Context:

Syria has introduced a new dress code requiring women to wear burkinis at public beaches and pools, reflecting the influence of the Islamist coalition Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Nationwide protests in the US continue against the Trump administration’s immigration policies, leading to multiple arrests and curfews in major cities. A bus from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was attacked, resulting in fatalities and accusations against Hamas, while the IDF recovered two deceased hostages. A federal judge halted the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist, amidst ongoing immigration controversies. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, sparking backlash due to concerns over declining vaccination rates and a measles outbreak.

Dive Deeper:

• Syria's new regulations mandate women to wear burkinis and cover-ups at public beaches, a policy influenced by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, although penalties for non-compliance remain unspecified.

• Protests against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown have escalated, leading to arrests in cities like New York and Los Angeles, and imposing curfews to control unrest.

• An attack on a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation bus, attributed to Hamas, resulted in multiple deaths and injuries, amid allegations of aid misappropriation by Hamas and criticism of GHF by international agencies.

• Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student and activist, was released from detention after a judge's intervention, highlighting ongoing tensions over the administration's stance on pro-Palestinian activism.

• Health Secretary Kennedy's dismissal of the CDC's vaccine advisory panel and appointment of critics of the government's Covid-19 response have drawn criticism from medical professionals concerned about public health implications.

• Harvey Weinstein was convicted of a criminal sex act in 2006, while ongoing deliberations continue on other charges, amidst a series of legal battles following his previous convictions.

• An Air India flight crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad, India, involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with 242 on board, marking a significant aviation incident.