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1. Coronavirus
2. White House
More executive orders are expected to come out today as Biden continues to rapidly overturn his predecessor’s policies. One order focuses on raising the minimum wage to $ 15 for the federal workforce, and the other on expanding aid for Americans in need. The Biden government has work to do elsewhere too. In the coming days, the Justice Department must decide what to do with cases where it is expected to defend former President Trump. The White House has also commissioned an intelligence investigation of Russian outrages, including the recent SolarWinds hack, while seeking an extension of the new START treaty, a nuclear arms control agreement with Russia that expires next month. Also on Biden’s foreign policy to-do list: figuring out ways to handle rising tensions with China and Iran, and dealing with the growing nuclear threat from North Korea.
3. Capitol riots
Seven Senate Democrats have requested an investigation by the Republican SENS Ethics Committee. Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz to find out whether their objections to the electoral college votes may have helped spark the violent Capitol uprising. So far, prosecutors have indicted more than 120 people and may soon be filing more serious charges, including conspiracy. As the probe continues, new evidence reveals that rioters attacked and threatened police officers with flagpoles and fire extinguishers, hurled insults, and made clear their violent intentions. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has proposed postponing Trump’s impeachment process until mid-February to give Trump’s legal team time to prepare. Trump was impeached by the House during his last days in office for his alleged role in instigating the uprising.
4. Uganda
A growing number of international votes, including the United States, the European Union and human rights groups, are calling for an investigation into Ugandan electoral abuse and violence that killed more than 40 people in the run-up to the vote. During the election, opposition candidates were harassed, the news media was suppressed by the government and the offices of observers were raided, the EU Council of Ministers said. Human Rights Watch says there have also been incidents of violence and human rights violations. Uganda’s longtime leader, President Yoweri Museveni, was declared the winner for a record sixth term amid an internet outage and abuse allegations. His opponent, Bobi Wine, has been under house arrest since the military surrounded his house a week ago.
5. China
Twenty-two miners have been trapped underground for nearly two weeks after an explosion in a gold mine in eastern China, and officials say it could take another two weeks to get them out. At least 11 of the 22 miners – who are trapped in various areas – are confirmed to be alive, and most receive food, medical supplies, blankets, and batches of nutrient solution through a shaft. Officials say rescuers must drill through 70 tons of debris to reach the miners. Explosions and deaths are not uncommon in Chinese mines. In September, at least 16 workers died in a coal mine after being trapped and exposed to carbon monoxide. In 2016, a gas explosion claimed the lives of dozens of workers in another coal mine.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
American Airlines has so much extra wine that it starts a delivery service
All the glamor of wine on a plane … without the plane.
‘Bridgerton’ returns for a second season
Oh, the your bustling with excitement!
‘The Simpsons’ seems to have it right again – predicting some of the inauguration
The show remains a contemporary oracle.
Yes, many West Wing employees also work from home during Covid-19
No one can escape the curse of the business casual sweatpants.
Bees don’t get enough sleep, thanks to some common pesticides
Your monsters! Let the bees sleep!
TODAY’S NUMBER
9
That’s roughly how many years in prison the former head of the Vatican bank, Angelo Caloia, has been convicted of money laundering and aggravated embezzlement. He is the most senior Vatican official convicted of a financial crime. His lawyer is appealing the sentence.
TODAY QUOTE
“The idea that you can come here and talk about what you know, what the evidence is, what the science is … It’s kind of a liberating feeling.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci, who says he took no pleasure in having to contradict former President Trump in the discussion of the coronavirus and seemed relieved at the recent changing of the guard
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local weather forecast here >>>
AND FINALLY
Why do things keep turning to scratching?
A brave and somewhat terrifying question. We MUST know. (Click here to view.)