US News
- Texas police arrested a man for walking in the street during the Texas freeze. [Link]
- The Los Angeles school district will cut the number of police officers in schools by a third. The cuts will allow $25 million to be redirected towards support services. [Link]
- An independent investigative report finds the police officers who stopped Elijah McClain had no right to stop him. Police killed McClain after having him injected with Ketamine. [Link]
- Two Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to cable providers asking why they still allow Fox News and Newsmax to air. [Link]
Great Power
- Politico reports the US is planning new sanctions against Russia. [Link]
- China called for an effort to reset relations with the US. The US said it was a Chinese effort to avert blame. [Link]
Afghanistan
- Afghan government and Taliban negotiators met for the first time in a month. [Link]
Israel
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his commitment to the ‘two-state solution’ in a call with Israeli officials. [Link]
- Israel will debate the US on Iran policy “below the radar.” [Link]
- An Israeli court ruled the corruption trial of Prime Minister Netanyahu will not resume until after the election in March. [Link]
Middle East
- Bliken said the US is looking to “lengthen and strengthen” the Iran Nuclear Deal. [Link]
- Iran’s Supreme Leader said Iran would enrich uranium up to 60%. [Link]
- A rocket attack in Iraq landed inside Baghdad’s Green Zone. The US condemned the attack. [Link]
- Sources from the Saudi-backed government in Yemen say hundreds of fighters have died in the Houthi weeks-long assault on Marib. [Link]
Africa
- A UN report says Erik Prince violated the UN arms embargo of Libya by shipping gun boats and attack craft to eastern military leader Hafter. [Link]
- Libya’s Interior Minister escaped an assassination attempt unharmed. [Link]
- The Italian Ambassador to the Congo was killed when armed men attacked his convoy. His bodyguard and WFP driver were also killed. It is unclear who is behind the attack, but the Congo interior minister said it was a Hutu militia. [Link]
