US News
- Two FDA regulators resigned their post over Biden’s plan for covid vaccine booster shots. [Link]
- The Surgeon General wants Biden to monitor for abuses of vaccine exemptions. [Link]
- Biden is releasing $25 billion in bailout money to healthcare providers. [Link]
- Six Capitol police officers will be punished for their actions on Jan 6th. [Link]
China
- The Philippines warns it will not comply with a new Chinese law that requires all ships entering Chinese claimed waters to identify themselves. The Philippines and China have competing claims in the South China Sea. [Link]
Afghanistan
- Twenty-one Americans were able to leave Afghanistan on a Qatari Airlines flight. [Link]
Middle East
- Israel is preparing to have enough covid vaccines to give its citizens a 4th dose. [Link]
- The UN is set to distribute Qatari-funded cash aid to Gaza. Israel has blocked the aid since May, claiming the funds go to Hamas. Israel is demanding the UN distribute vouchers rather than cash. [Link]
- Iran makes an agreement with the IAEA to allow the agency to service its nuclear monitoring equipment. [Link]
- Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said the US redeployed THAAD and Patriot missiles that were near a base in Saudi Arabia. [Link]
- The US intercepted drones launched at the airbase in Erbil. [Link]
- Saudi Arabia carried out heavy airstrikes in central Yemen and claimed to kill 20 Houthi soldiers. [Link]
