The FBI announced on Thursday that it officially shut down its Office of Diversity and Inclusion last month, a move that coincides with anticipated measures to curtail “woke” initiatives in federal agencies as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on Monday.
“In recent weeks, the FBI took steps to close the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, effective by December 2024,” an FBI spokesperson confirmed in a statement to The Hill.
The now-defunct office, established in 2012, was originally tasked with fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace. According to the FBI’s website, its mission was “to provide guidance and implement programs that promote a diverse and inclusive workplace that allows all employees to succeed and advance.”

Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President inside the Capital Rotunda as bitter cold is forecast to grip the nation’s capital on Monday.
The president-elect announced the change of plans in a noontime Truth Social post Friday, writing in part: “I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way. It is dangerous conditions for the tens of thousands of Law Enforcement, First Responders, Police K9s and even horses, and hundreds of thousands of supporters that will be outside for many hours on the 20th (In any event, if you decide to come, dress warmly!).

The Israel Prison Service is finalizing arrangements to carry out the release of security prisoners in accordance with decisions made by the political leadership and the framework of the hostage return agreement.
Under direct orders from the IPS commissioner, the Red Cross will not be involved in certain aspects of the escort process. This decision aims to ensure that strict security protocols are upheld and to prevent any public displays of jubilation on Israeli soil.
IPS Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi convened a meeting that included numerous representatives from various security agencies. The purpose of the meeting was to finalize the operational logistics for the release of security prisoners, which is being conducted as part of “Operation Way of the Land.”

The IDF has announced that it has launched “proceedings” against chareidim who have failed to report to induction centers despite receiving draft orders.
According to the military, those who repeatedly ignore draft notices “will be considered to be committing an offense of unauthorized absence from duty, and are expected to face criminal sanctions.”
While the IDF has not specified what penalties will be imposed, it has already issued over 1,000 warrants aimed at restricting the international travel of individuals who have disregarded multiple draft orders.
The military emphasized its role as “the people’s army” and stated that it is committed to drafting all eligible individuals “in accordance with the law and the directives of the political echelon.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, described the forthcoming agreement for a ceasefire and the release of hostages between Israel and Hamas as a setback for Israel.
“It will be written in books that there was a mob who once killed thousands of children and women in Gaza,” Khamenei stated in a post on the social media platform X.
He credited the truce to “the patience of the people and the steadfastness of Palestinian resistance and the Resistance Front.”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran also lauded the ceasefire, framing it as a success for the Palestinian cause and a failure for Israel.

President Joe Biden, in an interview, shared details about a discussion he had with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack. During their conversation, Biden told Netanyahu, “You can’t be carpet-bombing these communities.”
Speaking to MSNBC, Biden recounted Netanyahu’s response, which referenced the United States’ use of nuclear weapons on civilian areas during World War Two. Biden replied, “But that’s why we came up with the UN.”

Biden explained that Netanyahu defended his position by saying, “Look, these are the guys that killed my people.” The president added that he does not think Netanyahu intentionally delayed negotiations aimed at securing a hostage-ceasefire agreement with Hamas for personal political gain.

After extended and complex discussions, Israel is preparing to launch the first stage of a major agreement to secure the release of hostages. The initial phase, scheduled to commence on Sunday, January 19, 2025, involves the liberation of 33 hostages over a period of 42 days. Those being freed include women, children, elderly individuals, and people with critical medical needs.
The process begins on January 19 with the release of three hostages. Additional hostages will be freed weekly, prioritizing women and children. This stage will culminate with the release of Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who have been held in captivity for an extended period.

Israel’s Security Cabinet met in Yerushalayim on Friday and recommended that the full Cabinet approve the Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas.
The full Cabinet was set to convene for the final vote at 3:30 p.m.
The accord’s first stage is to see the phased release of 33 hostages—alive or dead—over a six-week period starting on Sunday, in return for the release of about 1,000 Palestinian terrorists from Israeli prisons.
The ceasefire is expected to go in effect at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, with the first three hostages, women, to be freed around 4 p.m. Their names were slated to be revealed on Shabbos afternoon by Hamas, 24 hours before their release.

The Likud party released a statement aimed at National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, asserting that the “current agreement allows Israel to resume military action under American assurances.” This marked the first official acknowledgment of such a claim, following earlier references attributed only to an unnamed “political figure.”
In its statement, Likud addressed Ben-Gvir’s threat to temporarily exit the government coalition over the terms of the cease-fire and hostage release agreement. The party declared that “those who dismantle a right-wing government will go down in history as a global embarrassment.”

President Trump’s team achieves a hostage deal in Gaza…but what comes next?
Ben Shapiro explains. WATCH:

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