The new Jewish Heritage in Syria Foundation has been granted a license by the Syrian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor to restore Jewish communal property and revitalize Jewish life. Led by Henry Hamra, the foundation’s initial focus will be the restoration of the Jobar synagogue in Damascus. The organization plans to create a registry of Jewish properties confiscated under previous regimes. This initiative aligns with the current Syrian administration’s efforts to reach out to minority groups, and the Jewish community numbered around 30,000 in the late 1940s.
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The Trump administration’s use of lethal force against alleged members of “designated terrorist organizations” in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean raises concerns about expanding executive power. The administration’s refusal to clarify if similar actions could occur within the U.S., particularly against groups designated as “domestic terrorist organizations” under NSPM-7, fuels fears of extrajudicial killings. Experts and lawmakers warn that the broad application of this term lacks legal basis and could be used to suppress dissent. Critics highlight the dangers of labeling actions such as drug trafficking as armed conflict to justify lethal actions.
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Following a Guardian investigation, two senior Democrats are calling for an investigation into share purchases made by Venture Global executives. These purchases, totaling almost $12 million each, were made shortly after a meeting with White House officials who subsequently issued a key regulatory permit. Senators Wyden and Van Hollen expressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest, with Wyden drawing parallels to past Trump administration controversies, particularly regarding energy policy. Several members of congress have pointed to the timing of the stock trades and the possibility of insider trading.
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Finnish President Alexander Stubb has altered his travel plans due to the critical situation in Ukraine, canceling a trip to Texas in favor of attending talks in Berlin, Germany. The meeting, scheduled for December 15th, will focus on a potential ceasefire. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has extended an invitation to the United States to participate, following a recent phone call involving European leaders and Donald Trump, which highlighted disagreements regarding peace efforts. Notably, Donald Trump’s Special Envoy is also expected to meet with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin this weekend.
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Representative Mike Levin, a California Democrat, has announced his co-sponsorship of the Supreme Court Term Limits and Regular Appointments Act of 2025 (H.R. 1074), which proposes 18-year term limits for Supreme Court justices. The bill would establish a regular appointment schedule, with a new justice nominated every two years, and allow senior justices to continue performing judicial duties. However, the legislation faces significant constitutional hurdles, as Article III of the Constitution suggests that term limits would require a constitutional amendment. Despite Democratic support, the bill is unlikely to pass due to Republican opposition and is seen more as a political statement reflecting dissatisfaction with the court’s current ideological balance.
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This article provides contact information for several investigative and state government reporters. Justin Garcia, an investigative reporter, can be reached at a specified email address. Alexandra Glorioso, a state government reporter for the Miami Herald, is based in Tallahassee. Additionally, Lawrence Mower, a Tallahassee correspondent, can be contacted via email. The article also notes that while a sample of comments is publicly available, a Times subscription is required to participate in the online discussion.
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At the Congressional Ball on December 11th, First Lady Melania Trump teased a new legislative initiative, which the President claimed to be hearing about for the first time. The initiative is being developed in 2026 and is believed to be connected to her new Fostering the Future initiative, an extension of her “Be Best” campaign. During her term, her campaign focused on well-being, online safety, and opioid abuse. The First Lady has already begun working on this new project with members of Congress.
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U.S. ready to offer Ukraine legally binding NATO Article 5-style security guarantees. Let’s unpack this, shall we? The idea, on the surface, seems straightforward enough: the United States, in an effort to shore up Ukraine’s defenses, is considering offering legally binding security guarantees that would mirror the commitments enshrined in NATO’s Article 5. Article 5, for those unfamiliar, is the bedrock of the alliance – it essentially states that an attack on one member is an attack on all, triggering a collective defense response. But when we start peeling back the layers, a lot of questions pop up, and a deep skepticism about this proposal emerges.… Continue reading
Germany is sending soldiers to Poland to assist with border fortification efforts due to growing concerns about the threat from Russia. These German troops will be involved in engineering activities such as constructing fortifications and laying barriers. The deployment, expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026 and last until the end of 2027, does not require parliamentary approval as there is no immediate military conflict danger. This support aligns with Poland’s strong backing of Ukraine and its efforts to modernize its own military.
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The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is implementing a major reform to consolidate all intelligence units from various branches of the military into a single structure, as recommended by the Strategic Defence Review. This restructuring aims to accelerate data gathering and analysis to counter escalating cyber threats, disruptions to global logistics, and satellite interference. A new Defence Counter-Intelligence Unit (DCIU) has also been launched to protect sensitive capabilities and strengthen cooperation with intelligence agencies and NATO allies. This unified approach, supported by training from the Military Intelligence Academy and a data-integration center at RAF Wyton, seeks to provide faster warnings and bolster national security, aligning with plans to increase national security spending.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood