Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Biden speeds up refugee admissions but doesn’t lift cap
Although Biden is changing some of the Trump-era policies toward refugees, he has not lifted Trump’s low cap of 15,000 per year. He is adjusting the allocation limits, providing more slots from certain regions and lifting restrictions on others. The Associated Press has the story: Biden’s emergency determination speeds up refugee admissions without lifting Trump’s…
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Russia expelling US diplomats in response to Biden
After the Biden administration announced new sanctions, Russia announced it was expelling 10 U.S. diplomats and shutting down U.S. nongovernment organizations. The Biden administration imposed the sanctions over Russia interfering in the 2020 U.S. presidential election and involvement in the SolarWind hack of federal agencies. The Associated Press has the story: After US imposes new…
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Algeria pro-democracy movement leans toward Islamists
The pro-democracy Hirak movement in Algeria, which forced out President Abdelaziz Bouteflika from office in 2019, is becoming increasingly tied to the Rachad group, an Islamist group that was outlawed during the 1990s. This has made some Hirak supporters back off from the movement. The Associated Press has the story: Pro-democracy Hirak movement in Algeria…
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Israel-Morocco, historical richness and domestic challenges
Today, on Israel’s 73rd anniversary, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin hosted the traditional reception for the foreign heads of mission in Israel in his official residence in Jerusalem. This year’s event was different; as a senior representative of Morocco, the head of the Moroccan liaison mission in Tel Aviv, was in attendance, shaking the president’s hand…
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India asked to provide more vaccines to Africa
Third World countries are having difficulties getting enough COVID-19 vaccines, as initial distributions have favored wealthier nations. African CDC official John Nkengasong is speaking out about the inequity, asking India to release its limits on how many shots it exports. The Associated Press has the story: African countries lagging behind in obtaining vaccines, India criticized…
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Background on the Iran nuclear talks
Negotiations have begun to bring the U.S. back into the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. How did the deal come about, why did the U.S. leave the agreement, and what are the chances of reviving it? The Associated Press has the story: The history of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action deal with Iran over…
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U.S. threatens Lebanese politicians with sanctions
After months of political deadlock in Lebanon, U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs David Hale warned Lebanese officials that U.S. and its allies might impose sanctions against them if progress is not made setting up the new government. Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri was named to the post in October, but he has been unable…
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Jobless claims decrease to lowest since pandemic
The economy continues to turn around as the effects of the pandemic diminish. Employers are adding jobs, the unemployment rate continues to decrease and sales have jumped back. The Associated Press has the story: Only 576,000 Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits tumbled…
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A closer look at the Russia-Ukraine border conflict
Tensions between the two countries are back at high levels since Russia placed 41,000 troops near the border with eastern Ukraine a few days ago, the largest buildup since 2014. What started this conflict in 2014 and why? The Associated Press has the story: The history of the Russia-Ukraine feud over Crimea in eastern Ukraine…
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Canadian Parliament member caught naked on video session
In what has become a phenomenon due to COVID-19 lockdowns, people conducting business are getting caught not fully dressed during video conferencing meetings. The latest casualty is Canadian Parliament member William Amos. The Associated Press has the story: Canadian MP William Amos stark naked during virtual meeting of the House of Commons OTTAWA, Ontario (AP)…
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