Key Rafah Border Crossing Between Gaza and Egypt Reopens
The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, a crucial point of entry and exit, reopened on Monday, allowing the movement of people after being largely closed since May 2024 when Israeli forces captured the Gazan side, according to BBC World. The reopening followed the return of the body of the last Israeli hostage in Gaza last week, BBC World reported. Ambulances were seen waiting on the Egyptian side of the border to receive sick and wounded Palestinians. The reopening was initially planned during the first phase of US President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan between Israel and Hamas, which began in October, but was blocked by Israel until the hostage's body was returned, BBC World reported.
Ukraine Hails Musk's Restriction of Russian Starlink Use
In other news, Ukraine praised Elon Musk for restricting Russia's use of Starlink satellites, citing "real results," according to BBC World. Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's defense minister, lauded Musk as "a true champion of freedom and a true friend of the Ukrainian people," stating that Musk swiftly responded to reports of Russian drones using Starlink connectivity in the country, BBC World reported. These drones have been linked to recent deadly attacks by Russia on Ukraine, including one on a passenger train that killed six people. Musk wrote on X, "Looks like the steps we took to stop the unauthorized use of Starlink by Russia have worked," adding, "Let us know if [it doesn't]."
Kidnapped Nigerians Return Home After Escape
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, eighty kidnapped worshippers returned home after escaping their captors in Kaduna state, BBC World reported. The individuals were among 177 people seized last month from three churches in the remote village of Kurmin Wali. According to Mansur Hassan, a state police spokesman, the 80 people escaped on the day of their abduction but remained hidden in neighboring villages for two weeks "due to fear of being captured again," BBC World reported. Authorities are continuing efforts to secure the release of the remaining 86 people still being held. The attack was part of a wave of violence in the region.
Disney Warns of Impact from Declining International Visits
Disney has warned that its US amusement parks will face a hit in the coming months due to a decline in international visitors, BBC Business reported. The company plans to offset this by increasing marketing efforts to US customers and still anticipates modest growth in its parks business, a key profit driver. The number of foreign visitors to the US decreased last year for the first time since 2020, with some analysts attributing the decline to a backlash against President Donald Trump's policies, BBC Business reported. Disney did not comment on the cause of the shift but its comments add to concerns that tourists' anti-US sentiment has increased this year. The US has already increased fees at national parks.
Remembering a Conversation with Alistair Darling
Faisal Islam of BBC Business reflected on a private conversation with the late Alistair Darling, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, regarding the 2009 financial crisis. The conversation centered on Darling's "painful and angry" telephone call with Jamie Dimon, chief executive of JP Morgan, after the UK government announced plans to tax bankers' bonuses. According to Islam, Darling recounted a threat from Dimon to withdraw plans for JP Morgan's new UK headquarters. Islam noted that details of the background and context of this call appear in the Epstein file.
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