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๐ฏ Biden Renews Iran Sanctions Waiver That Unlocks $10B for Regime. While the Administration maintains the funds can only be accessed to pay for humanitarian supplies, critics argue that money is fungible, and that the waiver frees up cash for Iran to spend on global terror. Free Beacon
๐ฎ๐ท US asks Panama to strip flags from Iranian ships sanctioned by Washington Reuters
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๐ U.S. to impose new sanctions against occupied West Bank outposts. It would be first time U.S. sanctions are imposed against entire outposts and not just against individuals. Axios
๐ฎ๐ฑ Inside Israel's allegations against U.N. workers in Gaza CNBC
๐ Trump's Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin wants to buy TikTok as it faces U.S. ban. The House passed a bipartisan bill that if signed into law would force ByteDance to either divest or get banned. NBC
๐ How the youngest and oldest House members voted on the TikTok bill NBC
๐ Trump launched CIA covert influence operation against China. He authorized CIA to launch a clandestine campaign on Chinese social media aimed at turning public opinion in China against its government. Reuters
๐ Putin Halts Danone Russia Seizure, Clearing Way for Sale. Last July Russia seized control of the local subsidiaries of Danone and Denmarkโs Carlsberg. Bloomberg
๐ US investigators say video footage overwritten of work on Boeing jet's door plug. Boeing said itโs standard company practice to erase video after 30 days. AP
๐ China Raises Fines on Mintz Due-Diligence Firm. New York-based Mintz last year was hit in a crackdown on businesses conducting corporate probes in China. WSJ
๐ Countries closing in on digital currencies but US lagging. A total of 134 countries representing 98% of the global economy are now exploring digital versions of their currencies, with over half in advanced development. Atlantic Council
๐ Treasury Sanctions Primeiro Comando da Capital Operative U.S. Treasury
๐ Dutch drug criminals overrun port of Antwerp. At one point in 2022, it was so bad that an entire wing of the Antwerp prison was full of Dutch people. Politico
๐ Mexico's most dangerous drug cartel 'using AI to expand criminal empire'. The Jalisco Cartel has been named by INTERPOL among other organized crime groups in a report into how gangs are harnessing AI to expand their illicit operations. Daily Star
๐ U.S. sanctions Bosnian Serb officials over controversial 'Republika Srpska Day'. Jan. 9, 1992, is when Bosnian Serbs declared their secession from Bosnia and Herzegovina that preceded the Bosnian war. UPI
...and much more news at Illicit Edge!