- Senate Democrats have been boycotting committee meeting because committee rules state that at least one member of each party had to be present for the vote. This has allowed the Democrats to temporarily block some of Trump’s appointees from being approved by the committees. Republicans in the Senate Finance Committee changed the rules of the committee to vote on two of Trump’s appointments. [Link]
- The Senate approved Rex Tillerson to be Secretary of State. The Senate voted 56-43, with all Republicans voting for Tillerson. [Link]
- Speaking about last weekend’s raid in Yemen, a US military official said, “that Trump approved his first covert counterterrorism operation without sufficient intelligence, ground support or adequate backup preparations.” [Link]
- The Army Corps of Engineers will approve the final steps to complete the Dakota Access Pipeline within days. [Link]
- The city of LA is working on a plan that will decriminalize sidewalk vending. [Link]
- Inmates at a Delaware prison took control over a building during a riot yesterday. The prisoners continue to hold the building and have hostages including three guards. The prisoners are demanding reforms including more education opportunities. [Link]
- National Security Advisor, Mike Flynn, said the US is putting Iran on notice because of Iran’s ballistic missile test. Flynn claims the test is a breach of a UN resolution and threatens the US in the Middle East. [Link] In a statement that seems to contradict Flynn, the Pentagon’s spokesman said the US’s position on Iran is unchanged. [Link]
- Greece complains that Turkey has violated Greek airspace over 100 times. [Link]
- Syrian troops are getting close to Turkish troops in northern Syria. The Turkish troops are working to retake al-Bab from ISIS as Syrian troops are also closing in on the city. Both Turkey and Syria are members of the ceasefire in Syria. [Link]
