Trump and Biden to meet at White House, judge delays Trump's hush money case, John Krasinski named 2024's 'Sexiest Man Alive'

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NEED TO KNOW

Trump to meet with Biden as Congress votes for leaders

President-elect Donald Trump made several new appointments to his incoming administration yesterday and is expected to meet with President Biden today. Meanwhile, Congress is set to vote on its majority leaders.

Transition meeting: Trump will meet Biden for transition talks despite Trump’s team not yet signing documents meant to kickstart the handover process. A spokesman for Trump said both administration’s lawyers are ironing out agreements. [Reuters]

New appointments: Trump nominated South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem for homeland security secretary, Fox News host Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense and Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as co-leaders of the “Department of Government Efficiency.” [Yahoo News]

Congress votes: Congress will vote on its majority leaders today. House Speaker Mike Johnson is hoping to keep his position, while the race for Mitch McConnell’s Senate replacement will be between the GOP establishment and a MAGA upstart. [AP/CNN]

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

?? Sexiest Man Alive

John Krasinski, star of The Office and Jack Ryan, was named People’s 2024 Sexiest Man Alive. The actor’s response? “Zero thoughts. Other than maybe I’m being punked,” he joked. [People]

??? Trump’s hush money case

The judge in Trump’s hush money trial delayed a decision on whether to reverse Trump’s conviction after his lawyers requested it be thrown out due to his reelection. The judge asked prosecutors to suggest a path forward. [Yahoo News]

?? Bicoastal wildfires

Slower winds helped California firefighters contain some of the Mountain Fire in Ventura County yesterday, as Northeast wildfires triggered red-flag warnings. Incoming moist weather may bring some relief to the Northeast tomorrow. [USA Today]

?? U.S. STD rates

The CDC announced that sexually transmitted disease rates in the U.S. dropped 2% last year. One official said the findings provide a “glimmer of hope” that the “tide is turning” after nearly two decades of growth. [Reuters]

?? Klay’s homecoming

He might not play for the Golden State Warriors anymore, but the Bay Area still loves Klay Thompson: Fans celebrated their former captain in his first return to the Chase Center, where his Mavericks lost 117-120. [Yahoo Sports]

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY

?? The Spanish musical comedy Emilia Pérez and the holiday movie Hot Frosty were released overnight on Netflix. [Los Angeles Times/TheWrap]

?? In basketball, the undefeated Cavaliers take on the 76ers at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBA League Pass. [AP]

?? In hockey, the Red Wings face off against the Penguins at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT. [Detroit Free Press]

?? And don’t forget to: Read your daily horoscope. Play the Crossword. Check the forecast in your area.

TODAY IN HISTORY

In 1995, GoldenEye, Pierce Brosnan’s first film as James Bond, was released. Co-star Alan Cumming later recalled that despite Brosnan playing such a serious character, he was a “goofball” behind the scenes. [Entertainment Weekly]

3 QUESTIONS

...about The Golden Bachelorette finale

The season finale of The Golden Bachelorette airs tonight on ABC. Lily asked Laura Bradley, who writes our In Reality: The Golden Bachelorette newsletter, what we could see.

Lily: Refresh me: Who are Joan’s final two suitors?

Laura: If we're being real, Joan's got one suitor: Chock. He's been the frontrunner for ages. Then there's Guy, an ER doc whom Joan taught how to zest a lemon. No contest!

Lily: What can we expect from this finale?

Laura: We're headed to Bora Bora, and Chock’s insisting that he can't propose if Joan doesn't say she loves him. Also, Joan's teasing that there's a “weird twist” when the guys meet her family, so we'll see what that's about.

Lily: There’s a lot of talk about the next Golden Bachelor. Who do you think will land that?

Laura: Mark is the expected choice, but he may also be taken, and Bachelor Nation's enthusiasm for Charles is pretty undeniable. Given that, I'd say I'm back on the Charles L. train.

Go deeper: Subscribe to In Reality: The Golden Bachelorette.

FEEL-GOOD MOMENT

Retired U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Fletcher recently adopted Dasty, a Dutch Shepherd he was paired with while deployed in Afghanistan. Fletcher said he’s looking forward to watching Dasty “sit on the couch and just relax” after a long career. Watch their reunion. [USA Today]

Have a great day. See you tomorrow!

?? P.S. Before you go, your daily advice: You may want to add more pistachios to your diet. Here’s how they could help improve your health. [Yahoo Life]

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