Syria to Return Jewish Property Amid Rights Concerns

Syria Takes Steps to Return Property to Jewish Community

The Syrian government has initiated a process to return property to the country's Jewish community, which once thrived in the region, according to NPR News. In December, the Syrian government transferred control of Jewish sites to a Jewish heritage organization led by Syrian-American cantor Henry Hamra, as reported by NPR. Hamra's organization now oversees sites like the Central Synagogue of Aleppo, which was once the center of a vibrant Jewish community in the northern Syrian city.

Brothers of Renee Good Call for Congressional Action

In Washington, D.C., the brothers of Renee Good, a U.S. citizen killed by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, urged Congress to address violence resulting from immigration operations. During a Bicameral Public Forum on Capitol Hill, Luke and Brent Ganger called for action, stating that the events are "changing many lives, including ours, forever," according to the Associated Press. Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, was one of two U.S. citizens killed in the incident.

Human Rights Watch Report Claims Shift Toward Authoritarianism in U.S.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) released its annual World Report 2026, asserting that the United States has experienced a "shift toward authoritarianism" during President Donald Trump's second term, Time reported. The report highlights a "blatant disregard for human rights and egregious violations" in the past year. HRW specifically criticizes the administration's actions regarding immigration, health, the environment, labor, disability, gender, criminal justice, and freedom of speech, noting "significant steps backward" in these areas. The report also condemns "unnecessarily violent and abusive raids" by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Study Identifies Sustainable Application of Olive Pomace

A study by the University of Córdoba has identified the extraction of olive pomace oil as the most sustainable alternative for recovering byproducts from the olive oil industry, according to Phys.org. The methodology considers economic, environmental, and social indicators.