the clock struck midnight in Japan, temple bells rang and some climbed mountains to see the year’s first sunrise, while a light show with somersaulting jet skis twinkled in Dubai. In New York City’s Times Square, revellers braved frigid temperatures to celebrate with the famed New Year’s Eve ball drop. Confetti drops and fireworks explode atRead more
Trump says he’s pausing efforts to send National Guard to Chicago, L.A. and Portland
Members of the California National Guard are seen near a federal building in Los Angeles on June 10. (Eric Thayer/The Associated Press) U.S. President Donald Trump said he’s dropping — for now — his push to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland, Ore., a move that comes after legal roadblocks hung up the effort. Trump said in a social media post Wednesday that he’s removing the Guard troops for now. “We will come back, perhaps in a much different and stronger form, when crime begins toRead more