Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
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.
