National:

There is a current pressure to restore voting rights for people with felony records in Kentucky and Iowa. These two states have the strictest policy, as felons permanently lose their right to vote. Most states rescind felons’ right to vote, but they generally regain this right after being released from prison or completing parole.

Former Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera was inaugurated into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Jan. 22, making him the first baseball player to be elected by unanimous vote. Rivera was elected alongside other baseball players Edgar Martinez, Roy Halladay, and Mike Mussina.

International:

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó declared himself president on Jan. 23. Venezuelans demonstrated their support for their new president on the streets. President Donald Trump also endorsed the new president. In response, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro disregarded Guaidó’s claim to the presidency and cut ties with the United States.

Australian-Chinese writer and democracy advocate Yang Hengjun was detained after flying from New York to China for reasons that are unknown. While not directly related to Hengjun’s detainment, there has been recent tension between Australia and China following Canberra’s decision to ban the Chinese phone company Huawei from its 5G network.