| | | Tensions with Russia continue to escalate as the U.S. put 8,500 troops on alert for possible deployment to Europe in case of a Ukraine invasion. A military coup has rocked Burkina Faso, where Islamic militants have destabilized the nation’s security. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to Affirmative Action, which could imperil the nearly 20-year-old policy. And multiple states announced lawsuits against Google yesterday in defense of users’ privacy. All this and more in today’s PDB. | | |
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| IMPORTANT | 1 - Ready for Russia The US puts 8,500 troops on alert for possible deployment to Europe The U.S. and its allies are preparing for the worst, as a military move by Russia seems increasingly possible. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby confirmed on Monday that the deployment would happen only if NATO activates a rapid-response force, barring the development of “other situations” at the border. According to Kirby, the move is meant to reassure NATO allies, as the troops would be sent to Europe and not Ukraine itself. The NATO alliance announced yesterday that it would bolster its deterrence in the Baltic Region, with Denmark, Spain, France and the Netherlands all planning to send reinforcements to the area. (Source: AP) |
| | | 2 - Military Coup Confirmed Burkina Faso’s military has deposed the president and taken control For years, Burkina Faso’s President Roch Kaboré has struggled to stop Islamist insurgents in the West African nation. Yesterday, citizens watched as an army officer announced that the military had seized power to redress Kaboré’s failure to keep the nation safe. The announcement came a day after troops seized barracks, and the president’s ruling party reported that Kaboré and a government minister had survived an assasination attempt. The coup is thought to be led by Lt-Col Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who presented a statement from the army on Sunday condemning the president for his handling of militant groups. (Source: BBC) |
| 3 - Action Against Affirmative Action The Supreme Court agrees to hear challenge to Affirmative Action Many universities have long used affirmative action to assure a diverse student body. But that may soon change if the Supreme Court rules in favor of Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) in its lawsuit against Harvard and the University of North Carolina. SFFA alleges that the two schools illegally discriminate against Asian American applicants through affirmative action policies, thereby discounting qualified Asian students. The Biden administration had asked the high court to deny the challenge, but the conservative-leaning court has agreed to take it on, likely during their next term in the fall of this year. (Source: TheHill) |
| 4 - Protecting Privacy Four states sue Google over practices that invade users’ privacy Texas, Indiana, Washington state and the District of Columbia have all filed suit against Google, alleging that the tech giant misled users into thinking they could protect their privacy and control personal data simply by changing their account and device settings. The states’ attorneys general assert that Google continues to surveil its customers and profit from user data regardless of their account settings. The Washington state lawsuit specifically mentions Google’s use of users’ location data, alleging that the company continues to track location data even after users believe they’ve turned it off. Google denied the allegations, saying they are “inaccurate” and “outdated.” (Source: Guardian) |
| 5 - Briefly Here are some things you should know about today: Stocks tumble, then rally. The stock market plunged nearly 1,000 points yesterday, continuing a weeks-long trend before making a dramatic end-of-day rebound. (Source: NBCNews) Atlanta district attorney will allow an investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The special grand jury will not have the power to indict but can subpoena witnesses and gather evidence. (Source: CNN) Bloody Syrian prison break stokes fears of an Islamic State group resurgence. Over 100 people have died in the aftermath of a prison break led by the Islamic State group, and tens of thousands of civilians have fled the fighting. (Source: Al-Jazeera) |
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| | | Watch Ex-CIA Director John McLaughlin He Suspects Russian Interference at Capitol Hill Insurrection
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| INTRIGUING | 1 - Sundance in Cyberspace The prestigious film festival, virtual again, will highlight queer stories COVID will once again push the Sundance Film Festival from its live home in Park City, Utah, to cyberspace. But what’s bad news for presenters is great news for film lovers, who can enjoy the thrill of new screenings right along with industry insiders. This year, queer filmmakers will again take front and center in a slew of anticipated offerings, including a sci-fi musical featuring an intersex person in Rwanda, a documentary on an all-woman Lebanese thrash metal band and other groundbreaking, genre-bending films. Fans have until Jan. 30 to catch the festival fun. (Source: NBCNews) |
| 2 - Treasure Hunt Trials Deep-sea treasure hunter’s six-year sentence extended till March In 1857, the ship S.S. Central America sank in a hurricane off the coast of North Carolina carrying so much gold it caused an economic panic. In 1988, treasure hunter Tommy Thompson discovered the Ship of Gold—and the loot—from which, say investors, 500 gold coins went missing. Investors sued Thompson in 2012, and in 2015 he was jailed for refusing to cooperate with the investigation. Yesterday, a hearing ended in stalemate with Thomas insisting he has no knowledge of the gold's whereabouts and the court giving him until March to find an attorney. Shipwreck hunters stay tuned! (Source: AP) |
| | | 3 - Love Hurts Valentine’s Day is coming but opting out is always an option Every holiday, a flood of advertising and marketing campaigns hits our inboxes. And that can be hard during emotionally charged holidays like Valentine’s Day, when messaging celebrating relationships can cause anxiety and depression. That’s why more and more companies are offering the choice to opt out altogether. In 2019, a British florist led the way, initiating the Thoughtful Marketing Movement, which allowed customers to decline Mother’s Day emails, and encouraged other companies to follow suit. Now at least 150 companies, from Etsy to Wagamama, have jumped aboard. This holiday season, remember — it’s okay to block it all out. (Source: Axios) |
| 4 - High-Sea Surprise A cruise ship is seized mid-tour for skipping out on fuel payments It was smooth sailing for the Crystal Symphony on its way to Miami this weekend — until the ship was diverted to a port in the Bahamas to comply with a U.S. judge’s warrant for its seizure. Crystal Cruises, Star Cruises and the Crystal Symphony were all sued by Peninsula Petroleum Far East for $4.6 million in unpaid fuel costs. Now the ship will be commandeered by a U.S. marshal, who has placed it in the hands of the court. The ship’s 300 passengers were transferred by ferry to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the cruise line provided ground transport to local airports. (Source: NPR) |
| 5 - College Row Arizona State basketball team reeling from conduct violations ASU Sun Devils coach Bobby Hurley was suspended from yesterday’s game against Southern California and fined $20,000 for shouting at officials following Saturday’s game against Stanford. Arizona guard Jay Heath was also suspended and forward Jalen Graham was publicly reprimanded, both for verbally confronting an official while leaving the court after Stanford’s win. Hurley took issue with officials when Stanford’s Brandon Angel hit three free throws after being fouled in the last 1.1 seconds of the game. Stanford made 32 of 41 free throws, ASU made 7 of 9. (Source: ESPN) |
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| | | ABOUT OZY OZY is a diverse, global and forward-looking media and entertainment company focused on “the New and the Next.” OZY creates space for fresh perspectives and offers new takes on everything from news and culture to technology, business, learning and entertainment. Welcome to the New + the Next! |
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