Participants in Joe Biden's inauguration rehearsal evacuated from Capitol after fire in homeless encampment
Four law enforcement officials told The Associated Press there had been a blaze several blocks over and the rehearsal was evacuated in an abundance of caution

The Capitol. Stefani Reynolds/The New York Times
Washington: Participants in a rehearsal for President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration were evacuated from the West Front of the Capitol on Monday on orders of security officials after a fire in a homeless encampment, officials said.
Those who had gathered for a walk-through, including a military band, were directed to head indoors and moved in the directed of a secure location inside the Capitol complex.
People involved in the rehearsal said security officials yelled "this is not a drill."
Four law enforcement officials told The Associated Press there had been a blaze several blocks over and the rehearsal was evacuated in an abundance of caution.
The Capitol complex and surrounding areas have been locked down after a riot there 6 January.
Subscribe to Moneycontrol Pro at ₹499 for the first year. Use code PRO499. Limited period offer. *T&C apply
also read

Joe Biden to attend first G7 leaders’ meet; Britain to push for speedier rollout of COVID-19 vaccines
Biden has pledged to join the COVAX initiative, and the White House says he will emphasise the need for global coordination on vaccine distribution

USA rejoins the Paris climate accord: Five scholars explain why it matters for the US, other countries
While almost every country ratified the 2015 agreement, aiming to limit global temperature rise, the US was the only one to withdraw.

Biden administration vows to ensure US, not ‘authoritarian China’, will set international agenda
US and China are engaged in a bitter confrontation over various issues, including trade, the origins of COVID-19 and Beijing’s aggression in the South China Sea