US News
- Over the second half of 2020, Twitter says it got over 350 requests from governments to remove content from the accounts of nearly 200 verified journalists. Twitter reports removing five of the tweets. Twitter received 14,500 requests for information from governments. Twitter granted some or all of the information in 30% of requests. Twitter received 38,500 legal requests to remove the information and granted 29% of the requests. [Link]
- The DOJ Inspector General released a report on the FBI handling of the serial molester Dr. Larry Nasser. The report found that the FBI office in Indianapolis failed to act on reports of abuse. The FBI in LA and Indianapolis both failed to notify the appropriate Michigan FBI office to warn them of the claims of abuse. The inaction of the FBI potentially allowed young girls to be molested by Nasser for another year. [Link]
- Ronald Green died in 2019, police told his family he died while fleeing and hit a tree. New bodycam footage shows Green survived the crash. He was tased and beaten before dying. After being handcuffed he was left on his stomach for nine minutes and then abused him. [Link]
- The CDC reported overdose deaths were up 30% in 2020 to 93,000. [Link]
- A US Blackhawk helicopter made an emergency landing in a busy Romanian street causing some damage. [Link]
Cuba
- In an effort to quell protests, the Cuban government is lifting restrictions on the amount of food and medicine travelers can bring with them to Cuba. [Link]
China
- The UN Navy has nearly consistent deployments of surveillance ships to the South China Sea.
- Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will visit China in an effort to set up higher-level meetings. [Link]
- The US is promoting its Indo-Pacific agenda in an effort to undermine the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and isolate China. [Link]
- The Biden Administration will release an advisory this week warning US companies not to do business in Hong Kong. [Link]
Iran
- Reuters reports an unnamed source said Iran will not engage in further talks with the US until the new President Raisi takes office. [Link]
- Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz says Israel needs a weapons buildup to combat the potential for a possible nuclear Iran. [Link]
Yemen
- The Yemeni Government – in exile and backed by Saudi Arabia – claims the Southern Transitional Council is not living up to a power-sharing agreement. [Link]
- UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia are three times higher than believed.
Africa
- Amnesty International reports it interviewed several women who were held in camps in Libya. Many of the women reported being raped or forced to trade sex for clean water and food. [Link]
- Lockdowns have caused a 30% rise in inflation in Nigeria, with most of the rise of prices being in food costs. More Nigerians are now skipping meals to provide for their children. [Link]
