The CDC has reported that flu cases are low nationwide, with most states having low or minimal flu-related hospital visits. Most of the cases reported are influenza type A, specifically the H1N1 strain. The CDC recommends preventive measures such as getting a flu shot, washing hands, and avoiding contact with sick people to protect against the flu.
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House Republicans are facing difficulty in finding a new speaker of the House of Representatives after their first nominee, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, was ousted 10 days ago. On Friday, a small group of moderate Democrats proposed expanding the power of Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry until a new speaker is elected, while House Republicans consider their second nominee, House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan. Democrats are refusing to bail out the House Republican majority in their search for a new speaker, leaving the outcome of the power struggle uncertain.
Oil prices have surged in response to the looming Israeli ground assault on Gaza, with the Biden administration warning Israeli counterparts to show restraint and avoid mass civilian casualties. The US has also tightened sanctions on major crude-producing countries, further stoking market fears over a drop in supply as demand increases. President Biden has called Hamas' actions "pure evil" and urged all sides to de-escalate the situation and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
During Trump's civil fraud trial in New York, evidence was presented that the Trump Organization considered adding a "presidential premium" to certain assets to increase his net worth. This was after Forbes magazine revealed that Trump's Manhattan triplex was about a third of the size he had long claimed, and thus far less valuable. Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen has also testified that Trump had previously inflated his assets to lenders.
The Wall Street Journal's editorial board has criticized former President Donald Trump for his rhetoric regarding the escalating conflict between Israel and Gaza, noting that his comments at a Wednesday rally in Florida were inappropriate given the current situation. Trump responded to the criticism on the Truth Social media platform, and the Journal concluded that he "can't help himself from making everything about himself." It remains to be seen whether Trump will address the conflict in Israel and Gaza at a rally in Georgia or continue to focus on himself.
On Thursday, French police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse a pro-Palestinian rally in Paris, after the country's interior minister imposed a ban on such events. The conflict in the Middle East has been escalating, with the Israeli Defense Forces warning people not to return to their homes in the Gaza Strip. The rally was a show of solidarity with those affected by the conflict, but the French authorities have made it clear that they will not tolerate any public displays of support for Palestinians.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has criticized former President Donald Trump for his remarks about Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese militia designated as a foreign terrorist organization. DeSantis condemned Trump's comments, noting that terrorists have murdered at least 1,200 Israelis and 22 Americans. His criticism has sparked a debate about the US relationship with Israel and the role of terrorism in the region, and it remains to be seen how Trump and other potential 2024 candidates will respond.
President Biden held a conference call with the families of 14 Americans believed to be held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, expressing his condolences and assuring them that the US government is doing all it can to locate and bring home their loved ones. The Biden administration has been working to de-escalate the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and this call is seen as a sign of the president's commitment to the families of the hostages and his commitment to ensuring the safe return of their loved ones.