Beloved Palo Alto donkey Perry, the inspiration for the 2001 film *Shrek*, passed away at age 30 due to incurable laminitis. The Barron Park Donkey Project, which cared for Perry since 1997, reported that he was surrounded by love in his final weeks. A city mascot, Perry’s legacy includes a long history in Barron Park, dating back to the 1950s. While plans for a memorial service are pending, Perry’s memory will live on.
Detroit experienced a significant decrease in homicides (19%) and nonfatal shootings (25%) in 2024, reaching their lowest rates in over 50 years. This reduction, attributed to increased police hiring and expanded community violence intervention programs, resulted in 203 homicides and 606 nonfatal shootings. While overall violent crime also fell 7%, officials acknowledged the need for continued efforts to address persistent crime issues, including juvenile violence and freeway shootings. The city plans to further invest in prevention programs and enhance law enforcement strategies.
President-elect Trump will be sentenced on January 10th for his “hush money” conviction, a case stemming from a $130,000 payment made to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Justice Merchan’s decision rejects Trump’s claims of presidential immunity and dismissal arguments, despite the unprecedented nature of sentencing a president-elect. Although facing a potential four-year sentence, no jail time is anticipated by the court, and a virtual appearance is possible. The judge’s ruling also criticized Trump’s legal team’s rhetoric as potentially undermining the judiciary.
A Canadian teenager fully recovered from H5N1 bird flu after a severe illness requiring intensive care, including ECMO and antiviral treatments. Genetic analysis revealed concerning mutations in the virus, suggesting increased ability to infect human cells and cause severe disease. This case, along with 45 others in the U.S. in 2024, highlights the ongoing risk of H5N1, particularly given the observed mutations. The virus’s adaptation in the human host raises concerns about potential for more severe future infections.
Over 115,000 Syrian refugees have returned home since December 8th, according to UNHCR data compiled from host country reports, Syrian immigration services, and border monitoring. This repatriation follows the fall of the Assad regime and Bashar Assad’s departure to Russia. The returning refugees originated from neighboring countries such as Türkiye, Jordan, and Lebanon. The UNHCR’s figures represent a significant return of refugees to Syria in a short period.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
John Q. Hosedrinker