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1. Inauguration
In Washington, DC and states across the country, authorities are increasing security ahead of tomorrow’s inauguration. The DC National Guard chief even said the FBI is investigating forces involved in securing the Capitol to prevent threats from within. However, there is no information indicating that such a threat is underway, the acting defense secretary said. Smaller protests erupted in some state capitals over the weekend, including crowds of armed protesters gathering in Richmond, Virginia yesterday. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris has officially stepped down from her position in the Senate pending her new role, and Melania Trump will break from tradition by not inviting her successor, Jill Biden, on a tour of the White House living quarters.
Transition in the White House
President Trump is expected to grant about 100 pardons and buyout today, his last full day in office. The leniency list reportedly includes white-collar criminals and high-profile rappers, but so far not Trump himself or members of his family (there has been talk of Trump pardoning himself in the aftermath of the Capitol riots). The president also wanted to release information on the Russian probe before leaving his office, but as the hours are ticking, it’s not clear if that will happen. Even after leaving office, Trump faces at least one thorny battle: his impeachment trial, which is likely to begin shortly in the Senate. Speaking of the Senate, Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell are hitting a plan for how the evenly divided Senate will be run. Democrats will make the schedule, and each party will likely hold an even number of committee seats.
3. Coronavirus
China and the World Health Organization could have acted faster and more vigorously to stem the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak. That is the conclusion of the Switzerland-based Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response. The panel also said the world needs a “global reset” to deal with such situations. In the US, there is bad news and, well, slightly less bad news. More than 60% of all cases of Covid-19 across the country have been reported since election day, leading to nightmare-level infection rates. However, the number of cases has decreased by 11% since it peaked last week. Experts say it’s too early for optimism, as such a dip may not be sustainable. A dangerous situation is also unfolding in China, as state media has launched disinformation campaigns to answer questions about the efficacy 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 immediately detained after flying to Moscow from Germany and subjected to a surprise hearing yesterday. Navalny was placed on the nation’s federal wanted list last month for probation violation related to a 2014 fraud conviction, which he dismisses as politically motivated. It’s only been five months since Navalny was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent. Several Western officials and Navalny himself openly blamed the Kremlin for the act. After his hearing yesterday, Navalny urged his followers to “keep quiet” and take to the streets. A nationwide demonstration is organized to demand his release.
5. Uganda
Most of Uganda is back online after a five-day internet outage that critics have labeled as a ‘textbook example of a pre-meditated pre-election internet outage’. Ugandans recently held their presidential elections, 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 whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has protested the results, saying he has evidence of fraud and intimidation. Wine is under house arrest after the military surrounded his house on Friday, he said. Heavily armed soldiers and police raided his party offices in Kampala yesterday. Wine’s house arrest and internet blocking have been internationally condemned.
BREAKFAST LEAF
Even a small portion of fried foods can increase the risk of heart disease, the study says
Terrible news for the recent fried chicken wars.
He flew to Paris to surprise his girlfriend. She flew to Edinburgh to surprise him
Man ‘lived unnoticed at Chicago airport for 3 months’
He said he was afraid of going home because of Covid-19, but frankly, he was ultimately afraid.
Oscar Mayer hires a team to drive his Wienermobile across the US
And they say the perfect job doesn’t exist!
For all your 2021 stress relief needs, there’s a hotline that encourages people to call and shout
“Hi, yes, I just wish … AAAAAAAaAAAAAaaaGGGHHHHHH.”
TODAY’S NUMBER
$ 12.2 million
That’s the depth of the deficit the National Rifle Association was operating with in 2019. The NRA filed for bankruptcy last weekend, following leadership shakes and allegations of financial mismanagement in recent years.
TODAY QUOTE
My father has always believed in the people of our nation. He would certainly be hugely disappointed with how we chose to behave at this particular moment. ‘
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 would have to say about the current political climate in the US
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local weather forecast here >>>
AND FINALLY
Sit by the water, pet a cat
Looks like it’s going to be a stressful week. Your best bet is to enjoy a nice view of the water and some feline friends if you can. (Click here to view.)