A group known as the Military Committee for Refoundation has declared the removal of the president and all state institutions in Benin. This announcement was made on the country's state TV by a group of soldiers, indicating a coup and adding to a series of similar events in West Africa.

A recent arrest is part of a government crackdown on speech deemed to incite hatred towards the authorities. Critics argue that this is an attempt to silence demands for accountability. The government is focused on increasing voter turnout in an upcoming election, which is being overshadowed by a fatal fire and public outrage over safety issues and lack of official accountability.

An individual was arrested as part of a government crackdown on speech inciting hatred towards the government. Critics argue that this is an attempt to silence demands for accountability. The authorities have accused foreign media of spreading negative information about the government's handling of a fire incident, warning them to be cautious.

A federal judge in Washington, D.C. has blocked the Department of Justice from using evidence belonging to James Comey's former lawyer and law professor, Daniel Richman, in the case against Comey. The judge's decision delays the government's access to key evidence used in the original indictment against Comey.

At least 25 people, including tourists, were killed in a fire at a popular nightclub in India's Goa state, according to the state's chief minister. The fire tore through the nightclub in the southwestern state of Goa, a popular tourist destination.

CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz has given Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz a 60-day ultimatum to restore the integrity of the state's Medicaid program or risk losing federal funding. Dozens of state residents have been charged with defrauding a program meant to provide food for children during the pandemic. Governor Walz is facing scrutiny over a billion-dollar welfare fraud scandal in Minnesota, with accusations of a cover-up by Republican Scott Jensen.

A new law in the country aims to restrict children under 16 from using popular social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Instagram. This sweeping federal regulation is one of the first nationwide attempts to limit young teenagers' access to these platforms, but teenagers are skeptical about its effectiveness.

At the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony, Kelsey Grammer praised President Trump as one of the greatest presidents. Trump presented medals to five new honorees, including Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, George Strait, KISS, and Michael Crawford. The event raised a record $23 million under Trump and Grenell's leadership. The honorees were celebrated in the Oval Office, where Trump awarded them with prestigious medals.

The text highlights a fraud scandal that has drawn attention to communities like Willmar, where Somalis are involved in businesses and work at the Jennie-O turkey plant. It also mentions Cedar-Riverside in Minneapolis, known as 'Little Mogadishu,' which showcases the cultural impact of Minnesota's Somali population.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth admitted to personally authorizing the Trump administration's first strike on a suspected drug vessel off Venezuela and watched the operation live. There are concerns about the legality of the strikes, with The Times Opinion editor Kathleen Kingsbury arguing that they were legally dubious. The Washington Post reported that Hegseth made a controversial "kill them all" order, but refutations of this claim have emerged.

Migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in an inflatable boat capsized south of the island of Crete. Greek authorities reported that at least two people have been rescued, while 17 others tragically died in the wreck.

The National Park Service has updated its free-admission calendar, adding President Trump's birthday as a free-entry day while removing Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth. The Department of the Interior designated these days as "resident-only patriotic fee-free days." The Trump administration removed MLK Day and Juneteenth from the list, citing opposition to "woke" policies, and added Flag Day, which coincides with President Trump's birthday, as a fee-free entry day at national parks.

Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine using 653 drones and 51 missiles, injuring eight people. Meanwhile, peace talks between Ukrainian and U.S. officials are ongoing in Florida. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war are progressing to the "next steps." The latest Russian attack targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, coinciding with discussions for a peace deal between the U.S. and Ukraine to halt the full-scale invasion.

State Sen. Jim Abeler of Minnesota wrote a letter to President Trump praising the Somali community and expressing surprise over Trump's recent comments calling Somali immigrants "garbage." Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz criticized Trump for his remarks, calling them unprecedented and dangerous. Walz also mentioned that drivers have been repeating Trump's derogatory comments about him and the Somali community. The governor described the behavior as shameful and raised concerns about the impact of such xenophobic rhetoric on the state.

San Diego is preparing to pay a significant settlement to the family of 16-year-old Konoa Wilson, who was fatally shot by police. This payout is expected to be one of the largest in the United States for a police killing, surpassing the $27 million settlement received by George Floyd's family.

The White House has issued a warning about Europe facing a demographic crisis due to mass immigration, which could weaken NATO alliances and drastically change the continent within 20 years. The Trump administration's strategy in Venezuela is targeting allies of Putin, potentially creating leverage to end the Ukraine war by weakening Russia's client states. The new National Security Strategy from the Trump administration emphasizes concerns about mass migration and political issues leading to "civilizational erasure" in Europe, marking a significant departure from previous directives. Additionally, the administration has unveiled a comprehensive national security blueprint that includes reviving the Monroe Doctrine to counter foreign influence in the Western Hemisphere and aims to assert America's dominance in the region.

