U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
The Electoral College has now formalized its votes, sealing the victory of Joe Biden as the next US president. Recently joining the lineup of world leaders following the confirmation of Biden’s win is Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Putin acknowledged Biden’s victory in the recent elections hours after the Electoral College cast its votes, which Russia has initially held out on congratulating until the winner was secured. The Russian president also noted that the country is ready to have interactions with the incoming Biden administration. Previously, Putin noted the president-elect’s “anti-Russia rhetoric,” but praised his stance on arms control. Putin was among the last world leaders to acknowledge Biden’s victory as Donald Trump has refused to concede and accept his loss.
In a telegram sent by the Kremlin to Biden, Putin said that he was confident that both Russia and the US can be able to oversee resolutions of the challenges that the world is currently facing. However, Putin’s message also surfaces at a time when cybersecurity experts in the US blamed Russian-backed hackers for trying to spy on the US government. Russia has denied involvement. With regards to potential relations between the US and Russia in the Biden administration, former US ambassador to Russia James F. Collins said that the president-elect’s policy towards Russia would be a stark contrast to Trump’s.
Following Putin’s congratulations, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had now also fallen in line to congratulate Biden and vice president-elect Kamala Harris.
Meanwhile, Biden continues to unveil the potential members of his Cabinet, the latest announcement being former South Bend Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg being tapped for Transportation Secretary. Buttigieg would be the first of Biden’s former Democratic rivals to be tapped for a Cabinet position. The former South Bend Mayor, since suspending his campaign, actively campaigned for the president-elect and helped in appealing to the moderate wing of the Democratic party.
Should Buttigieg be confirmed by the Senate, he would then be overseeing the nation’s airlines, transit systems, and highways. Buttigieg would also make history as the first person from the LGBTQ community to be nominated in Biden’s administration and approved by the Senate.
