Cease-fire extended: Israel and Hamas have agreed to another extension of the cease-fire, but this extension is to be for only one day. The announcement of the extension was made this morning a short time before the existing cease-fire was due to expire. Qatar and Egypt have been pressing for additional extensions and hostage releases as has U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is on his third negotiating trip to the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to resume the fighting and follow through on previous pledges he has made to wipe out Hamas.
Henry Kissinger dies at 100: Former U.S. Secretary of State and Nobel Peace Prize-winner Henry Kissinger has died at his home in Kent, Connecticut, at age 100. His death was announced by his consulting firm, Kissinger Associates. The cause of death was not revealed. In May of 2023, Kissinger celebrated his 100th birthday. He had remained active in spite of his age and most recently focused his attention on the implications of artificial intelligence. He was a frequent guest on news programs and panel discussions and wrote and traveled abroad. While serving in the Nixon Administration, Kissinger was instrumental in secret negotiations with the North Vietnamese to end the Vietnam War.
Johnson has doubts about expelling Santos: House Speaker Mike Johnson says that House Republicans can vote their consciences when it comes to tomorrow’s expected vote on expelling New York Congressman George Santos. However, Johnson said that he has personal reservations about expelling Santos because Santos has not yet been convicted of any federal crimes. The Republican-led House Ethics Committee has issued a scathing report identifying numerous ethical violations by Santos and also recommended that the Department of Justice consider additional criminal charges against him.
GOP’s impeachment plans: Sources say that during a close-door meeting, House Republicans discussed whether to have a vote in the full House next week on a resolution to formally open an inquiry that would lead to the impeachment of President Biden. Republicans have started an inquiry without a formal House vote to go ahead and some Republicans believe approval by the full House is needed to legitimize the inquiry. So far there has been no evidence produced that Biden engaged in any high crimes or misdemeanors that would justify impeachment.
Demonstrators clash with NYC police: New York City police foiled plans by pro-Palestinian demonstrators to interrupt last night’s lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. However, an estimated 500 demonstrators clashed with police a couple of blocks away from Rockefeller Center. The demonstrators were confined to an area near the Christmas tree on display outside of Fox News headquarters on the Avenue of the Americas. The demonstrators pushed over police barricades and scuffled with officers. There were a half dozen arrests. The lights on the Rockefeller Center tree will be on each day through Jan. 13.
Getting the lead out: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today proposed new rules governing lead pipes that would require all water systems in the U.S. to replace lead service lines within 10 years. The White House points out that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides up to $50 billion to upgrade the nation’s water infrastructure. The White House said that more than 9.2 million American households connect to water through lead pipes and lead service lines. The new EPA rules also would increase tap water sampling requirements.
Cover photo: Gage Skidmore / Flickr Creative Commons