A mass shooting at an unlicensed bar near Pretoria, South Africa, left at least 11 people dead, including three children aged 3, 12, and 16. Fourteen others were wounded and taken to the hospital. Multiple suspects were involved in the attack.

Iowa State's athletic director, Jamie Pollard, became emotional discussing Matt Campbell's departure to become the new head coach at Penn State after 10 seasons with the Cyclones. Penn State has hired Campbell to replace James Franklin, who was fired nearly two months ago.

The new White House policy document formalizes President Trump's disdain for Europe's leaders and emphasizes that Europe is at a strategic crossroads. Following the National Guard shooting, the administration has increased restrictions on 19 countries in the initial travel ban. President Trump's National Security Strategy focuses on business, reducing migration, and refrains from criticizing authoritarians. The strategy shifts focus from Middle East terrorism to Western Hemisphere threats and border security, with Trump declaring the end of the "era of mass migration" and targeting China as a central threat.

National Guardsman Andrew Wolfe, 24, remains in acute care with a head wound after being shot on Nov. 26 in Washington, D.C. His family expects him to stay in care for a few more weeks. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey and Attorney General Pam Bondi provide health updates, with Bondi noting that Wolfe is now able to open both eyes.

President Donald Trump praised the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., where Canada, Mexico, and the United States had favorable draws. Following the draw, the trio met privately for about 50 minutes and briefly discussed trade. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum met Trump for the first time during the event. Additionally, FIFA awarded Trump its inaugural Peace Prize, and he suggested renaming soccer to football and the NFL during the World Cup.

Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is causing significant disruptions in the entertainment industry and the future of moviegoing. The deal, which would give Netflix expansive power over theater owners and entertainment-industry unions, is raising concerns about job losses, theater closings, and a potential decrease in boundary-pushing movies. Lawmakers are expressing anti-monopoly concerns over the $82.7 billion deal, which could further solidify Netflix's dominance in the entertainment market. There are questions about whether the White House will intervene to support Paramount Skydance in light of this development.

Vanity Fair is parting ways with West Coast editor Olivia Nuzzi due to ongoing controversy surrounding her relationship with profile subject Robert F. Kennedy Jr. while she was a correspondent for New York magazine. The decision was made mutually, and Nuzzi's contract will end at the conclusion of the year following allegations of inappropriate relationships with interview subjects.

The Trump administration has temporarily halted key avenues for migrants to gain legal status in the US following the National Guard shooting. The text warns that once nativism gains momentum, it can be challenging to reverse.

NBA Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning is calling for stricter gambling regulations in the wake of recent betting scandals involving athletes like Terry Rozier. Mourning also discussed various NBA topics, including changes in the league, the potential of player Victor Wembanyama, and his charitable work in Miami.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia has been missing from Washington since announcing her resignation from Congress. She has missed a week's worth of votes as she prepares for early retirement following a messy split from former President Donald Trump. An interview conducted by Lesley Stahl for "60 Minutes" with Greene will be aired before her exit from Congress next month.

The FBI used cellphone data to crack the years-old Jan. 6 pipe bomber case, despite previously claiming the data didn't exist. The investigation into suspect Brian Cole Jr. has raised questions about potential incompetence or negligence. CNN anchor Jake Tapper apologized for misidentifying Cole Jr. as a "30-year-old White man." Cole Jr. confessed to planting pipe bombs in Washington, D.C., in 2021 and expressed disappointment in the 2020 election results.

Renowned architect Frank Gehry, who passed away at the age of 96, left a lasting impact on classical music through his innovative designs with exceptional acoustics. Over his eight-decade career, Gehry was celebrated as one of the most creative and influential figures in architecture, known for his experimental metallic structures. His iconic works, such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, redefined the architectural landscape with their joyful and provocative designs. Colleagues, clients, and partners reflect on Gehry's remarkable life and contributions to the field.

Russian forces have made advances on multiple fronts, with President Putin showing no signs of backing down from demands after talks with U.S. officials. During his visit to India, Putin received a warm welcome, signaling India's defiance of U.S. sanctions for buying Russian oil. Putin stated that Russia would take part of Ukraine by force if Kyiv's troops did not withdraw. Russian oil exports have decreased due to U.S. sanctions on major oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil. Prime Minister Modi praised Putin, highlighting the strong personal relationship between the leaders and their countries.