US News
- A Utah woman was arrested and charged with a hate crime for stomping on a “back the blue” sign and smirking at a cop. [Link]
- 31 states have introduced ‘Defend the Guard’ legislation. [Link]
- The UN reported an additional 118 million people were undernourished in 2020 because of the response to the pandemic. [Link]
Haiti
- The US is sending FBI agents and DHS officials to Haiti. Haiti also requested the US send troops to defend Haiti’s infrastructure. [Link] The Biden administration declined a request from Haiti to provide troops for security. [Link] However, the Pentagon says it is still considering the request. [Link]
Europe
- Biden told Putin Russia must work to prevent cyber attacks. [Link]
- Poland is seeking to buy 250 Abrams Tanks from the US. [Link]
- The US says it is concerned about the number of migrants flowing from Belarus to Lithuania. Some are accusing Belarus of bringing migrants from the Middle East and Africa to send into the EU. [Link]
Afghanistan
- Turkey’s President Erdogan says his country agrees with the US “in scope” about the ongoing deployment of troops to the Kabul Airport. [Link] The Taliban announce they are opposed to the plan. [Link]
- A new poll shows 73% of Americans support ending the Afghan War. [Link]
- The US is looking to maintain military dominance over the Taliban after the withdrawal. [Link]
- General Austin Miller steps down as Commander of US Forces in Afghanistan. [Link]
Israel
- Israel will offer a booster of the covid vaccine to adults with weak immune systems. [Link]
- Israel will withhold $180 million in Palestinian tax payments from the Palestinian Authority. Israel claims it is withholding about 7% of the taxes it collected because the PA makes payments to Palestinian militants and their families. [Link]
- During a protest in the West Bank, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians. Nearly 400 people were injured with 31 shot by live fire rounds. Israel used drones to drop tear gas on the protesters. [Link]
- The Biden Administration condemns Israel’s punitive destruction of Palestinian homes. [Link]
