WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace convened its first meeting today, as Palestinian officials voiced objections to their exclusion from the initiative. The board, comprised of more than two dozen countries including Israel and other regional powers, aims to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza, with member nations pledging $5 billion each towards reconstruction and peacekeeping operations.
The inaugural meeting comes amid a partial government shutdown in the United States, which has prompted the Department of Homeland Security to halt all travel for FEMA personnel. While employees already deployed in the field are permitted to continue their assignments, the suspension of new deployments and return travel is raising logistical concerns, despite FEMA being primarily funded through a separate disaster relief fund holding approximately $7 billion as of December.
In a separate ruling, a federal appeals court upheld the Defense Department’s policy of banning HIV-positive individuals from military enlistment. The unanimous decision by a three-judge panel reversed a 2024 lower court ruling that had deemed the policy unlawful. The Pentagon had previously paused initial training for recruits who are HIV positive while the case was under review, citing the need for service members to fulfill missions without medical complications.
Meanwhile, in Corpus Christi, Texas, the city is preparing to host a job fair this Saturday at La Retama Central Library, offering over 100 positions across various departments, including Public Works, Utilities, and Parks and Recreation. The event, scheduled from 10 a.m. To 2 p.m., will feature on-the-spot interviews for applicants who are encouraged to bring multiple copies of their resumes and dress professionally. Individuals under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Residents of Corpus Christi with outstanding citations also have an opportunity to address their cases this weekend through the Municipal Court’s Community Court, held Saturday from 9 a.m. To 1 p.m. At the Janet F. Harte Library. The court will allow residents to speak directly with a judge to discuss tickets, request defensive driving courses, establish payment plans, and resolve active warrants.
The Corpus Christi City Council has approved a resolution to increase beach parking permit fees for Mustang and North Padre Islands from $12 to $20 annually, beginning next year. City officials state the additional revenue will support rising costs for beach maintenance and services. However, the change requires final approval from the Texas General Land Office, a process expected to take up to six months.