Everything you need to know about the world this morning, curated by VICE.Trump Prepares to Take Office, Pledges to Unify Nation
The real estate developer and reality TV host Donald Trump becomes the 45th president of the United States today. He will take the oath of office at midday, and has reportedly arranged for 20-plane military flyover to take place during the inauguration parade. Speaking on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial Thursday night, Trump said: "We're going to unify our country. We're going to make America great for all of our people…That includes the inner cities."—BBC News / The Huffington PostPolice Use Pepper Spray at Anti-Trump Protest
Police used pepper spray on anti-Trump protesters demonstrating outside the pro-Trump "DeploraBall" event in Washington, DC, Thursday night. Some protestors had set off smoke devices. Others rallied outside Trump International hotel in New York City, where Robert De Niro, Alec Baldwin, and NYC mayor Bill de Blasio all spoke against Trump.—NBC News
US News
The real estate developer and reality TV host Donald Trump becomes the 45th president of the United States today. He will take the oath of office at midday, and has reportedly arranged for 20-plane military flyover to take place during the inauguration parade. Speaking on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial Thursday night, Trump said: "We're going to unify our country. We're going to make America great for all of our people…That includes the inner cities."—BBC News / The Huffington PostPolice Use Pepper Spray at Anti-Trump Protest
Police used pepper spray on anti-Trump protesters demonstrating outside the pro-Trump "DeploraBall" event in Washington, DC, Thursday night. Some protestors had set off smoke devices. Others rallied outside Trump International hotel in New York City, where Robert De Niro, Alec Baldwin, and NYC mayor Bill de Blasio all spoke against Trump.—NBC News
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El Chapo Extradited to the US and Jailed in New York
Mexico extradited Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán to the US on Thursday night to face drug trafficking and other charges, and he was taken to Manhattan's Metropolitan Correctional Center. One US official said the timing of the extradition was accelerated to precede Trump's inauguration.—VICE News/CNNObama Grants Record Number of Commutations on Final Day
President Obama commuted the sentences of 330 drug offenders in federal prisons on Thursday, the largest number of clemency grants ever made in a single day. "Proud to make this one of my final actions as President," he tweeted. Obama granted 1,715 people clemency during his time in office, more than any president in history.—USA TodayWest African Military Intervention Hones in on Gambia
A coalition of West African nations has given Yahya Jammeh one last chance to step down in Gambia or face violent removal. Adama Barrow, who beat Jammeh in the presidential election in December, was sworn in as the new Gambian president in Senegal on Thursday. Troops from Senegal and neighboring countries crossed into Gambia and gave Jammeh until noon Friday to leave or be ousted, a deadline he asked to be extended.—BBC NewsISIS Destroys Part of Palmyra's Ancient Amphitheater
ISIS has destroyed part of a Roman amphitheater in the Syrian city of Palmyra, according to the country's director of antiquities. Maamoun Abdulkarim said militants had destroyed the tetrapylon, a collection of pillars at the entrance, as well as part of the amphitheater's façade. ISIS recaptured Palmyra from government forces in December.—The Guardian
Mexico extradited Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán to the US on Thursday night to face drug trafficking and other charges, and he was taken to Manhattan's Metropolitan Correctional Center. One US official said the timing of the extradition was accelerated to precede Trump's inauguration.—VICE News/CNNObama Grants Record Number of Commutations on Final Day
President Obama commuted the sentences of 330 drug offenders in federal prisons on Thursday, the largest number of clemency grants ever made in a single day. "Proud to make this one of my final actions as President," he tweeted. Obama granted 1,715 people clemency during his time in office, more than any president in history.—USA TodayWest African Military Intervention Hones in on Gambia
A coalition of West African nations has given Yahya Jammeh one last chance to step down in Gambia or face violent removal. Adama Barrow, who beat Jammeh in the presidential election in December, was sworn in as the new Gambian president in Senegal on Thursday. Troops from Senegal and neighboring countries crossed into Gambia and gave Jammeh until noon Friday to leave or be ousted, a deadline he asked to be extended.—BBC NewsISIS Destroys Part of Palmyra's Ancient Amphitheater
ISIS has destroyed part of a Roman amphitheater in the Syrian city of Palmyra, according to the country's director of antiquities. Maamoun Abdulkarim said militants had destroyed the tetrapylon, a collection of pillars at the entrance, as well as part of the amphitheater's façade. ISIS recaptured Palmyra from government forces in December.—The Guardian
