FBI Surges Resources to Minnesota Amid Fraud Investigations Linked to Somali Community 
Najib Razak Files Appeal Against Latest 1MDB Corruption Conviction and 15-Year Sentence 
Trump and Zelenskiy Signal Progress Toward Ukraine Peace Deal, Donbas Still Unresolved 
Lockheed Martin Secures $92.8M AEGIS Sustainment Contract from U.S. Navy 
Trump–Netanyahu Talks Aim to Revive Gaza Ceasefire and Address Iran, Hezbollah Tensions 
Jazz Ensemble Cancels Kennedy Center New Year’s Eve Shows After Trump Renaming Sparks Backlash 
China Conducts Largest-Ever Live-Fire War Games Around Taiwan Amid Rising Cross-Strait Tensions 
South Korea Prosecutor Alleges Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee Abused Power for Bribes 
MSF Faces Possible Ban From Gaza as Israel Enforces New Aid Registration Rules 
Philippines Challenges Chinese Research Vessel Spotted Near Cagayan Coast 
Bolsonaro Undergoes Second Medical Procedure for Persistent Hiccups While Hospitalized in Brasilia 
U.S. Appeals Court Allows Trump Administration to Enforce Medicaid Funding Ban on Planned Parenthood 
Australia Orders Independent Review After Bondi Mass Shooting, Albanese Resists Royal Commission Calls 
Zohran Mamdani Names Steve Banks as New York City Corporation Counsel Amid Clash With Trump 
Salvador Nasralla Challenges Honduras Election Results Amid Fraud Allegations 
Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland Sparks U.N. Debate and Regional Tensions 
Vice president-elect Kamala Harris would be officially assuming the position in a matter of hours in a scaled-back inauguration due to the pandemic. But prior to the festivities that surround her taking her oath of office, she, and president-elect Joe Biden, addressed the public at the Lincoln Memorial during a service to honor the COVID-19 deaths.
The memorial service took place at the Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool, which was decorated with 400 lights in honor of the 400,000 Americans who died of COVID-19 in the past year. Michigan nurse Lori Marie Key sang “Amazing Grace” while Gospel singer Yolanda Adams sang “Hallelujah” during the service. Following Biden’s remarks, Harris took to addressing the public about the pandemic and how the ceremony was their moment to grieve over the lives lost.
“To heal, we must remember. And it’s hard sometimes to remember, but that’s how we heal,” said Biden during the ceremony which had a prayer led by Cardinal Wilton Gregory. “It’s important to do that as a nation. That’s why we’re here today. Between sundown and dusk, let us shine lights in the darkness to remember all who we lost.”
Prior to his address at the Lincoln Memorial, Biden bid a tearful farewell to his home state of Delaware before he made the journey to Washington. The soon-to-be president delivered his remarks on the Major Joseph R. Biden III Armed Forces Reserved Center, where he also took a moment to honor his late son. Beau Biden died in 2015 of brain cancer.
Meanwhile, Harris and her husband, incoming second gentleman Doug Emhoff shared their days as a couple when they first met on a blind date in 2013. Speaking with Jane Pauley in “CBS Sunday Morning,” Harris made a surprising revelation about what she did before she would ultimately go on her date with Emhoff, who was also evidently surprised. Harris revealed that she did look Emhoff up on Google prior to their date.
Emhoff also shared how he first started texting Harris while he was with a friend at a Lakers game. The incoming second gentleman revealed that he had help from his friend in composing a text to Harris during the game.
