US News

• The House introduced an article of impeachment against Trump for “incitement of insurrection.” [Link]
• The DC District Attorney says he is considering charges for inciting the violence at the Capitol against Donald Trump Jr., Rudy Giuliani, and Rep. Mo Brooks. [Link]
• Amazon removed the social media site, Parler, from being able to use Amazon Web Services. The removal of services took the Parler site down. [Link]
• Covid vaccines in New York City are being thrown out because of an order from Governor Cuomo. The order issues a $1 million fine if the current vaccines go to anyone other than health care workers and retirement home residents. Currently, there are more vaccines than demand from that population. [Link]
• Up to 40% of frontline healthcare workers in Los Angeles. [Link]
• The National Guard plans to deploy about 15,000 troops to DC for Biden’s inauguration. [Link]

Sanctions

• The US adds Cuba to the State Sponsor of Terrorism list. [Link]
• The US sanctions several Ukrainians alleging election interference. [Link]
• The US imposed sanctions on five people in Iran. [Link]
• Aid groups warn that designating the Houthi as a terror group will limit the ability to distribute aid to 70% of Yemen’s population. [Link]

Afghanistan

• The US is moving ahead with its plan to reduce troop levels in Afghanistan to 2,500 by January 15th. [Link]
• No progress was made in the first three days of the new round of Afghan peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. [Link]

Middle East

• Secretary of State Pompeo claims deep Iran – al-Qaeda ties without providing evidence. [Link]
• Netanyahu announced 800 new settler homes will be constructed in the West Bank. [Link]

Africa

• Ethiopia condemned Sudan’s military build-up near a disputed region. [Link]