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Thousands of Child Soldiers Recruited in Somalian Conflict, Says UN
A UN report states that more than 6,000 children, some as young as nine, have been recruited and exploited in Somalia since 2010, mostly by the al Shabab militant group. The UN secretary-general, António Guterres, said he was "deeply troubled" by reports children had been taught to use weapons, carry ammunition, and act as spies.—Al JazeeraChinese Economy Grows at Slowest Rate in Quarter-Century
Official GDP figures show China's economy has grown at its slowest rate since 1990. The Chinese economy grew by 6.7 percent in 2016, down from 6.9 percent the previous year. The country's national statistics bureau insisted it was "good start" in meeting the government's target of 6.5 percent annual growth between now and 2020.—AFPKanye West Gets (Another) College Course
Washington University in St. Louis has launched a new course devoted entirely to the politics and artistry of Kanye West. Professor Jeffrey McCune is teaching the course, entitled "Politics of Kanye West: Black Genius and Sonic Aesthetics," to 75 students.—BillboardNew York Jets Owner to be US Ambassador to UK
New York Jets owner Robert "Woody" Johnson will be America's next ambassador to the UK, President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday. Johnson, 69, is a big Republican campaign fundraiser and donor.—The New York TimesAnonymous Promises to Make Trump 'Regret' Presidency
Hacking collective Anonymous has issued a warning to incoming president Donald Trump: "You are going to regret the next 4 years." A series of tweets from the group alleged Trump was "implicated in some really heavy shit."—MicGorillaz Drop New Track, First in Six Years
Gorillaz have released its first new material in six years. The track, "Hallelujah Money," featuring London poet and pianist Benjamin Clementine, is described by the band's bassist Murdoc as "a lightning bolt of truth in a black night."—NoiseyTesla Cleared of Fault After Fatal Autopilot Accident
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has cleared Tesla of any fault after an investigation into a fatal accident involving a vehicle in autopilot. NHTSA concluded the system still required a driver to "take action to avoid crashes."—MotherboardCNN to Hire Fake News Investigator
CNN Media is hiring a reporter to investigate the origin of fake news stories spreading online. "We're going to be examining the wave of 'fake news' stories and the people behind them," the job ad states.—VICE
A UN report states that more than 6,000 children, some as young as nine, have been recruited and exploited in Somalia since 2010, mostly by the al Shabab militant group. The UN secretary-general, António Guterres, said he was "deeply troubled" by reports children had been taught to use weapons, carry ammunition, and act as spies.—Al JazeeraChinese Economy Grows at Slowest Rate in Quarter-Century
Official GDP figures show China's economy has grown at its slowest rate since 1990. The Chinese economy grew by 6.7 percent in 2016, down from 6.9 percent the previous year. The country's national statistics bureau insisted it was "good start" in meeting the government's target of 6.5 percent annual growth between now and 2020.—AFPKanye West Gets (Another) College Course
Washington University in St. Louis has launched a new course devoted entirely to the politics and artistry of Kanye West. Professor Jeffrey McCune is teaching the course, entitled "Politics of Kanye West: Black Genius and Sonic Aesthetics," to 75 students.—BillboardNew York Jets Owner to be US Ambassador to UK
New York Jets owner Robert "Woody" Johnson will be America's next ambassador to the UK, President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday. Johnson, 69, is a big Republican campaign fundraiser and donor.—The New York TimesAnonymous Promises to Make Trump 'Regret' Presidency
Hacking collective Anonymous has issued a warning to incoming president Donald Trump: "You are going to regret the next 4 years." A series of tweets from the group alleged Trump was "implicated in some really heavy shit."—MicGorillaz Drop New Track, First in Six Years
Gorillaz have released its first new material in six years. The track, "Hallelujah Money," featuring London poet and pianist Benjamin Clementine, is described by the band's bassist Murdoc as "a lightning bolt of truth in a black night."—NoiseyTesla Cleared of Fault After Fatal Autopilot Accident
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has cleared Tesla of any fault after an investigation into a fatal accident involving a vehicle in autopilot. NHTSA concluded the system still required a driver to "take action to avoid crashes."—MotherboardCNN to Hire Fake News Investigator
CNN Media is hiring a reporter to investigate the origin of fake news stories spreading online. "We're going to be examining the wave of 'fake news' stories and the people behind them," the job ad states.—VICE