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1. Inauguration
In Washington, DC and states across the country, authorities are stepping up security ahead of tomorrow’s presidential inauguration. The head of the DC National Guard even said that the FBI is examining the troops involved in the security of the U.S. Capitol to avoid privileged threats. However, there is no information to indicate that this threat is underway, the acting defense secretary said. Minor protests erupted over the weekend in some cities in the state capital, including crowds of armed protesters who gathered yesterday in Richmond, Virginia. Meanwhile, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has officially resigned from the Senate in anticipation of her new role, and Melania Trump will break with tradition by not inviting her successor, Jill Biden, to tour the White House housing.
2. Transition to the White House
President Trump is expected to issue about 100 pardons and commutations today, his last full day in office. According to reports, the list of leniency actions includes white-collar criminals and high-profile rappers, but so far neither Trump himself nor his family members (there has been talk that Trump was forgiven after the riots Chapters). The president also wanted to declassify information related to Russia’s investigation before leaving office, but with the hours set, it is unclear whether this will be done. Even after he leaves office, Trump has at least one thorny battle ahead of him: his indictment, which is likely to begin soon in the Senate. Speaking of the Senate, Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Republican leader Mitch McConnell come up with a plan for how the uniformly divided Senate will be run. Democrats will make the schedule and each party is likely to have an even number of committee seats.
3. Coronavirus
China and the World Health Organization could have acted faster and harder to contain the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak. This is the conclusion of the Independent Committee for Pandemic Preparedness and Response based in Switzerland. The group also said the world needs a “global reset” of how it handles these situations. In the US, there is bad news and, well, a little less bad news. More than 60% of all Covid-19 cases nationwide have been reported since election day, resulting in nightmare-level infection rates. However, cases have declined 11% since it peaked last week. Experts say it is too early for optimism, as this decline may not be sustainable. Also in China, a dangerous situation is developing, as state media have launched disinformation campaigns to attack questions about the effectiveness of the coronavirus vaccine produced by Chinese medical company Sinovac.
4. Russia
Alexey Navalny has been ordered to remain detained for 30 days after returning to Russia this weekend. The Kremlin critic was immediately arrested after flying to Moscow from Germany, and was subjected to a surprise hearing yesterday. Navalny was put on the country’s federal lawsuit list last month for violating parole conditions related to a 2014 conviction for fraud, which he dismisses as politically motivated. It has only been five months since Navalny was poisoned with a nerve agent Novichok. Several Western officials and Navalny himself openly blamed the Kremlin for the act. After his hearing yesterday, Navalny urged his followers not to “shut up” and take to the streets. A national demonstration is organized to demand his freedom.
5. Uganda
Most of Uganda is back online after a five-day internet outage that critics call a “pre-meditated and pre-election internet shutdown manual case.” Ugandans recently held their presidential election and Internet connectivity was restored after incumbent President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner for a record sixth term. His opponent, Bobi Wine, a singer turned politician named Robert Kyagulanyi, has protested the results and says he has evidence of fraud and intimidation. Wine has been under house arrest after the military surrounded his home on Friday, he said. Yesterday heavily armed military and police stormed their party offices in Kampala. Museveni’s house arrest of Wine and the blockade of the Internet have been condemned internationally.
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And they say the perfect job doesn’t exist!
For all 2021 stress relief needs, there is a hotline urging people to call and shout
“Hi, yeah, I just wish … AAAAAAAaAAAAAaaaaGGGHHHHHH.”
TODAY’S ISSUE
$ 12.2 million
This is the depth of the deficit in which the National Rifles Association operated in 2019. The ANR filed for bankruptcy over the weekend, following shakes of leadership and allegations of financial mismanagement in recent years.
TODAY’S BUDGET
“My father always believed in the people of our nation. I would certainly be very disappointed with how we decided to behave at this particular time.”
Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, about what she thinks her father should say about the current political climate in the U.S.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check out the local forecast here >>>
AND FINALLY
Sit by the water, pet a cat
Looks like it’s going to be a stressful week. It’s best to enjoy a beautiful waterfront view and a few feline friends when you can. (Click here to see it.)