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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 securing the US Capitol to prevent any threat from inside. However, there is no information to indicate that such a threat is in full swing, said the interim secretary of defense. Smaller protests erupted in several cities in the state capital over the weekend, 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 visit White House neighborhoods. .
2. The transition of the White House
President Trump is expected to issue about 100 pardons and switches today, his last full day in office. It seems that the list of leniency actions includes white-collar criminals and high-quality rappers, but so far not Trump himself or his family members (there has been talk of Trump forgiving himself after the Capitol riots). The president also wanted to declassify information related to Russia’s investigation before leaving office, but with the ticks checked, it is unclear whether this will be done. Even after leaving office, Trump has at least one thorny battle ahead of him: his removal process, which is likely to begin in the Senate soon. Speaking of the Senate, Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Republican leader Mitch McConnell are working out a plan for how the separate Senate will be run. Democrats will set the schedule and each party will likely occupy an even number of seats on the committee.
3. Coronavirus
China and the World Health Organization could have acted faster and harder to control the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak. This is the conclusion of the Swiss independent group for pandemic preparedness and response. The group also said that the world needs a “global reset” of how it handles such situations. In the US, there is bad news and, well, a little less bad. Over 60% of all cases of Covid-19 nationally have been reported since election day, leading to nightmare infection rates. However, cases have dropped 11% since peaking last week. Experts say it is too early for optimism, as such a decline may not be sustainable. A dangerous situation is also developing in China, as state media have launched disinformation campaigns to answer questions about the effectiveness of the coronavirus vaccine produced by Chinese medical company Sinovac.
4. Russia
Alexey Navalny has been ordered to remain in custody for 30 days after returning to Russia this weekend. The Kremlin critic was detained immediately after he flew to Moscow from Germany, then was subjected to a surprise hearing yesterday. Navalny was placed last month on the list of federal searches in the country for violating the probationary terms related to a 2014 conviction for fraud, which he rejects as politically motivated. It’s only been five months since Navalny was poisoned by a Novichok nerve agent. Several Western officials and Navalny himself have openly blamed the Kremlin for this. Following his hearing yesterday, Navalny urged his followers not to “shut up” and take to the streets. A nationwide demonstration is being held to demand his release.
5. Uganda
Most of Uganda is back online after a five-day internet outage, which critics call a “pre-meditated, pre-election manual internet outage.” Ugandans recently held presidential elections, and internet connectivity was restored after incumbent President Yoweri Museveni was declared the winner for a sixth record term. His opponent, Bobi Wine, a singer-turned-politician whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has protested the results and says he has evidence of fraud and intimidation. Wine was arrested at home after the army surrounded him on Friday, he said. Heavily armed soldiers and policemen attacked his party’s offices in Kampala yesterday. Wine Museveni’s house arrest and internet blocking have been condemned internationally.
ANSWER TO BREAKFAST
Even a small portion of fried foods can increase the risk of heart disease, the study says
Terrible news for the recent wars with fried chicken sandwich.
He flew to Paris to surprise his girlfriend. He flew to Edinburgh to catch him
The man lived undetected at Chicago airport for 3 months
He said he was scared to go home because of Covid-19, but honestly he got scared.
Oscar Mayer hires the team to lead Wienermobile in the USA
And I say that the perfect job does not exist!
For all your 2021 stress relief needs, there is a phone line urging people to call and shout
“Hi, yes, I just want to … AAAAAAAaAAAAAaaaaGGGHHHHHH.”
TODAY’S NUMBER
$ 12.2 million
This is the depth of the deficit in which the National Rifle Association operated in 2019. ANR filed for bankruptcy over the weekend, following the shaking of the leadership and the accusations of financial mismanagement in recent years.
TODAY’S PRESENT
“My father always believed in the people of our nation. He would certainly be very disappointed with the way we chose to behave at this special time.”
Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King on what he thinks his father should say about the current political climate in the United States
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check the local forecast here >>>
AND FINALLY
Sit by the water, caress a cat
Looks like it’s going to be a stressful week. It is best to have a beautiful view of the waterfront and a few feline friends when you can. (Click here to view.)