The ban ends the practice of shooting animals to simulate battlefield injuries, citing advances in medical simulators that better replicate human wounds.
The measure, backed by Representative Vern Buchanan, allows other forms of animal use in training and weapons testing to continue. Animal rights groups welcomed the change, while the Defense Health Agency said it is reviewing how to implement the ban.
The shift builds on earlier laws directing the Pentagon to rely on simulation technology whenever possible to prepare medics for combat care.
It appears the era of “goat-medics” is behind us.
Immigration Judge Fired After Asylum Rulings Clash With Deportation Push
A US Army Reserve lawyer serving as a temporary federal immigration judge was fired about a month into the job after granting asylum at a rate that diverged from the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda, according to the Associated Press on Thursday.
Christopher Day, who began hearing cases in late October at an immigration court in Virginia, was dismissed in early December after ruling in favor of migrants in more than half of the cases he decided in November. The Justice Department declined to explain the decision, but AP reports federal data indicates that Day’s rulings contrasted sharply with those of other judges, particularly military lawyers detailed to immigration courts.
Federal data shows military lawyers detailed as immigration judges ordered deportation nearly 80% of the time.
One judge who didn’t?
He was fired after five weeks on the bench.https://t.co/YEqZ3Cc0Y4
— Joshua Goodman (@APjoshgoodman) December 19, 2025
The administration has expanded the use of military attorneys to reduce a backlog of nearly 4 million asylum cases, with those judges ordering removals far more often than their civilian counterparts.
Legal experts and advocates say Day’s firing raises concerns about judicial independence and the vulnerability of military lawyers who lack civil service protections.
US Lifts Caesar Act Sanctions, Opening Door to Syria’s Reconstruction
Syria’s government and regional allies welcomed the repeal of the US Caesar Act sanctions after US President Donald Trump signed the measure into law as part of the annual defense spending bill.
The sanctions, imposed in 2019 to punish human rights abuses under former President Bashar Assad, were removed following Assad’s ouster and amid concerns they were blocking economic recovery and reconstruction.
The repeal came without conditions, though it requires regular US reporting to Congress on Syria’s progress on minority rights and counterterrorism. Syrian officials said the move will help reintegrate the country into the global financial system and attract investment for reconstruction estimated at $216 billion.
🤝 Türkiye welcomes the US decision to lift sanctions on Syria under the Caesar Act, saying the move can support reconstruction and stability
🌍 Move follows US President Donald Trump signing 2026 defense law that formally ends the Caesar Act sanctions https://t.co/1G5PJyvQ5u pic.twitter.com/lxqiQ7BRFO
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) December 19, 2025
While Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar welcomed the decision, the United Kingdom imposed new targeted sanctions on figures linked to recent violence against civilians, including members of both the former regime and the new government’s security forces.
US Marine General Nominated to Lead US Security Mission in Jerusalem
The Trump administration has nominated Marine Corps Major General Sean Salene to lead the Office of the Security Coordinator in Jerusalem, a key US-led mission supporting Israeli-Palestinian security coordination, as efforts continue to advance the Gaza ceasefire into its next phase.
If confirmed by the Senate, Salene would be promoted to lieutenant general and assume command of the multinational office, which helps train Palestinian Authority security forces and coordinates with Israel.
The Pentagon also nominated Lieutenant General Patrick Frank, head of US Army Central, to serve as deputy commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM).
Frank currently co-leads the US military’s aid coordination hub in Israel.
The nominations come as US and international officials discuss plans for a potential postwar security arrangement in Gaza, including a proposed international stabilization force outlined in the ceasefire agreement.
Egypt Pushes to Ease Israel-Hezbollah Tensions During Beirut Talks
Egypt is working to prevent renewed escalation between Lebanon and Israel as disputes persist over Hezbollah’s disarmament, Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly said Friday during a visit to Beirut.
Madbouly said Cairo is pressing to keep Lebanon out of further conflict while strengthening bilateral ties, following months of Egyptian diplomatic engagement aimed at regional deescalation.
His visit coincided with a meeting of the US-brokered ceasefire monitoring committee that includes Lebanon, Israel, the United States, France and the United Nations.
🛑 Israeli, Lebanese and United States officials meet in Naqoura southern Lebanon to prevent renewed conflict, media reports
→ Ceasefire committee says security, political and economic tracks advance together to support stability and safe return of displaced residents… pic.twitter.com/8J35mZ67H7
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) December 19, 2025
Participants emphasized the need to bolster the Lebanese army’s role south of the Litani River, support civilian returns, and advance reconstruction and economic recovery.
Lebanon has pledged to clear Hezbollah’s armed presence from the border area by year’s end, as Israel continues near-daily strikes despite the ceasefire.
Denmark Blames Russia for Cyberattacks on Water Utility, Election Websites
Denmark’s Defense Intelligence Service said Russia carried out cyberattacks against Danish infrastructure and public websites in 2024 and 2025 as part of a broader hybrid campaign targeting countries that support Ukraine.
The assessment said a pro-Russian group linked to Moscow hacked a water utility in 2024, altering pressure levels and causing pipes to burst, temporarily cutting water to hundreds of homes.
Danish authorities also said a separate Russian-linked group launched denial-of-service attacks against Danish websites ahead of recent local elections, aiming to disrupt democratic processes.
Today the Danish Defence Intelligence Service attributed two cyberattacks to Russia. We strongly condemn these attacks against a Danish water utility and Danish websites during elections in DK. We call on Russia to cease these malicious cyber activitieshttps://t.co/VczRd2Ukoh
— Denmark MFA 🇩🇰 (@DanishMFA) December 18, 2025
Officials said the damage was limited but warned the incidents exposed vulnerabilities in Denmark’s preparedness and underscored the threat posed by Russia’s broader campaign of cyber and sabotage operations across Europe.
Pakistan Accuses India of Using Water Releases as Political Weapon
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar accused India on Friday of violating the Indus Waters Treaty by releasing water from dams without warning, calling the move a threat to regional peace and Pakistan’s food and economic security.
Dar said irregular releases from the Chenab River during a critical agricultural period could endanger livelihoods and trigger a humanitarian crisis.
#WATCH: Pakistan’s deputy PM accuses India of manipulating Chenab river flows in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a weaponization of water that risks food security and “regional peace.” https://t.co/rmFPvN8E71 pic.twitter.com/orMQr35k4k
— Arab News Pakistan (@arabnewspk) December 19, 2025
India did not immediately respond to the allegations.
The dispute comes amid already strained relations after India suspended the World Bank-brokered treaty and downgraded ties with Pakistan earlier this year, following deadly violence in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
Pakistan has raised the issue with the United Nations and warned that any effort to disrupt water flows would be treated as an act of war.
Sources: News Agencies
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Evening Brief: Rubio Defends Hardline Venezuela Policy, US Lifts Caesar Act Sanctions on Syria, Pakistan Accuses India of Weaponizing Water
Rubio defends Venezuela pressure as Syria sanctions lift and Russia blamed in EU hacks. Here’s what’s making headlines this Friday evening.
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