Category: Uncategorized
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Up First briefing: Voices from the West Bank; Sam Bankman-Fried convicted
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel, focusing on civilian protection, while FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried is convicted on all counts, including fraud and money laundering. Conflict Continuation: Secretary Blinken is working to protect civilians in Gaza as conflict continues. * So far Israeli attacks in response to Hamas have led to over […]
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Britain bans prosecution of past Catholic and Protestant killings in Northern Ireland
Britain has enacted a law preventing prosecution for past religiously-motivated killings in Northern Ireland, with around 1,000 affected families. Background: From 1969, a conflict known as the “Troubles” erupted between Roman Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland, with the British Army’s longest-ever deployment and over 3,500 casualties. * The law is in response to protracted […]
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As climate threats grow, poor countries still aren’t getting enough money to prepare
A United Nations report indicates that developing countries, facing increasing climate threats, are not receiving sufficient funds to help them adapt to these changes. The broken promise: Despite richer countries pledging to deliver $100 billion annually to poorer nations for climate adaptation, they actually provided 15% less in 2021 than in the previous year. * […]
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More foreign citizens, including about 400 Americans, are set to depart Gaza
Hundreds of foreign passport holders, including approximately 400 Americans, are expected to leave the Gaza Strip amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Background: The departures mark the first significant civilian evacuation since the start of the war earlier this month. * A list of approved foreign citizens and dual-national Palestinians was released by […]
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Despite post-COVID efforts, the U.S. is still undersupplied with domestic-made PPE
Despite efforts to increase domestic production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) after COVID-19, the U.S. is still undersupplied. The big picture: Almost a billion dollars have been invested in an effort to boost domestic production of PPE such as masks and gloves. * This initiative was meant to prepare the US better for a similar […]
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Photos: A look at the scene of the Rafah border crossing opening
The Rafah border crossing into Egypt from Gaza has reopened, allowing foreign passport holders to leave Gaza for the first time since October 7th. Driving the news: The Rafah border crossing is the only land crossing in and out of Gaza not controlled by Israel. * The first group of foreign passport owners, who left […]
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Up First briefing: Gaza-Egypt Rafah crossing partially opens; Trump family testifies
The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt opens for limited evacuations, members of the Trump family are to testify in a New York civil fraud case, and President Biden prepares to visit Minnesota to showcase his rural investment initiatives. Border crisis: The Rafah, Gaza-Egypt border crossing permits limited evacuations for the first time since […]
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Foreign nationals and ambulances gather at Gaza’s border on reports of gate opening
Foreign nationals and ambulances are gathering at Gaza’s border crossing with Egypt, in anticipation of the first group of people trapped inside Gaza since the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas being allowed to exit. Driving the news: The Hamas-run border crossing authority announced Wednesday that the Rafah border would open for some foreign […]
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A world record in race walking is erased after the course was measured wrong
Peruvian race walker Kimberly Garcia had her world record invalidated due to a miscalculation in the race course at the Pan American Games. What happened: After finishing the women’s 20-kilometer race walk event, it was determined that the track had a “measuring problem” and it was likely about 3 kilometers short of the intended length. […]
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In a new expulsion campaign, Pakistan is forcing many Afghans out of the country
Pakistan is expelling many Afghans ahead of a government deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave or face deportation, mostly impacting Afghans who compose the majority of migrants in the country. The backdrop: Pakistan’s new anti-migrant crackdown, targeting all undocumented or unregistered foreigners, has triggered criticism from U.N. agencies, human rights groups, and the Taliban-led administration […]