US News

• As details emerge on the Oracle/Walmart deal to buy TikTok, Trump is threatening to block the deal if it does not give enough control to American companies. The deal will create ‘TikTok Global,’ which will provide the TikTok to Americans. The Chinese company ByteDance will retain 80% of TikTok Global, while Oracle gets 12.5% and Walmart 7.5%. ByteDance will retain control over algorithms. [Link]
• The Department of Justice labels New York City an ‘Anarchist Jurisdiction’ because of the ongoing crime. The label could cost NYC its federal police funding. The federal government finds about 7.5% of the NYPD’s $7 billion budget. [Link]
• An NYU student who was only attending classes online was indefinitely suspended after someone reported him to the school for attending a party. The party complied with NYC Coivd regulations. [Link]
• House Democrats propose a stop-gap funding bill with massive spending set aside for submarines. The plan calls for two new Colombia class subs and an upgrade to the program for $1.6 billion. [Link]
• The Lithuanian Defense Minister says a battalion of US troops with tanks will deploy to his country from November to mid-June of 2021. [Link]

Assange

• One hundred sixty world leaders and politicians sign a letter demanding the freedom of Julian Assange. [Link]

Bolivia

• The leader of Bolivia post-coup, Jeanine Anez, withdraws from the upcoming presidential election. A poll showed the party of disposed president Morales winning the election. [Link]

Afghanistan

• The Afghan government and the Taliban are far apart on several critical issues as talks begin. The two sides have significant disagreements over a ceasefire and women’s rights. [Link]
• Heavy fighting across Afghanistan leaves 57 members of the Afghan security forces dead, and scores of Taliban fighters. The Afghan government claims Taliban attacks have killed nearly 100 civilians over the past two weeks. [Link]

Middle East

• The US hopes to have the initial deal to sell F-35s to the UAE done by December. [Link]
• The US claims all UN sanctions against Iran have been restored. Other members of the Iran Nuclear Deal – UK, France, Germany, China, Russia – all disagree the sanctions have been reapplied. The US announced new sanctions on 27 Iranians. [Link]
• Iran says it is ready for a full prisoner swap with the US. [Link]

Congo

• Armed men killed at least a dozen people in the Congo. The ADP is believed to be behind the attack that also kidnapped several people. [Link]