WORLD NEWS FLASH
UNITED STATES
This past week, leaders of some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions of higher education were called to Capitol Hill, and left with calls for their resignations.
On Dec. 5, the presidents of Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Pennsylvania spoke before members of the House on why incidents of antisemitic behavior have exploded since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel. Within the line of questions they faced, there was one that produced some baffling answers.
When House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY) asked presidents Claudine Gay (Harvard), Sally Kornbluth (MIT) and Liz Magill (UPenn) if statements calling for the genocide of Jews would violate their respective universities codes of conduct, all three refused to say “no” but rather spoke on free speech instead.
The outrage over the evasive answers was so severe that both Republicans and Democrats began calling for resignations of the three women, and big time donors threatened to pull their funds. Amid the pressure, Gay issued an apology over her remarks, while Magill resigned from her post on Dec. 9. MIT meanwhile has stood behind its president Kornbluth.
Upon Magill’s resignation, Stefanik released the following statement:
“One down. Two to go. This is only the very beginning of addressing the pervasive rot of antisemitism that has destroyed the most ‘prestigious’ higher education institutions in America.
“This forced resignation of the President of Penn is the bare minimum of what is required.
“These universities can anticipate a robust and comprehensive Congressional investigation of all facets of their institutions’ negligent perpetration of antisemitism including administrative, faculty, and overall leadership and governance.
“Harvard and MIT, do the right thing. The world is watching.
“In the case of Harvard, President Gay was asked by me 17 times whether calling for the genocide of Jews violates Harvard’s code of conduct. She spoke her truth 17 times. And the world heard.
“In the case of MIT, Dr. Kornbluth answered the question. ‘If targeted at individuals’ is dehumanizing the Jewish people in her answer.”
MASS SHOOTING UPDATE
Information recent as of 12-12-2023 at 12 p.m.
2023 Mass Shooting Stats: (Source: Mass Shooting Tracker – https://www.massshootingtracker.site/data/?year=2023)
Total Mass Shootings: 723
Total Dead: 882
Total Wounded: 2867
Shootings Per Day: 2.09
Days Reached in Year 2023 as of Dec. 5: 339
MIDDLE EAST
UN HEAD STILL SEEKS CEASEFIRE
The UN Secretary-General on Dec. 10 pledged that he would “not give up” on appealing for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, adding that inaction on the Security Council was undermining its credibility.
“The preeminent forum for the peaceful resolution of international disputes is paralyzed by geostrategic divisions,” António Guterres told the Doha Forum taking place in Qatar, following Friday’s meeting in New York during which the United States vetoed a resolution demanding that Israel and Palestinian militants end the intense fighting across the enclave which erupted on Oct. 7 with the Hamas terror attacks.
“I urged the Security Council to press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe and I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared,” said the UN chief.
“Regrettably the Security Council failed to do it but that does not make it less necessary. So, I can promise I will not give up,” he told delegates to the global platform in Qatar, which brings world leaders together to discuss collective security and other challenges.
He said a sclerotic Security Council where splits between the permanent members, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the US have produced only one resolution narrowly focused on aid delivery, needed reform.
“We need a serious effort to bring global structures up to date, rooted in equality and solidarity and based on the United Nations Charter and international law,” he said, noting that the Council’s divisions were “undermining solutions from Ukraine to Myanmar and the Middle East.”
The horrific terror attacks by Hamas and resulting “relentless bombardment” of Gaza, have only produced a single resolution “which I welcome. But that delay comes at a cost”, he added. “And the resolution is not being implemented.”
Also addressing the conference in Qatar, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said the dehumanization of Palestinians has allowed the international community to tolerate Israel’s continued bombardment of Gaza, which has led to more than 17,000 deaths since Oct. 7.
“There is no doubt that a humanitarian ceasefire is needed if we want to put an end to hell of earth right now in Gaza,” said Philippe Lazzarini.
EUROPE
UK TRACKING SWINE FLU STRAIN
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published its investigation findings on a recent case of influenza A(H1N2)v. The case was detected as part of routine national flu surveillance undertaken by UKHSA and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP).
The virus was identified by UKHSA on Nov. 23 using genome sequencing, the first time a human case of this particular virus has been confirmed in the UK.
Rapid work has been underway to learn more about the virus and its characteristics, including how it may have been acquired and whether it may have spread.
There remains only one human case of influenza A(H1N2)v in England. The case was an otherwise well person over 75 years of age, who has recovered fully.
Although the virus is similar to those detected in pigs in England and the case lives in a region containing pig farms, no direct contact between the case and any animal was reported.
No further cases have been detected through investigations, including follow-up of contacts to date and enhanced surveillance through local GP practices and hospital trusts.
Enhanced surveillance will continue over the coming weeks as a precaution.
UKHSA Incident Director Dr Meera Chand said: “This is the first time we have detected this virus in humans in the UK. Since the virus was confirmed, we have been working rapidly to learn more about it and how it might have been acquired.
“Investigations to date have not identified any further human cases and sporadic cases of influenza from swine viruses are known to occur.
“The identification of this case highlights the importance of our flu surveillance and genomic sequencing in helping us to identify and learn more about new viruses.”
