17:13
Hi all, Dani Anguiano here taking over our live coverage for the next few hours.
Joe Biden announced today that he plans to nominate Rahm Emanuel, the former mayor of Chicago, as ambassador to Japan. Emanuel, 61, also served as the White House chief of staff under Obama and was a senior adviser to Bill Clinton.
The former mayor has had a “distinguished career in public service”, the White House said.
Emanuel was previously considered for a cabinet role, which frustrated some Chicago residents who said his controversial tenure as mayor of the city should disqualify him from a role in the administration.
