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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 investigating troops involved in securing the US Capitol to prevent threats from within. However, there is no intelligence to suggest that such a threat is ongoing, the acting secretary of defense said. Smaller protests erupted over the weekend in some state capitals, including crowds of armed protesters who gathered in Richmond, Virginia, yesterday. Meanwhile, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has officially resigned her Senate post in anticipation of her new role, and Melania Trump will break with tradition by not inviting her successor, Jill Biden, to visit the White House living quarters.
2. Transition into the White House
President Trump is expected to issue about 100 pardons and commutations today, his last full day in office. The list of plea actions apparently includes white-collar criminals and sensational rappers, but so far not Trump himself or members of his family (there was talk of Trump forgiving himself in the aftermath of the Capitol riots). The president also wanted to reclassify information regarding the Russian investigation before leaving office, but with the hours ticking, it is not clear whether this will be done. Even after leaving office, Trump awaits at least one thorny battle: his indictment, which is likely to begin in the Senate soon. Speaking of the Senate, Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and Republican leader Mitch McConnell are hammering out a plan on how the equally divided Senate will be governed. Democrats will draw up the schedule, and each party is likely to hold an equal number of committee seats.
Coronavirus
China and the World Health Organization could have acted faster and more forcefully to curb the onset of the Covid-19 outbreak. This is the conclusion of the Swiss Independent Panel on Pandemic Preparedness and Response. The panel also said the world needs a “global recovery” on how to deal with such situations. In the US, there is bad news, and well, less bad news. More than 60% of all cases of Covid-19 nationwide have been reported since election day, leading to nightmare infection rates. However, the cases have declined by 11% since peaking last week. Experts believe it is too early for optimism, as such a dip may not be sustainable. China is also in a dangerous situation as state media launch disinformation campaigns to answer questions about the effectiveness of the coronavirus vaccine manufactured by Chinese medical company Sinovac.
4. Russia
Alexey Navalny is ordered to remain in custody for 30 days after returning to Russia at the weekend. The Kremlin critic was arrested immediately after flying from Germany to Moscow, and was subjected to a surprise trial on Monday. Navalny was placed on the country’s federal wish list last month for violating probation conditions related to a 2014 conviction for fraud, which he dismissed as politically motivated. It has been just 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 trial yesterday, Navalny urged his followers to “not keep quiet” and take to the streets. A nationwide demonstration is being arranged to demand release.
5. Uganda
Most of Uganda is back online after a five-day internet hiatus that critics call a “textbook case of pre-mediated, internet rape before the election”. Ugandans recently held their presidential election, and internet connection was restored after current president Yoweri Museveni was named the winner for a record sixth term. His opponent, Bobi Wine, a politician with real singer Robert Kyagulanyi, protested the result, saying he had evidence of fraud and intimidation. Wine is under house arrest after the military military house surrounded his home on Friday. Heavily armed army and police raided his party offices in Kampala on Monday. Museveni’s house arrest of Wine and the blocking of the internet have received international condemnation.
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For all your 2021 stress relief needs, there is a hotline asking people to tune in and shout
“Hello, yes, I just want to … AAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaGGGHHHHHH.”
TODAY’S NUMBER
$ 12.2 million
This is the depth of the deficit the National Rifle Association will operate on in 2019. The NRA filed for bankruptcy over the weekend following leadership upheavals and allegations of financial mismanagement over the past year.
TODAY’S QUOTE
“My father has always believed in the people of our country. He will certainly be very disappointed with how we have chosen to act at this particular moment.”
Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of the late Rev. dr. Martin Luther King jr. and Coretta Scott King, about what he thinks his father would say about the current political climate in the US.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check your local forecast here >>>
AND FINALLY
Sit next to the water, beat a cat
It seems like it’s going to be a stressful week. It’s best to see a nice view of the water and some cat friends if you can. (Click here to see.)