Egypt has further restricted Syrian entry, barring all Syrian nationals except those with temporary Egyptian residency permits. This follows a previous ban targeting Syrians with Western residency permits and Schengen visas, requiring pre-approval for entry. The move comes amidst a large, albeit unregistered, Syrian population in Egypt and recent restrictions on Palestinians entering from conflict zones. These actions reflect Egypt’s heightened security concerns. The discrepancy between Egyptian and UN figures regarding the Syrian population remains significant.
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In a break from traditional mourning practices, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, has declined to order flags lowered to half-staff following the death of former President Jimmy Carter. This decision contrasts with the actions of many other government entities which have honored Carter with this customary tribute. The reasons behind Blakeman’s refusal have not yet been publicly stated. The action is generating significant controversy.
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Seventeen-year-old Luke Littler defeated three-time champion Michael van Gerwen in a stunning 7-3 victory to claim his first world darts championship. Littler’s win was characterized not only by exceptional accuracy and finishing but also by an undeniable aura and mental fortitude that overwhelmed his opponent. Van Gerwen, once dominant, appeared visibly discombobulated by Littler’s performance, struggling with his finishing and making unusual scoring choices. This victory marks not just a personal triumph for Littler, but potentially the end of an era in professional darts.
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Lebanese authorities, acting on reports of an Iranian attempt to transfer funds to Hezbollah via an Air Mahan flight from Tehran, confronted Iranian officials upon arrival in Beirut. A standoff ensued when an Iranian delegation member resisted a bag search, resulting in the bag’s confiscation. While two bags claimed as diplomatic pouches were ultimately permitted entry, the plane was searched, yielding no further illicit materials. Hezbollah affiliates reportedly protested the incident in Beirut’s Dahieh neighborhood.
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A Covid surge is currently underway in the U.S., driven by low booster uptake (only 21.4% of adults and 10.3% of children have received the latest booster) and the emergence of new variants. Increased test positivity, hospitalizations, and deaths underscore the ongoing danger of the virus, particularly for the elderly and vulnerable populations. Experts emphasize the continued need for vaccination, monitoring, and preventive measures like masking and improved air quality, though the prioritization of these measures remains uncertain under the new administration. The virus’s unpredictable behavior highlights the importance of ongoing surveillance and rapid response to future waves.
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President Biden blocked Nippon Steel’s $14.9 billion acquisition of US Steel, citing national security concerns and prioritizing domestic ownership of the steel industry. This decision, made despite opposition from the companies and Japanese officials, followed pressure from the United Steelworkers union and aligned with Biden’s campaign promises. The blocked merger raises questions about future foreign investment in the US and the viability of US Steel, which had warned of potential factory closures without the deal. Nippon Steel and US Steel have vowed to challenge the decision legally.
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President-elect Trump criticized the plan to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff during his inauguration, coinciding with the 30-day mourning period for President Carter ordered by President Biden. Trump, on Truth Social, incorrectly referred to the practice as “half mast” and claimed Democrats were gleeful about it, while the White House affirmed the order would remain in effect. Despite his past criticism of Carter, Trump has since acknowledged the former president’s legacy. The flag will be lowered in accordance with federal protocol established in 1954.
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Thousands are protesting in Washington D.C. this weekend to prevent Donald Trump’s inauguration, arguing that the 14th Amendment bars him from office due to his involvement in the January 6th Capitol riot. Led by Trump’s former staffer Jessica Denson and supported by legal experts, the “#14thNow” movement aims to pressure lawmakers to reject Trump’s electoral votes. Success would result in Vice President Kamala Harris becoming president. Legal scholars contend that sufficient congressional objection to Trump’s electoral votes, based on the 14th Amendment and the findings of the January 6th Committee, could disqualify him.
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Following his resignation from Congress, former Representative Matt Gaetz sparked online ridicule after misspelling “martial law” as “Marshall Law” in a tweet comparing South Korea’s brief implementation of the measure to Dr. Anthony Fauci’s COVID-19 restrictions. The post, which garnered over 680,000 views, drew widespread mockery from social media users questioning Gaetz’s legal expertise. This incident further fueled existing controversies surrounding Gaetz’s qualifications and political judgment. His tweet highlighted the contrast between his political rhetoric and his apparent lack of attention to detail.
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Following the October 7th Hamas attack and subsequent investigations revealing UNRWA employee complicity, the Knesset passed legislation banning the organization from operating in Israeli territory. This effectively halts UNRWA activities in the West Bank and Gaza, severely impacting humanitarian aid for Palestinians. While Israeli officials view this as a blow against Hamas, UN officials and aid recipients warn of catastrophic consequences for the already vulnerable population. Supporters of the ban argue that UNRWA is more of a Hamas arm than a humanitarian organization, and its closure is a vital step in combating terrorism.
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John Q. Hosedrinker