Trump expands travel ban

Welcome back to the Daily Briefing.

This is Rosaleen Carroll, filling in for Gabrielle.

In today’s edition:  

• Trump expands travel ban to include Syrian, Palestinian Authority passport holders
• Iran’s FM meets with Russian counterpart in Moscow
• Palestinians in Gaza face flooding, cold temperatures
• Turkey launches probe into HBO series, citing concerns over “national values”
• Moroccan stock market sees boost as country prepares to host World Cup 

I’ll be highlighting these top stories below. 

Thanks for reading,

Rosaleen (@roscarroll_)

Trump imposes full travel bans on seven more countries, Palestinians 

US President Donald Trump speaks with military officers at the White House — ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS

US President Donald Trump sharply expanded a travel ban on Tuesday, barring people from seven additional countries, including Syria, as well as Palestinian Authority passport holders, from entering the United States.

The move brings to nearly 40 the number of countries whose citizens face restrictions on entering the United States by virtue of nationality, with Trump also tightening rules for routine travel from Western nations. 

In a proclamation, the White House said it was banning foreigners who "intend to threaten" Americans. Trump also wants to prevent foreigners in the United States who would "undermine or destabilize its culture, government, institutions or founding principles," the proclamation said.

Iran’s FM Araghchi in Moscow as biting sanctions drive closer Russia ties 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi enter a hall during a meeting in Moscow on April 18, 2025. — TATYANA MAKEYEVA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The Islamic Republic and the Russian Federation held back-to-back high-level meetings this week to underscore their strategic partnership, with Russia's deputy prime minister hosted by Iran's top national security official on Monday and Iran's foreign minister traveling to Moscow for talks on Tuesday.

In the synchronized diplomatic meetings, the two countries highlighted their determination to operationalize long-discussed economic and transit projects as Western sanctions continue to choke their economies. 

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi headed a diplomatic delegation in Moscow for talks with senior Russian officials, including his counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. Araghchi’s Moscow visit comes amid Tehran’s push to expand political and economic coordination with non-Western partners, particularly Russia and China, as prospects for sanctions relief from the United States remain uncertain amid stalled nuclear diplomacy. 

Fresh rains flood streets in war-scarred Gaza 

The UN says not enough aid is entering Gaza, where winter floods are compounding people's woes — Omar AL-QATTAA

Some pushed cars through the Gaza Strip's flooded streets, while others took to donkey-pulled carts to wade through the floodwaters after fresh winter rains lashed the war-battered Palestinian territory. 

The rains have flooded tents and makeshift shelters in Gaza, where most of the buildings have been destroyed or damaged by two years of war between Israel and the militant group Hamas. The Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory said a two-week-old baby named Muhammad Khalil Abu Al-Khair died because of severe hypothermia caused by extreme cold. 

Although a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect in October and partially eased restrictions on goods and aid, the United Nations says too little is entering Gaza, where needs remain dire.

The UN said on Monday that an estimated 1.3 million people currently need shelter assistance in Gaza and warned of the increasing risk of hypothermia. It said babies were in particularly "high danger" from the winter conditions. 

Turkey launches probe into HBO series citing ‘moral’ values: What to know 

A still from the series "Jasmine." — TN Yapim

Turkey’s broadcasting watchdog has launched an investigation into the television series "Jasmine," citing concerns that the show violates "national values" and "exploits women," in the latest scrutiny of digital content by authorities. 

The Radio and Television Supreme Council, or RTUK, said Monday it had opened a probe into the series. “An investigation has been launched [into the series] due to content that … clearly contradicts our national and moral values, exploits women and violates general standards of public morality,” a statement by RTUK said. 

"Jasmine," which was produced in Turkey and launched its first episode on the HBO Max digital platform on Dec. 12, follows the story of a young woman in Istanbul suffering from a terminal heart condition who turns to prostitution in an effort to survive and secure a transplant. Read Ezgi Akin’s report here. 

Morocco’s markets rise as World Cup spending fuels largest IPO in decades  

Digital renderings of the proposed Stade Hassan II stadium in Morocco, projected to be the largest football stadium in the world. — Populous via Handout/Getty Images

Morocco’s stock market is enjoying a moment in the spotlight as World Cup-driven spending feeds investor appetite and lifts equities. That dynamic was on display this week when one of the kingdom’s largest construction firms, deeply involved in preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, made a strong stock market debut. 

Shares in Societe Generale des Travaux du Maroc jumped by the daily trading limit of 10% on Dec. 16 after the construction firm raised roughly $550 million from its initial public offering, underscoring demand in a market that has featured few new listings in recent years.  

The IPO comes amid a promising year for the Casablanca Stock Exchange, whose main shares index is up around 25% year to date — ahead of many Middle Eastern peers — and as Morocco pours money into infrastructure ahead of co-hosting the world’s biggest sporting event alongside Spain and Portugal. Read Samuel Wendel’s report here.